THE THEATRES.
SHERIDAN KNOWLES has returned from America, where he was cordially received. His yigourous roughness and geniality seem to have
been well relished by Brother Jonathan : but having only a very limited range of characters, it was not to be expected lie would stay long. KNowLes talked of writing a play for the Americans, in which the spirit of Transatlantic life and character was to be embodied. But we suspect that the salient points of American character are more attractive to the comic than the serious dramatist.
KNOWLES, on his arrival, was inlisted-to add to the attraction of Jerry Sneak—HvssELL's I enefit at Drury Lane, a week or two ogo ; rind be has appeared twice this week at the Victoria. He was enthusiastically welcomed at both places ; but while MACREADY, KSABLE, and KEAN are obliged to remain in the country, it is not likely that liNowLEs will find a pertnament engagement in London. We saw him on Tuesday in the Iluncliback,bis first and most popular personation. His bronzed cheek looked fatter than before, and his
figure has lost none of its bulk. Ile is just the same homely, earnest, and energetic actor that he always was; nor are his peculiarides at all diminished. We are content to take him with all his defects; for the rudest personation with the stamp of truth upon it, is better than the most finished piece of artifice wanting the charm of naturalness.
We were agreeably surprised in the general cast of the Hitnelibacle at the Victoria ; the principal parts being very respectably tilled ; and 3irs. H. CRAMER'S Julia not only surprised, but delighted us. Her
conception and delineation of the character are admirable; though now and then overwrought. But this defect, and occasionally an undue vehe mence of voice and gesture, which the melodramatic taste of the audience relished, only served to show, by their want of keeping, the truth, delicacy, arid impassioned earnestness of the test of the perform
ance. Mrs. CRAMER S Julia has all the genaness And .feminine sensibility of ELLEN TREE'S, with the spirit and energy of FANNY KEMBLE'S, but without the hardness and violence of the latter. Mrs. Caamoa would, in this line, be an acquisition to the proudest stage in the town.
BRAHAM, it seems, has actually got a licence for a new theatre at St. James's. The site of Neroes Hotel is fixed upon ; and BEAZLEY has
promised to have the building ready in three months. Indeed, the opening night is fixed for the 2d of November. 1.3zazLEY gets tip theatres as expeditiously as farces. The "Little Lessee" is in a terrible taking at this infringement of his patent rights; but no one pities his case. At the meeting of Pro prietors of Drury Lane Theatre, on Tuesday, Mr. Huss:, time Trea surer, read a long and lugubrious lamentation, in the shape of a " Report of the Committee," complaining that the ground landlord (the Duke of BEDFORD) had only deducted 300/. per annum from the ground-rent; at which they were much disappointed : and that they bad not been able to obtain any reduction of parochial rates ; nor would the renters agree
to the slightest diminution of their claims. The licence granted to
BRAHAM formed a fitting conclusion to this catalogue of grievances. The old croak about the unparalleled depression of theatrical property. was repeated by the Committee, and echoed by Lord GLENOALL, the Chairman of the meeting; who, as in duty bound, eulogized BONN'S "exertions, talents, and profuse expenditure."
The two Patent Theatres have long been losing concerns; Ind the loss has been in proportion to the size of the houses. .Mismaaagemilet has undoubtedly had its due share in promoting the mischief; but the radical evil is in the overgrown monopoly. By trying to aim at every thing, they succeed in doing nothing well. As for the "decline Of the drama," and " the depressed state of theatrical property," it is a stale cant. More people go to the play than ever ; uiid there is such a struggle to get theatres, that managers brave the law to open new ones. Lord GLENGALL tells us that Astley's is the only the..tre that pays. We take it for granted, then, that that theatre is as successful as it deserves. There is the Olympic, obich has been any thing but a losing concern ; and three or four fortunes have been made I y the Adephi. If the Lyceum and Haymaiket have not been sums, ful of late, the Managers may thank themselves. Audiences are not so easily plea.:ed as formerly, because people have more enjoyments, independent of the theatre, than they used to have. But a really good play, opera, farce, or spectacle—well performed—is seldom deficient in attraction even now. As SHERIDAN said, when some one was lana a -Mg the want of public support for the donna, " I am very much afraid that people only go to the theatre to be amused."
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