The new ballet at Drury Lane, called Lady Henrietta, or
the Statute Fair, amusingly exemplifies the very odd notions that French drama- tists have of English history and habits. The notion of introducing Queen Anne, the most unideal of Sovereigns, as a principal personage in. a ballet, is comical enough ; but to represent "her principal Maid of Honour" disguising herself as a servant at a statute-fair, for a frolic, and actually going with and doing household work for the farmer who hires her, is so preposterous that one wonders how it could be tolerated on the French stage, much more the English. This is simply absurd; but to introduce a dance of mad people, for the purpose of making sport of their antics and grimaces, is one of those shocking violations of good feeling and taste that we are surprised should be permitted at a place of well-regulated amusement. Yet it met with no opposition at Drury Lane. This ballet is tiresome as well as outrageous : it is impos- sible to feel the slightest interest in the story, even when it is understood. There is nothing. very novel in the dances : the mythological diver- tissement—a court bat masque, in which Jupiter and Juno walk a minuet —is a dull piece of antiquated absurdity ; and the only attractive fea- ture in the scenery is the view of Greenwich Park at Fair-time, with the merrymakers running down the hill; this is a beautiful piece of painting, and an enlivening scene. The new danseuse, Made- moiselle LUCILLE GRAIIN, is of the ELSSLER school: she executes those extraordinary movements with one foot, the other waving in the air the while, in a very expert manner; and dances on the points of her toes very cleverly, though not with the precision and aplomb of FANNY ELSSLER. This style is less captivating than the floating and bounding movements of CERITO and DUMILATRE, even when displa) ed by a con- summate artiste ; and any thing short of perfection is more surprising than pleasing. Mademoiselle GRAHN, however, made quite a sensation by her feats of agility, and she is fairly installed a favourite of the town. Miss CLARA WEBSTER and Madame GIUBILEI also deserve mention. M. SILYAIN appears to disadvantage in an unbecoming dress.
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