The _Political Head_ of THE TIMES, like that of _Janus_, the Roman Deity, is double faced; with one countenance it will smile continually on the _friends_ of _Old England_, and with the other will frown incessantly on her _enemies_. The alteration we have made in our _head_ is not without precedents. The WORLD has parted with half of its CAPUT MORTUUM and a moiety of its brains. The HERALD has cut off half of its head, and has lost its original humour. The POST, it is true, retains its whole head and its old features; and as to the other public prints, they appear as having neither _heads_ nor _tails_. On the PARLIAMENTARY HEAD every communication that ability and industry can produce may be expected. To this great _National object_ THE TIMES will be most sedulously attentive, most accurately correct, and strictly impartial in its reports. * * * * * THEATRE. _Drury Lane._ Hamlet--whose doom, at least this season, has unfortunately been “to walk the night and strut to empty benches”--performed yesterday evening its accustomed _penance_ in lieu of Tamerlane. Were not this excellent tragedy so often used “on the spur of the occasion,” we think such admirable acting as Kemble’s Prince of _Denmark_ would meet with more _attendance_--more of applause it could not have. Mrs. Ward’s performance of the _Queen_ is the best proof of Mrs. Siddon’s assertion, that “Gertrude had more good points about her than the critics were aware of.” Mrs. Ward’s distracted _look_ in the closet scene aided most powerfully Kemble’s piteous exclamation of, “On _him!_ on _him!_” Indeed, the noble delineation of that difficult character did much credit to this rising actress. * * * * * _Covent Garden._ “Henry the Fourth,” with Ryder’s Falstaff, ended the year _merrily_ at this Theatre. The house was remarkably full, and the lower boxes had most of the fashionable _amateurs_ in town. The Falstaff of Ryder, though not perfection, is yet respectable, and is the more welcome, with “all its imperfections upon its head,” as disappointing the general assertion that Falstaff _died_ with _Henderson_. Among the most pleasing and prominent features were his address to the _gang_ on Gadds Hill--“By the _Lord_, I _knew_ you”--to the Prince, and soliloquy on _honour_. The description of his _company_ was also replete with humour. Edwin’s kind donation of the _sugar candy_ was particularly welcome to Lewis, who was most villainously hoarse. The scene of Anon! anon! Sir, of course lost much of its effect. * * * * * REHEARSAL OF NEW YEAR’S ODE.