Wednesday for the benefit of Mr. Buckstone; "The Child of the Regiment,' ' Box and Cox,' and 'A Rough Diamond.' Friday for the benefit of Mrs. Fitzwilliam ; The Scarecrow,' The Snapping Turtles,' and 'A Rough Diamond.' The house was crowded in every part. Business has been very good during the week. Mr. Bayntum Rolt is announced for next week. GLASGOW The theatrical campaign has fairly begun here: and the threatened opposition of a third theatre, has made the managers of our other theatres look about them; and they promise great things, both in the way of revival and the engagement of talented artistes. Our Theatre Royal has opened (being a week earlier than usual) for the winter season. The stock company is pretty fair, and comprises Messrs. Cathcart, Sidney Davis, Langley, Mark, 1 exander, Bruce, Terry, Younge, J Cathcart, Lomas, &c; Mrs Wyndham, Misses Lavine, M. Douglas, and Mesdames Langley, Terry, &c. 'Macbeth' was selected for the opening night; and was put on the stage in a most gorgeous style. The acting was also respectable; Teo Late for Dinner' concluded the evening's entertainments. The house was crowded in every part. At the Adelphi theatre, things are still going on briskly. The Lady of Lyons,' Black-eyed Susan' a new comic drama entitled Wanted a Wife' and the successful Hay market burletta of the Pas de Fascination,' have been lately acted to good houses. That talented young lady Miss Aitken has been added to the com. pany. Mr R. E. Graham the popular tragedian commenced a short engagement here last Saturday. He has appeared as Richelieu, the Stranger and Vir ginius. He has been well supported by the excellent stock company of this theatre, HBYWOOD THEATRE. (Lessee, Mr. Wild).-This place of amusement opened about a month since, and has done very excellent business; there is a good working company, and the pieces are got up well. The following is a list of the company :-Messrs. S. Wild, Lishman, Holloway, Fitzgerald, Williams, Hewitt, Perris, Pope, and Hargraves; Mesdames S. Wild, Lishman, Perris, Taylor, &c. The pieces last week were Raby Rattler,' Fortune's Frolic, The Ocean Monarch, or the Fire Fiend.' LEICESTER-Herr Teasdale, the celebrated delineator of the Monkey tribe, has been starring during the past week in Jack Robinson,' Jocko,' 'Orphan and his Monkey,' &c. Mr Gordon, the stage manager, took his benefit on Monday, on which occasion, Mrs Gordon appeared in the character of Miami, in the 'Green Bushes.' The Leicester playgoers anticipated a great treat, but their old favourite, Mrs Linghum, would have been more at home in the part. Mr Gordon attempted the part of Phil Murtough: the other characters were well sustained by Messrs. Walter, Grisdale, Reeves, Eaglesfield, Evere, Willis, Bland, &c. LANDPORT.-On Wednesday, the performances were for the benefit of Mr. T. W. Paulo, the Clown; when was performed the admired play of the Wife:' principal characters by Mr. E. Laws and Mrs. Ponisi : dancing by W. H. Harvey: concluding with the comic pantomime of Grey-eyed Greedy.' Thursday, 'Macbeth,' and the ballet of 'Statue Blanche.' Friday, Richard the Third,' Stranger,' for the benefit of Mr. Laws. Saturday, 'Hamlet' and the comic ballet of the Cobler and Sailor.' " Monday, 'Romeo and Juliet,' Romeo, Miss Cushman: Juliet, Miss Hays. Thursday, Mr Barton makes his appeal to his friends, and being a favovorite here, he will no doubt meet the reward he so well deserves. theatre closes on the 25th. The LIVERPOOL THEATRE. [Lessee Mr. Simpson.]The dramatic season here was brought to a termination on Monday last; it has been very unsuccessful during its progress. Buckstone, Mrs. Fitzwilliam, Mr. and Mrs. Keeley, Webster, Madame Celeste, Mr. and Mrs. Kean, and Mr. and Miss Vandenhoff, have successively appeared, but have failed in attracting good houses; in so poor a state is the drama in Liverpool. Pell and his serenaders appear on Tuesday; they are accompanied by the celebrated Juba, (rendered so noted by the patronage of Boz) doubtless they will do much better than the legitimates.' LIVER THEATRE. [Lessee, Mr, James Rogers.] We are glad to state that this recherche' little house Albert is receiving the patronage it so well merits. Smith's wittily written burlesque Open Sesame, or a Night with the Forty Thieves' has been produced in a style of magnificence we could scarcely imagine possible in a provincial town. The scenery, dresses, and music are everything that could be desired. The forty thieves are personated, not by grim masculine beings, but by forty beautiful damsels. Mr. H. Widdicombe is the Hassarac, and much mirth he excites. in the part; (this gentleman has become a great: attainments, a regular theatrical multum in parvo:" favourite here, he has quite a multiplicity of stagehe can act, sing, dance, whistle, and in fact, do any thing; his performance in 'The Dancing Barber, Sketches in India,' Middle Temple,' &c., are richlycomic his racy humour and vivacity enliven every piece in which he appears. Miss Fielding is an excellent Morgiana: the part is quite in her line, and is rendered in her style. The other parts were very ably sustained by Misses Elphick, Peel, Dring, and Mrs. Garthwaite: Messrs. W. H. Stephens, Manning, Fitzrobert, Shaw, &c. The greatest credit is due to the manager for the spirited manner in which he is proceeding. Open Sesame' has had a successful week's run as first piece. It concludes the perform. ance on each evening of the present week. Judith of Geneva' is announced with Mr. and Mrs. Rogers and Mr. Widdicombe in the 'crack' parts. After which Mr. E. R. Harper, the famed delineator of 'nigger' character appears in a favourite piece. The performance concluding, as we before stated, with Open Sesame:' with such attractions it is not aston-ishing that the house is crowded nightly. We are requested to state that Mr. Rogers Clarke is not connected with this theatre, as was stated by a contemporary a week or two ago. MANCHESTER THEATRE. [Lessee, Mr J. Knowles.] -Since the commencement of the season, this theatre has been very indifferently attended; and now that the Queen's is again re-opened, the manager must open his eyes to secure the means of taking the lead. The cause of bad business may be attributed partly to the bad weather, the state of the times, and in a great measure to the selection of worn out pieces we have had forced upon us. The past week, however, has been marked by the appearance of Miss E. Mon tague, who played the part of Mrs. Haller in 'The Stranger' on Monday the 30th; Mr. Edmund Glover enacting the Stranger. On the following Thursday, 'The Patrician's Daughter' was performed with Mies Montague as Lady Mabel, that being the only well. played part in the piece. Mr. Glover was tolerably good as Mordaun; but, of the other characters, the less said the better. On last Saturday, Mr. Barry Sullivan made a favourable impression by his performance of Hamlet; it was a graceful piece of acting, and in many points, original in both style and reading. Of Miss Anderton's Ophelia, the Manchester Examiner' speaks in exceeding high terms. Amongst the company there are Mr. H. Beverley, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Slaitor, Miss Kenneth, and Mrs. Bickerstaff. A good low comedian is much wanted, Mr. B. Webster and Mrs. Glover (of the Haymarket) are to appear on Monday in 'The Rivals,' being for the benefit of Mr. Glover, and his last appearance, QUEEN'S THEATRE. [Lessee, Mr. Nadin.]-The state of affairs at this theatre has been quite deplorable of late. Mr. J. Sloan could not make the property answer; and now that his lease has expired, the house has fallen into fresh hands, a twelve month's license having been granted to Mr. Joseph Alexander Nadin, son of one of the proprietors to the theatre. This gentleman commenced his career on Monday (30th ulto), when the burlesque of The Enchanted Isle' was brought out, and attracted a moderately filled house. The part of Ferdinand was exceedingly well played by Miss Glover; and the other characters were sustained in a passable manner. The piece has been repeated every evening; added to which some pleasing entertainments have been provided us. This week The Jealous Wife' forms a portion of the bill of fare, Mr. W. R. Copeland, of Liverpool, is acting as manager; but as yet it would be impossible to give an idea as to the success of the undertaking. The Company is not quite complete. WHITEHAVEN.-The performances during the week have beenRichard the Third,' Honest Thieves,' New Way to Pay Old Debts,'Dancing Scotchman,' Iron Chest,' The Bottle,' 'Winter's Tale, &c. Friday, Richelieu' and "English Etiquette,' being ror the benefit of Mr. Paumier, who is leaving the company, being engaged to appear at the Theatre Royal Dublin, with Miss Helen Faucitt. The house was crowded in every part; at the end of Richelieu,' Mr. Paumier was called before the curtain, and was received with enthusiastic cheers. Business continues good. Mr. Capel has announced a benefit to take place shortly, for the Widows, Orphans, and sufferers, caused by the Coal pit explosion, which took place last Saturday, when thirty-one lives were lost. AMERICAN CORRESPONDENCE. New York, October 11th, 1848. The next play chosen for the display of Mr Macready's histrionic powers was 'Othello,' this was given on the 6th. The house was again well attended, and the success of the Moor was a perfect triumph. A repetition of Macbeth' took place on the 9th, when the performance of Macready as the hero ended with a glorious result. King Lear' is to be played this evening. I have thus given you a programme of Macready's performances during the time he has been amongst us, but at present it is a matter of doubt how long his engagement will extend at Niblo's. It is however, stated that Mr Fry, who has obtained a lease of the house, to bring forward operas in a magnificent style, opens about the last week in the present month; consequently Macready will shortly leave this city, and it is probable he may then pro ceed to Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston. withstanding the attractive card at Niblo's, the Park theatre has had its due share of patronage. That delightful songstress, Madame Bishop commenced an engagement at this house on the 4th. She appeared in a scene from 'Linda of Chamouni,' aud also pers formed from Tancredi;' her singing was really beau Not In tiful, and fascinating. In addition to others, Madame Bishop has since executed a sc ne of the barricades of Paris, in which, as an officer of the National Guard, she sung the air, La Marseillaise,' in a true musicianlike manner; in short, the engagement of Madame Bishop, together with the splendid dancing of the Monplasir ballet troupe, and the acknowledged talent of the corps dramatique, are doing wonders for the manager of the Park theatre. Since my last, Mr Collins, the delineator of Irish characters, has done all that could be wished for Messrs Maim and Marshall, proprietors of the Broadway theatre. the Irish Attorney King O'Niel,' Rory O'More,' &c, Mr Collins proves himself a man of infinite talent; and the New Yorkers think they can look upan no one after the lamented Power, but in Mr Collins they have found nearly, or quite his equal. Certainly none now living has passed examination with half the eclat showered upon Mr Collins. Collins closed at this house on the 7th, that being his benefit night, which was a right merry one, W. Blake reappeared on the 9th n the comedy of Old Heads and Young Hearts,' sustaining the part of Jesse Rural; his success was complete. Te-night a series of splendid English operas will be commenced at the Broadway, the opening piece will be the Bohemian Girl' and to conclude with the farce of An Object of Interest. Memoir of Mr Lewis ORIGINAL ARTICLES AND CORRESPONDENCE-J. W. and 440 Macready-The drama, its Resourees, and its Destiny ...... 441 442 ACTING DRAMA-Lyceum, Sadler's Wells, Olympic, Strand, Stand ard, City, Britannia Saloon ........ PROVINCIAL THEATRICALS-Arbroath, Bradford, Dublin, Rdiu... 442, 448, burgh, Liverpool, Leicester Manchester, Preston Whitehaven 445 4 American, Fire at Glasgow, Advertisements, &c. ....... 4 440 MEMOIR OF MR LEWIS. In a new farce called A Friend to Dinner,' in conjunction with Mr Wright, now at the Adelphi. Mr Davidge then tried his managerial skill at the City Theatre, Milton Street; here he failed again During this period, his family having been connected with the Royal household, he procued letters of introduction from the late Sir Herbert Taylor (private Secretary of William the Fourth) and Mr Mash, of the Lord Chamberlain's office; and testimonials as to talent from Mr Davidge, T. J. Serle, B. Webster, and S. Knowles, to two of the London managers, and strange to say he failed in his object. The kind and gentlemanly Mr Serle being appointed stage-manager of the Lyceum, he was offered an engagement, and poor Dicky Peake in bis usual fatherly manner took bim by the hand, and at this house he began to rise in his profession; he as attached to this establishment six years, and having a very quick study, he has been in cases of illness, a substitute at two or three hours notice, for Keeley, Wrench, Oxberry, Williams, W. Bennet, J. Bland, and upon one occasion, appeared in a character of Mr O. Smith's and always acquitted himself to the satisfaction of the audience and the management His next appearance was at the Pavilion, under the Gladstone dynasty; here he enacted all the first Old Men. From here he went to the St. James's as second comedian; he eventually enlisted under the banners of Mr Davidge, and for the last eight years he has been a member of the It is a pleasing task to the Biographer to speak of the good and noble minded, and amongst this class we can rank the subject of this memoir. He is allowed by all to be very honourable, never was known to forfeit his word, will walk miles to serve a brother actor, and his pocket is never closed to an appeal of the unfortunate. Mr. Henry Naish Lewis, is a descendant of a highly respectable family, who for iaty years resided in Duke Street, St. James's; his Grandsire held an elevated position in the household of George the Third, his father and both his Uncles were officers in the army, and his brother, who died about seven years ago, was chief Commissary Judge of Terra Lcone, at a salary of £2250 per annum. We are happy to state that he left our hero a handsome legacy. Mr Lewis made his first appearance in the Battle of Life,' on the 27th of April 1816, he was nurtured in the lap of comfort and was eventually sent to Hambly House academy, Streatham, to be educated; it was there he imbibed a strong predilection for the stage, and unknown to his parents, appeared with another lad at the Coburg Theatre, in the celebrated quarrel scene of Brutus and Cassius, he then sustained several characters at a temporary theatre in Stockwell, and a round of parts at the private theatre in Catherine Street. A sudden reverse of fortune to his father, occasioned by a false friend, reduced him from comfort to indi-gurre y company, and has been called upon to gence, and we find him at the early age of 14, taking writing, to enable him to procure the means of subsistence for himself and parents; and as a last resource Mr Kennett introduced him to the late Mr Davidge, who gave him a situation for general utility, and fortunately for Mr Lewis, Mr Davidge took a great liking to him, and bestowed great pains in instructing him for the profession. At the end of the first season, he received a highly complimentary letter for his care and attention; the daily Journals were also warm in his praise. At the conclusion of the second, Mr Davidge further encouraged him by saying he had raised his salary, and that his attention to business must raise him to the head of his profession; he now thought his prospects bright indeed, but death stepped in and deprived him of his Mother at a moment's notice, nor was his cup of misery yet full, for exactly one year after, his Father was seized with Paralysis, Mr Davidge failed, and he was without a situation, and had to provide the means for his afflicted parent. He next appeared at the theatre in Windmill Street, Mr. sustain every line of business in the drama; here a good word for the poor player-you that are so byper-critically conscientious read this, and blush! As to his talent as an actor, we will use the words of his friend and patron, Mr. Davidge, "He does everything like an artist, and in what he professes (smart servants, low comedy, and a portion of the old men) stands unrivalled." We understand he will shortly lead to the hymenial altar, Miss Eliza Terry. We hope this will be the case, and we consider them both an honour to the stage. surely) and hashing up, and we think, spoiling, the Maid's Tragedy.' of Beaumont and Fletcher, into the Bridal,' what author has he' We believe he has produced one other tragedy, patronised." the Patrician's Daughter,' and one by Barry Cornwall, (in this our memory may deceive us), at the most four, out of about six hundred which is a low calculation of the number presented to Drury Lane during the time he had it. Of a truth, all actors now-a-days, are to blame in not trying to raise and encourage authors; no man can write a first-rate tragedy with the dead certainty of its being refused. THE DRAMA, ITS RESOURCES, AND ITS We thank our correspondent for his clever BY FOR-letter, he is right in the end, Macready is a 'great actor (our greatest), a scholar, and a gentleman;' his purifaction of our saloons should never be forgotten. But Philo dramaticus is wrong, when he speaks of the 'contemptible scribbling' of J. W. He should recollect that there are always two sides to a question, nor is any one contemptible for his opinions. AH W.-Our correspondents letter shall receive attention in our next.. DOCHERRY (Edinburgh.)-We have no other means of getting portraits of provincial artistes than by such persons as yourself, furnishing us with daguereotype likenesses that we can put into the hands of our artists. MARY.-Mr Massey of the Shakspere Club King's Cross, admit ladies as honorary members. W..H-Theatres as they are,' will be ready on Saturday next. can be seat to you by remitting nine postage stamps. THEATRICAL TIMES. SATURDAY, NOV. 18 1848, J. W. AND MACREADY. We have received a very talented letter from Philo-dramaticus on this head, quite agreeing with the opinion expressed by Dramaticus. We are sorry that want of space will not permit us to insert, at least, a part of it. He says that it has been his good fortune to witness the great actor in at least thirty different characters, from Lear to Benedict, and from Virginius to the King of the Commons,' and that 'he questions whether there ever was an actor, even in the proudest days of the drama, who could play such a variety of characters so well.' Here we think our correspondent has placed his idol too high; though great lovers of Macready ourselves, we still re. collect that Garrick could play any variety of character, from Hamlet to Abel Drugger, and that his finish of light and shade,' to use our correspondent's phrase, from all we can hear, and we have the testimony of the great Fielding, certainly excelled Macready's. As King John, and Virginius, there is no doubt Macready never has been surpassed, but not so with other characters. We also beg to differ from our correspondent, when he speaks of Macready 'exalting our Na tional drama.' With the exception of giving Knowles the plot of 'Virginius,' (a worn out one That the taste for theatrical entertainments has undergone some diminution of late years, there can be no dispute; and that a corresponding increase in knowledge among the middle and lower classes has been in progress, who can doubt? It is not however, at all axiomatic, that the thirst for pleasure is quenched by that for knowledge. On the contrary, it is fed by science and art; it is a necessity with the young in some shape; and although maturer age does not seek excitement so universally, it has a craving for whatever ministers to enjoy meat, when not dearly bought. bad ventilation, heat, liability to catching cold, The extortion of box-keepers, the nuisances of &c., have considerable weight in deterring the middle-aged and prudent from going to the theatre; but of course their motives for staying at home operated years ago. One writer asserts that we have no good actors, another, that our authors are dull and vapid; and innumerable are the reasons assigned for the decline of the drama. In the opinion of the 'fast' men, it is the five.act drama that keeps playgoers away; in that of the 'slow' writers who like long tragedies and long speeches, it is of course the reverse. Possibly, this article may throw some light on the matter. It is quite true that we have no Shakspere to write, no Garrick to act, and no first-rate company, such as existed half a century ago to perform plays: and people are much more fastidious in these times than they were formerly. The ideal school of art which may be said to have commenced with Macready, has superseded the real, which ended with Edmund Kean. Perhaps both realism and idealism are at fault, and a grand severe, and simple style, equally distinct from the savagery and intense effects of Kean, the sombre, classical majesty of Kemble, the subtle living tragedian will transcend all others. Not and somewhat unnatural school of our greatest only must the merit of an actor be great, but his style must hit the public taste, or he will not succeed. And it is not possible moreover that an |