A London critic adds the following pertinent observations: "Thus far our author concerning the stage, to which we add an observation or two of our own. We certainly think the _barrel_ a curious asylum for a distressed prince; but when we reflect on what kind of princes and heroes the modern stage and modern authors exhibit, (the seige of St. Quintin for instance, by the same author, Mr. Hook) we cannot help exclaiming (no plagiarism, we hope) We with the sentence are indeed content, To see _such_ princes in _such_ barrels pent. And as a barrel is described by our best lexicographers to be "any thing hollow," what vehicle more appropriate could be found? The ingenious author, was surely a favourite of the barrel, and well acquainted with the virtues of a _cask_; although according to sir Walter Raleigh, "some are so ill-seasoned and conditioned that a great part of the contents is ever lost and cast away." Respecting Mr. Reynolds's indulgence of himself, in perpetual repetition of his vocables,[18] we should be glad to have it in our power to affirm that the _beef and mutton_[19] author was the only one who disgraced himself by such contemptible degradation; but, alas! the pages of our work have too often exhibited similar complaints against the majority of our great playwrights--many of these _gentlemen_ being reduced to silence, without their auxiliary _dammes_! [Footnote 18: Damme, pooh, zounds, &c.] [Footnote 19: "Authors have lived and still live who write for what they call _fame_! --For my part I write for more substantial food--_beef_ and _mutton_ are the objects of my ambition." --_Reynold's Preface to Begone Dull Care._] We differ widely from our author respecting Mr. T. Sheridan's _stripping_ of Bonduca--for we really think it worthy the son of that poet, who, neglecting his own genius and the duties of a regular practitioner, condescends to turn quack, and bedizen that high German doctor Pizarro, in an English dress!! Apropos of awaking George Colman! --We beg the noble lord's pardon; but we are not in such a violent hurry to disturb this gentleman; for if, when awake, he should not acquit himself better than in his last production of the Africans, we think the sounder he sleeps the more solid will be his reputation. Therefore, Sleep on, George Colman! prithee, don't awake! Nor let the alarum bell thy slumbers shake! Lest jokes like _Mugg's_[20] should make our senses quake! [Footnote 20: One of Mr. Colman's witty characters in the _Africans_.]