it the interest of the lessees of Drury Lane and Covent Garden to do so.

We are

not amongst those who think that the morality of the amusements of the theatre has deteriorated, but we are certain that the morality of audiences has. So long as the saloons of the national theatres of England are used, or more correctly speaking, let out as public markets for female prostitution, and the upper circles of boxes allowed to be filled with "unfortunate" women, there

"Flung to fade, to rot, and die,"

it can excite no surprise in any well-regulated mind, that family parties to theatres are on the decrease: fathers take their children elsewhere: to those places of amusement and recreation, where the eye of youth and innocence is not obliged to gaze on vice and indelicacy. This is the only rational ground of opposition which that influential party, who dignify themselves with the curious appellation of "the religious public," have to theatrical entertainments. The theatre is not worthy of support, if these filthy" appliances and means to boot," are requisite for its success. Many advantages would, we think, accrue to all parties, were the theatrical hours shortened from seven o'clock until twelve or one next morning, is much too long for amusement; a good play, and a short farce or ballet, are quite attraction enough, on ordinary occasions, and eleven o'clock a reasonable hour for terminating the evening's entertainments. Thus half-price might be done away with, and the influx of a class of persons, who apparently do not come for theatrical enjoyment, but who greatly annoy those who do, prevented. But, perhaps, that which has done most injury to the cause of Shakspeare, and the legitimate drama, is the number of minor theatres licensed under the present laws. Either these theatres ought to be permitted to perform tragedy and comedy, or the establishments to which those departments of the drama are confined ought to be protected. The anomalous and undefined state of the law, actually injures that interest for the benefit of which it was instituted. Even if the modern doctrine of reciprocity and freedom from restriction be beneficial to trade, its principles may prove most injurious when applied to instruction and taste, subjects the growth of which is not spontaneous, but which only take root in choice soils, and arrive at maturity after the employment of great skill and good judgment in their nurture. There is another point of view in which the minor theatres have been injurious to their larger rivals: no sooner does an actor-this applies more particularly to those in the comic walk-become a permanent favourite with the public at one of the large houses, than an offer of higher salary, or a longer engagement, induces him to enter the corps of a minor establishment, where the pieces produced-and this is the effects of the law, not the fault of the management-are seldom written to convey any moral or instruction, but merely to introduce the peculiar excellencies of the favourite of the season. Thus the legitimate drama loses one of its most efficient supporters, and the genuine actor not unfrequently degenerates into a buffoon or mannerist, " o'ertopping the modesty of nature," for the sake of a grimace, which, " though it makes the unskilful laugh, cannot but make the judicious grieve: the censure of which one must, in his allowance, oversway a whole theatre of others." We have thus briefly and imperfectly pointed out some of the most obvious causes of the present unsatisfactory state of the drama, all of which are in the power of the managers themselves to remove. There are other and more abstruse reasons arising from the alteration in public taste and opinion, which time and judgment can only effect.

The encouragement given to foreign artistes over those of our own country, the late hours of fashionable life, and the encouragement given to other evening amusements, are rather the effects than the causes of the decay of the stage. We eagerly look to the opening of Covent Garden next season with a company, containing the names of Macready, Charles Kemble, W. Farren, Knowles, Mrs. Glover, to whom we hope the management will add that of the accomplished Miss Tree, as a period from which to date the restoration of the national theatre.

THE HAYMARKET.-The management of this theatre continues to merit success by a steady adberence to the choicest comedies in our language, which, aided by the acting of Mrs. Glover, Miss E. Tree, Miss Taylor, Mrs. Humby, Vandenhoff, Webster, and Vining, are in a fair way once again to become popular. The attention of the public may, for a time, be attracted by nonsense and trifles, but ultimately, sterling plays and good acting will succeed; and, when successful, Mr. Morris will find he did not miscalculate when he preferred good taste to popular opinion: the sacrifices he has occasionally made for the cause of the Drama will, sooner or later, meet with their reward: sooner the better, say we.

Mrs. Glover and Miss Tree are certainly the best actresses now on the boards. Mrs. Bradshaw, of whom Betterton said that if she was not the best actress the stage then knew, she had hindered Mrs. Barry from being the only actress, in discoursing with a friend on the action of the stage, remarked, "that she endeavoured first to make herself mistress of her part, and then left the figure and action to nature." This appears to be the mode which these accomplished ladies have also adopted. Their acting is art based upon nature, so curiously mixed up together as to become inseparable, with a complete freedom from consciousness and affectation. acutely has Shakspeare expressed this in The Winter's Tale :

"Nature is made better by no mean,

But nature makes that mean: so o'er that art,
Which you say adds to nature, is an art,

That nature makes you see, sweet maid, we marry

A gentle scyon to the wildest stock,

And make conceive a bark of baser kind

By bud of nobler race. This is an art,

Which does mend nature, change it rather; but

The art itself is nature."

How

The only novelty produced here since our last has been an amusing trifle, entitled Make Your Wills, in which Mr. Buckstone figures as the hero, with success. It is said that the manager intends to bring Mr. Talfourd's new tragedy out bere, with Miss Tree as the youthful hero. On first reading the tragedy we pictured to ourselves this lady as Ion, and have not the least doubt she will completely realise the innocent being pourtrayed by the poet.

THE ENGLISH OPERA HOUSE.-We rejoice that the committee of management of this theatre, have made an attempt to restore that species of amusement which ought to be peculiarly its object-Opera. The attempt has been made boldly and judiciously; the engagement of Miss Shirreff, Mrs. Fitzwilliam, and Mr. Wilson, cannot, we trust, fail of being successful. Miss Shirreff and Mr. Wilson are de cidedly the best singers, in their particular departments, we have; the former possesses more taste, and greater powers of execution than Miss Romer, and there is a sweetness of tone, and freedom from affectation and manners in the latter, which are wanting in Mr. Templeton. Besides, as actors, they are both infinitely superior to their rivals. Mr. De Pinna's new opera, called The Rose of the Alhambra, which we noticed on its being produced at Covent Garden some months ago, has been brought out with great splendour and taste here. This piece has been most properly called a ballad opera, and although it is impossible to speak in terms of great praise of the music, yet there are not wanting some pretty songs in it, and one very fine chorus. Mr. Wilson sung with great judgment and spirit, and sustained the character altogether much better than Mr. Barker. We think the music is more suited for Miss Romer than Miss Shirreff; it is too simple for the latter. The getting up of the opera is exceedingly creditable to the management. Mrs. Keeley has left this house, and with her husband intends visiting America, but her place is amply filled by that laughter-provoking lady, Mrs. Fitzwilliam.

THE COMMERCIAL RELATIONS OF THE COUNTRY.

THERE has been nothing to call for peculiar remark on the various subjects that are embraced under this head. Speculation seems to be casting about its untiring eyes in vain for some new outlet for our manufactures abroad, and so must perforce exhaust itself upon improvements at home. Rail-roads are now the rage. Many of these anticipated short cuts have been cut short in parliament, yet many more have obtained the sanction of the legislature, to cut up the country in all directions. The ports in the Black Sea, and the sea of Azoph, seem rising into importance, and their increasing commerce demands the serious attention of British merchants, the more especially as the Dardanelles are now opened by treaty

to the ships of all European powers. Our trade with the East Indies and China bears at present, a prosperous appearance, and the angry excitement that was lately so generally felt against the oppression and arrogance of the officials of the Celestial Empire, seems to have subsided into apathy. The equalization of the duties upon sugar, will, we trust, prove beneficial to both the eastern and western growers of that universally used article.

MONEY MARKET REPORT.-Towards the conclusion of the month of June, the Consol market wore a very animated appearance, Consols for Account being 92, India Bonds at 1 dis. to 1 prem., and Exchequer Bills from 11 to 13 premium. At this time there was a great depression in Spanish Bonds, closing at 417, the price being a few days previously, 434; the Portuguese Bonds found some improvement, advancing nearly to 82. There was at this time no great fluctuation in the other foreign securities. The share market looking well up, Greenwich Railroad 6 prem. July began with an improvement in the British securities, Consols having advanced to 92, Exchequer Bills 16, and India Bonds 2 prem. The new Portuguese loan just brought out, bore 3 prem., and the Portuguese 5 per cents were at 82. No alteration in Spanish. Dutch 5 per cents. were at 102, Russian 110, Danish 76, Belgian 102 Share Market firm. The settlement of the Consol Account took place on Thursday, the 14th July, and nobody waddled. The Consol Market dull at 911, Exchequer Bills down to 8 prem., India Bonds 2 dis., Spanish Stock very low, down to 393, Portuguese to 804, Northern Securities all improving, 111 for Russian, 105 Dutch, 1034 Belgian. In the middle of July there was great depression in the Share Market, even those speculations that usually stand firm feeling it. Greenwich Railway, 5 prem., Brighton Railway, Stephenson's," down to 12. The above was the state of the funds on the 28th of July.

BANKRUPTS.

FROM JUNE 21, TO JULY 21, 1836, INCLUSIVE.

June 21.-W. Oilbert, of King's Lynn, Norfolk, stationer.-J. Andrews, Seven Dials, victualler.-G. Scott, Jun., Newcastle-upon-Tyne, hatter.-T. Holcroft, T. Challinor, G. Holcroft, and P. Farnworth, Salford, Lancashire, millwrights.-E. Peters, Bristol, grocer.

June 24.-C. Hulin, Newport, Monmouthshire, builder.-W. Blurton, Field Hall, Staffordshire, gentleman.-T. and E. Wootton, Wimeswould, Leicestershire, horse dealers.J. Seller, Pulborough, Sussex, tailor.-J. Boe, Wells, Somersetshire, draper.

June 28.-J. Wade, Lynn, Regis, Norfolk, stationer and printer.-T. H. Eve, Milsom Street, Bath, milliner.-J. Mitchell, Brighthelmstone, Sussex, lodging-housekeeper.-W. Sturt, Newick, Sussex, wine merchant.-W. P. Atkins and R. Freeman, Houndsditch, brick

layers.-T. Rogers, Cranbourne Street, Leicester Square, straw-bonnet maker.-E. Quin, Park Lane, Piccadilly, coach maker.-B. Williamson, Derby, sadler.-G. Combes, Chichester, common brewer.-J. Waddington, Pontefract, Yorkshire, common brewer.-J. Riste, Jun., Ilminster, Somersetshire, lace manufacturer.

July 1.-W. Marns, Arbour Place, Fairfield, Stepney, rope manufacturer.-J. Harman, Clifton, Bristol, jeweller.-R. Aspinall, Ramsbotton, Lancaster, cotton spinner.

July 5.-J. Deeley, Battles Bridge Mill, Rawreth, Essex, miller.-H. Gimson, Leicester, straw-hat dealer.-J. Meyer, Houndsditch, warehouseman.-G. Wilson, Hexham, Northumberland, spirit dealer.-E. T. Coleman, Leominster, Herefordshire, scrivener.-T. Pros

MONTHLY METEOROLOGICAL JOURNAL.

Kept at Edmonton. Latitude 51° 37' 32" N. Longitude 3′ 51′′ West of Greenwich. The warmth of the day is observed by means of a Thermometer exposed to the North in the shade, standing about four feet above the surface of the ground. The extreme cold of the night is ascertained by an horizontal self-registering Thermometer in a similar situation. The daily range of the Barometer is known from observations made at intervals of four hours each, from eight in the morning till the same time in the evening. The weather and the direction of the wind are the result of the most frequent observations. The rain is measured every morning at eight o'clock.

NEW PATENTS.

J. B. Gerothwohl, of Camberwell Grove, Surrey, Merchant, for certain improvements in filtration. Communicated by a foreigner residing abroad. May 28th,

6 months.

F. P. Smith, of Hendon, Middlesex, Farmer, for an improved propellor for steam and other vessels. May 31st, 6 months.

W. Gossage, of Stoke Prior, Worcestershire, for certain improvements in the ap paratus or means used for evaporating water from saline solutions, and in the construction of stoves for drying salts. June 2nd, 6 months.

L. Hebert, of Paternoster Row, in the City of London, Patent Agent, for certain improved machinery, and processes for economising and purifying the manufacture of bread, a part of which is applicable to other purposes. June 2nd, 6 months. Baron H. de Bode, Major General in the Russia service, of Edgware Road, Middlesex, for improvements in capstans. June 4th, 6 months.

M. Bower, of Birmingham, Warwickshire, for improvements applicable to various descriptions of carriages. June 7th, 6 months.

J. Young, of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, Patent Locksmith, for certain improvements in the making or manufacturing of metal hinges for doors and other purposes. June 7th, 6 months.

D. Chambers, of Carey Street, Lincoln's Inn, Water Closet Manufacturer, and Joseph Hall, of Margaret Street, Cavendish Square, Plumber, for an improvement in pumps. June 7th, 6 months.

M. Berry, of Chancery Lane, Holborn, Middlesex, Mechanical Draftsman, for certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for cleaning, purifying, and drying wheat or other grain or seeds. Communicated by a foreigner residing abroad. June 7th, 6 months.

A. G. Hull, of Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, Middlesex, Esquire, for certain improvements in instruments for supporting the prolapsed uterus. June 7th,

6 months.

E. Massey, of King Street, Clerkenwell, Middlesex, Watch Maker, for certain improvements in the apparatus used for measuring the progress of vessels through the water, and for taking soundings at sea. June 13th, 6 months.

J. Perkins, of Fleet Street, in the City of London, Civil Engineer, for improvements in apparatus for cooking. June 13th, 6 months.

M. Berry, of Chancery Lane, Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for improved apparatus for torrefying, baking, and roasting vegetable substances, which, with certain modifications and additions, is also applicable to the evaporation and concentration of saccharine juices and other liquids. Communicated by a foreigner residing abroad. June 13th, 6 months.

A. Ritchie, of Leeds, Yorkshire, Merchant, for a certain improvement in dressing and finishing woollen cloths and other woven fabrics. Communicated by a foreigner residing abroad. June 13th, 6 months.

C. Schafhautl, of Dudley, Worcestershire, Gentleman, for certain improved apparatus for puddling iron. June 13th, 6 months.

T. Vaux, of Woodford Bridge, in the Parish of Woodford, Essex, Land Surveyor, for a certain mode of constructing and applying a revolving arrow for agricultural purposes. June 13th, 6 months.

J. White, of the Town and County of Southampton, Engineer, for certain improvements on rotary steam-engines, which improvements or parts thereof are applicable to other useful purposes. June 15th, 6 months.

J. Dredge, of the parish of Walcot, Bath, Somersetshire, for certain improvements in the construction of suspension chains for bridges, viaducts, aqueducts, and other purposes, and in the construction of such bridges, viaducts, or aqueducts. June 17th, 6 months.

J. Hopkins, of Exmouth Street, Clerkenwell, Middlesex, Surveyor, for improve ments in furnaces for steam-engines, boilers, and other purposes. June 18th, 6 months.

L. Gachet, of Cambridge Heath, Middlesex, Gentleman, for improvements in machinery for manufacturing and producing velvets and certain other fabrics. June 18th, 6 months.

J. Bunnett, of Newington Causeway, borough of Southwark, Window Blind August 1836.-VOL. XVI.-NO. LXIV,

R