t4t Ihratrts.
A series of benefits, indicating the speedy close of most theatrical esta- blishments, is now the only feature in the play-hills. Mr. Webster has had his benefit ; the " Bateman Children " have had their benefit; and Ma- dame Vestris is about to take her benefit,-the compound verb which signifies benefit-taking being conjugated in all its tenses and numbers. Her Majeety's Theatre and the Haymarket are in the very act of shut- ting their doors while some of our readers are perusing this notice ; and the Lyceum, the Princess's, and Drury Lane, are about to follow their example. The only important pyramid in the desert of the West-end will be the Adclphi ; which will doubtless exult in a prosperous mono- poly. The extraordinary vitality of Her Majesty's Theatre, which this year has maintained a sort of plebeian existence far into October, instead of closing aristocratically in August, has excited wonder, if not admiration. But are we sure that this vitality is a proper healthy vitality, and is not rather like that of an eel, which continues its movements after its head is off? Banquo apparently changed the law which declared that when the brains were out the man would die, but still he kept np a very du- bious state of existence ; and there was something very Banquo-like in the appearance of the Operahouse when we recently paid it a visit.
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