The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-20 00:00:00

DRURY LANE THEATRE.

Yesterday evening three circumstances operated in
bringing to Drury-lane as vast a concourse of people as
that magnificent building was capable of containing—it
was the benefit of the indefatigable and enterprising
lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith, the termination of Mr. G. V.
Brooke's engagement, and the first essay of this eminent
tragedian in the part of Macbeth. Every nook and cor-
ner was put to account, and so great was the demand
for places, that the orchestra had to be converted into
stalls, and the novel spectacle presented itself of a theatre
without musicians. This excited the wonderment of a
good many of the audience, and it was supposed that an
attempt would be made to dispense with so neces-
sary an ingredient to the success of Macbeth. All
doubts, however, were set at rest at seven o'clock,
when the band struck up a tune behind the curtain,
but this was an arrangement which, though eventually
acquiesced in, produced, at first, some expressions of
disapprobation. For ourselves, we think the music was
softened and rendered more agreeable by proceeding from
behind the stage instead of the orchestra, and this was
particularly observed during the beautiful chorus of the
witches, which was last night extremely effective.
The distinguishing feature of Mr. Brooke's Macbeth
was an intelligent conception of the character, a depar-
ture from all the conventionalities with which previous
actors have invested it, and an absence of any attempt
to torture passages and points in such a way as to ex-
tract applause by vehement declamation, by great phy-
sical exertion, ,or by ingenious bye-play, where none
of these are needed to convey the meaning of the
author. Many critics, though praising his acting,
have described his forte as the physical, not the in-
tellectual, and have said he is deficient in the
higher and more delicate traits of sentiment and feeling.
We do not mean to dispute there may have been some
grounds for forming such an opinion, but whether it
is owing to the advice of the press or his own matured
experience we know not ; but this we may say, that he
has greatly improved since his first appearance at
Drury-lane, and that he has left now little room for
those exceptions which were formerly taken to his act-
ing. He even went so far as, in some scenes, to leave
himself open to the charge of tameness ; but we can-
not say that a single phase of the character was over-
looked. It has evidently been well studied by Mr.
Brooke, and his representation of it raises him still
higher in our estimation. At the conclusion of the
tragedy he was unanimously called before the curtain,
and received with vociferous cheering and an abundant
shower of bouquets.
Mr. R T. Smith also made his appearance to a simi-
lar summons ; and after thanking the public for the
great patronage it had bestowed upon him during the
twelve months of his lesseeship, and mentioning that
such success had not attended the theatre for twenty-
five years, intimated that he was determined to perse-
vere in his speculation, notwithstanding his friends had
prognosticated that he would be equally as unfortunate as
former managers. He also made the very gratifying
announcement—one which was received with hearty ap-
plause—that every actor and actress, and every employe
in the theatre, had received his or her salary in full
and that he did not owe a shilling. He mentioned
likewise, that he had, at great pecuniary sacrifice to
himself, offered to re-engage Mr. Brooke for a few more
nights, after his provincial tour, and prior to his depar-
ture for America, but that he was not yet aware when
Mr. Brooke's arrangements would enable him to accept
that offer. He stated, in conclusion, that there would
shortly appear at the theatre one of the best equestrian
companies ever seen in this country, when he hoped to
see large audiences, and retired amidst general ap-
plause.

DRURY-LANE.—If any one writes a history of magic,
continued down to the present date, he certainly ought
not to omit the name of Mr. E. T. Smith, the lessee of
Drury-lane. Even the wildest dreams of alchymists
went no further than the conversion of lead, or some
other base metal, into gold,—the most imaginative and
sanguine never thought of producing gold out of tinder.
Now, this is one of the truths that are stranger than
fiction,—Mr. E. T. Smith actually converts Drury-lane
into a profitable speculation.—Tintes.

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY-(THIS DAY.)

(Before Mr. Commissioner Evans.)
IN RE SWALLOW.

The bankrupt kept the Nine Elms Tavern, Nine Elms,
and this was a meeting for examination of witnesses.
Mr. J. R. Chidley, Gresham-street, the assignee,
conducted the examination, and complained that one of
the witnesses had not produced all the books required,
having reference to the bankrupt's estate, and said that
unless the whole was produced, he could not successfully
conduct the inquiry.
His Honour, after hearing the witness, held that the
books should be first shown to the official assignee, who
would state how far the estate was affected before they
were put in evidence.
This was agreed to, and, after a brief examination,
the case was adjourned.

SHERIFFS COURT-(THIS DAY.)

(Before R. Gurney, Esq.)
COLVERD V. PARKER.

This was an action to recover the sum of 151., on a
Bill of Exchange for 151.
Mr. W. R. Buchanan appeared for the plaintiff, and
stated the case, from which it appeared there had been
extensive transactions between the parties, and were of
a complicated nature, but on the accounts being made
up by the plaintiff, he found that the above amount was
due for a cheque lent to defendant.

The plaintiff was examined at great length, and bore
out the statement made.
For the defendant it was urged that the claim was
unfounded, and was made through malice, and plaintiff
was asked whether he did not, a short time since, bring
an action against a person named Castrique, and whe-
ther defendant was not a witness in the case.
Plaintiff admitted the facts, but refused to state the
ground of action. He obtained a verdict.
Mr. Buchanan contended that the plaintiff was not
bound to answer the question ; it did not affect this
case.

His Honour could not see how it did, but no harm
could be done by answering.
The plaintiff then said the action was brought for com-
mission for insuring the imprisonment of a debtor in
France. The commission was on money advanced for
the purpose, and for information given as to where the
debtor was, and on the amount recovered. He ad-
mitted that he obtained the information from defendant,
and they had quarrelled, defendant considering it a
breach of faith, as the party arrested was his (defen-
dant's) late partner ; but that did not lead to the present
action.

The defendant would not say positively that he had
paid the money, and was not sworn.
Judgment for the amount claimed.

COURT CIRCULAR,
WINDSOR, Ocr. 18.
The Earl of Aberdeen arrived from Loudon yesterday,
and had the honour of dining with her Majesty.
The band of the Scuts Fusilier guards attended in the
Castle and played during dinner.
Her Majesty's private band afterwards attended in
the evening, and performed the following selection :
Overture, "Le Pre aux Clercs"
Concerto, Violin, M. Sainton
Finale, third act " L'Enfant Prodigue" Auber.
The Queen took equestrian exercise in the Riding-
house this morning ; also the Princess Royal and the
Princess Helena.

Dispatches were sent yesterday from the Colonial-
office to the Governors of Hong Kong, Ceylon, and the
Lord High Commissioner of th© lonian Islands.