The ldol's Birthday is the title of a slight ingenious
framework of dialogue for exhibiting a living picture of the frivolous habits and monstrous costumes of the wits and beauties of (allEett Aline's time, at the ()Iympic. It is dressed in the usual perfect style. A garden, with raised terraces, and clipped walls arid arches of foliage crossing its gravelled avenues, adorned teal] reel statues end vases, is the scene. Mrs. Nismer is " the Idol," to celebrate whose birthday a knot of parasites, fopline,s, and witlings, are assembled to offer their interested adulation. In the midst of the ceremonial festivities, it is rumoured that the olaect of their fulsome flatteries has lost her fortune ; and the Idol, before worshipped, is now derided and insulted her pretty country cousin is installed as the goddess, and paraded in a masquerade po.Tratit of CorytIon and Philliscs, dressed in the fashion of the porcelain shepherds and slieplierdes-es WI the mantelpieces of our grandmothers, the beaux, garlanded with flowers, walking with drawn swords in proces- sion, preceded by an overgrown Cupid in powdered wig and sky-blue inexpressibles. The result is, that the Idol is cured of her love of admiration, and 'wades the man who Wel planned the story to expose the hollowness of her worshippers.
The beaux and belles indulge in all the raillery and ill-nature ascribed to their prototypes; though the real fine gentlemen and ladies were doubtless more elegant in their style arid polished in their tnanner, as well as more guarded in the expression of their heartlessness and hypocrisy. Bating the coarseness and exaggeration of a stage version, however, this is very likely to represent the " fashionable society'' of the period, as faithfully as it does the amusements and dresses. Mrs. NISBET looks chaining in her hoop, and Weal's her little black cap aid feather with it jaunty air of grace ; and Mrs. Feasets is a captivating representative of the rustic beauty. VINING, as ii ItiCkWit leader of the ton, chuckles and affects a sprightly manner, and takes rebuffs with great nonchalance ; and BROUGIlast, as an Irish (Irub Street poet, displays amusing assurance. Mr. GRANBY, it new actor, gives the sarcustic repartees of an ill-natured wit, with a great reli-11 of their bitterness they come forth like time sting of' the wasp, with it hum- ming accompaniment. Miss Gowaeo, as a spiteful spin-ter, is inalieiotts mai (met-C; and Oxin:aai, as a 'Negro page, in minisk. suit of yellow satin, with a turban, is highly comic. Mr. Oxeesente, who dramatized the Rape tf the Lock, is time author. We enjoyed another performance of Ask No Questions with increased relish : the wedding-dance at the guineuette, with its motley and merry group, is a perfect picture of a French tfacesse; where all is Clue and good humour, and soldiers arid postillions, bowleg :lad sou- brows, old and young, boots anti pumps, greatcoats and no coats, gentle mid simple, forget distinctions in the isayety of the galloppe. The acting of FAIRIES and Mrs. °Resat is glorious.
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