PREFACE.

SEVEN Volumes of this Dramatic Collection are now before the public; and the extraordinary patronage which has been bestowed upon it during its progress, is most gratifying to the conductors, as it is a convincing evidence, that the strenuous efforts they have made, to render the Work, one of the first Dramatic Records of the day, have been approved of.

The plan, and the mode of conduct which has been pursued to bring the Work to its present perfection, are now so well known, that to enlarge upon them would be absurd and unnecessary. We shall, therefore, merely observe, that as it has hitherto been always regulated by the strictest attention to private interest as well as public duty, so it will always be continued-guided by a strict impartiality, undefiled by the praise of venality, or the false assertions of envy or dislike.

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In original correspondence the present Volume will be found peculiarly rich, and here it becomes our duty to return our most grateful thanks to our many kind and valuable Correspondents, by whose liberal and excellent contributions we have thus been enabled to uphold the character of our Work. We here again embrace the opportunity of observing,

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that all elucidations of obscure passages, or adjustments of mistake-Ancient Dramatic Anecdotes and Fragments-Memoirs of Actors, Ancient and Modern-and passing observations on dramatic events of the day will be gratefully received, and find early insertion.

Previous to concluding the present Preface, we beg leave to state to our readers, that Messrs. ELVEYS having disposed of their interest in the Publication to Mr. GIFFORD, of Paternoster Row, it will be continued by him on the same scale of elegance as heretofore. Various improvements are in contemplation for the ensuing Volumes; and we are requested to say that no expense will be spared to render it worthy of the dramatic library of the most fastidious collector. The Engravings will be furnished from original drawings and paintings, and engraved by Artists of the highest celebrity. Correspondents are therefore requested to observed that all communications must for the future be addressed to Mr. GIFFORD, Periodical Publication Office, Paternoster Row, for the Editor.

OR,

Theatrical

POCKET

MAGAZINE.

FOR OCTOBER, 1824.

"The play, the play's the thing."-HAMLET.

PUBLISHED BY T. and J. ELVEY,

63, FLEET STREET, and 30, CASTLE STREET, HOLBORN. To whom all Communications" for the Editor," post paid, are to be addressed.

PRICE SIXPENCE.

COLOURED FLAMES.-Add a little boracic acid to a spoonful of alcohol, and stir them together, in a saucer or cup, then set them on fire, and the flame will be of a beautiful green colour. If strontites in powder be added to alcohol, it burns with a carmine flame; if barytes be added, the flame is yellow; if the alcohol contain muriate of magnesia, it burns with a reddishyellow flame.

Z. Z.

A villanous attempt was made on Friday last to fire the Exeter Theatre. During the temporary absence of the cheque-taker, just at the commencement of the farce, some malicious scoundrel pnt a lighted paper into a lamp in the passage leading to the pit, which, setting fire to the cotton in it, produced a high flame, and a great deal of smoke, which the current of air through the avenues naturally conveyed into the pit. This attempt having been accompanied by the cry of "Fire!" the confusion which took place may be easily conceived. Ladies were shrieking and fainting in various directions, and in one minute the most timid of the audience found themselves in safety on the outside of the theatre; but those who remained were soon satisfied, by the exertions of Mr. HARVEY, the stage-manager, of their security. "God save the King" was then played by the orchestra, and the performance proceeded.-Aug. 29.

On Friday night, during the performance of "Is he Jealous?" at the English Opera House, an individual in the side boxes, in the midst of the laughter excited by the admirable performance of Miss KELLY and WRENCH, forgot to take care of his hat, and it fell into the pit. The moment he perceived the serious loss which he had sustained, considering generosity in that instance to be true policy, he called out aloud, "I will give sixpence to any gentleman who will bring up my hat." Such, however, is the state of affluence to which the country has arrived, that no gentleman sought to avail himself of this silver opportunity, and the owner of the hat was obliged to go down for it himself.-24th Sept. 1824.