subject of Robert the Devil; but the piece, which is rather clumsily constructed, is secondary in importance to the pretty music, fantastic dresses, romantic scenery, and effective ballet with which it is asso

ciated. The company is not a
strong one, but Miss Farren, who
plays Robert with extraordinary
vivacity, gives the piece a sparkle
which helps materially to carry it
through. The music is pretty, and

MISS E. FARREN AS 'ROBERT THE DEVIL.'

of a higher order than is common in burlesques, and breakdowns are systematically eschewed.

The Haymarket should not attempt burlesques unless it can do without Mr. Compton. This gentleman, an excellent actor in his own line, does not seem to have the smallest idea how a burlesque couplet should be given. He stands still, and 'pays out' his talk in a hard, perfunctory manner, which reminds one of a village-school child repeating its catechism. His presence is simply fatal to a burlesque. The piece in which he plays a leading part is a parody by Mr. F. C. Burnand on the Rightful Heir'-an unpromising subject, very amusingly treated. The stilted extravagance of the original piece is broadly and quaintly parodied in every particular, and the music is for the most part well chosen. Mr. Kendal has a capital' make up' in imitation of Mr. Bandmann, and

sings a patter song to the air,
'From Rock to Rock,' in a manner
which justified the loud encore with
which it was greeted. Miss Ione
Burke sings the music allotted to
the part of Vyvyan's mother very
charmingly, and the piece is illus-
trated by some capital scenery.
Mr. Burnand has departed from the
time-honoured practice of his bro-
ther burlesquers by writing a con-
siderable portion of the dialogue in
stilted and sonorous blank verse-
a decided relief, after a long course
of doggrel couplet. Altogether,
this is the most meritorious bur-
lesque that has been produced at
the Haymarket Theatre since Pluto
and Proserpine.'

St. James's Theatre, under Mdlle. La Ferte's management, is not likely to improve in popularity. The Christmas piece (which has been recently withdrawn) was a revival of Mr. Planché's Sleeping Beauty,' but it was so poorly

mounted and so badly played by nearly every one concerned, that success was quite out of the question while it remained in the bills. The extravaganza was played in three acts (!), and with the single exception of Miss Maria Simpsona clever actress, whom I am glad to

welcome back to the stage-not a performer in the piece could speak fairly intelligible English. The piece, niggardly mounted in every other respect, was furnished with a capital ballet, in which the Kiralfy family danced with good effect.

Bab

MR. KENDAL IN THE FRIGHTFUL HAIR,'—r. 190. 1

ON FINDING AN OLD VALENTINE.

AS I gaze once more on the simple rhyme

Which thy dear lost hand did so fondly trace,

Too deeply I feel that nor age nor time

Can thy sweet memory ever efface.

And though friends may say there are others dear

As thou wert-alas! they can never know

The sad aching heart, the scalding tear,
That is hidden, a cheerful face to show!

They tell thee my heart is roving and free

As the wild bird which, hov'ring o'er the wave,

Dips but its pinion into the sea,

And turns ere the waters its feathers lave.

Yet the bird, when the evening hour draws nigh,
Will homeward return to his mate, and fold

His sheltering wings o'er the nest on high,
As he guarded it oft in days of old.

Thus is my heart-though all fancy it roves
Unfettered, that never one thought it gives
To thee at home-yet it fondly loves,

And for thy presence alone it lives.
To thee, as the bird to its nest will soar

At the eventide, does my soul fly back;
And clinging to thine ever more and more,
Still follows thy love over memory's track.

So firmly my heart doth thine image bear,
Wand'ring alone, that the brilliant rays
Of other beauties, though never so fair,

But serve to remind me of other days.
Gladly I see the dark mantle of night,
Joyous I call on sweet sleep to free
My soul from this earth, that in visions bright
I may fancy once more that I welcome thee.

Drawn by Alfred Crowquill.

H. F.