The managers of the Lyceum have given their audience a
very nice ver- sion of a French drama, entitled Lasater, and have bestowed thereon the name of Not a Bad Judge. The object of the drama is to represent a clear-sighted, cool, and conscientious man, working his way through all the obstacles that chance or cunning may interpose. The John Caspar Lavater of the play is, we suspect, a much cleverer fellow than the same gentleman in reality: for he has the attributes not only of a physiog- nomist but of a clear observer of minute circumstances, which he applies in such a manner that he seems endowed with an almost supernatural power of discernment; especially in the eyes of a pompous stupid burgo- master, acted by Harley with true Harleian drollery. Charles Mathews plays Lasater to perfection; combining the sense of superiority, arising from the consciousness of acumen, with the most thorough benevolence and urbanity. The plot—which makes him save a young lady from a false charge of infanticide, and detects a disguised villain seeking matrimonial alliance with a noble house—is very slight, but ingenious; and it answers the purpose of bringing out the character of John Caspar.
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