to some of the Italian authors a British dress the toil would be amply repaid by the pleasure. Mr. Wharton has given us, in his present volume, a valuable specimen of what he is capable of doing, and we wish that he may be tempted to proceed with what he has so well begun. His style is vigorous and animated, and his versification is of a kind far superior to what is usually met with.

Fables on Subjects connected with Literature. Imitated from the Spanish of Don Tomas De Yriarte. By John Belfour, Esq. Small 8vo. pp. 164.

LITERATURE would have suffered no loss if Mr. Belfour had still left these fables untranslated. He has not executed the labour which he imposed upon himself in a manner that can be praised. His fables are tame and uninteresting. The spirit of the original has all evaporated in the process of translation.

Select Icelandic Poetry, translated from the Originals; with Notes. Part I. 8vo. pp. 128.

FOR these translations the Public is indebted to a gentleman of the name of Herbert. We hope the success of them will be such as may induce him to proceed in the task of making known to his countrymen the masculine beauties of the old northern poetry, with which they have hitherto been imperfectly acquainted. To a critical knowledge of the language from which he translates he joins a large share of taste, and a poetical mind.

Translations from the German, Danish, &c, to which t added Miscellaneous Poetry: 8vo. pp. 84.

THESE translations also are by Mr. Herbert, They will be more generally interesting than the Select Icelandic poetry, as they are on subjects more consonant with modern feelings. Love holds the principal place. Mr. Herbert translates with ele gance and spirit. The miscellaneous poetry, which he has added, is so good that we regret there is no more of it.

THE DRAMA,

UNACTED PLAYS,

Miscellaneous Plays, by Joanna Baillie. 8vo. pp. 438,

AMONG the modern writers of Tragedy the most honourable place must indubitably be awarded to Miss Baillie. For knowledge of the human character, passions, and feelings; for masterly delineation of them in the most forcible and affecting light; for bold and picturesque imagery; and for a truly dramatic style, she has no equal. The tragedy of Rayner, in her present volume, is a piece which commands admiration; but it is even surpassed in merit by the tragedy of Constantine Paleologus. If Miss Baillie had written only the latter drama it would have sufficed to ensure her a lasting fame.

Almahide and Hamet, a Tragedy. By Benjamin Heath Malkin, M. A. Large 8vo. pp. 158.

A considerable part of this volume is occupied by remarks upon English dramatic writers. As a critic Mr. Malkin appears in a very respectable light. His observations are generally dictated by sound sense. But as a writer of tragedy he is lamentable indeed. We have seldom read a piece more thoroughly worthless than "Almahide and Hamet." Plot, character, language, and versification, all is equally bad.

ACTED PLAYS.

The Sailor's Daughter; a Comedy, in five Acts, now performing at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. By Richard Cumberland, Esq. 8vo. pp. 86.

FOR Mr. Cumberland to write as badly as many of his contemporaries is nearly impossible. He has too much taste and genius to descend so low. Accordingly, his present comedy is much superior to the herd of those which are, almost daily, obtruded upon the stage. But, when his "Sailor's Daughter" is compared with his former dramatic productions, there appears to be a considerable falling off. There is point and animation in some parts, and the dialogue is generally natural and polished, but there is in the piece, taken as a whole, a want of character, of vivacity, and of interesting incident.

Hearts of Oak; a Comedy, in five Acts, as performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. By John Till Allingham. 8vo. pp. 72.

THIS play, though its ghost, in the shape of a pamphlet, still lingers in the bookseller's shops, is, to all intents and purposes, no longer in existence. It was a ricketty, ill-favoured brat which could not be expected to live. We shall, on this occasion, conform to the old adage of speaking no ill of the dead; and will, therefore, say no more about it, Mr. Allingham has done better before, and may do better again.

Guilty, or not Guilty? a Comedy, in five Acts, performed at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. Written by T. Dibdin. 8vo. pp. 108.

MR. DIBDIN writes with so little expence of thought that it is impossible for him to write well. No sooner have we read one of his pieces than another presents itself to our view. Whatever comes first to his memory or his imagination he seems to put down upon paper, and make part of a comedy. His plays are consequently filled with common place jokes, and trite sayings. If he would content himself with writing one play instead of half a dozen, he might produce something worthy of approbation. He has some talents for comic writing, but he does not use them to the best advantage.

Thirty Thousand, or Who's the Richest? a Comie Opera, in three Acts, as performed at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. Written by T. Dibdin. 8vo, PP. 74.

AFTER what has been stated in the preceding arti cle little need be said of this comic Opera. It is like the rest of Mr. Dibdin's pieces, but does not rank among the best of them. Some parts of the dialogue are smart and laughable; but the attempts at wit are too generally unsuccessful.

The Soldier's Daughter; a Comedy, in five Acts; as performing at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. By A. Cherry. 8vo. pp. 86.

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THIS Comedy is very creditable to Mr. Cherry's abilities. It is decidedly superior to the common run of pieces. Some of the characters are drawn with much force; the dialogue, though sometimes rugged, is generally spirited; and the interest of the drama is kept up to the last.

The Hero of the North, an Historical Play, by Mr. Dimond, jun. performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, with unbounded Applause. 8vo. pp. 87. FROM the specimen of his talents which Mr. Dimond has here given us, we are led to believe that, with due care and meditation, he may hereafter produce a play worthy to keep possession of the stage. Let him study human nature, and our classical dramatic authors, and let him beware of writing carelessly. Let him also strive to refine his taste; he is often too gaudy to be elegant. There are some good parts in "The Hero of the North," and, as a whole, it excites interest. We must give one more word of advice to Mr. Dimond before we part with him. For the future he should write either in prose or verse,