The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-09-11

present week will be one OF momenlous importance
TO the rival managers, for the character OF Their
management will now be determined. Success tor
the future depends on the popular favor obtained at
the present time and il some managers allow their
business TO become, as in other seasons, "disgra-
cious in the cys eyes" the popular favor will he
Withdrawn, and disaster will close their doors. Nib
10 has done nobly. His season has been mark ed
by enterprise, and the reward OF enterprise and
merit; but for the present week he defies COMPETE
lion. The French operate company the inimitable
and never-tlrlng Ravels, and the Italian opera
troupe, are the attactions which he offers. The
Chatham, under Its new lessee, Duverna, has been
renovated, and Its company greatly strengthened;
and with Burton its chief attraction, and others
OF great merit, 1t will be found rival of no mean
pretensions. Russell, the distinguished vocalist too
will add 10 the theatrical and musical fi1ror which
will mark this week; and as the Park emphatical-
ly old Drury-will also enter the lists, il would be
vain to ask any longer
els there no play
To ease the anguish OF q torturing hourP'
The Walack is the star Of the opening night, and
Macready, the best and most accomplished lrage-
dian that the stage retains, who is now the At
lantic, on his voyage hthtr, will follow OF the
stock company, we shall have opportunity TO speak
hereafter; but a word is due to the entire renewal
of both interior and exterior which this house has
undergone. The evidence of abject poverty which
the front has so long borne has been removed, and
brighter aspec, has been given to this temple Of the
drama
The newly decorated front is painted marble
coorit is of the composite order, and prominent in
the centre niche stands carved statue of Shaks-
tha liz ft,no
decoration. A hasty glance at the interior, with
which we have been favored, has given us proof Of
great industry in the preparations for the coming
season. more thorough change was never effect
ed in old Dmry since its erection. The stage has
been re-laid;i the green-room has been renewed,
re-painted, carpeted, and ornamented with new
mirror; the lobbes have been supplied with new oil
cloths, and the pillars painted in fancy marble !;
the orchestra has been enlarged and thept has been
cushioned with crimson damask, and the orchestra
boxes of Messrs. Aston and Beekman, nave been
carpeted and supplied with new easy chairs, with
damask cushions. The rails are painted crimson
with gilt tops. All the tiers of boxes have under
gone Improvements as thorough as any other part of
the house. The back ground, which before was da-
mask crimson, is now painted light pink color,
which will peasngly tinge the compilations
of the ladies. The seats have been newly
cushioned with crimson damask, the color
which prevails throughout the audience part of
the house, and scenes from Shakspeare's plays
decorate the front of the second tier. The fronts
of the private boxes of light violet color, with
marble base; the upholstery consists of crimson
curtains, lined with yellow and each is surmounted
by an eagle, with the cord and tassal gracefully
pendant from the beak Crimson cushions and
new carpets have also been introduced. The
ceiling, as we mentioned on former occasion, is
ornamented with the muses. and alegorica repre-.
sensations The proscenium is also decorated with
great taste. The pillars are of fancy marble, light
and varied, with enlarged caps, richly gilt, support
ing the base of the arch which is tastefuly painted
with cupids scattering flowers, in light sky blue
ground. The base of the pillars is Of dark green
marble, with white veins, and beneath are painted
appropriate scenes from various plays. The effect
when lighted up we doubt not will be very
pleasing and the house in every part will be found
to have been made exceedingly comfortable
But we have hitherto neglected TO notice the
drop curtain, which has been painted by J. r.
Smith, once a law student of General G. SANFORD.
He, however, abandoned the mu.ty records of a
law office for painters pallet and is rising rapidly
in the profession which he has adopted. This Drop
OF which we now write, is green curtain, grace
fully draped, exhibiting a splendid architectural
hall, in the front of (which is device, taken from
the Macready testimonial As Mr. Macready
comes so soon among US, it may not be uninteres,-
ing TO state, that on his retirement from the man.
agement of Drury Lane Theatre, his services to the
Drama were acknowledged by the presentation Of
a costly Testimonial" as it has been called, con-
II o., IL. +
by the lovers Of the drama. The presentation was
made by his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge
in the presence of many patrons OF the drama and
OF literature, and the members of the theatrical
profession The compliment was well timed, and
well deserved, for they were about to lose gentle
man, for at least time, whs stands at the summit
OF his profession as an actor, and who, as mana
ger, has done more TO irestore the text of Shaks-
peare, and to give the plays of the Bard of Avon
betting representation, than any man of the age
Our artist has availed himself of one of the designs
which this testimonial contains, and has transferred
it to canvass, where it will stand as record of the
worth of an actor for whose appearance much AJAX
iety is beginning 10 be felt IL is rare indeed that
such honors paid to genius until its possessor has
passed away, and the slnguarity of the circumstance
must make 1t doubly precious to Its object This
design represents Shakespeare standing on pedes-
tai, with scroll in the one hand and Tyre in the
other At the base Mr. Macready is seated, hablted
in the costume Of the early stage, with an open vo.
lume in his hand He is attended by the muse OF
comedy, Thalia, and the muse OF tragedy, Melpo-
meme, and as connected with the subject on which
the actor is supposed to be employed the restoration
of the original text of the plays of Shakespeare, the
Muse Clio is also introduced. This represen tation
stands on base, on which, within metope, in
the original design was represented the senate
scene in Ohello," but for this the artist has sub
stituted the lines:-
He was not for day,
But for all time.
Atthe visible angles of the base two boys, vastly
LIZ .rrinnad char,I.c LnId tnklats 81