We learn with great and profoundly selfish regret that almost
the only really powerful actress on the English stage, Miss Kate Terry, is likely soon to retire, though for the pleasantest of all good reasons. Whether there can be any good reason for an actress of so much genius leaving the stage we do not feel quite -certain. Supposing Wellington had pleaded family life as a reason for not going to the Peninsula,—or Mr. Gladstone for giving up Parliament,—or the late Mr. Robertson for ceasing to preach,—or Mr. Cobden for abandoning the Free-Trade movement, should we have approved ? It is quite possible that the sacrifice involved may at times be more than it is reasonable to expect, but so are all the sacrifices of nuns and monks to their profession, and a fine actress of the highest intellectual and moral rank surely does as much good as a sister of charity. These are diffi- cult casuistic problems, and it is fortunate perhaps that a selfish public has no power to aid any one who is beset by them to find the true answer. But if the rumour we refer to be true, the theatres of London are likely to lose their greatest attraction.
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