tt Quarto.
There is nothing in the commencement of the Drury Lane season to indicate an elevation of the establishment. Mr. G. V. Brooke, intended by nature for a good tragedian as far as physical qualities are concerned, but lamentably schooled, and possibly encouraged in bad habits by an American public, comes, in the character of Othello, before an audience which can appreciate corporeal vigour and cares little for intellectual re- finement. The result is a tremendous success,—but one of those suc- cesses which are most injurious to art.
The Americans are generous patrons of foreign talent in every depart- ment of art and literature, and very sensitive if their critical faculties are- called in question ; but really if they would stand well in the epos pf Europeans, they should use a little more discrimination in bestowing- their laurels. Not only do they often exalt what is in itself unworthy, but they have often spoiled meritorious artiste, by encouraging rather than repressing a tendency to coarseness and extravagance. At present, if an actor can make no great sensation in his own country, he at once re- solves to cross the Atlantic, impressed with the conviction that what will not do for London will be quite good enough for New York, and more than sufficiently good for the other cities. Brother Jonathan should lofficle. this, for his reputation's sake.
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