196 AVE MARIA. 



acquirements. Mr. Knowles sustained the character of the hero of his 

 own piece for the first fortnight, when his provincial engagements 

 calling him to the country, he was succeeded by Charles Kemble. 

 The acting of the latter, even in a part which was Mr. Knowles's own 

 creation, is decidedly superior to that of the former. The Hunchback 

 continues to attract large houses ; nor has the pantomime of Guy 

 Fawkes lost its interest by nearly forty repetitions. The pantomime 

 season, however, will be over by the time this reaches the hands of our 

 readers : we have not heard what is to be the new afterpiece ; but Mr. 

 Osbaldiston, there can be no doubt, will be fully prepared with the 

 necessary variety. 



The Minor Theatres. — The Adelphi continues its prosperous 

 career. Mr. Braham's, St. James's, has experienced a slight improve- 

 ment in the dimensions of its audiences, though some of his pieces by no 

 means deserve it. With tolerably good pieces, this theatre, owing to 

 its situation, cannot fail to be successfal for the next four or five 

 months. The Queen's Theatre, even under the management of Mrs. 

 Nisbett, is in a melancholy state ; there are hardly any audiences, and 

 even the few people that tenant the boxes, " go gratis." We hear, 

 the fortunes of this theatre are irretrievable : at anj' rate, there is no 

 hope for the unfortunate proprietor, until the season at the larger 

 houses is over. The English Opera House is closed ; and The Strand 

 Theatre, after being opened for one short week, followed its example. 

 The cause, it is said, was an order to that effect from the Lord Cham- 

 berlain. His Lordship might have saved himself the trouble. The 

 conjoint absurdity of the pieces, and the stupidity of the acting, 

 would most assuredly have done the work to his hand in a fortnight at 

 farthest. 



AVE MARIA. 



Oh ! divinest. 



Oh ! benignest. 

 Purest Virgin, pray o'er us ; 



Though we be not worth thy care, 



Prove how strong is virtue's prayer, — 

 Holy woman, pray o'er us. 



By thy kindness. 



By our blindness, 

 Mary, mother, pray o'er us. 



Thou, beneath whose maiden eye 



Slept an infant Deity, 

 Ne'er canst vainly pray o'er us. JE. 



