The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-25 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

The Drury version of Le Diable a Quat►e was pro-
duced here last evening, and Mr. Bunn has very judici-
ously restored to it its old English title of The Devil to
Pay. Every playgoer knows the plot of that excellent
old farce, and there is a great deal in knowing the plot
of a ballet beforehand, in not having the attention dis-
tracted from the dancing by the endeavour, in nine in-
stances out of ten, the fruitless endeavour, to unravel the
story. Many an unsuccessful ballet might have had
a long run, if the management had had the precau-
tion to circulate a programme of the plot beforehand.
Hence it is that all ballets founded on known stories are
invariably successful. This is by far the most splendid
version of this very popular ballet that has yet been pro-
duced in this country, and it will be long memorable in
chmrographic annals for having introduced to an
English audience Mademoiselle Flora Fabbri, who, if
we mistake not, is destined to hold not only the
highest rank in her profession, but to be considered
as the founder of a new school of dancing. Her figure
is a model for a sculptor, her features are regular
and beautiful, not with the mere beauty of form,
but with that beauty which is so rarely found com-
bined with regularity of features, the beauty of ex-
pression. These gifts of nature have been brought to
the highest perfection by art; to the joyous abandon of
the style of Cerito she adds the neatness of execution,
the graceful force, the artistical finish of Fanny Ellsler.
She sustained the character of Mazourka, the Basket
maker's wife, and not only was her dancing of
the highest order of cheerographic excel-
lence, but her acting was delightful. Nothing
could exceed the rich humour of her paysanne grande
dame in the second act, when she awakes and finds
herself a countess. Her opening pas, too, with W. H.
Payne, was very fine, but the triumph of the evening was
the graad pas de deux in the second act, with Monsieur
Bretin (a new engagement and first-rate dancer). Her
tours de force in this pas were perfectly marvellous; but
everything was done with such exquisite grace, such
refined taste, all was so artistically classical, that it was
only on considering what had been accomplished
that the spectator could become aware of the
great power which must have been necessarily
excited, and of the consummate art by which the fact
of the exertion of that power had been concealed. The
engagement of Flora Fabbri will turn out one of the
greatest hits that Mr. Bunn has yet made. She was
admirably supported by Mademoiselle Julie Dabas (also
a new engagement), a very pretty girl and an exquisite
dancer, and Madame Petit Stephan, who acted the part
of the Countess, and whom we are glad to see again re-
visiting the scene of her former triumphs. The
" taming of the shrew " scene was admirably given
by this lady and W. H. Payne, who, as the
basket-maker, was excessively humourous. Wie-
land, who was the dancing. master, elicited roars
of laughter by his exceeding quaintness. The piece
is superbly got up, the costumes are gorgeous,
and the scenery is exceedingly beautiful. The
last scene, more especially, is a miracle of splendour.
The grouping of the sylphides in this scene was one of the
most beautiful tableaux ever seen. It is needless to say
that the piece was pre-eminently successful. It was re-
ceived with the most rapturous applause by one of the
most crowded houses ever assembled within the walls of
old Drury, and itis destined to a long and lasting popu-
larity. The principal dancers were honoured with the
usual ovation at the fall of the curtain. It was preceded
by Wallace's opera of Maritana, which seems increasing
nightly in attaction. The house was crowded to suffo-
cation from the commencement of the performances, and
the audience was most attentive to the delighful music
of this opera, which should certainly be heard twice to
be properly appreciated.

ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.
FRENCH PLAYS.
A pleasant one act drollery, it might almost be called
a monopolylogue, was produced here last evening, un-
der the title of Le Serment de College, of which Lafont
in the hero. Le Serment de College is an oath taken by
two German collegians to share their fortunes together
for the future, but, on leaving the college, the youths
are, of course, separated by the world. One of them
(M. Lafont) turns out a thorough mauvais sujet, and,
after various disgraces, turns strolling player, and
strolls over the world, meeting with various
piquant adventures in the course of his wanderings.
Having returned from Batavia to Germany sans six sous
mais aussi sans sougi, he offers his services to a German
Prince to manage the Court Theatre. Judge of his sur-
prise on recognising in the Prime Minister of that Prince
his old college friend—the man of the oath. To the utter
dismay of the Premier, who is the very beau ideal of a
Premier, as far as decency and decorum are concerned,
our scape-grace demands the fulfilment of the oath, and
requires a share in the premiership, or, at all events, a
seat in the Cabinet. Now the German Premier does not
exactly say "that there are three courses open to him,"
although it is evident that there are, and that he may
either banish him from the dominions of the Prince by
force, or endeavour to induce him to leave by a bribe,
or, lastly, give him what he desires, a seat in the Cabinet.
The Premier would fain take time to deliberate, but the
man of action gives him no time. It is of importance to
the interests of the Premier's Sovereign to obtain a
treaty from Baden. This the Baden ambassador refuses
to sign. The actor-diplomatist recognises in the wife
of the Baden Minister an old playfellow—has an
interview with her, and it is only when she puts the
treaty signed by her husband into his hands that this
prince of managers and manager of princes consents to
remember to forget her. There can be no objection to
take so skilful a diplomatist into the Ministry, and ac-
cordingly he is hailed by his college friend as " his
right honourable colleague." The acting of Lafont was
admirable. Nothing could exceed the perfect gentle-
manly ease of his impudence and the coolness of his as-
surance. Le Sermer4 was preceded by Catherine au la.
Croixd'Or,in which Lafont appeared in his old character
of the sergeant, a fine piece of rough and truthful acting.
He was most efficiently supported by the pretty Made-
moiselle St. Marc, who as Catherine was most interest-
ing. The house was well and fashionably attended.

SBRIOUS ROBBERY.—During the hours of church
service on Sunday evening last, the house of the widow
Wrightson, who carries on the watch and clockmaking busi-
ness, at Walham-green, Fulham, was broken open and robbed
of the following valuable articles :—A silver hunting watch,
maker's name, "Geo. Allen, London, No. 2,990 ;" silver
ditto, "Bird, London;" ditto, "Wm. King, London, No.
99,398 ;" ditto, "Geo. Grayden, Dublin, No. 12,598 ;" ditto,
" J. Morland, London, No. 121 ;" silver double-bottom watch,
without name or number ; ditto, No. 122, maker's name un-
known, "I. C." engraved on the inside case ; metal watch,
the name unknown, but it is supposed to have been made in
Wigmore-street, Cavendish-square; silver watch, name un-
known—" George Moore" engraved on the outside case ; three
empty silver watch cases, and an empty hunting-case, with
glass in the centre ; and a pair of silver spectacles. A young
man named Yates, who resides in the neighbourhood, and
who was observed loitering about the house at the moment
Mrs. Wrightson quitted the premises on her way to church,
has been apprehended, and held in custody until Friday,when
he will be examined before the magistrates at Hammersmith.
WILL OF LADY HOLLAND.—The statement which
first appeared in the Obserecr, and was from thence copied
into several other newspapers relative to Lady Holland's be-
quest to Lord John Russell, is incorrect. The facts are
these :—Her Ladyship has left her Brixton property (the
value of which is estimated at about 1,500/. a-year to Lord
John Russell for his life. At his death 5001. per annum out
of the same property is to be paid to his Lordship's children,
the remainder reverting to the offspiing of her Ladyship's
daughter, the present Lady Lilford. We understand that
her Ladyship's other children and grand children are very
slightly remembered, if at all. Her page comes in for an an-
nuity of 150/. a-year, in addition to 50/. per annum left by the
late Lord Holland to the same individual, and all the mem-
hers of her Ladyship's establishment are more or less pro-
vided for. Mr. Metcalfe Babington, her Ladyship's medical
attendant, receives a legacy of 1,500/. and an annuity of 501.
To Mr. Macaulay her Ladyship bequeaths a legacy of 100/.;
to Mr. Luttrell, one of 300/. ; and smaller sums to many of
her personal friends. A picture in Holland House is left to
the Queen, " if her Majesty will deign to accept it ;" and
the Hon. W. Cowper receives her Ladyship's collection of
" 11. B." caricatures.—Post.
SIR CHARLES NAPIER.—The Town Council of
Edinburgh, at. their weekly meeting on Tuesday last, on the
motion of the Lord Provost, unanimously voted the freedom
of the city to Sir Charles Napier, who, it seems, is at pre-
sent on a visit to the Scottish metropolis,—Scotch Reformers'
Gazette.