KOTZEBUE.

THE best dramatic productions of this unfortunate author were written when he was in his 26th year; after which time he sunk, without any assignable cause, into a depression of spirits, which soon degenerated into a confirmed melancholy. His passion for the drama alone preserved its empire over him, and it was during that period that he wrote "The Stranger," and "Lover's Vows." The former, he wrote during the height of his disorder. "Never, (says he,) either before or since, did I feel such a rapid flow of thoughts and images; and I firmly believe, that there are some maladies, especially those by which the irritation of the nerves is increased, which stretch the powers of the mind beyond their usual reach; just as, report says, diseased muscles' shells produce pearls."

66 THE MAN OF THE WORLD."

THIS Comedy, by Macklin, was long performed under its original title of "The True-born Scotsman ;" (bear in mind, Macklin was an Irishman ;) and was so announced at the Capel Street Theatre, Dublin, 1771; when the author played Sir Pertinax Mac Sycophant.

FRENCH SPECTACLE.

ABOUT ten years ago, this volatile nation dramatised the Episode of "Sampson."-They turned his adventures into a very diverting Ballet:-Sampson danced a Pas Seul, with the Gates of Gaza on his back. Delilah cut off his hair in the intervals of a tasteful Hornpipe; and the Philistines surrounded and seized their victim, amidst the evolutions of a Country Dance.

66 THE BUSY BODY."

THIS play, by Mrs.Centlivre, was decried, before its appearance, by all the players; and Wilks, the original Sir George Airy, refused, for some time, to accept a part in it. The audience, who went to the theatre, was so predetermined against it, as to contemplate its condemnation; and yet it was received so favourably, that it had a run of thirteen nights.

POINSINET, THE FRENCH DRAMATIST.

THIS author was, like many of his brethren of the profession, obliged, sometimes, to make the payment of his tradesmen's bills depend on the caprice of an audience. He used to tell the following ludicrous anecdote, that arose out of this

circumstance.

On the first representation of "Tom Jones," his tailor, attended by his foreman, had gone that night to the theatre, and were apprehended as pickpockets. They had taken their stations in the pit, and the crafty tailor was heard, from time to time, whispering to his squire, "Shall I cut? shall I cut?"-The words were understood to refer to the cutting of purses, and they were handed over to the sentinel as suspected characters: they were, accordingly, on the point of being conducted to prison, on this charge, when the master cried out, "We are not cut-purses, we are only tailors; I have the honor of supplying clothes to M. Poinsinet. He has ordered from me a coat, to be paid for out of the profits of this piece; and as I am not skilled in the drama, I have brought with me my foreman, who is un homme d'esprit, to tell me if the piece is good, and if I may safely cut my cloth."

SHERIDAN VERSUS CUMBERLAND.

At the first performance of "The School for Scandal," Mr. Cumberland sat in the front of the stage-box, and evinced the most complete apathy. The wit and humour which it contains, never affected his risible muscles. This being reported to