The Press.
London, England, 1858-12-25 00:00:00

1260

these little folks, by moonlight, we are informed that
the Princess with the beautiful orbs has played
her heart against a Diamond of the first water
in the shape of a Prince, though he appeared but as a
peasant, end has of course lost. Princesses of
former days seem certainly, if we may judge both
from history and fiction, to have been blessed with
the mt-st stony-hearted fathers, and " King Hot
upon every thingems," the " parieut" in this instance,
appears to be no exception to the rule. He resolves
to wed his "one fair daughter and no more" to a
decrepid old Baron—a match by no means agree-
able to one of the parties principally concerned.
In this he is aided by a mischievous Gnome ;
but what can mortal kings or wicked spirits avail
against the strategic effort of those good little people
the fairies ? So in the end, after a runaway match, love
triumphs, and having passed through the usual
metainoi pliois of Harlequin and Columbine, the
Prince Diamond and the Princess Brigbteyes be•
come as happy as good people usually do—at least
in story. The scenery is of the most gorgeous de-
scription, and the whole effect truly beautiful.
Harlequin, Columbine, and Clown are represented
by Mr. Cormack, Miss Caroline Adams, and Mr.
Huline. The Pantaloon is Mr. Paulo, and the
harlequinade portion is by Mr. Ellis.

THE ILIYITARKET.—Tne well known German
legend by tile Baron de la Motte Fouqui, under the
title of Undine ; or, Harlequin and the Spirit of the
Waters, will be produced at this house. The history
runs thus :—Undine, the beautiful Spirit of the
Waters, was, when a child, left on the banks of a
broad lake near an enchanted forest by her kindred
that she might grow up amongst mortals until
reaching her eighteenth year ; when if, during that
time, she could resist the power of Love, she would
be worthy to succeed to the throne of her mother
under the waters. Being discovered by an old
fisherman, lie brought her home, where she lived
with him and his wife until her eighteenth birthday,
when a young knight who had braved the dangers of
the enchanted forest to prove his valour and please a
lady to whom be was betrothed, sought refuge in the
fishettnan's cottage. Undine, on beholding the
stranger, fell at once in bye with him. The water-
soiriVr, on knowing this, were greatly incensed against
Undine, but allayed their anger by the knowledge
that, should the knight prove untrue to her, it was
her doom to destroy him. In vain Undine sought
her companions in their ocean home ; in vain she
absented herself to conquer her Leal passion. The
power of love gave her a soul, and henceforth she
became mortal, and sul.ject t, ell the infirmities of
mortality. Tin young knight for a brief spice
returned the passion of Undine, hut, on the arrival
of the lady betrothed to him, Undine discovered his
falsehood, an I bade him a sail adieu. On his hiidal
night she sought his chamber, and, finding him there
alone, flung herself into his arms and gave him the
kiss of death. This sacrifice atoned for her weak-
ness, and she become restored to her high station
amongst the Spirits of the Waters. The character
of Undine will he sustained by Louise Leolercq ;
Transtacia, her sister, by Fanny Wright; and Mrs.
L!clercq will personate the false knight. The
scenery has been painted by Mr. Frederick Fenton,
and toe unrivalled pantomimists of last year—Arthur
Lectercq, Charles Leclereq, L mime Leclercq, and
Fanny Wright—will sustain the harleqiiinade, the
comic portion of which is inven• eil by Mr. W. Dor-
rington. The scenery of this portion is painted by
Messrs. O'Connor anti Morris, and the entire pan-
tomime produced under the direction of Mr.
Lech req.

Tits ADELPHL—The public have a right to expect
much from this theatre, an I, to judge from the pro-
gramme for Boxing night, they will not be dis-
appointed. Mother Redcap is to " come out" under
the ehaperonship of Mr. William Smith, her toilette
being intrusted to the skilful hands of Messrs.
Powell, T. Ireland, T. Pitt, and Phillip Phillips—the
last being " the celebrated dioramic painter." Nor
will expectation be weakened by the announcement
that the genial and witty Alfred Crowquill is to illus-
trate tiguratiiely the opening. Mother ItAcap in.
habits Camden•town, which in those remote times is a
wood, London being only visible in the distance. By
poetic licence, however, Mr. Rarey's existence has
been ante-dated, " for this night only," and his mar•
vellous lessons are given under the Dame's
special patronage. The national cur,usity about
Johnny Gilpin is gratified by a pealu at the exterior
of the worthy train-band captain's shop. The ride
from Edmonstone to Ware gives a capita ( pportu
nity for the dioramie skill of Mr. Phillips, who bring 4