sot sytatrts.
Generally speaking the play-houses, with the single exception of the Adelphi, which rests firmly on Mr. Watts Phillips's new drama, The _Dead Heart, are in somewhat unsettled condition, the managers con- stantly putting forth novelties, which fail to rivet the attention of the public. At-the Haymarket there is a piece called The Late .Lamented, which shows us how a twice-married Marchioness, who could not bear her first husband, extolled his virtues to the great annoyance of the second happy man, until she was cured by a false report that the "late lamented" had come to life again. 'The personages in this piece are decked out in very courtly fashion, and the cast comprises Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews, Mr. Bnckstone, and Miss Reynolds. Nevertheless, the humour proves too French to suit the English taste, and the audi- er.ce.do not care a jot about the well-dressed, well-talking Marquis and Marchioness, whose notions of love are so completely after the Versailles model, while they lack the seasoning of a little ingenious intrigue. At the Princess's there is a slight piece called Gossip, founded on a " comedy " by M. Demanin, entitled Les Femmes Terribles. This is a sort of School for Scandal, without any wit in the dialogue, the principal personage being a type of the Mrs. Candour breed, who, talking strongly against a married lady, is persecuted by the husband,—a quaint being, who, following her like a shadow, torments her for explanations she can- not give.
Such are the ephemeral novelties of the week, which ere a fortnight has passed will, in all probability, be thoroughly forgotten. In the meanwhile the propensity to produce is visible on every side. While Gossip is put in the bills, the manager of the Princess's announces a domestic drama, which will speedily elbow it from the post of honour ;
Mrs. Centlivre's comedy, the Bold Stroke for a Wife, once associated with the elder Mathews, is now rushing into lamplight that the younger Mathews:may enact Colonel Feignwell; at the 8t. James's there is to be itaiew comedietta by Mr. W. Blanchard Jerrold. And in addition to all this, Madame Celeste reopens the Lyceum on Monday next with a drama, called Paris and Pleasure. Look where we will, we find activity.
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