UNITED STATES' NAVY.-The republican navy, at present, consists of the following frigates:-Constitution, 44, Captain Hull; United States, 44, Captain Decatur; President, 44, Commodore Rogers; Chesapeake, 36; New-York, 36; Constellation, 36, Captain Bainbridge; Congress, 36, Captain Smith; Boston, 32; Essex, 32, Captain Porter; Macedonian, (late British), S8; the John Adams corvette; Hornet sloop, of 16 guns; Syren, Argus, and Oneida brigs, of 16 guns; Vixen, Enterprise, and Viper schooners, of 12 guns; 170 gun-boats, stationed at New Orleans; and the Vengeance, Etna, Vesuvius, and Spitfire bombs. French Navy.—In the various ports of France, Holland, and Italy, the French have 65 sail of the line, and 61 frigates, ready for sea; and 32 sail of the line, and 26 frigates, building and fitting out; so that in a short time we shall have opposed to us, under French colours, a numerical force of 97 sail of the line, and 87 frigates: but even the ships which are pretended to be ready for a start, particularly those in the Scheldt, are very badly manned; an evil for which the enemy does not possess any practicable remedy. 18th January, 1813. DRURY-LANE, JAN. 25.-A new Tragedy, from the pen of Mr. COLERIDGE, was performed under the title of " REMORSE." The scene is laid in Spain: and the events of the play are supposed to have taken place in the reign of Philip II., shortly after the close of the civil wars against the Moors, and during the heat of the persecution which raged against them. The language of this play is poetic and impassioned: the incidents are sufficient to keep the attention alive during the representation; and some of the situations are strikingly calculated for dramatic effect. The characters of the two brothers are well drawn and finely contrasted. That of Teresa does not rise much above mediocrity; but the conception of the part of the Moorish woman is full of poetic imagination; and the opening scenes in particular are sublime and interesting. The moral is perfect, and strict poetical justice is done on the guilty. The style is, throughout, poctical and classical, and far above the common level. It abounds with fine touches of nature, and the tender feelings are almost incessantly appealed to. Many of the passages were received with loud, general, and prolonged applause. The tragedy was, indeed, heard from beginning to end with the most marked distinction, and announced for repetition amid shouts from every corner of the theatre. Its principal faults were too great length; and an exuberance of passages merely descriptive. DANCE OF DEATHS. THE French historians relate, that in the year 1424, the English Regent gave at Paris a show, or spectacle, after the manner of his country. The scene of this entertainment was the church-yard of the Innocents. Persons of both sexes, splendidly dressed, and representing the different conditions of human life, began to execute various dances. A number of figures personating Death, whose limbs were concealed in tight dark clothes, upon which were sowed the resemblance of dry bones, so that they seemed to be walking skeletons, came and mingled in the dance, and led away now one and now another into the chambers and cellars about, where refreshments were provided. This odd allegory was called La Danse Macabrée. SCOTCH SALUTATION. THE North Briton at Auld Reeky, frequently greets his friend with "Weel, Donald, is na this a fine cauld rainy morning?" Indeed it is, Sandy, a fine cauld rainy morning. POETRY. KING ARTHUR'S ADVENTURE. [From the Bridal of Triermain.] BENEATH the castle's gloomy pride, Save that, awakening from her dream, That washed the battled mound. And he left him to graze on bank and mead; XV. The ivory bugle's golden tip Twice touch'd the monarch's manly lip, He had charged them through and through; The balance beams obeyed the blast, XVI. An hundred torches, flashing bright, Nor wizard stern, nor goblin grim, But the cressets, which odours flung aloft, And one flung odours on his hair; His short curled ringlets one smooth'd down, One wreathed them with a myrtle crown. A bride upon her wedding day Was tended ne'er by troop so gay. XVII. Loud laughed they all-the king, in vain, 'Twas one reply-loud laughed they all. Two, laughing at their lack of strength, XVIII. Through many a gallery and a hall (The lovely maid was scarce eighteen) Their smother'd mirth again 'gan speak, XIX. The attributes of these high days Ne'er were such charms by mortals seen, As Arthur's dazzled eyes engage, When forth on that enchanted stage The longer dwelt that lingering look, And scarce the shame-faced king could brook King Arthur's words. |