Of all theatrical entertainments, there are none so thoroughly illegiti-
mate as those that are based on the performance by young children of parts far beyond the degree of their mental and bodily development. In other artistical exhibitions there is at least an apparent intention to sip- preach the standard of right. A bad picture may generally be considered as the result of an abortive attempt to produce a good one ; bad acting is generally the failure of an unhappy man who tries to do his best. lilt when a child undertakes to play Shyloek or Richard the Third, we know that any approximation to what it ought to be is physically impossible. nay, it is the inadequacy of the artist to his task which actually consti- tutes the peculiarity of the performance. Two. American children, named Bateman, made their &hilt at the St. James's Theatre on Monday, in the characters of .Richarciand.RicJimond, and were applauded to the echo. But what did this applause denote? In the first place, an idle gratification at the odd aspect of two infants uttering the big words of rival warriors, and haranguing the grown-up followers, whose size made their own di- minutive stature more ridiculous. In the second place, a genuine ad- miration of juvenile "pluck,"—a quality which Miss Ellen and Miss Kate Bateman possess to an extraordinary degree. Indeed, when the youngest and smallest of these, dressed up as a miniature Richard, stormed and fumed about the stage, and was rewarded with approving thunders, we were reminded of those encouraging ejaculations which are often uttered to a little boy who distinguishes himself with more than ordinary gallantry in a street-fight The short comedy which follows the tragic act is far more satisfactory ; for the very reason, as a contemporary has remarked, that it exhibits:the gallantries and coquetries of two precocious children, prematurely mar- ried by an absurd decree of the old French Court, and that the two pre- cocious Americans are adequate representatives of such personages. Here we have not the overstrained energy which in the tragedy is con- stantly aiming at a point it never reaches ; but we have what is much better, considerable smartness and humour displayed in a congenial sphere. The Batemans are certainly clever children ; but their guardian should be exhorted to confine them to suitable parts, and not use them to burlesque Shakspere. We would also suggest the selection of a comedy approaching somewhat less to the indelicate than The Young Couple; for certain equivoques produce a painful impression when uttered by the lips of small children.
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