29 JANUARY 1842, Page 10

THE THEATRES.

TELE only novelty of the week is a pleasant little trifle, in one act, called The Windmill, at Drury Lane : to designate it a farce, is not only a mis- nomer, but a libel on one of the most delightful mixtures of the comic and the sentimental that the stage has exhibited for a long time. Mr. and Mrs. KEELEY are the occupants of the " "; she the mis- tress, Marian, he the man, Sampson; and the humour consists in honest Sampson not perceiving that he is the object on whom his pretty young mistress has set her heart. The equivokes to which this game of cross- purposes gives rise are very amusing ; and the merriment is varied by some exquisite touches of pathos. The minute traits of character and delicate tarns of expression in the- acting of Mr. and Mrs. KEELEY, and the aspect of genuine simplicity and naiveté given to the scenes between them, produce an effect -of reality that is quite captivating. The piece is a translation from the French, by Mr. MOUTON; who is entitled to the rare merit of having not spoiled the original in adapt- ing it to the English stage. MY. MORRIS BanNETr made his first ap- pearance, as the French Marquis, enamouredlof the pretty maid of the mill : but he had only to appear ridiculous, and speak French-English ; which he does better than any actor now on the boards.

Miss HELEN Faucrr was prevented by sudden indisposition from ap- pearing on Tuesday night as Bertha, the heroine of the Point of Honour; and Miss ELLIS, who had played the part in the country, performed it in a very creditable manner, at a moment's notice. ANDERSON 8g Durimel. PHELPS as his father, and Mrs. WARNER as the mother of Bertha, were severally effective. But what 'claims such a commonplace melodrama has to be brought forward at Drury Lane, we cannot discover.

The new comedy of Marriage, announced at the Haymarket for Thursday last, is postponed till tonight. On Monday, The Queen of Cyprus, in all her glory, will appear at the Adelphi ; on Wednesday, Mr. Borracfcauvr's new comedy, The Irish Heiress, is to be produced at Covent Garden ; and on Thursday, HANDEL'S Ads and Galatea will be revived at Drury Lane, with scenery painted by STANFIELD. Our next week's budget of theatricals, therefore, will be as full as this is meagre.