C4ratrto ant 311nsit. - , The French dramatic season has opened very
respectably in its old domicile, the St. James's Theatre. M. Lafont, the head of the enterprise, has assembled together the old corps of Mr. Mitchell, including M. Lange- val, M. Tourillon, M. Leon, and the clever duegne Madame Thibault ; and has placed at their head the veteran actor M. Ferville, to whose po- tent aid M. Scribe is indebted for so many laurels gained at the Gymnase in early days. M. Ferville, though he is now but a memory with the Parisians, is well worth the careful study of the English public, to whom he comes completely fresh. His chief line is that of those old gentle- men of the higher class, who were once much more common on the French stage than they are at present, just as similar parts were con- stantly to be seen on the London boards while Mr. Farren was at the height of his renown. His voice is indeed weakened by age, but his articulation remains beautifully distinct ; and his representation of characters which though in the same line are widely different from each other, shows a power of accurate impersonation that is very rare. The antiquated gallantry of Stanislas in the well-known Rereil du Lion, and the haughty demeanour and vivid irritability of a dilapidated old noble, in a new piece called La Pantie de Piquet, are both finished off to a per- fection which could only be attained by an artist who took a lofty view of the requirements of his art. The highest degree of elaboration is ac- companied by the highest degree of ease ; and the personages he exhibits are so many individuals, whose character may be traced down to the most delicate nuance of tone or expression. Mademoiselle Luther, one of the " stars " of last year, has also made her appearance in the well- known vaudeville here III, Chapitre I; and still pleases by her fasci- nating though small style of acting.
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