COVENT GARDEN.
MAssisiona's tragi-comedy of The Maid of Honour was revived at this theatre on Wednesday, tbr the purpose of introducing Miss FANNY KIMBLE in the character from which the play takes its name. This play is not remarkable for striking incidents or situations ; but the in- terest, though of a level character, is well sustained, and the conclusion is unlooked for. Bertoldo (Mr. Kr:unix), a gallant soldier, is in love with Conziu/a, the Maid of Honour (Miss KEMBLE) ; who loves him in return, but refuses to marry him for some not very apparent reasons. He goes to the wars, and is taken prisoner ; but is ransomed by Camiola, who exacts from him a bond of " promise of marriage :" but before his re- turn, he pays a visit to the Duchessof Sienna, his fair captor, who becomes enamoured of him ; and he, dazzled by her preference, forgets Camiola, and is about to marry her. Camiola, in the mean time, learns this news, and enters just before the ceremony, to claim him as her husband ; the Duchess resigns him very quietly, and the priest is called in—when, lo ! he claims Camiola as the bride of the Church, to which she has devoted herself; and all parties are satisfactorily miserable. This is very unnatural, and not very affecting ; but it is well managed, and the parts were efficiently cast, and the characters well repre- sented throughout. Miss KEMIILE'S peribrmance was very clever, and full of animation, spirit, and energy : the mixture of comedy and tragedy relieved the character, by giving it variety, and rendered her acting more lively and effective. Her reading of the part was marked with her accustomed good sense and intelligence ; and she gave the points of the dialogue (especially those of rebuke) extremely well. The alternations of her feelings from mirthful vivacity to ardent passion, and thence into deep and calm sorrow, were naturally, forcibly, and beau- tifully expressed. If Miss KEMBLE does not always astonish, she never fails to interest, and in agreeable characters to please. .11r. Iikonr.E looked Bertoldo admirably, and to the life. KEEILY, as Sy/ti, " a vain self-lover," who entertains a passion for Camiola, and a notion that she favours him, was droll and amusing. He looked quite the " daw in borrowed plumes" of the fable. The costumes were rich and in good taste, and the scenic effects imposing.
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