The French Plays at the St. James's are now rendered
attractive by the varied and brilliant talents of Madame Albert; whose range of characters in- cludes the paysanne and the grande dame, while she is alike mistress of joy- ous and tearful moods, and equally at home in the old comedy and the modern melodrama. She made her first appearance this season in the famous comedy of Desforges, La Femme Jalouse, from which the Jealous Wife of our stage is taken; and her personation of the character was marked by the most refined skill in simulating emotions natural to a suspicious and jealous woman. It was a beautiful example of genuine comedy; where the passion is expressed with intense earnestness, but is of a kind to excite amusement rather than sympathy. Madame Albert depicted the feelings of a woman predetermined to believe herself injured, and eager to accu- mulate evidence of her husband's falsehood; thus giving to the expression of suspicion, rage, and despair, a character proper to comedy, and reserving the pathos to give touching effect and graceful tenderness to her repent- ance and reconciliation. Lemadre as the weak husband, and Cartigny as his plain blunt friend, were excellent; and Mademoiselle St. Marc as the simple girl, "all heart and no head," was nalvetd itself. In the vaudeville of La Meuniere, the coquetry, vivacity, and abandon of Madame Albert, together with her exquisite singing, charmed the audience, and showed the extent of the resources of this fascinating and accomplished actress. We shall hope to see her oftener in comedy than melodrama this season.
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