The Lyceum has a novelty the very reverse of the
one we have been just describing,—a little piece, with the certificate-of its Gallic birth visibly attached to it, and written on-the principle of employing as few personages as possible. In fact, we are reminded of those days when Lafont and some belle of Mr. Mitchell's company occupied the atage of the St James's 'Theatre for three-quarters of an hour, and, uninterrupted by any third party, won smiles from appreciating stalls. A husband, who-seem his wife just on the point -of eloping with another man, and cures both the sinners, not by severity, but by sang froid—not by opposing their plans, but by offering to aid them with a divorce—is the essential character of the piece; and his coolness and shrewdness, manifested by verbal points as frigid and as sharp asicicles, are infinitely amusing. A. piece more per- fectly acted than -this Delicate .Ground--ia whiel Mr. C. Mathews, Ma- dame Vestris, and Mr. Robert Realty are the sole performers—is not to be seen; and -the dialogue, which is admirably terse and epigrammatic, re- quires the nicest delivery to do it justice. The French original is called Brutus, lac/re Ce:sor; the English adapter, who has done his work so per- fectly, is Mr. Charles Dance. Another novelty, also from the French, named .Drop the Curtain, is written with some humour, and is marked by an excellent representation of maudlin drunkenness by Mr. Charles Ma- thews; but the story is not developed with sufficient neatness; and though Parts amuse, the piece can scarcely obtain a permanent success.
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