PARISIAN THRATRICAI/3.
Crispin—Geronte--Lisette—these names take us back to the Parisian stage of a hundred years ago. Indeed, on the present occasion they be.. long to a new comedy written carefully on the old model, by M. Charles Lafou, and produced at the Odeon, with the title le Dernier Crispin. A valet of the ancient school, who cheats a miser likewise of' the ancient school, in a manner quite according to ancient principles, makes up the little plot of a piece that is more remarkable for vivacity and elegance than for originality.
As a kind of relief, we suppose, to L'Etos7e du No rd, which cannot be played every night, a light comic opera by M. Victor Masse, with words by MM. Scribe and Romand, has been brought out at the Opera Comique. The plot turns on the belief entertained by some villagers in the neigh- bourhood of Avignon, that a young damsel has from youth upwards been betrothed by her father to Satan. This belief scares away lovers ; and is turned to account by a licentious marquis, who harbours dishon- ourable intentions against the lady. She, however, has a good genius in an early playmate, who has become a member of the Inquisition ; and all wicked machinations are defeated. The appearance of the In- quisition in an amiable light is novel ; though the entire piece, which is called La Fiancée du Diable, awakens remembrances of Les Nacos de Jeannette.
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