At the New Strand, Mr. and Mrs. KEELEY have this
week been con- vulsing the audiences in a farcical trifle of the slenderest construction, called the Bump of Benevolence; in which KEELEY plays Guy, a rustic tapster, and his clever little wife Barbara Brickdust, a "maid-of-all- work," addicted to scientific studies and the practice of breakage. To see Mrs. KEELEY pondering on " freeknowledgery," as she has it, breaking Priscian's head while spelling the names of the "bumps," and substituting her own merry face for that of Socrates by making a plaster bust serve the office of a coiffure, is enough to relax the most rigid muscles. KEELEY and Mr. CORRIE also contribute to keep up the fun, as rivals in love, roguery, and pleasantry. No wonder the appear- ance of Punch was postponed till next Monday, with such formidable rivalry.
A new farce, with the promising title of Enjoyment, has been pro- duced at the English Opera, where Martinuzzi is playing out its ap- pointed term; but the entertainment did not realize its title. A. Mr. BASS made his debut as the hero, a luckless cook enamoured of the substan- tial charms of his kitchen-deputy, and bent on a day's " enjoyment" in her company ; but he developed no remarkable talent. The "Tableaux vivans" continue to attract at the Concerts d EU"; and a new series, of less objectionable character, has been introduced. It is reported that SHERIDAN KNOWLES'S play, written for Mr. C. KEAN and Miss E. TREE, will not be produced at the Haymarket at present. Mr. Zurich TROUGHTON'S tragedy of Nina Sforza is under- lined in the bills, with 1VIACREADY as the hero.
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