confessedly possessed of such vast means as the Managers of our Metropolitan Theatres are, for providing for the Public a continued course of rational entertainment, so little is brought out that is not condemned on the first night of its appearance, or with the assistance of Free Admissions, lingers on for a few evenings, and then is "no more remembered." On this subject,on the infamous partiality,-and on the consummate imbecility of Theatrical Managers in general, we have made some feu observations, but as we are well aware of the uncommon susceptibility and delicacy of feeling possessed by this Race of Beings, every care has been taken to draw the teeth out of every sentence likely to injure their nerves, or ruffle their sensibilities.

Under the management of the lamented John Kemble, the Stage assumed a more dignified appearance than perhaps at any former period of its history, but as the brightest geniuses are at times guilty of some few aberrations, by which their spotless career is at the instant forgotten,

and they are subjected to all the malignity and caustic severity of criticism; in like manner did he lay himself open to the attack of all who either possessed good taste, or pretended to it, when he degraded the Boards of his Theatre by the introduction of Horse Spectacles.

It is the common error of minor geniuses to copy more of the defects than the beauties of those predecessors in whose steps they profess to follow, and this fault is clearly attributable to the present management of Covent-Garden Theatre. John Kemble was content to treat the Town with his four-footed Performers at the close of the evening's entertainments, after they had been regaled with a finely performed Tragedy of the old school, but his Brother Charles (as in the case of Cortez) introduces them in a first piece, which sufficiently stuns and tires the Audience, who not being accustomed to sleep out of their own beds, depart without having a taste of the powerful narcotic prepared for them in the Farce which is to follow.

Let not, however, any of our Readers imagine, that the preference given to these trashy exhibitions arises from a dearth of genius in the present age of writers to produce the Legitimate Drama: the reverse is the fact, as there never was an era in which talent for Dramatic Composition of every description was more exuberant; but what avails it, if the Managers shut their doors against the Votaries of Melpomene and Thalia, and open their coffers only to the manufacturers for Astley's stud. But we live in a palliative age, when every sin against good taste and common sense is defended in some way or other, and we have heard it alleged, that the late liberal encouragement of Horse Performers arose from the finest feelings of Humanity, as, on account of the general use of Steam many animals were suddenly thrown out of employment, whose pitiable situation the Managers commiserated, and generously resolved to afford them relief. Actuated thus, they set their scribes to work, and opened the doors of their Theatres to these powerful Actors destitute of engagements.

We now bid our Readers farewell, assuring them" in the sincerity of honest friendship," that in the following narratives we did "nothing extenuate-nor set down aught in malice."

Those of the softer sex who shall peruse our pages, we greet more courteously, and respectfully assure them, that if correctness of narration, facetious anecdote, and harmonious poetry, be recommendation sufficient to ensure our Lives the high honour of a perusal, we think they will be amused, while our Biography unfolds to them the adventures and vicissitudes of the Children of Thespis.