bottom of which is a river, sometimes inundated,
sometimes dry; the passage narrow, the sides craggy, bare, lofty and
perpendicular; its whole length not above a mile."

* * * * *

THEATRES.

We find the following sensible observations in a recent work:--

"In the reigns of Elizabeth and James, the golden age of the English
drama, London was not a tenth part of its present sire, and it
contained seventeen theatres. At present (1808) there are but two;
more would succeed, and indeed more are wanted; but these have
obtained exclusive privileges. Old people say the acting was better in
their younger days, because there were more schools for actors; and
the theatres being smaller, the natural voice could be heard, and the
natural expression of the features seen, and therefore rant and
distortion were unnecessary. They, however, who remember no other
generation of actors than the present, will not be persuaded that
there has ever been one more perfect. Be this as it may, all are
agreed that the drama itself has woefully degenerated, though it is
the only species of literary labour which is well paid; they are
agreed also as to the cause of this degeneracy, attributing it to the
prodigious size of the theatres; the finer tones of passion cannot be
discriminated, nor the finer movements of the countenance perceived
from the front, hardly from the middle of the house. Authors,
therefore, substitute what is here called broad farce for genuine
comedy; their jests are made intelligible by grimace, or by that sort
of mechanical wit which can be seen; comedy is made up of trick, and
tragedy of processions, pageants, battles, and explosions."

* * * * *

SCRAPS

Addison says, that a dog has been the companion of man for nearly
6,000 years, and has learned of him only one of his vices; that is to
worry his species when he finds them in distress. Tie a tin canister
to a dog's tail, and another will fall upon him; put a man in prison
for debt, and another will lodge a detainer against him.

Horace Walpole, speaking of the opening of the budget one year, says,
"The rest of the night was spent in a kind of avoirdupoise war."

A witness under examination in an Irish court of justice, had just
stated that he was suddenly roused from his slumbers by a blow on the
head. "And how did you find yourself?" asked the examining counsel,
"Fast asleep," replied the witnes