Transcription
The Sale of the English Beauties, at which the sailor fetches a good price, has a most whimsical effect. The march also produces a most wonderful applause, as well as the attack upon the caravan, especially where the sailor, single-handed, contends with no less than seven of the banditti! The dresses, which are rich and superb, are entirely new; and the last scene, which exhibits a grand saloon, with the Turkish nobility, guards, &c. is most admirably excepted, and creates a most astonishing sensation of pleasure in the audience. Nor can the excellence of the music be passed over, which is throughout truly spirited and characteristic. As to the performers, it is but justice to say, that they would have done no different to a Theatre-Royal.
It would have been very agreeable to have given a fuller account of this very excellent piece; but the fact is, the writer went to the Royal Grove in expectation of seeing the favourite new burletta of Love from the Heart; or, A Trial of Skill for a Wife, which it seems Mr. Astley had laid aside for the above piece, which was brought out in compliment to his son, who, perhaps, never experienced a more flattering or splendid testimony of public approbation, than in the very brilliant and overflowing house, by which his benefit was so eminently distinguished. Indeed, every tongue, as well as hand, seems to outvie with each other in bestowing that applause which his grace, elegance, and agility, so justly demanded, as the most excellent Performer in Feats of Horsemanship the world ever did, or, most probably, ever will produce.
With respect to Mr. Astley, sen, the Public are every day called to admire his spirit and execution; but never more than by the production of two such incomparable pieces as “Love from the Heart,” and “A Sale of English Beauties,” &c. the latter of which, notwithstanding its merit, will not cause the former to be laid aside. ‘Tis to be hoped Mr. Astley has no such intention in bringing the one out to quick after the other; for though he had a right to consult his son’s interests, it would be wrong in him to stop the run of a burletta which, has for several evenings, turned away near a 100l. and which a great part of the public naturally wish to have a fight of, and expect, no doubt, an opportunity of being gratified in their desire.
