THE THEATRES.
THE "patent" monopoly has finished its work : the "legitimate drama," for the support of which the two Great Theatres were endowed with exclusive privileges, has ceased to exist—at least in so far as they are concerned. The degenerate successor of the elder dramatists, that at the Restoration was consigned to the fos- tering care of these two dry-nurses, has been overlaid by their huge, overgrown bulk : they treated it like a spoiled child, sur- feited it with sweetmeats, bedizened it with fine clothes, and amused it with all sorts of toys, including a Noah's-ark full of animals ; but, while its hireling guardians became bloated with pampering and osten- tatious with importance, their puny charge dwindled away to a shadow, until it could not be recognized as the offspring of that healthy and vigorous stock which had produced a SBARSPERE. In a word, the " legitimate drama" has fallen a victim to protection. Mr. MACREADY, its fast and best friend, tried every effort to revive it ; but in vain. He resigns his office on Wednesday ; when he will make "his last appear- ance on the London stage for a considerable time." Meanwhile, a new friend of the drama has come forward, offering a reward for the production of the "next of kin" to the defunct. Mr. %limn, of the Haymarket, has issued an advertisement announcing his intention to give 5001. for the best comedy illustrative of British life and manners in the present day; the prize to be awarded by a jury of dramatic authors, actors, and critics, on the first day of the New Year. A politic venture for the prosperous manager of a popular theatre, unencumbered with a patent ; but, instead of the cliquery of "dramatic authors, actors, and critics," we advise Mr. WEBSTER to make the public his jury.
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