Transcription
Royal Grove Intelligence. Yesterday evening was produced a new pantomime by Young Astley, the title, The Beauties of the World; four women dressed in the characters of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, for the choice of Harlequin a description of each is given by a Majacian [sic] by way of recommendation: Harlequin makes choice of Europe, and receives his majic [sic] power, and the scene changes to a view of a forest, a serpentine road, &c. on which is seen Fortune, mounted on her wheel, who bestows several favours on Harlequin to enable him to pursue his amours. The next scene is a street where Columbine and her father are returning home, the former in a sedan chair followed by the Clown; Harlequin approaches the chair, and on Columbine being set down, Harlequin immediately changes the chair into a wheel-barrow (enclosing Columbine) and wheels her off, the old man is in a passion, and disputes with the Clown; a battle ensues between the two chairmen and the Clown, in which he gets worsted: the two chairmen having lost their chair and fare, demand satisfaction of the old man. Here follows a pursuit, and Harlequin and Columbine who being overtaken by a storm of rain, take shelter under a tree, which Harlequin changes into a farm-house, in which he and Columbine take refuge; being again pursued, they retreat to an inn where they regale themselves, but being discovered and intruded on by the Clown, Harlequin changes the table and chairs to giants, and retires, leaving the old man and his party to lament their fate. In the nest pursuit, Harlequin and Columbine retire to a stand of chairs, both enter, and pursue their journey: the Clown, Old Man, &c. also take chairs, in order to have a party of the chairmen on their side; the moment they enter the different chairs Harlequin flies, or jumps out, takes Columbine, and the whole stand of chairs changes into boars, two of which overset, and the Old Man and Clown are obliged to swim on shore; Harlequin and Columbine are seen sending their trunks by the original parcelpost; on being discovered, they get into the cart and are pursued by the Clown and old Man, who also enters the cart. Harlequin and Columbine jump out and change the cart into a round house, and imprison the Clown and old Man. There are a number of good descriptions and changes in this pantomime, which do Young Astley great credit: it was well received by an overflowing house from their boxes, pit, and galleries.
