The amateurs of celebrity, whose performance of Every Man in
his Humour, at the St. James's Theatre, we noticed some weeks ago, played Fletcher's posthumous comedy of The Elder Brother, on Saturday last, for the benefit of Miss Kelly, at her private theatre in Dean Street. This new attempt was less successful than the first; partly be- cause the play was not so well suited to the performers, and partly on account of a want of perfectness, that might have been reme- died by more rehearsals. The " Elder Brother" is a book-worm, immersed in study and contemplation, his eyes shut to worldly cares and 1003rtnents; he is awakened to life and love by the first eight of his younger brother's bride elect, whom he woos and wins incontinently. Mr. John Forster played the part with the force and tact of a veteran actor, and with intensity of expression that is rarely seen on the stage. Unfortu- nately, his imitation of Mr. Macready's peculiarities was so strong that these mannerisms diverted attention from the finer characteristics of the personation, which they marred. Moreover, Mr. Forster's physical attri- butes and manner are too vehement and robust for the timid recluse; and it was not till after the transformation of the college Cymon that his: style semimilated with the character. Mr. Charles Dickens played the younger brother; but the part of the court fop did not suit him. Mr. Mark Lemon, as the hearty, impetuous, plain-spoken old country gentle- man, the uncle of the brothers, was excellent: he not only entered into the spirit of the character and personated it with gusto, but imbued it with a genial individuality. Mr. Douglas Jerrold gave to the faithful servant, Andrew, just the kind of quaint gravity natural to a shrewd quick-witted man of plain sense and earnest feeling, who had acquired a reverence for learning through love for his master. Miss Fortescue looked the lady charmingly.
The amateurs, however, were more at home in the farce; which went off capitally. Mr. Dickens played Liston's part of Sir Hippington Miff-a melancholy City Knight, in search of Comfortable Lodgings in France, who is in continual fear of being murdered-with broad rich comical humour: his elongated face, dismal voice, and looks of alarm, were irresistibly droll; and though he held a grave countenance, some of the performers could not. The other parts were well filled, by Messrs. Mark Lemon, Forster, Stone, Leech, George Cruikshank, and W. IL Wells.
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