side by which they are led; or at least they are apt to become round-shouldered. Even though they be conducted by both hands, between two persons, we may apprehend similar consequences; as the body of the child still preponderates to one side or the other.

Those mothers who possess true affection for their little ones, should not be too anxious to teach them the use of their legs. It is indeed far more prudent to delay these exercises for a few weeks or months, than by too premature an exertion of their strength to expose infants to the misfortune of bandy legs, crooked spine, and round shoulders. In my own neighbourhood I have reluctantly noticed number of bandy-legged children, because walking is here generally attempted by artificial means; and go-carts, as well as leading-strings, are much in vogue. May these instruments of torture soon be abolished, and mankind trust to nature, whose parental wisdom forms no caricatures!

To compel children to exert themselves to walk, during the period of dentition, is highly detrimental. At this time they are in an extremely debilitated state, and their limbs are in danger of growiug deformed, or being dislocated. Hence I solicit mothers to pay particular regard to them at this critical change.

MAR. 12. MRS.

RS. Jordan made her first appear ance this season, in the character of Miss Peggy in the comedy of the Country Girl; and so irresistible was the attraction, that the house at an early hour completely overflowed in every part. She was greeted by the splendid crowd with reiterated testimonials of admiration and respect; and throughout the whole of her performance, was most warmly and universally applauded. She looked extremely well, and exhibited with the happiest effect that charming playfulness of manner, those winning gestures, and incomparable diversity of sweet and silvery accents, for which so eminently she stands unrivalled, and which have so long proclaimed her the genuine favourite child of Thalia.

COVENT GARDEN.

April 30. A new grand pantomimical drama, called PEROUSE; or the DESOLATE ISLAND, was brought forward at this theatre.

The ground-work and principal incidents of this superb exhibition, are borrowed by Mr. Fawcett, the artist, from Kotzebue's affecting drama of La Pérouse but the immorality of the denoúment in the original has been judiciously omitted.

The scene lies in an uninhabited island, north of Japan.

The boldness of Kotzebue's imagination has represented the celebrated navigator, La Pérouse living in an island with a female savage, who had twice preserved him from destruction, and whom, hopeless of ever returning to his native country, he considers as his wife. Madame La Pérouse embarks in one of the vessels dispatched for the discovery of her husband, and after a separation of nine years, finds him with his savage benefactress. The various emotions produced in La Pérouse, and particularly in the women, are affecting in the extreme, but the conclusion, which left him in possession of two wives, has been omitted in the present piece. Several other alterations, in conformity to European manners and taste, are introduced, but the principal incidents and beauties of the original are preserved.

"A dreary wood before me spread,
"The night was fast advancing,
"And oft the gloomy bows between
"The rising moon by fits was seen,
"A silver radiance glancing.
"Thus, whilst I slowly journey'd on,
"Ne'er dreading aught of danger,
"No passing gale the branches stirr'd;
"I paus'd-when sure methought I heard
"The distant tread of stranger."

"Again I paus'd-'twas hush'd-anon
"The sound drew near-yet nearer
"Haply," said I, "some cheerful friend
"His lonely steps may hither bend-
"Nor cherish'd thought severer.

"But ah! how were my hopes deceiv'd,
"When by the moon's pale lustre,

"Two vassals of the Earl I knew! "Stern were their looks-aside they drew "Behind a shady cluster.

"Nay, by our lady, Jacques!" cried one, My heart begins to fail me,

"For if, plague take the youth, say I, "Beneath his blows I chance to die, "Would thirty marks avail me?"? "Repli'd a second voice""'Tis well "You're past Earl Alric's hearing ;"Besides the sturdy strength of two "Will sure a puny lad outdo,

"What cause is there for fearing "
"List'ning, with half suspended breath,
"Upon the spot I tarried,

"Till from behind a sudden blow,
"Ah me! had well nigh laid me low,
"But by my shield 'twas parried.

"True to his charge, a second stroke
"Aim'd Jacques, the bravelier venturing,
"Not powerless now the lance recoil'd,.
"My better arm it sorely foil'd,

"Through the strong brasset entering.

"Now, rising from the caitiff's blow,
"Mine eyes with rage beheld him;
"A trusty rapier forth I drew,
"Upon the murderous ruffian flew,
"And to the earth prone fell'd him.

"He groan'd-he died. His comrade soon
"Upon his steed far hasted,
"Whilst I, as near my courser fed,
"On the soft grass reclin'd my head,
"My strength with bleeding wasted.
"Ere long an aged man approach'd,
"His waving locks were hoary,
"A secret prayer to Heav'n he sent,
"With looks most piteous o'er me bent,
"And staunch'd the wound so gory.

"In his right hand a vase he held,
"Of water from the fountain,

"Then choicest simples he applied,
"Whose healing virtues oft he tried,
"Cull'd on a neighbouring mountain.
"Gradual I felt my sense revive,
"And from the ground rose slowly;
"The hermit's cell not distant lay,
"Thither we now pursu'd our way,
"Andreach'd the portal lowly.
"When all his cares a secret love
"Had to my breast imparted,
"I left, reluctant left, the cave,
"My blessings to its tenant gave,
"And on my course departed..

"Twere long to tell, what heavy toils,
Of grief, the various sources,
""Twas mine, O Hubert! to withstand,
"And now, to rescue Holy Land,
"I join'd our monarch's forces.
""Twere long to tell, how Saladin,
"The leaguer'd walls defended,
"Till at the last the christian powers,
"Waving the cross o'er Jaffa's towers,
"The ramparts heights ascended.
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