The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-04-10 00:00:00

KING'S THEATRE.

After several months of promise and delay, during which
the lovers of the ballet have been in a state of anxious ex-
pectation, M. d'Egville produced on Saturday La :Vila-
sauce de Venus. We are so much delighted with it, tha;
we are in no mood now to complain even of the delay, and
if we were, it is only necessary to read M. crEgville's
preface to his description of the ballet, in order to pity
rather than to blame him. Like the Commandant in Joe
Miller, lie puts forward his one excuse, which is so good,
that we can spare all the rest. He has had no dancers, and
his entreaties to the French 3linisters (for in France
dancing is an affair of the Ministry) have not been able to
prevail upon them to spare him any of the Artist.'
of which he stood in need. " /Vous Vanquioni,
he says, almost pathetically, " des elemens necestaires."
Can anytlitng be snore satisfactory? And, then, with all
the pride of a man who feels the importance of his
situation, and of the execution of its duties, he adds,
" riptis mom resret pod,- les enzagements glee j'ai pis,
et ql'it net: etc dans l'imo..nsibilite de tents neeeuik CO
ex/disci/6,m5."
The ballet itself needs no excuse, for unquestionably it
is the best that has been seen at this theatre for many
years. The subject is admirably chosen, and it was exc.
cute(' in a manner worthy of its conception.
The piece opens with a marine view, which is painted in
a style of exquisite beauty. Nymphs, Dryads, and Fauns
are itscoverell, offrrirg a sacrifice to the God of the Forests,
upon a rustic altar, with all the joyous testimonies of
reverence which the older poets represent those deities to have
delighted in. A storm comes on, which disperses the dancing
troop, and puts an end to their festive worship. From the
midst of the ocean a cloud of foam gradually arises; the
heavens begin to wear a less threatening aspect; the cloud,
struck by a thunderbolt, gives way, and Venus is disco-
vered, with Cupid in her arms, reclining upon a shell. The
former occupants of the scene re-assemble ; they worship
the new-born goddess, and, placing her upon a throne, re-
sume their festive dances, and at length conduct Venus to
the grotto of Paphos. The next scene represents the ;or-
tico of the Temple of Voluptuousness, and the entrance
to the grotto of Paphos. A most delightful scene talus
place here between Venus (Mlle. Brocard) and La Vbate,
(Mlle Pauline). The latter teaches the new-born Deity
to dance. ller first efforts are timid, but full of grace ;
under the instructions of her fascinating teacher she im-
proves rapidly, and at length the scholar surpasses her
instructor. Nothing can be more charming than the
manner in which this was executed. Mlle. Brocanl was
never seen to so much advantage, and the little Pau-
line gave a decided promise of great excellence. A con-
siderable number of incidents, which it is impossible to
detail, hut all of which are delightful in the representa-
tion, add to the interest of the ballet. The deities Mer-
cury, Apollo, Mars, and Vulcan, now make their appear-
ance, as suitors for the hand of Venus. She seems to
hesitate as each presents himself with the emblems of his
attributes before her. Mars evidently makes the greatest
impression upon her, but Vviceu, who assumes a more
humble style of wooing than his fellow gods, ;throws Ma
sceptre at her feet, and this Venus cannot resist. " Over-
come," as the Maitre de Ballet, .with less that, his usual
gallant, , says, " like all goddesses," (terrestrial as well as
celestial) "bet an ereessive love ~f• domination," Venus
decides in favour of Vulcan, indicating at the same time,
that although she bestows her hand on him, her heart and
affections are still will Mae:.

This ballet was composed for the Academie Royale de
Musique of Paris, but it was never represented there. M
&Ego ille avails himself of this circumstance to pay a
compliment to the ladies of England, which must be al-
lowed to atone for his former want of gallantry. "l'enet,'
says the Maitre de Ballet, " denial renuitre iel, duns 3Ga
veritable pays natal, au rein meme efArnphitrite ;" and
without being at all influenced by his compliment, we
really must way that we think M. d'Egville has added im-
mensely to his reputation by this ballet. It displays en. it
efancy in the arrangement, and the execution ut t
is almost as perfect as anything of the kind that we can
imagine. The exertions of the artists, to whom the deco-
rations and scenery have been confided, are eminently RUC•
emit'', and the general effect of the ballet is like one o
the pictures of Nioolo Poussin put into action.
As to the performers, w.! have mention in particular
Coulon and Fli mot, as Z•phir and Flare, who shone con-
spicuous in a pas de dens; and Le Blond and his wife,
who executed a similar dance with great effect.
Th.. music is lively and characteristic, particularly in
that scene where La Polupte is teaching Venus to dance,
and which is composed by M. F. Venus.
The Ballet was received
.with loud and universal ap-
plause; and after the curtain had fallen, some of the audi-
ence insisted upon its being again drawn up, in order that
they might have another and a tome complete view of the
last scene. After a little demur they carried their point.

Saturday evening the Princess Augusta honoured the
Italian Opera with her presence.
Yesterday morning the Princess Augusta attended divine
service at the Chapel Royal.
Saturday Mr. Secretary Peel hall a grand dinner pal*.
Yesterday, at two o'clock, a Cabinet Council was held at
the Foreign Office, Downing-street, summonses for which
were issued on Saturday. The Council was attended by
the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Harrowby, the Ear! of
Westmorland, the Earl of Liverpool, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, Mr. Peel, Mr. Canning, Earl Bathurst, Vis-
count Melville, Lord Bexley, the President of the Board of
Trade, Mr. Wynn, erc. The Council sat in close delibera-
tion till about five o'clock.
We are rejoiced at hearing, from an amateur in Poll.
that our much-admired songstress, Mrs. Salnten, is raw
in Paris, on her return from Italy, her health complet4
restored; and, as a natural consequence, her matehltt•s
voice having regained all those fascinating powers by which
the.musical world has been so to and richly gratified.
• INNOLISH PANTOMIME. IN PARIS !--The theatre of
Port St. Martin will open, early in ru xt June, with the
comic English pantomime of L'oM;r (Avg'.