THE THEATRE. 183 



much if the mass of play goers would not prefer it to the best 

 comedy which could be presented to them. It is full of good 

 natured satire, rich, stirring mirth, and really glorious fun. It 

 abounds with incident, on no occasion flags, but keeps up ex- 

 citement to the last, and presents some highly amusing situations. 

 It cannot but become a favorite on the first night, wherever it is 

 played. 



We had but one regret, whilst witnessing " Married Life," 

 namely, that it never had been seen by our late good humoured 

 correspondent, the author of *' Bachelor's Blessedness," who, to 

 our great grief, gave up the ghost about six weeks since, in con- 

 sequence of some disorder of the heart. 



The dramatis personae consist of five couple, who contrive to 

 find very substantial reasons for quarrelling and ultimately 

 separating — the ladies with a determination never to see their 

 lords more, and the gentlemen with a resolution to forswear all 

 manner of wedded bliss. We are next introduced to the husbands, 

 who are, by various causes, brought together, doing the dismal, 

 and regretting the loss of their wives, in very lamentable, long 

 measure. The ladies are next seen, not a whit more at ease than 

 their consorts, for each one declares that she is the most miserable, 

 of the feminine gender, in existence. Last scene of all comes a 

 reconciliation — for though married they are still lovers and, 

 according to Terence, 



" Amantium iren?, &c. &c." 



One of the worse halves acts as fugleman — his " Ready, present, 

 fire ! " brings into union ten several pair of most affectionate lips, 

 which seal the compact. The characters were well supported. 



On Friday, the 6th, ult., the house was patronised by Lord 

 Boringdon, and was tolerably attended. 



On Tuesday, 10th, ult., the perforrtiances were under the 

 countenence of Capt. Superintendant Ross, C. B., but owing 

 probably to the state of the weather, there was a very thin atten- 

 dance. The pieces selected were Sheridan's Operatic Comedy, 

 The Duenna, and Ferfection. Mr. Hield took the part of Don 

 Ferdinand, Mr. Vivashthat of Isaac Mendoza, and Mrs. Penson 

 officiated as Duenna, which was decidedly the best sustained 

 character during the performance. Miss Jarman as Clara, in 

 *' The Duenna," and as Kate O'Brien, in "■ Perfection," acquitted 

 herself most creditably; it would be superfluous for us to ex- 

 patiate on this lady's musical talents ; it must be apparent to all 

 who hear her, whether judges or not, that her rich mellow voice, 

 delicate and finished style, and brilliant execution, are equal, if not 

 superior to those of any provincial actress who has visited this town. 

 She gave, with admirable effect, a great number of songs, some 

 of which were encored; but, notwithstanding the fatigue necess- 

 arily attendant on so much exertion, there was not even the 

 slightest appearance of exliaustion. In addition to this, her 

 talent as'an actress renders her a most efficient member of a corps 



