184 THE THEATRE. 



dramatique. We were likewise much pleased with Miss 

 Hempel's Louisa, in " The Duenna," which she sustained with 

 great spirit and vivacity. We have witnessed, with much 

 satisfaction, the improvement which Miss Hempel has made 

 since her first appearance, both in singing and acting; and 

 we recommend her, by all means, to persevere in that very laud- 

 able spirit, which must doubtlessly raise her in her profession, 

 and in the good opinion of all who know her. 



Friday the 13th. — The Stranger and Perfection. The former 

 celebrated drama is known to depend on two characters. The 

 Stranger, and Mrs. Haller; both of which are admitted to be 

 highly arduous, Mr. Hield personated the former, and Miss 

 Mason the latter. They gave much satisfaction to the auditors, 

 as was manifested by frequent applause. In the course of the 

 piece Miss Jarman sang " I have a silent sorrow here," in an 

 exquisitely tender and gracefully plaintive style. Mr. Horsman's 

 Baron Steinfort was much better than we had expected. 



Monday, March 16th. — Sheridan Knowles' celebrated tragedy, 

 Virginlus, with the romantic drama, Robinson Crusoe. Mr. 

 Hield's \ irginius was an energetic and spirited performance; he 

 was most successful in the early part of the prison scene, with 

 Appius Claudius. Miss Mason's Virghn'a merited the highest 

 commendation — were we to point out one portion of her enact- 

 ment more to be praised than the rest, it would be the scene with 

 Virginius, after his return from the camp, in the house of Numi- 

 torius. " Robinson Crusoe" is a rattling affair, with plenty of 

 wild Indians and musket firing, clap-trap and rum drinking, &c. 

 &c. The scenery and machinery were prepared expressly for the 

 occasion; both were good . Mr. Norman*s Nipcheese was the 

 best sustained character in the piece. Nipcheese is a boozing, 

 bottle-valiant ship-steward, amazingly truculent when no danger 

 is at hand, but labouring under a strong aversion to the smell of 

 gunpowder. Mr. Fuller, as Friday, Mr. Mason, as Friday's 

 father, Mr. Horsman, as a mutineer, and Mr. Vivash, as an honest 

 sailor, were severally entitled to great credit. 



March 17th. — Married Life, A day after the Wedding, and 

 High Life Below Stairs. This evening's performances were 

 under the patronage of the Mayor and Commonalty ; and we are 

 glad to state that the boxes were not only fashionably, but also 

 well filled. 



Mr. Ilield sustained the character of Col. Freelove, in the 

 interlude, we think that he rather overacted the part in some 

 points, and appeared deficient in ease in others. Miss Mason 

 was verv respectable as Lady Elizabeth Freelove. The little 

 Vivash had to do was done with his usual broad humour, which 

 told well among the gods. 



Mr. Hield's Lord Duke, in the farce, was performed much 

 better than the character he personated in the interlude. Mr. 

 Vivash, as Philij), and Mr. Norman, as Tom, were both excellent. 



