THEATRICAL Gosstr.—The principal theatrical topic of the week has been
the secession of Mr. LEE from the management of Drury Lane ; which happened rather unexpectedly, and was at first attributed to a private misunderstanding between him and his partner Captain Pol.- HILL. It was afterwards stated, on "authority," to have arisen "en- tirely from matters under the deed of partnership." However this may be, such is. the fact, that the deed of separation has been formally signed, and Captain POLHILL is now left solus in the enjoyment of all the pleasures and profits of patenteeship.
At Covent Garden, Napoleon Buonaparte continues, not to run, but to creep through his nightly career. The house, on one or two even- ings when we have chanced to look in, has been miserably empty ; and the performance, though considerably shortened, has gone off very heavily. The worthy "patrons of the British drama" have experienced a sorry disappointment in this spectacle, which had been previously trumpeted forth, a la Bartlemy Fair, to be
"Such as never vas seen afore,
And never shall be no more,"
in the way of glitter, noise, and scenic effect. Now, the fact is, there are only two scenes which even in these particulars can claim any merit, and those two are unfortunately the first represented. The five remains ing parts are, as the Exquisites say, "an intolerable bore." The point-
of the hero's career have, in our opinion, been badly chosen, both for historic interest and scenic effect. Why have we not the Bridge of Arcola, instead of the Bridge of Montereau—the Battle of the Pyra- mids, instead of the Palace of Schoenbrunn, with the "grand review of the Imperial Guard," which, by mistake, takes place behind the scenes .—the Coronation, instead of Victoria's Dream—the Battle of Waterloo, instead of the Adieu a Fontainbleau ?—By the by, that worthy gentle- man, Mr. Puff, has been abroad, and has furnished the newspapers with one or two interesting particulars connected with this performance, some of which are too important to be forgotten. In the first place, the little cocked hat used by Mr. IVARDE is" the identical one worn by the hero himself !" We thought that all the wardrobe had been reported "genuine as imported." Secondly, " Mr. WanDE has had the advan- tage, we (i. e. they) are told, of having himself seen the Emperor Napo- leon." Prodigious ! Thirdly,—a touch of the pathetic,—Miss FANNY REMBLE, on the first night of the performance, did sit on a certain cushion in the middle box of the dress circle, accompanied by several of her rela- tives, sympathizing in the hard destiny of the amiable hero, and fre- quently affected to tears by Mr. WARDE'S very laudable dying groans. Query, can we in any way reconcile this little overflowingof nature, with Miss Ksam.s's acknowledged talents as an actress? Mr. KEMBLE is, we understand, now at Paris, catering for another historical spectacle,—rumour whispers the Citizen King of the French to be the subject. We are to have a small edition of Napo/eon at Drury Lane, on WAL- LACE'S night, in the person of clever little Miss POOLE. The drama of the Corporal, or the School of Brienne, will of course embrace the youth. fed exploits of the man who left
"A name at which the world grew pale."
We have had horses here too, in Timour the Tartar and Blue Beard. A daily critic speaks in very contemptuous terms of Mr. COOKE'S stud, as consisting only of "some half dozen," with "two or three for leaders." We believe the strength of cavalry here amounts to some eighteen or twenty. The critic's boast of the "White charger" at Covent Garden (which with two others compose their whole stud) was unfortunate ; for Drury Lane has three of that description. "Fair play's a jewel." The Surry has a Napoleon piece, which, as far as incidents are con- cerned, is superior to the Covent Garden one. OSBALDISTON enacts the hero.
The Queen's Theatre has opened for the summer season, with a new romantic drama, entitled the Spirit of the Mist. We miss our friend RUSSELL here, both as actor and stage-manager : where is he, and when will he return ?
REAR is playing at the New City Theatre, in Milton (ci-devant Grub) Street. They give out that he has a large share in the concern. We understand that Paganini has made a new arrangement with Laporte, and is to give six concerts, at the King's Theatre, tel the ordi- nary prices : theafirst to be on Friday next.
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