house, where the lowest whisper may be distinc ly heard. Upon the whole, the edifice and its decorations discover a truly English and highly cultivated taste; they do great honour to the architect, Mr. Wyatt, and to the gentlemen who conducted the undertaking.

Since the above hasty sketch was written, the interior of this house has undergone a total and magnificent change, the most prominent features of which are, the reduction of the area, the enlargement of the stage in width, the removal of the stage-doors, and the institution of boxes in their room. The avenues have been improved and embellished, and the saloon, which is absolutely lined with looking-glass from the ceiling to the floor, is the most splendid object of the kind to be found in this country. The whole of the interior of this house presents an appearance of unrivalled splendour, and is replete with every convenience. Two new water tanks have been placed over the roof, in addition to the two already there, but which were not deemed competent to effective service. Additional embellishments have been inserted in the divisions in the roof, at a distance from the centre, consisting of a honeysuckle, with a scroll on either side, to each subdivision. The chandelier has been dismounted, and assumes a different shape. The lights are removed closer to the ceiling. The whole of the drops, of which we believe there are about 20,000, are formed into a kind of bell, having the appearance of a dome inverted. The lights are inside, so that the offensive gas evaporates without the least offence to the audience, or tarnishing the embellishments. The corners of the upper gallery have been reduced, and the view from that part considerably improved. The second circle of boxes, above the dress, has undergone several changes. The private boxes have been formed on each side, and a sort of basket added to the back of the others. To the back of the first circle six private boxes have been added, similar to those in the dress circle. A tier of chandeliers illumes this circle, and, very judiciously, wax candles will be used, instead of gas. The seats throughout the house have been newly covered, and all the embellishments retouched.

On the 10th of October, 1812, this Theatre was opened for the performance of Hamlet, and the farce of The Devil to Pay. Mr. Elliston came forward and spoke the following

ADDRESS, BY LORD BYRON.

In one dread night our city saw, and sighed, Bow'd to the dust, the Drama's tower of pride; In one short hour. beheld the blazing fane, Apollo sink, and Shakspeare cease to reign.

Ye who beheld, O sight, admired and mourned,
Whose radiance mocked the ruin it adorned!
Through clouds of fire, the massy fragments riven,
Like Israel's pillar, chase the night from heaven,
Saw the long column of revolving flames
Shake its red shadow o'er the started Thames,
While thousands, thronged around the burning dome,
Shrank back appalled, and trembled for their home;
As glared the volumed blaze, and ghastly shone
The skies, with lightnings awful as their own;
Till blackening ashes and the lonely wall
Usurped the Muse's realm, and mark'd her fall;
Say-shall this new nor less aspiring pile,
Reared, where once rose the mightiest in our isle,
Know the same favour which the former knew,
A shrine for Shakspeare-worthy him and you?
Yes-it shall be-The magic of that name
Defies the scythe of time, the torch of flame,
On the same spot still consecrates the scene,
And bids the Drama be where she hath been :-
This fabric's birth attests the potent spell,
Indulge our honest pride, and say, How well!
As soars this fane to emulate the last,

Oh! might we draw our omens from the past,
Some hour propitious to our prayers, may boast
Names such as hallow still the dome we lost.
On Drury first your Siddons' thrilling art
O'erwhelmed the gentlest, stormed the sternest heart;
On Drury, Garrick's latest laurels grew,
Here your last tears retiring Roscius drew,
Sighed his last thanks, and wept his last adieu.
But still for living wit the wreathes may bloom
Tat only wuste their odours o'er the tomb.
Such Drury claimed and claims-nor you refuse
One tribute to revive his slumbering muse,
With garlands deck your own Menander's head!
Nor hoard your honours idly for the dead!

Dear are the days which made our annals bright,
Ere Garrick fled, or Brinsley ceased to write;

Heirs to their labours, like all high-born heirs,
Vain of our ancestry, as they of theirs.

While thus Remembrance borrows Banquo's glass,
To claim the sceptered shadows as they pass,
And we the mirror hold, where imaged shine
Immortal names, emblazoned on our line:
Pause-ere their feebler offspring you condemn,
Reflect how hard the task to rival them!

Friends of the Stage-to whom both Players and
Plays

Must sue alike for pardon, or for praise,
Whose judging voice and eye alone direct
The boundless power to cherish or reject,
If e'er frivolity has led to fame,

And made us blush that you forbear to blame,
If e'er the sinking stage could condescend
To soothe the sickly taste it dare not mend,
All past reproach may present scenes refute,
And censure, wisely loud, be justly mute!
Oh! since your fiat stamps the Drama's laws,
Forbear to mock us with misplaced applause.
So pride shall doubly nerve the actor's powers,
And Reason's voice be echo'd back by ours!
This greeting o'er-the ancient rule obey'd,
The Drama's homage by her herald paid,
Receive our welcome too-whose every tone
Springs from our hearts, and fain would win your own.
The curtain rises-may our stage unfold

Scenes not unworthy Drury's days of old!

Britons our judges, Nature for our guide,

Still may we please-long, long may you preside.

DOLBY, Printer, 299, Strand, London.

DOLBY'S BRITISH THEATRE.

THE ROAD TO RUIN.

I. R. Cruikshank, Del.

White, Sculpt.

Goldfinch. I'm the lad!-been to Hatchett's-bespoke the wedding coach. Widow Warren. But-Sir

Goldfinch. Pannels stripe painted-hammer-cloth fringed-green and white -curtains festooned-patent wheels-silver furniture-all flash-light as a band-box-trundle and spin after my greys like a tandem down hill-passshew 'em the road-whurr-whiz gig!-that's your sort!

ACT III. SCENE 1.