HISTRIONIC ANECDOTES, REMARKS, &c. &c. MADEMOISELLE ST. CLAIR, OF LYONS. A gentleman was arrested for numerous debts, which he had incurred by living in a very extravagant manner with Mademoiselle St. Clair, an actress of great celebrity and some beauty. She had fascinated the gentleman so completely, that he had lavished upon her all the money, and had exhausted all the credit, which he could command. Tradesmen to whom he was indebted, becoming acquainted with his situation, found it necessary to enforce payment, by securing his person. None of the English came forward to his assistance, and he was actually placed in confinement. He was not, however, left long in this situation; for Mademoiselle St. Clair sold her plate and jewels, and released him. When her lover flew to her, to express his gratitude, he was astonished to find a reception very different from what he expected after expressing in the fondest manner her affection, she declared it to be her fixed determination, to live with him no longer. In vain he pleaded his constancy, his entire devotion to her wishes. She acknowledged all his claims, but steadily refused to continue a connexion, which must necessarily end in his ruin. She had given such a signal proof of her disinterestedness and affection, that no mercenary motive, or any caprice of sentiment, could be attributed to her conduct; she therefore claimed the merit of the greatest sacrifice in giving him up, to preserve him from himself. All the Lyons world applauded her generosity: she was caressed and invited to some of the best houses in the best city. I have dined with her at Madame de Verpillier's, with a large society of the best company. Had I not known that she was an actress, I could not have discovered her situation by any thing in her manners or conversation.— Edgeworth's Memoirs. DRAMATIC CRITICISMS. DRURY-LANE THEATRE. MR. ELLISTON returned to the practice of his art on Tuesday night last. He appeared as Rover, in Wild Oats; and, as a lesson to a young actor, his performance was a complete masterpiece; but if we look upon it as a performance to delight the general visitors of a theatre, who look at the thing produced as it acts upon their passions and feelings, it was a complete failure. We hope, however, that Mr. Elliston will continue to give lessons, occasionally, for the remainder of the season. Great credit is due to him, for he had a rehearsal of the comedy on the Saturday previous to its being played. Mr. W. Bennett, in the part of John Dory, seemed to underact. Why not "let the vessel be what some call weaklet it ouze a little." He is almost too cautious. We are far from recommending stimulants to any man, but brandy is sometimes prescribed as a medicine. Some of the public journals tells us, that Mr. Elliston, whom they allow to be unfitted, from his age and appearance, to personate the character he assumes, must be endured, as there cannot be found any efficient individual to supply his place, should he retire. We perfectly agree with the sentiments of our predecessor in this work; those who could successfully succeed Mr. Elliston, are not allowed the opportunity. Nor do we blame Mr. Elliston, for keeping talented men in his own line out of the chance of showing themselves. Would the late editor of this work have recommended a man to his situation, as long as it suited his convenience and inclination to keep it. If he would, he must have been a more strange creature than we gave him credit for. We cannot think but Williams might have been of service in this comedy. We have seen him play many of the characters in it with pleasure, in the country. But, of course, the manager knows what is most to his own interest, and he tells the committee what is best for the interest of the establishment. We must defer our notice of Aladdin until next week. COVENT-GARDEN AND THE HAYMARKET THEATRES. Oberon and Paul Pry are still performing with increased attraction. Duruset has succeeded Fawcett; and if Pearman was to supersede Braham, the opera would benefit by it. The Cobourg have had great houses to A Paul Pry, written by a Mr. Jerrold. The Surrey are doing very badly, while Mathews and Yates are drawing nightly crowds. PRIVATE THEATRE, CATHERINE-STREET. Richard the Third, &c. 66 We remember reading, in a previous Number of this work, a notice of the conduct of the visitors to this theatre, which we, ignorant of the fact, thought an exaggerated account; but the proceedings of Wednesday (26th,) convinced us that it was not so. We do verily believe that every notorious theatrical ruffian in London had assembled -fellows, illiterate and ragged, and whose looks were so expressive, that we instinctively kept our hands upon our watches and pockets. Before such a gang," by whom the respectable visitors were insulted and annoyed, to perform the play was out of the question. It passed through, Richard evincing an accurate knowledge of the text, and an apparent understanding of his author. Then followed the screen scene from The School for Scandal; after which, a panse of full half an hour occurred; during which time the dresser had," in consequence of a certain sum of money, to wit, the sum of 10s., not having been paid to him," taken away the dresses. Then The Vampire was attempted. Robert wore a round hat, trowsers, Wellington boots, and a tunic; and Lord Ronald walked away, leaving them to settle it how they liked;" Mr. Harding, of the East London, however, consented to read it, after an apology by Miss Roberts!!! Scenes like these should not be permitted; and magisterial interference would be well directed towards a place more disorderly thau a cockpit or a bull-bait, and more injurious, because females frequent it. ERRATUM. In No. 66, page 34, line 18, for "I seek not," read "I reck not." 66 |