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

DRURY-L ANE THEATRE.

Mr. Roberts, the American tragedian, last night es.
sayed the arduous character of "King Lear," and more
than confirmed the favourable impression he had made
in " Sir Giles Overreach." The version played was
Nahum Tate's, which we believe is generally used on
the American stage—a poor compliment, by the way,
to the genius of Shakespeare ! It has, however, the
merit, for a star actor, ef 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, lie
played last night with greater ease and confidence, and
his voice seemed much stronger and more sonorous than
on his first appearance. The madness of Lear was,
however, 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 subse-
qnent 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 as 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
first and second acts, and finally by acclamation on the
, fall of the curtain. Mr. Belton, who played Edgar, ren-
dered the part very creditably, and was deservedly
applauded throughout. Mr. Stuart gave a rough and
vigorous portraiture of the villain Edmund. Mr. Bar-
rett played the Duke of Kent with excellent effect ; the
' part had been cast to Mr. A. Younge, but owing 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 wore 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 Bamboozling.

THE IMPERIAL MEETING IT
STUTTGARDT.

(From the Siecle of yesterday.)

"We conceive the anxiety manifested by Austria at
the approaching interview of the two sovereigns; she
experiences the fate of those who haying attempted to
intrigue with everybody are suddenly umasked.
trig, after having been ungrateful to Russia and scarcely
loyal to France, can inspire no sympathy. When w e
observe the petty obstacles raised by her in the Moldo-
Wallaohian question, which thanks to the energyy of
our Government, has been solved by the inhabitants
in a sense favourable to the ideas of good policy,
we are no less surprised at the pretensions of Austria
than at the forbearance of France. What will be
the nature of the satisfaction given to France What
will be toe extent of the lesson inflicted on the fallacious
policy of Austria ? It would be bold to reply to these
questions. If we thought that our voice would be
hearkened to, we should gladly express our wows,
which coincide with those entertained by all who have
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 sincerely 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 to set Europe in flames. We care not
for such accusations. We have the most soveteign
disdain for an egotistical policy, which lives from hand
to month, and can anticipate nothing. We cannot ad-
mit the existence of people who are not passionate for
the grandeur of their country. We avow that no sacri•
fices exist Oat 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 HARD CASE.