h neglected. All the characters of a play
should be subordinate to the leading one, and their business in the
drama subservient to promote his fate; but this performance is not the
tragedy of Bajazet, or Tamerlane only; but likewise the tragedies of
Moneses and Arpasia, Axala and Selima. It is now performed annually, on
the 4th and 5th of November, in commemoration of the Gun-powder Treason,
and the landing of king William in this realm, when an occasional
prologue is spoken.

Another tragedy of Mr. Rowe's is the Fair Penitent, acted at the Theatre
in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields; and dedicated to the duchess of Ormond: This is
one of the most finished performances of our author. The character of
Sciolto the father is strongly marked; Horatio's the most amiable of all
characters, and is so sustained as to strike an audience very forcibly.
In this, as in the former play, Mr. Rowe is guilty of a mis-nomer; for
his Calista has not the least claim to be called the Fair Penitent,
which would be better changed to the Fair Wanton; for she discovers not
one pang of remorse till the last act, and that seems to arise more
from the external distress to which she is then exposed, than to any
compunctions of conscience. She still loves and doats on her base
betrayer, though a most insignificant creature. In this character, Rowe
has been true to the sex, in drawing a woman, as she generally is, fond
of her seducer; but he has not drawn drawn a Penitent. The character
of Altamont is one of those which the present players observe, is the
hardest to represent of any in the drama; there is a kind of meanness in
him, joined with an unsuspecting honest heart, and a doating fondness
for the false fair one, that is very difficult to illustrate: This part
has of late been generally given to performers of but very moderate
abilities; by which the play suffers prodigiously, and Altamont, who is
really one of the most important persons in the drama, is beheld with
neglect, or perhaps with contempt; but seldom with pity. Altamont,
in the hands of a good actor, would draw the eyes of the audience,
notwithstanding the blustering Lothario, and the superior dignity of
Horatio; for there is something in Altamont, to create our pity, and
work upon our compassion.

So many players failing of late, in the this character, leaves it a
matter of doubt, whether the actor is more mistaken in his performance;
or the manager in the distribution of parts.

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