g4t gOtatIP5. The Lyceum was reopened on Saturday last under
circumstances of no great promise. A version of La .Dame aux Cantinas, rendered dreary Pertly by a very indifferent ensemble, partly by the staleness of the subject, partly by an abortive attempt to strip the story of all offence, was the lugubrious prelude to an extremely weak burlesque, which had nothing to recommend it, but an incidental ballet. Really a speculator should think twice before he opens a theatre in the very heart of London with mere mediocrity as his stock in hand. If histrionic art is not what it used to be, we are at any rate accustomed to see pieces put on the stage, with a regard to taste and elegance, that renders the success of a second-rate provincial style of management simply impossible. Perhaps the appearance of Mr. Ira Aldridge, the negro tragedian, which is an- nounced to take place this evening, may awaken some degree of curiosity ; for this actor, though he has achieved a considerable reputation in Ger- many and in all the London suburbs, has never played iu the Western part of the metropolis. He will, no doubt, be well supported by Mrs. Charles Young, who, to say the truth, does all that can be done to render the Lady of the Camelias supportable. But one swallow—soon finds a limit to its efficiency.
A general meeting of the theatrical profession, with Mr. Charles Kean in the chair, took place at the Princess's theatre on the morning of Wed- nesday last, to discuss the proposition of founding a "Dramatic College" as a home for superannuated actors. The offer of five acres of eligible land by a gentleman, named Dodd, as the first contribution towards an establishment of the kind, had given the impetus to the idea, and the acceptance of this offer was the chief business of the meeting. Seldom has a project been more happily inaugurated. Mr. Dodd, besides his gift of land, contributes 100 guineas towards building expenses, the Drury Lane, Covent Garden, and General Theatrical Funds, promise each to build an almshouse, Mr. Charles Kean, with princely liberality, adds a fourth tenement out of his own private resources ; Mr. B. Web- ster undertakes to furnish from his estates in Wales, as much stone as may be necessary for walls and facades ; and the money collected at the meeting, (exclusive of Mr. Dodd's gift,) amounted to more than 600/. Moreover, names eminent in art, literature, and fashion, will be found in the list of the committee, and the four trustees are no less personages than Messrs. Charles Kean, B. Webster, C. Dickens, and W. M. Thackc- ray, all "representative men" for an undertaking of the kind.
PARISIAN THEATRICALS.
The ancient Indian drama, Sacontala, has furnished M. Theophile Gautier with the subject of a ballet, recently produced with great suc- cess at the Academie.
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