Paris. 7th October 1834,
rises with each successive scene, until the denouement resolves Sia—As you have distinguished yourself by the able and fearless manner in all doubts as to the ultimate fate of the hero and heroine. It which you have exposed the abuses of the Post-office, I suppose it to be con. is very pleasant to have serious incidents treated in an easy, graceful siatent with the independent character of the Spectator to dojustice and give manner, without losing any of their interest ; especially when the praise when these are required. I know not what monopoly the Clerks of the actors Of the scene are the grave and important personages in his. Post-office can continue ; but this I know, that my agent sends the Spectator tory. The fault of most historical plays is that they are heavy and with twopence, to the Post-office, and it reaches me here regularly on Monday dull, whether tragical or not. The way in which much of the pleasantry morning. The additional charge for the French postage from Calais is foe. is produced in the present instance, is, if not new, at least clever and pence ! You will at once see, therefore, that the English Post-office ims kept effective. A page of the Duke and alady in attendance on the Queen faith with the public ; and that the Clerks have been unjustly blamed, in some are of the papers, for still holding their ancient monopoly. Even the inland post. placed in the same predicament as their master and mistress ; and age of twopence is only conditional, and must be instantly removed on all papers their childish simplicity furnishes, both to the dramatis personae and for foreign countries where English journals are allowed to circulate free ; be.. • the audience, an amusing comment on the conduct and circumstances sides the privilege which the newspapers of such countries will enjoy, of being of the principal characters. This agreeable effect was heightened by transmitted free throughout the United Kingdom. So far, therefore, the English the arch and sprightly manner of Miss EA/MA ROMER, who played the Post-office has outstepped in liberality the ridiculously vaunted desires of the page ; and the naivete and modest freshness of Miss FANNY HEALEY French Administration to promote free communieation between the countries. as the lady,—whose soft and gentle voice (she should speak a little It is on the part of the French Post office, I affirm, for I know that all the louder, however,) and embarrassed air gave great naturalness to the difficulties have arisen. The simple fact is, that the wise and liberal King of the situations. Henry is painted en beau : his brusque manner and arbi- Barricades dreads nothing so much as the plain-speaking journals of England; Um y tone veil a placable and even generous nature ; and though impe- and unless he and his Ministers can be shamed out of the paltry game they are nous and absolute, he is sagacious and just. As far as this event, playing, you must not expect the tariff on your newspapers to be lowered. They Indeed, is concerned, the author has done him no more than justice. will cant, as usual, about their anxiety to promote liberal intercourse; hut they hate it, and yomin their hearts ; and I repeat, they will do nothing till they are Henry's character is developed with good tact and discrimination ; and forced. I am glad to hear that Belgium is about to avail itself of the frank Hit. situations in which he is introduced are skilfully managed. The offer of Englaud. LEOPOLD is neither a hypocrite nor a humbug, like a certain a, rt... where, having detected their attempt to escape, he desires Mary near relation of his wife's. He is sensible that to march with "the progress," I t sentence Brandon for his audacious conduct in entering her chamber, is the only way to make his people happy and himself beloved. He at least bat telling her that he shall be an unobserved listener and looker-on, is no fear of English newspapers; and improvement in Belgium will not be re. well conceived, and adroitly managed. tarded, because he is a gambler on the exchange, an exclusive iron-master and The play is ingeniously constructed, and neatly and even elegantly coal-merchant and cotton-spinner; or because he and his Ministers have a share written ; and the points and allusions tell remarkably well. The in every infamous monopoly by which the people are ground to the :Ant. equivoques, which the similarity of situation of the Queen and the Things are sure to prosper in Belgium. But an France !—there must be a
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