THE THEATRES.
Mn. CHARLES KEMBLE'S return to the stage is the only incident of the week worth noting. The venerable comedian obeyed the Queen's command on Tuesday, with so much spirit, vigour, and alacrity, that he was required to play Mercutio on Thursday ; which, being a less fa- tiguing and infinitely more agreeable part, he seems to have got through in more gallant style than Don Felix. Flattered by the rapturous reception that greeted his reappearance, and by the applause of the Royal party, and tempted by the handsome offer of the Covent Garden management, the stage-defunct has accepted a sort of posthumous en- gagement for a few more "last nights," when the ghost of his former self will " revisit the glimpses of the lamps" in other of his favourite characters, including Benedict and Charle.s. Surface. CHARLES KEMBLE'S massive features look bronzed with health as well as furrowed with age; his form and port even yet retain some of
the manly grace and freedom of 14s prime ; and on occasion he sur- prised the audience by a display of activity and energy that for a mo- ment made one forget the change in him : his voice, however, is weak, and the traces of infirmity are but too visible in the precautionary care with which he husbands his physical resources, and the elaboration which takes the place of spontaneous ease and vivacity. On the whole, it was painful to find one's self applauding escapes from failure, and cherishing the sparks that glimmered in the embers of enfeebled powers. The Queen and Prince were present both nights ; and the audiences were of course overflowing and enthusiastic.
Miss E. MONTAGUE'S Juliet is a very pretty domestic reading of the character ; her sweet and distinct enunciation being its principal charm: the balcony scene is really a beautiful piece of natural declamation ; but power, passion, and poetry are wanting. Mrs. NESBITT'S Violante, in The Wonder, is ripe to bursting with vivacity and mischief she looks as if she were actually hiding a gal- lant. And 'Mrs. ORGER and Mrs. Husiav, as the rival chambermaids, are well matched : the fight between them for Lissardo reminds one of a little bantam assailing dame Partlett for monopolizing the attentions of Chanticleer. M'IAN's Gibbie is a characteristic personation of the Highland gillie. The costumes are, as usual, in superb taste.
The firm of Hobbs, Dobbs, and Stubbs, grocers, Haymarket, failed; being bankrupt in wit and humour, and having a very heavy stock of dulness, not unmixed with indecency their mode of doing business, too, was very confused and irregular. WeitsTen intends to reopen the concern on a smaller scale, but it is not likely to draw customers. Richelieu is to be produced in grand style at the Haymarket, on Wed- nesday.
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