Strictures On Public Amusements.

Wising to indemnify his artful host when the East-India Fleet arrives , and desires the latter to pray , in the mean time , for " a westerly wiifd . " Alderman Arable is one ofthe dupes of Project , of whom he rents a . farm , which Project suffers him to improve as much as lie pleases , determining to let the place as soon as the Alderman , who affects to be an adept in Agriculture , has rendered the estate complete . The Alderman , -though a weak man , possesses a good heart , and while he consents that Emmeline shall remain under the care of Project , considers him as a tender and faithful Guardian . He is also disposed to think Project his

friend , as the latter promises to bring about a match between his ward Cecilia , whom he represents as possessing live thousand a-year , and Jack Arable the favourite Son of the Alderman . By the assistance of Cecilia , the pensive Emmeline is released from her confinement in the house of Project , and though she falls into the hands of Jack Arabic , who is watching to entrap Cecilia , according to the plan laid between Projc I and . the Alderman , Jack finding Emmeline is likely to get possession of her fortune , agrees to convey her to the lodgings of Cecilia , who does not solelreside in the house of her Guardian . Emmelinehowever to

y , , goes her uncle , expecting an asylum in his house , but the Alderman has so infatuated a confidence in Project , that he locks her up , and sends for her guardian to take her back . At this period Tom Tanjore , who had agreed to the proposal of Project , that a marriage should take place between Tom and Emmeline ( whose fortune being . embezzled , Project wishes to marry her to a man who will not be very scrupulous in the examination of his account ) , enters the house of the Alderman , not for the purpose of deluding Emmeline into a mairiag-, but to obtain a safe protection for her as the daughter of his deceased friend and patron . Tom Tar . jore talks the

Alderman into a profound nap , by a long story , in order to get the key and release Emmeline ; but just as he isgoing to open tile door of the chamber , Project arrives , and Tom is obliged to raise a large round table to conceal the sleeping Alderman , and prevent an explanation between him ancl the wicked Guardian . Project , conceiving that no person but Tom Tanjore hears him , on this occasion opens all his schemes , and Tom , raising his voice , awakes the Alderman , and thereby gives the latter an opportunity of discovering the rascality of Project , and the

confiscation of Emmeline ' s property . Soon after , the Alderman has Project arrested , and thrown into the King ' s Bench prison , where poor Tom Tanjore , who is arrested by his taylor , soon follows him . In this situation an equivoque takes place , each imagining that the other came to procure a discharge . In the end Tom Tanjore ii released by the AUerman . During these events , Captain Arable , the admirer of Emmeline , who was supposed to be abroad , returns , and the lovers obtain an interview ; but though matters are cleared up respecting the conduct of Project , yet the Alderman will not consent that the injured Emmeline shall his son the

. marry Captain , because this . said Alderman has a kind of partiality towards Lady Catharine Project , who induces him to promise that Emmeline shall be united to Sir Frederick Faintly , the latter having promised to make her a peew . ii __ y _ i _ sqtt . r 3 .. Tom Tanjore generously offers all the money he had won at a gamirig table , amounting to a very large sum , to Lady Catharine , provided she wilj , employ her influence over the Alderman in behalf of Captain Arable and Emmel' uce : but , doubtful of her concurrence , pretends to faint away in the dressing-room of Lady Catharinewhere she is

, expecting the Alderman , who enters the moment when Lad y Catharine is supporting Tom Tanjore in her arms . The resentment and jealousy of the Alderman produces the desired catastrophe ; he consents that a union shall take place between Captain Arable and Emmeline ; it is found that the rich Mr . Tanjore has arrived , that lie has offered his hand to Cecilia , with a third of his fortune io his namesake , herbrother ; and the Piece ends with poetical justice ; the vile Project being likely to end his days in jail ; and all the virtuous characters being rendered happy .

When we have informed our Readers that this Comedy is a production of - Vlr . REYNOLDS , it is probable that they will rather prepare themselves to enjoy a laugh at the Theatre than to expect that we should enter into any critical analysis of its merits in this place . 'We have given an account ofthe fable , but it appears to us that the Author seems to" have been more studious to heighten particular scenes than to connect them with each other , and rather to have endeavoured tu produce a pleasing diversity than a regular whole . X __