The Sun.
London, England, 1850-05-10 00:00:00

HAYAIARKET THEATRE.

The announcement of a new five-act Comedy from
the pen of Douglas Jerrold, drew a crowd around
the doors of this theatre last evening long before the
hour fixed for their opening, and within a very few
minutes after they were opened the house was
crammed to suffocation in every part ; in fact, it
was a perfect crush in boxes, pit, and galleries—a
proof, if any such were needed, that the love of the
legitimate drama is still strong, and that a good play,
well acted, will always draw a good audience. The
name of the new comedy is The Catspaw,
and for brilliancy of dialogue, for biting sarcasm,
for wit and repartee, aye, and for richness
of humour, too, the Catspaw is equal, perhaps in
some respects superior, to any thing that our author
has yet written. It is quite worthy to take its place
with Bubbles of the Day and Time Works Wonders,
and will be found with those masterpieces among the
few dramatic writings of the present age " which the
world will not willingly let die." Thus runs the plot
—Mr. Snowball (Mr. Keeley), a middle-aged well-
to-do bachelor, residing in comfort and splendour, at
the West End of the town. He is of nervous and
most excitable temperament, and fancies himself so
ill that it is necessary he should have a permanent
and resident physician in constant attendance on
him, and he consequently engages Dr. Petgoose
(Mr. James Wallack) in that capacity, and of Dr.
Petgoose Snowball is the complete catspaw, being,
befooled and bephysicked at the will and plea-
sure of the Doctor. From a rich uncle Snow-
ball has great expectations ; the uncle dies,
and leaves his property to a Mrs. Peachdown
(miss Reynolds), Snowball determines to corn-
tnence an amicable suit in Chancery against this
lady. Snowball's servant-girl Rosemary (Mrs.
Keeley), has been for some time engaged to Apple-
face (Buckstone), a drummer in the 101st Regiment.
She buys his discharge, and having dressed him in a
suit of black introduces him into her master's house,
and when he is discovered, to prevent his recognition
and consequent ejectment, she intro luces him
as the lawyer engaged to conduct the Chancery suit, he
thus becomes introduced to the niece of Snowball, and
is on the point of being married to her, when he is
discovered by his old lover Rosemry, and brought
back to his duty, but not until he also has used
Snowball as a catspaw. During this time
Snowball is the victim of another impostor, Mr.
Coolcard, alias Busby Knox, 11.1. A., alias heva-
lier Podovy, a begging- letter impostor, admirably
made up and excellently acted by Mr. Webster, who
victimizes Snowball under each of his separate
it
dis-
guises. Snowball, dreading lest the Chasneteorymasru
should be decided against him, determines
eta
himry.
Mrs. Peachdown, but by
loses( both
and at last the unfortunate Catsp
self into aduelwith herlover,Capt.Burgone Mr. low e)
ng
is
lawsuit and his lady, but, en revanhcisi
d
of Dr. Petgoose, who announcesll
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and the Rosemary of Mrs.w laiseegleeyntiajes
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as hearty asp o .a ions of similar parts have
siways been. Beckstone, as the mock lawyer, was
it hautei'helAci or nr;aer,she.eat,
very comical. The dialogue was, as we have said,
sparkling with wit, wisdom, and sarcasm. There are
apothegms in this comedy which will become house-
hold words, and there are quaint sayings to convulse
one with laughter. At the conclusion all the artistes
were called on, and then there were loud calls for
Mr. Jerrold, who bowed his thanks from a private
box; but the audience were not content with this, and
insisted on bringing him on the stage.

We are informed, on very good authority, that the
report of the Health of Towns Commission will be issued
next week. It is said that they recommend the supply of
water for London to be brought from the Malvern Hills, in
Worcestershire. We should liks to know what would be the
size of the culvert.— The Architect.

THE GREAT EXHIBITION.--ST. PETERSBURGIT,
APRIL 28.—His Majesty the Emperor has commanded that
two Councillors shall be appointed, the one at St. Peters-
burgh, the other at Odessa, to examine the specimens of
agricultural product which are to be sent from Russia to
the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. —St. Petersburg)
Gazette.