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behalf of this injured sister , had summoned Alric to the field , ignorant of the mar . riage that had taken place . Their difference is settled by an explanation before Alfred . Though the Danes had been discomfited in the field where Hastings lost his life , yet his widow , Oswena , and a Danish Chieftain , Gothrun , had lingered in Britain , intent upon hostility towards Alfred , when opportunity should offer . Alfred , wandering at night in disguise , is seized by' Gothrun and ' his parly , who are ignorant of the rank of the illustrious prisonerGothrun fiercel his

. y urges myrmidons to sacrifice the captive , as some satisfaction to the manes of their countrymen . Voltimur , though a Dane , and bitterly lamenting his father , pleads . to his countrymen in behalf of the unarmed prisoner , and at length succeeds , declaring , that if the captive were Alfred himself , the enemy of the ' Canes , he would be the protector of so virtuous a monarch , and so wise a legislator . Alfred can no longer dissemble his feelings , but throws aside his disguise , and praises the virtue of his generous deliverer . The moment Alfred reveals himself , the furious Gothrun rushes forward

to destroy him , but is prevented by Voltimur , and disarmed by his followers . At this period the intended marriage between Alric and Adela is on the eve of celebration ; but after the father of Adela understands that Alric is precluded , by a previous union , from marrying his daughter , Alfred , who had been missed by his courtiers , ( about to march to rescue their beloved King ) enters , and relating the danger from which he had escaped , asks Odune what that man deserves who had delivered him frosuch imminent

m peril , or whether he would even deny his daughter ? Odune , in the fervour of his loyalty , declares his readiness to yield his life , and what was more dear to him , his daughter , to recompense the virtue of such a man . The King then points to Voltimur , demanding Adela as his bride . Odune cordially assents , and the happiness of the lovers terminates the piece . . This Drama , as il is called , by which term is generally to be understood a dra-. malic piece in , which the author exempts himself from all the settled rules of the Drama , is the offspring of Mr . Cumberland ' s prolific muse ; but , unfortunately , it

possesses none of that strength and vigour which marked the productions of her tarly years . The plot has nothing in it that can interest the feelings , or keep attention awake . The sentiments , for the most part , are trite and common ; the language is seldom elevated , frequently incorrect , and sometimes degenerates into dowright absurdity . These are faults ' , which , in a writer of such abilities as Mr . Cumberland is known lo possess , can scarcely be deemed pardonable . But-while we thus notice defects , candour demands Ihe observation , that strong exceptions occasionally occur . The scene in which ihe life of Alfred is preservedbthe

, y generous interposition of the son of Hastings , evidently betrays the hand of a master ; and many of the sentiments which the integrity of the Patriot King extorts from his followers , who have daily occasion to witness his virtues , are judiciously conceived , and ably expressed . Still we cannot but think , that the author has by no means availed himself of the glorious opportunity which the introduction of such a character as that of Alfred afforded him , to excite that general and lasting interest , and to impress those salutary principles and precepts , of the beneficial of which

tendency experience must have fully convinced him . We are sorry to see writers , capable of original conceptions , ape the style and manner of Shakspeare : Colman is almost the only modern dramatist who has been in any degree successful in compositions of this description , Mr . Cumberland has attempted to pursue the same path , but ihe shackles , which he has thus imposed on himself , seem rather to have fettered his imagination , than to have inspired him with any portion of the sublime genius of our immortal Bard . At all events , such efforts better calculated to vitiate

are than to refills the national taste . Pope supported with great ability the character of Voltimur , the most interesting in Ihe piece . In Ihe scene in which Alfred is attacked by a party of Danes , his tone and manner were particularly dignified aud impressive . Harley , in Odune , was correct and animated . Middleton's Alfred had scarcely sufficient dignity for such a Monarch . The other parts w-ere respectably filled . Mrs . Cleiuhiming's song , with the harp accompaniment , is pretty , and sung in a style that does credit to her vocal powers .