The Enquirer

Miscellany.

FROM A LATE LONDON PAPER.

Theatricals.—It is said to be the intention of some theatrical cognoscenti to form an association for the encouragement of infant performers!

On Wednesday the 17th ult. Miss Fisher, the Young Roscius, appeared at Gloucester, in the character of Richard III. where her performance, it is said, "drew down the most unbounded plaudits from a very crowded audience."

The versatility of this young female's talents is represented to be such as to surpass the bounds of probability, and to approach very near the verge of impossibility. The part of Cowslip, which she sustained in the farce on the above evening, with the greatest eclat, she is stated "never to have seen till 5 o'clock that afternoon, and that it was learned, without assistance, during her ride from Cheltenham to Gloucester."

We offer no remarks on this assertion—it certainly appears truly marvellous; but whatever may be her talents, or those of her contemporary rivals, we are inclined to think the versatility of John Bull's disposition surpasses them, nor can we account for it on any other principle than a most inordinate thirst after children's play!

Master Betty, the Young Roscius II. was engaged at Wolverhampton and Worcester for 1000 guineas, for which he was to play at both theatres 14 or 16 nights: The largest of these theatres will not hold 500. The prices were advanced, boxes 8s. pit 6s. gal. 4s.—The public voice was expressed so loudly against this shameful advance, that Master Betty's father, with his wonted liberality, reduced the terms of his son's engagement to the moderate sum of fifty guineas per night!—The prices were then reduced to 6s. 4s. and 2s.

The audiences have been genteel—a word of very emphatic import, and generally used as a complimentary substitute for—crowded. It is extraordinary, that thousands and tens of thousands have been lavished, to reward—what?—the tricks of an ephemeral puppet.

At Lancaster Theatre, where Master Betty performed once, a few evenings ago, the receipt was £126l. although the price of admission to the boxes was only raised from 5s. to 7s.!—At Lancaster and Newcastle the Church bells were set a ringing on his arrival!!!

Another little Roscius, more juvenile than Betty, is to appear at Margate. A girl too, of the same age is to grace the boards at the same time, and they are both to sustain the highest characters. What will the stage come to?

This may well be called the Childish Age of the Drama. Surely when Badely bequeathed a Plumb-cake to the actors of Drury-lane Theatre, he foresaw that the Stage would one day or other be occupied by children, who would contend for sweetmeats as others do for salaries.

Miss Mudie, an infant of seven years of age, who has lately astonished the natives of Ireland, made her first appearance at Birmingham, on Wednesday e'enight, in the Widow Cheerly, and was most rapturously applauded!!

Master Tokely, a child who has been accustomed to perform trifling parts at Drury-lane Theatre, has been brought forward at Richmond by Mrs. Jordan, and promises eminence amongst the little Roscii!

A Sunday paper says, "We are informed, an engagement is made by the Managers of Drury-lane Theatre with a youth from Philadelphia, named Finn, for the ensuing season, at a salary of £25. a week & a clear benefit. This young gentleman, who is not 16 years of age, has, we hear, played Hamlet, Richard. &c. with much success!!!—If this be true, where is such folly to end?

There will be such a scramble for the principal tragic parts amongst the children engaged at the winter theatres that they must resort to the appropriate expedient of drawing King and Queen.