appearing before you again, I shall be delighted at knowing that I am among friends who have supported me for the last fifteen years. All I can say as a farewell, is, God bless you all, and"-Mr. Sloan's feelings here appeared to be too much for him, and he retired without finishing the sentence. The applause that followed was tremendous. 6 Mr. MANCHESTER THEATRE. [Lessee, Mr. J. Knowles.] This theatre has been opened under the management of Mr. Howard Glover, for the performance of English operas. The first representation took place on the 3rd ulto, the opera being The Bride of Lammermoor,' cast as follows:-Lucy Ashton, Miss Rainforth; Alice, Miss K. Macnamara: Edgar of Ravenswood, Sims Reeves: Henry Ashton, Mr. Henry Whitworth; Bide-the-Bent, Mr. Delavanti; Arthur, Mr. Galli. As was anticipated, the audience present gave a bril liant appearance to the house, and were apparently capable of appreciating the abilities of those holding prominent parts in the opera, which was cordially received. Mr. Reeves and Miss Rainforth acquitted themselves in an able and true artistic manner; their singing wrs delicious, and occasionly met with an encore. Mr. Whitworth was not sufficiently up' in his part; and the other vocalists were not the thing one would wish. On the following Monday (25th) The Bride of Lammermoor' was repeated, with deeidedly more finished effect than on the first night. The same opera was performed on last Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and went off with great eclat. La Sonnambula' was produced last Saturday, before a crowded assemblage. No pains or expense has been spared to place each opera on the stage in a magnificent style; and, in justice to Mr. Glover, let us add, that we never before witnessed English operas produced with more effect, and that all he gains he most richly deserves. The band and chorus consists of sixty performers, all of whom are well drilled; and Mr. P. Corri as chorus master, and Mr. Salabert as Prompter, are deserving of credit for the manner in which they execute their duty. The coming dramatic season will be one of interest to those who rank themselves as patrons; the season of the Theatre Royal will commence on the 23rd inst.: and parties are in negotiation for the Queen's and City theatros. HEYWOOD.-The five American sisters are doing good business here this week. PERTH.-Since our last, her Majesty has suddenly paid us a visit, and made quite a stir here. We have a concoction of the Bottle' well acted, also Much Ado about Nothing,' Richard the Third,' Pas de Fascination,' &c. Great preparations are making for the Race week, Mr Ware, late of the Newcastle company, a great favourite, has been engaged, and that great favourite, the African Roscius appears shortly after, and a new drama called the Ship on Fire, or the Loss of the Ocean Monarch' is announced. This looks like a determination to fill the theatre and the manager's coffers. a ROCHDALE.-Theatricals have been at a low ebb here of late, there has been nothing done for about year at the theatre, except Amateur performances. Mr. Lomas has had a large room open for about three months, and has met with great success, considering that his company was principally composed of Amateurs, and men of mediocre talent. He has proceeded to Heywood. The theatre was occupied on Monday and Tuesday by Mr Price, who is lecturing on the evils of Emigration. SOUTHAMPTON. [Lessee Mr. W. Parker].-On Monday, the 25th, Mr. G. V. Brooke, the celebrated tragedian, made his first appearance on this stage as Othello. It was a magnificent conception of the character, and delineated the "conflicting impulses of the honest but unfortunate Moor with great truthfulness to nature; the death scene was very fine. Mrs. Nisbett and Miss Mordaunt played here on Wednesday in the comedy of Wives As They Were, and Maids As They Are,' and afterwards their favourite characters, Biddy Nutts and Anne Trevanion, in The Dream at Sea.' The house was crowded in every part. Mr. G. V. Brooke performed for the last time here on Friday evening as Hamlet, to a full house, which abundantly testified its appreciation of his genius. Venice Preserved' was played last Monday evening; Jaffier, Mr. E. Newby; Pierre, Mr. J. W. Benson; Belvidera, Mrs. Barrett. Marguerite's Colours,' has also been performed this week, together with the ballet of 'Vol au Vent; or a Night's Adventures.' MUSICAL INTELLIGENCE. PRINCESS'S THEATRE. It is one of the most absurd principles of life, is to suppose that in the present day a man, be he manager or not, should pursue a theoretical fallacythat he shall be expected to grasp at the shadow and lose the substance-follow the Ideal and leave the Real-or, what is coming to the point, ruin himself to support a fallen cause. In the present age few indeed will be found so philanthropic as to effect this. We hear much talk of the Drama, and great obloquy cast on those who are not supporters of it; but justice de mands that the other side of the question should be taken into consideration: the fault does not so entirely rest with the managers, as the public are taught to believe; but more particularly with the inaptitude o the generality of our actors, and the exorbitant term demanded by the 'great few' who are capable of sus taining the drama. The public will not tolerate the miserable attempts of those who vainly imagine that they are fit for the stage which they only disgraceand, in these retrenching times, a manager is totally unable to support the ruinous expenditure necessary to appease the few lions' of the profession. cannot conceive, therefore, why blame should be at tached to Mr. Maddox, because, by viewing the signs of the times,' he sees greater suecess (and consequently profit,) in the course he is pursuing, than in chasing, -in endless pursuit-the swift winged butterfly, yclept the DRAMA. As well might we blame Mr. Lavenu for giving a Concert, as Mr. Maddox for giving operas, &c. As long as good taste is not outraged, and miserable abortions are not palmed off upon the public,-and whilst that public are satisfied with, and support the class of entertainments thus afforded, we have no right to interfere, however we may disapprove; nor have we the slightest claim to justice in giving ear to disagreeable rumours from behind the Curtain;' and we certainly cannot have the power to enforce the taste for a thing which is not in existence. We Having said thus much, we have only to state that the Princess's Theatre (redecorated by Mr. Hurwitz) opened on Monday evening for the performance of English Opera, Farce, and Ballet, a class of entertainments to which we understand that Mr. Maddox in tends to restrict his very excellent company; this is undoubtedly a most judicious step; it will give to the house that distinctive feature which has here been so long requisite. We have only space this week to allude in the briefest terms to the performances, reserving our opinion on their merits for a future occasion. The operas produced during the week have been ⚫The Daughter of the Regiment,' and Lucia di Lammer moor,' in the former our favourite, Miss Poole, sustained the heroine with great taste, and supported by Madame Feron, Mr Rafter, and others; in the latter, Miss Harland (pupil of Mr Allen,) made a very spirited debut; she was well seconded by Messrs. Allen, Weiss, and Gregg. The house has thus the advantage of a double company. Following the opera, has been the -;' and the farce 'Pay Me; or, If You Don't performances have concluded with the ballet of 'La Rosiere,' admirably executed. The manager, who has received the strongest support, has scarcely yet got into full play; we hope shortly to hear the fairy songstress, Thillon, and others of equal celebrity. The Grand event of the ensuing week will be the Distins' Monster Farewell Concert at Drury Lane on Monday evening. Every available talent, both vocal and instrumental, will assist on the occasion; we could not even give the names in our present confined space. The programme contains a selection of forty-six pieces of music. We understand that an 'exalted personage' will be present on the occasion; at all events one of the features of the evening will be the National Anthem to be executed by twenty-four leading vocalists, and a full orchestra, with solo parts for the Messrs. Distin. Every lover of good music will regret the departure of these inimitable artistes; we sincerely hope that they will have a crowded house to cheer them on their way across the broad Atlantic to the American shores, where they will doubtless receive the welcome due to their extraordinary merits. Mr. Bunn will open Covent Garden on Saturday TO AMATEURS AND OTHERS.-W. T. Simpson evening, with the greatest attractions in every department; in addition to the talent he has specially engaged, he will have the use of the whole resources of that immense establishment. Mr. Coule will give his Annual Concert on the 11th inst. This gentleman possesses great claims on the musical public. In addition to some first-rate vocal and instrumental artistes, the celebrated Concertina band will lend their attractions on the occasion. Messrs. Lockey and H. Phillips are to give a Concert in Bradford on the 12th of October. Mr. Wilson gave his farewell Scotch entertainment at the Music Hall, Leeds, Oct. 2nd. Henry Russell has two nights in Leeds, the first Oct. 9th. Grisi's Concert, Sept. 23rd, at Leeds was numerously and respectably attended. WALHALLA. SALLE DE VALENTINO. very The enterprising lessee of this delightful resort must undoubtedly find by this time, that he has commanded. the esteem which he so richly merits, by his mode of carrying out his designs, as we stated them last week, for the conduct of his establishment. He may depend on it, that this will be the only way of ensuring him self of the support of respectable persons, who will not be fearful of visiting his saloons. Crowds have been attracted every evening, and the utmost order has prevailed, Mr. Pridmore, and his very effective aides, using their influence with the greatest effect, towards the maintenance of decorum, and the enjoy、 ment of the company. The latter, after the usual quantity of dancing, depart, expressing their unbourded delight at the excellence of the music under the command of Herr Redl; the brilliant yet neat deco rations of Mr. Hurwitz; the admirable refreshmentswhich disappear with frightful velocity; and loud in their praises of the pleasant evening they have passed. The galleries are certainly great improvements, and of Drury Lane, has opened a dramatic class at the Queen's Square Assembly Rooms; a new and elegantly constructed stage, splendid Dresses and appointments. Entrance fee 3s. and 1s. per week, covering all expenses, Including Dresses, Books, Bills, Cards of admission, &c. Practiced amateurs will find this an excellent opportunity, engagements being provided for them in the provinces, should they have sufficient ability; a small fee to the Agent expected: address to Mr Simpson, care of Mr Boteler, 8 Theobald's Road, Red Lion Square. WALHALLA, SALLE DE VALENTINO, LEICESTER SQUARE. The Lessee begs respectfully to acquaint the public and considerable improvements, at an expense of some thousands, and having been rendered capable of accommodating upwards of 2000 Persons, are open every evening. THE SALON Has been adorned in the highest style of decorative art, by Mr. Hurwitz, assisted by other artists of eminence. The general ar rangements are of a character that cannot fail to be satisfactory to the Public. THE LIGHTING, The Lessee trusts, will give general satisfaction. Fourteen Chandeliers of the most costly and magnificent description have been - made expressly by Messrs. Apsley Pellatt & Co. NEW REFRESHMENT SALOON Has been added. A SPACIOUS GALLERY Has been erected for the convenience of those visitors who may wish to be spectators without participating in the festivity. The saltatory regulations are presided over by four Masters of the Ceremonies. THE ORCHESTRA Is selected from among the most eminent Musical Professors, Prices Doors open at a quarter-past Eight.-Dancing to commence at half-past, and close at half-past Eleven. ADMISSION, ONE SHILLING. 400 MEMOIR OF H. BUTLER. times render curtailment necessary on this head yet we vehemently protest against the carelessness nay, the injustice of modern dramatic criticism. In the first place, if Shakspeare be performed, even the reader must feel an interest in knowing the peculiar emphasis and gesture which accompanied certain passages-how this or that per former could infuse sublime power, deep pathos, or broad merriment into the denunciations of Lear, the soliloquies of Macbeth, or the pranks of Falstaff, and the gaieties of Mercutio. It is here that the Press ought to act both as preceptor and critic. In noticing good points, it carries home the meaning to the reader, excites his curi. osity, and leads him eventually to the theatre. It encourages the successful actor, by shewing that there is a Press capable of appreciating his efforts it restrains the unskilful one, and reduces him to a better level, it is a lesson to audiences, a lesson fraught with meaning, particularly in a country which believes in the Press as a part of its national creed. Furthermore, the notice of subordinate performers is capable of cheering the ill paid, half disappointed actor in the up-hill path of his profestion, of raising his ambition, increasing his study, and rendering the play, not the single actor, alike the object for the attention of actor, manager and audience. Such should dramatic criticism be; but what A trifling detail of staple common places, THE is it? such as great artiste,' • efficient performance,' C. SHARP-We intend for the future to devote a space to Musical Intelli'able representative,' 'well sustained.' ́ with suc gence; the department will be confided to the care of a gentleman 'accustomed exwell known for the brilliancy and impartiality of his musical critiques. Parties giving Concerts, &c., should forward the usual cards of a Cess,' no particular notice,' sion addressed H. M. M.,' Office of the Theatrical Times,' as above. cellence,' and other such dull, unscientific cant CLAUDE.-No, it will be announced as soon as ready. of the profession. Utter want of vitality, heavy dullness, and pointless praise-these are the fea tures of our modern dramatic critiques. Mr. Henry Balter was born at Chepstow in Monmouthshire, the 4th March, 1818. Intended originally for an artist, at the age of fourteen he quitted his paternal aunt's care, with two shillings in his pocket, and his oil colours under his arm, to paint his way through the world; he thus made a tour of Wales, and a great portion of Derbyshire, Yorkshire and Lancashire where he attached himself to a strolling company. Here he remained till he was noticed by J. Downe Esq. manager of the York Circuit. He made his debut in the Leed's theatre on November 1836 and remained there, rising from the mere de livering of messages to a very respectable position. In 1839 Mr. F. Yates, while staying at Hull offered Mr. Butler an engagement at the Adelphi, which was declined on a plea of insufficient practice. He thence appeared at the Lyceum under Mr Penly, then as Thames Darrell in 'Jack Sheppard.' After a sojourn in the country, being light comedian to the Lincoln circuit, he came to the Strand under H. Hall. Going back to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, he joined the Keeleys at the Lyceum, in Above and Below.' After a further provincial tour, he returned to London. He is at present at the Olympic, but shortly goes to the Strand. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. ALL COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE EDITOR MUST BE AD DRESSED TO 6, RED LION COURT. FLEET STREET, CORRESPONDENTS WILL GREATLY OBLIGE US BY FORWARDING THEIR COMMUNICATIONS AS EARLY IN WEEK AS POSSIBLE. with you, P.p. E. BOWLAND.-Send us your private address, and we will communicate YOUNG ROMEO-Apply to a Theatrical agent, or communicate 'your private address, that we may write to you more particularly on the subject. WG (Birmingham)-We are much obliged to you for your kind Wishes HOW TO MAKE A DRAMATIC JOURNAL. Semper ego auditor tantum, nunquamne reponam ?' The editors of dramatic journals, or of the dramatic portion of the ordinary press, appear to labour under a great mistake in supposing that there is no occasion for a dramatic criticism to contain either sense or completeness. Thus we find one or two performers eulogised, and the rest passed over without particular notice.' Now although this may be excused in the Daily News' or any other one sheet epitome of the rest; although the pressure of matter in the Times' may at Nor is the evil always mended in journals ap. propriated to the drama alone. Starting into existence nobody knows whence, nobody knows how, under hands utterly disconnected with any thing like literature, and whose dramatic expe rience is confined to the acquaintance of the raffe of the profession, and to the authors having played sixth-rate parts in a villainous melodrama, or scribbled some criticisms about German theatres they never visited, society they never fentered; we have eight pages of pretension, large or small, illustrated or not, in which it is morally impossible to discover the least animating spirit to redeem their bedily dulness. Absurd puffing of low amateur societies, ungrammatical critiques, half copied from Sunday papers, and a miscellaneous pasticcio of oft-heard or unauthenticated anecdotes, pointless bon mots, and poetical scribblings in the shape of epigrams, anagram, and acrostic, make up the few pages left; and such is the work which is to raise the Drama, elevate the national taste, and make England a theatrical nation! OXONIENSIS, THE DISTRIBUTION OF THEATRICAL FORCES. As the time is gone by for great theatres and high prices of admission, the only chance of sue. cess depends on the way in which the minors are conducted. With the exception of Sadler's Wells, there is no house devoted to the high inte ctual drama. where a defined and well organisad purpose is carried out. Were several theatres in different quarters of the town conducted with equal judg ment, we should'not despair of seeing them fill well. The Surrey, at the same prices of admission as Sadler's Wells, with Macready and Mrs. Butler to lead, and with no exorbitant salarfes, would certainly answer. The Marylebone with Miss Faucitt, the Vandenhoffs, and a good stock company might prosper, but Mrs Warner and Graham did not carry sufficient weight of metal to attract. The Olympic is not quite large enough for the Shaksperian drama, but it is well adapted for modern plays, which, supported by Brooke, Betty, Davenport, Mrs. Mowatt, and Mrs Stirling could hardly fail of success, provided new pieces were rapidly produced. A shilling pit is a sine qua non at such places as these. The little Strand theatre might be turned to account (for it is in a capital locality) if devoted to the purposes of comedy, with a company consisting of such performers as Wigan, Compton, Selby, the Keeley's, Miss Montague, and one or two others. The Haymarket with the Kean's, Miss Addison, Wallack, Creswick, Webster, Mrs Glover, Miss Reynolds, and Miss Horton, must rely on a rapid succession of new and first-rate plays, or even with so fair a company people will not go there to pay highly for admission. No English thea tre should exceed the present prices of the Adel phi, and none but the Saloons should play to a lower rate of admission than two shilling boxes, a shilling pit, and a sixpenny gallery. The nuis. ance of a rabble in a threepenny gallery delers many persons from going to the boxes. The Victoria at its former prices, and with a good company might soon be made another Sadler's Weils. To accomplish a consummation so devoutly to be wished,' we would collect a corps for this house comprising Miss Cushman, Cowle, Shelley, Lyon, J. Webster, T. Lee, and Mrs West After all these reforms, there are for melodrama and opera, still the Adelphi, Standard, Queen's, Pavilion, City, and other theatres. The Lyceum with elegant vaudevilles and light comedy may go on prospering, and we would have a real English Opera at the Princess's or the St. James's As for Drury Lane and Covent Garden, without another Kean, they cannot possibly fill. They are hopeless speculations, and as for Mrs Nisbett and Farren, or English opera drawing largely there, no one conversant with theatricals will be lieve it. DRAMATICUS. BOURCICAULT AS A DRAMATIST. The true dramatist contrives to introduce us to all his characters in the first act, he makes us interested in them, and carries us along with him. However diversified may be their course of action, he manages that each one, even in his contrarities, shall further their plot, and that, all after an animated and excited chace, shall come in at the death, or winding up of the seemingly ail, he leaves an impression behind, favourable to inextricable and yet extricated chain. Above knowledge and virtue. There is nothing of this in Bourcicault. He bas no plot and no charac ters. He has a few dressed up dolls or toys, made of tinsel and feathers, and which by a kind of Ventriloquism, he makes to speak; for they are but the author's puppets, not natural or probable characters, and, accordingly, the stage on which they appear is little better than a puppet-show. In vain we look for one individual or rounded-off character, such as Lord Foppington or Lord gleby, or Joseph Surface, or Tony Lumpkin, or even Ollapod. Where there is any approach to such a character, it is a plagiarism, as Sir Samuel Sarcasm is a spurious off-shoot of Sir Robert Bramble; Gradus of Modus, Lord Fipley of Bulwer's Lord in Money (I forget his name) and so on. If a writer has no original character to give us, we would rather keep those we have in. tact, as every fresh distillation of them is a weaker spirit. Not only are the characters in these plays. Vapid copies, but the incidents are, for the most part, re-productions, and have not the poor merit which can alone excuse an imitation, that of improving on the original. The author has but one set of puppets for all occasions, and this is owing. to writing for certain actors. He has taken allow that he has fitted them, yet the suit is so measure of Farren and others, and were we to little varied that we constantly recognise the same altered. There is the crusty old guardian, the disguises, for the cut or trimmings are but a little eloping Miss, the loved rake, the saucy servant, the tailor made lord, and over and over again with wearisome repetition. The headless and the heartless are his only heroes and heroinesgrubs and straws and worms. The wit that these characters utter is indeed in character-it effervesces, it leaves but a sickly taste behind, resembles the froth of ginger-pop, and when it for it has none of the raciness that gives a spirit to genuine wine. Such comedies are stuck with Points like a cake with cloves, only the spice of these plays is not so wholesome a condiment, genius to invent a plot, or talent to construct one, But we will suppose that Bourcicault bad that he had the wit to draw characters and put appropriate sentiments in their mouths-that he could give them something to do as well as to say and flimsy materials as present fashionable, or what would be the good of it, with such slight conventional life affords? Would it be worth the while of a honest and honourable man to spend his energies in catching butterflies and nailing them on paper with a pin. He ought surely to pursue nobler fame, else he must give a very poor account of the time and talents he is entrusted with. Never did our nation need a true comic writer more than now; but he must be something more than a mere buffoon, or farce writer. We would as lief see an ape ridicule |