THE FRENCH PLAYS.
THE very mediocre attractions when we last visited the Lyceum, have made us lose sight altogether of the French plays, until an account of the appearance of the famous low comedian, VERNET, reached us, and brought them again to mind. Unluckily, however, the information came too late to enable us to see much of this clever and amusing actor: he plays on Monday for the last time, excepting on the night of his benefit, which is fixed for Wednesday. Last night we saw him as Jean in Paul et Jean, and Pichard in L'Homme qui bat sa Femme—both acted for the first time in London ; arid as Penson, in a scene or two from Je fais mes Farces, the part that PoTtER played so well. Though here is less variety of character than suffices to convey an adequate idea of the versatility of VERNET and his powers of personation, yet the nice shades of difference in his look and manner were no less indicative of the accomplished artist. His acting is nearest to that of LISTON, but without grimace : it is easy, familiar, and natural : he has all the minute individuality of a mimic, but he himself creates his original from materials gleaned from man- kind at large. He is the most free from mannerism and stage-trick of any actor that we ever saw. He produces complete illusion : in fact, be seems a real person among players.
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