410 THEATRICAL INTELLIGENCE. 



made its appearance. The author, Mr. Morton, jun., convinced us 

 of his thorough acquaintanceship with the jokes and bon-mots of Mr. 

 Joseph Miller. We never heard so many in so short a time. The 

 acting of Buckstone however was spirited, and a few of the situations 

 were ludicrous. These, combined with a vast proportion of good- 

 nature on the part of the audience, rendered the farce successful. A 

 very silly affair, entitled " Railroads for ever," was the next novelty. 

 It was not quite bad enough to excite any animosity, so it was suf- 

 fered to pass off quietly. The author is unknown. 



May 24. Poole's drama of " Atonement" was performed. It was 

 skilfully adapted from the French, but the subject was too unnatural 

 and improbable to excite either interest or sympathy. Managers 

 and authors have yet to learn that details of disgusting profligacy^ 

 however highly wrought, or placing a young female in a situation 

 too revolting to contemplate, are not sources of enjoyment to an au- 

 dience. After lingering a few nights it was suddenly withdrawn. 

 Another adaptation from the French, but of a very " different order,'* 

 was performed for the first time on June 9, entitled " The Ransom," 

 translated by Mrs. Planche. It was a domestic drama, possessing 

 throughout situations of intense interest. Miss Ellen Tree's perform- 

 ance of the heroine was replete with talent. It is one of the gems of 

 histrionic art, and must be seen to be appreciated. Every passion 

 she pourtrayed so admirably came from the heart, and the female 

 portion of the audience acknowledged her appeals by the silent ap- 

 provals of continued tears. The piece was completely successful, 

 and had a long run. 



Soon after this, a pretty little ballet, called " The Secret Marriage,'' 

 made its appearance, and was well received. 



This was succeeded by a very laughable one-act piece, entitled 

 " Make your Wills," proceeding from the authors of " The Barbers 

 at Court." There was an abundance of good jokes scattered through- 

 out, which the actors evidently appreciated, for they made them all 

 tell. Roars of laughter attended the piece from the beginning to the 

 conclusion, when it was announced for repetition amidst the cheers of 

 the audience. 



After immense preparations and considerable expenditure, Miss 

 Ellen Tree made her bow in " Ion." After Macready's impassioned 

 and truly classical performance this was a daring attempt ; but Miss 

 Tree passed through the ordeal without even endangering the high 

 reputation she had previously acquired. Although not possessed of 

 every requisite for so arduous a part, she possesses some so pre-emi- 

 nently as to entitle her to be pardoned for the temerity of the under- 

 taking. She is elegant, graceful, and beautiful. Ion is a youth of 

 eighteen, most amiable, self-sacrificing, and exemplary, and if at 

 times Miss Tree's performance lacked vigour and firmness, those por- 

 tions not requiring such fierce exertions were pourtrayed so exqui- 

 sitely as to merit the highest degree of praise. The sweet youthful 

 voice, the variety and gracefulness of action, and the pure melody of 

 the beautiful blank verse she gave utterance to,went, as it were, linked 

 together charmingly. All were in tasteful unison harmonizing- 

 beauteously like Sylvan scenery adorning the banks of a bright and 

 winding river. 



