1830.] Theatrical Matters. *% 



point of fortune, though the decorum of the stage stops short of the 

 other equally certain catastrophe. The citizen's affairs are in an equally 

 fair train. But Cupid interposes. A young lover of the young lady has 

 taken advantage of the citizen's fondness for title, to introduce himself 

 as Lord Henry something or other ; and as, luckily, though a cheat, he 

 is, in all other points, a person of infinite merit, the union of the 

 parties finishes in neither bankruptcy nor hanging. 



Lord Glengall deserves credit for the effort. He has exhibited dex- 

 terity and wit ; and, though his plot has been too obviously connected 

 with the " School for Scandal," -yet it displays po slight knowledge of 

 the stage. Lord Alvanley assisted it by a very neat and pointed epi 

 logue. 



The pantomimes are announced as capital. Their secret has been 

 long profoundly treasured within the bosoms of the potent wizards, 

 Messrs. Farley and Barrymore; but by the time these pages go forth 

 to the admiration of mankind, the secret will be a mystery no more. > 



We should not omit the mention of " Black-eyed Susan," a convey- 

 ance from the Surrey Theatre to Covent Garden. It is a very national 

 thing, for which we like it better than fifty French farces. It is a very 

 affecting thing ; and it is as well played as any thing of its class can 

 possibly be. The story is an expansion of Gay's famous ballad ; and 

 after bringing William home to Sue, exposes her to the pursuit of a 

 drunken Captain, whom William slashes across the head with his cutlass, 

 and for this act of mutiny is condemned to be hanged. The court- 

 martial is held on board his ship, and a very clever and close represen- 

 tation it is. But we must give Egerton credit for his share of the per- 

 formance. He is the Admiral. The part is merely of a couple of 

 scenes ; but he played it excellently. His manner exhibited a propriety, 

 and even a dignity, that greatly struck the audience ; and his affecting 

 and feeling conduct to the brave tar, the leave-taking, and the good- 

 natured condescension, drew as many tears as we have often seen con- 

 tributed to the pathos of the stage. Egerton has powers that ought to 

 keep him in the attention of our rising dramatists. 



Philips, a very favourite singer during many years, and a first-rate 

 theorist in his art, has taken his leave of the Dublin stage. The Lord- 

 Lieutenant and a crowded house honoured his benefit ; and we are gra- 

 tified to believe that this very well-conducted and respectable individual 

 is beyond the chances that so often depress the last years of the favourites 

 of the stage. 



THE ELEPHANT ; OB, THE PERFECTION OF MODEEN GENIUS ! 



Lord Alv nly. Have you seen Miss Jelk ? She is a most magnifi- 

 cent creature, and in this period of theatrical dulness, quite an acqui- 

 sition. I never saw a performer more capable of drawing a hause. She 

 makes quite a crush-room even of the stage. 



J k //. Yes; she is a performer of extraordinary capacity; per- 

 haps the greatest on any modern stage. I really think she exceeds M'rs. 

 Faucit considerably, or even Mrs. 



H. Sm th. She certainly throws them all into shade ; the eclipse is 

 total. 



J..Sm th. They look nothing in her presence. She is, palpably, 

 more likely than any heroine of them all to support the stage. 



