520 The Theatres. [May, 
a metaphysical brain. This book, the “ Devil’s Elixir,” would be evi- 
dence of his insanity in any court in Christendom. 
But like the paroxysms of a feverish body, there are paroxysms of a 
mad brain which show power ; and in the midst of the most extrava- 
gant rambling, Hoffman struck, now and then, bold ideas, like the spark 
of a runaway horse’s shoe from the flint. The arranger, on the present 
occasion, has combined the little story of Peter Schlemil, the man with- 
out a shadow, with the Elixir; and, by an unusual piece of good luck, 
the two tissues of phrenzy join into one clever performance. 
The music is by that very promising composer, Rodwell, and in the 
hands of Miss Hughes and Wood—though the lady was sometimes too 
boisterous, and the gentleman too tame—it was done justice to. 
The French plays at the Lyceum are still popular. Perlet, in L’Avare, 
is extremely clever ; and the little entremets, the vaudevilles, are the best 
specimens of light acting possible. : 
Elliston, the indefatigable Elliston, fights his battle at the Surry 
theatre with great intrepidity. “ John Overy, the Miser of Southwark 
Ferry,” is the grand piece. The story is one of those old monstrosities 
that are used to keep children out of their beds in wonder, and to send 
old fools to their beds in fear. Overy, about a thousand years ago, 
rented the Southwark Ferry, and got rich; but he thought that his 
family ate too much, and to give them at least one banyan-day, he pre- 
tended to be dead. The news, instead of sending his household to fast, 
threw them all into the greatest rapture—and dancing, drinking, and 
gormandizing, were the order of the day. Overy, horrified at this waste, 
started up from his coffin, when a “ London prentice bold,” conceiving, 
or pretending, that it was the devil, gave him a knock on the head, 
which prevented his starving himself or others any more. The story 
goes, that the Miser’s daughter, however glad at first, was afterwards 
reluctant at this mode of summary inheritance—beeame a nun, and 
founded the church of St. Mary Overy. The scenery, story, and songs 
were received with high applause, the galleries being infinitely de- 
lighted. 
Hogarth’s “ Industrious and Idle Apprentices” was next performed. It 
is not new to this theatre ; and it abounds in such low and unrelieved 
scenes of wretchedness and villainy, that no one can be the better for it. 
The manager should extinguish it. 
Astley’s exhibits “The Siege of Seringapatam,” in which Tippoo is 
conquered every night most triumphantly. Why does not Mr. Ducrow 
give the world “The Siege of Saragossa,” which has made Franconi’s 
fortune? 
