654 Notes of the Month on [JUN.E, 



theatre with sharpshooters, flying artillery, and generals of division, in 

 conformity to the spirit of the time. Drury Lane, after an attempt to 

 resist this incursion of the great invader, by looking for allies to the hero 

 of Tartary, sustained by cavalry from the opposite side of Westminster- 

 bridge ; and summoning the queen of Georgia to hazard the fairest of 

 necks down the deepest of pasteboard precipices, has at last given way 

 to the " pressure of existing circumstances," that grand foundation of all 

 the politics of men and theatres, and is about to represent Napoleon in 

 " Interlude," leaving the Tragique to its great rival, and the comique to 

 the whole circle of the suburbs. That after ages may not suspect us of 

 having dealt unfairly with them, we recal some of the announcements of 

 this " universal passion." 



t( Covent Garden. A spectacle presenting on the boards of one of our great 

 national theatres, with all their capacity for scenic illusion, some of Bona- 

 parte's most extraordinary acts, was, doubtless, calculated to excite no small 

 curiosity, and accordingly a crowded audience assembled to witness the first 

 representation of Mr. Lacy's grand historical military play. The drama has 

 been got up at an immense expense, and every thing which appertains to it 

 is gorgeous (yet, at the same time, appropriate) in the extreme. Instead of 

 the usual drop-scene at the conclusion of each part, a splendid crimson cur- 

 tain, elegantly embroidered and flowered with gold, presents itself; and after 

 the death of the hero, a black curtain, rather a sombre novelty, descends. 

 The spectacle was divided into seven parts, and it was announced that, in 

 consequence of the length to which these extended, no other piece would be 

 performed on that evening." 



The rest is a detail of the plot, but closing with the acknowledgment 

 that the tribute of bright eyes had been given to it, on the earliest oppor- 

 tunity. 



" Miss Fanny Kemble, accompanied by her mother, her accomplished 

 sister, and her aunt, Miss De Camp, occupied a centre box in the dress circle, 

 on the first night of Napoleon Bonaparte. Miss Fanny Kemble was so deeply 

 affected by many of the incidents, in the rapid, but eventful life of the hero, 

 as to shed tears." 



The rival ambition of the neighbour theatre was thus declared at the 

 same time. 



" Drury Lane. After the play of Alfred the Great, Timour the Tartar was 

 acted. The splendid processions, the combats, and Cooke's beautiful horses 

 added to the interest of the drama, made the performance go off with eclat. 

 The principal characters were most ably represented by H. Wallack, Cooper, 

 Misses Huddart, S. Phillips, and Poole. Miss Huddart, who has greatly 

 improved, particularly distinguished herself. The bipeds were deservedly 

 admired, but the horses were ' applauded to the echo, which did applaud 

 again.' The spirit of competition is now thoroughly awake between the 

 managers 



" t When horse meets horse, then comes the tug of war/ " 



It was not to be supposed that Astley's, which dares all the flights of 

 history, and has both the hero and the horses at first cost, would have 

 abandoned so illustrious a prize ; impossible. 



" Astley's. A new drama, called the Life and Death of Napoleon Bonaparte, 

 has been produced here, with the most perfect success. The splendid scenery, 

 the fine effect produced by the introduction of Ducrow's noble stud on the 

 stage, and the striking resemblance which Mr. Gomersal bears to the portraits 

 of Napoleon, give a degree of spirit and reality to the action, which well 

 entitles it to the unequivocal approbation it received." 



