The plot of a new piece produced at the Lyceum
under the title of An Appeal to the Public is by no means remarkable; resting wholly on the or- dinary confusion which arises from two persons having the same name. Its peculiarity lies in the circumstance that the principal character—a med- dling busybody, who thrusts himself into the intrigue of the other per- sonages—makes the audience his confidants, introducing himself to them in a formal address, and directing to them all those little speeches which in ordinary plays are marked " aside." As the story is contrived so as to be equally mysterious to this character and to his audience, and they both be- come enlightened together, a sympathy of curiosity is generated between them; this is admirably turned to account by the versatile Mr. Charles Mathews; who finds full scope for all his fanciful inventions, and sets out with the advantage of being already a prime favourite with the public. Only two men in London could give full effect to a character so peculiarly placed—Mr. Wright and Mr. Charles Mathews. The former would have given a broader interpretation of the confidential position, and brought innumerable nods and winks to his aid. Mr. Mathews takes the more re- fined view ; and although his dialogue is addressed chiefly to his spectators, be rather softens than exaggerates the licence which is given him, and never passes from the artist into the " hail-fellow-well-met."
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