The Sun.
London, England, 1857-09-24 00:00:00

DRURY-L AN E THEATRE.

Mr. Roberta, the American tragedian, last night es.
payed the arduous character of "King Lear," and more
than c infirrned the favourable impression he had made
in " Sir Giles Overreach." The version played was
Nahum Tate's, which we believe is generally used on
.he American stage—a poor compliment, by the way,
to the genius
.of Shakespeare ! It has, however, the
merit, for a star actor, of throwing almost the whole
interest of the play into the character of the old King,
whose impetuous and irritable temper was admirably
portrayed by Mr. Roberts, who appears not to aim
so much at making startling points as to give truth-
ful and intelligent rendering of his author. He
played last nigla with greater ease and confidence, and
his voice seemeFrnuch stronger and more sonorous than
ou his first appearance. The madness of Lear was,
howeirer, _too studied to be natural ; it lacked the
grandeur of distraught majesty ; and the scene on the
heath in the storm fell rather tamely. In the subee
qiient scenes, especially that with Edgar—who speaks a
portion of the language of the Fool, whom Tate has taken
out of the play—Mr. Roberts was eminently suc-
cessful, his scene over the dead body of Cordelia
was ao pathetic as anything we have for a long
time witnessed on the stage. He was recalled three
times during the performance—at the end of the
fine; and second acts, and finally by acclamation on the
fall of the curtain. Mr. Belton, who played Edgar, ren-
dered the part very credi,ably, and was cleserved:y
applauded throughout. Mr. Stuart gave a rough and
vigorous portraiture of the vi;lain Edmund. Mr. Bar-
rett played the Duke of Kent with excellent effect ; the
part had been cast to Mr. A. Young°, but o.ving to
that gentleman's indisposition, the part was taken at a
very short notice by Mr. Barrett. The female charac-
ters are not very prominent, but they were adequately
sustained by Miss Portman, Miss Morrell, and Mrs.
Vickery, in the characters of Cordelia, Goneril, and
Regan. The entertainments concluded with the farce
of Bamboez'ing.

THE IM PE RIAL MEETING AT
STUTTGARDT.

(From the ,Siecie of yesterday.)

"We conceive the anxiety manifested by Austria at
the apprcaching interview of the two sovereigns ; she
experiences the fate of those who having attempted to
intrigue with everybody are suddenly umasked. Aus-
tria, after having been ungrateful to Russia and scarce;y
loyal to France, can iuspire no sympathy. When w e
observe the petty obstacles raised by her in the Moldo-
Waliachian question, which thanks to the energyy, of
our Government, has been solved by the inhabitants
in a sense favoxrable to the ideas of good policy,
we are no less surprised at the pretensions of Austria
than at th• forbearance of France. What will be
the nature of the satisfaction given to France ? What
will be toe extent of the lesion inflic:ei on the fallacious
policy of Austria ? It would be bold to reply to the: e
questioni. If we thought that our voice would be
hearkened to, we should gladly express our views,
which coincide with those entertained by a'l who hare
. patriotism in their heart and a sincere sympathy for op-
pressed nations. We can appreciate the difficulties that
may oppose the firmest will in questions of so
delicate a nature ; but France has recovered her
influence in the councils of Europe, and the chief
of the State is not ignorant of the desire of the na-
tion. We sincenly believe that a better opportunity
has never existed for demanding the desired atonement
The young Emperor of Russia must wish to see the
destinies of Europe regulated in a lasting manner ; he
cannot accomplish his grand and noble mission of civi-
lising his subjects unless Europe is in.peace, unless the
conditions of its equilibrium are regulated in an equi-
table and exculpatory manner. Timid minds may ac-
cuse us of seeking t 3 set Europe in flames. We care not
for such accusations. We have the most cove► eign
disdain for-an egotistical policy, which lives from hand
to mouth, and can anticipate nothing. We cannot ad-
mit the existence of peopls who are not passionate for
the grandeur of their country. We avow that no sacri-
fices exist that we are not prepared to make in favour of
the increased influence of France ; and we shall never
oppose an obstacle to any measure calculated to assure
her preponderance."
The Siecle continues to speak in the highest terms of
the English alliance. -

A VERY BARD CASE.