Mr. Macready's benefit at Drury Lane Theatre, on Monday, was
made the occasion of a species of display now rare in this metropolis. Formerly a " state " visit of the Sovereign to the two " Royal" houses was a matter of course at certain intervals, and the custom seemed ho be reviving at the commencement of the present reign: but the nationality of the theatres having ceased, the public patronage of Royalty ceased also. The old pro- jecting royal box, the Beefeaters on the stage, the regal diamond head-dress, all were brought before the public on Monday, with the freshness of no- velty; and even the glittering row of Life Guards in Little Russell Street produced a sort of new sensation. Certainly a state visit to a London theatre is a magnificent exhibition. The rising of so many superbly- dressed persons on the singing of the national anthem, the appearance of- the Sovereign in the popular act of acknowledging the greetings of her subjects, and a certain feeling that there is something genuine in an Eng- lish demonstration of loyalty—something beyond the mere display of .16
moment—are so many elements which combined produce an impression al- together unique. We have seen foreigners perfectly astonished at the re- ception of the national anthem in a London theatre, under circumstances much less remarkable than those of Monday night.
George the Third was accustomed, we believe, to honour with a state visit the benefit of John Bannister; hut that was just an exceptional case. The peculiar compliment of a state visit when the house is opened for a benefit only was reserved for Mr. Macready. Nor was this extraordinary honour ilt-bestowed. Not only by his histrionic talents has Mr. Macready raised himself to the head of his profession—not only has he distinguished himself as an enterprising and accomplished manager—but by uniform de- corum of conduct in private life he has gained the general esteem of the highest classes of society. Private respectability is a valuable ingredient towards an artist's success in this country; and although we have ho other actor who could give so intellectual a representation of Cardinal Wolsey, we question whether mere histrionic excellence could have drawn together such an assemblage as filled Drury Lane on Monday night. The compli- ment was not only to the actor, but to the man.
The plays of Henry the Eighth and The Jealous Wife were both abridged; and this has called lot th animadversions which are somewhat misapplied. The representations of Monday were expressly for the purpose of exhibiting Mr. Macready in a tragic and a comic part, and not to set forth a normal condition of the drama. People went to see the Queen and Mr. Macready —not the performance of a company. To give an effective representation Of Henry the Eighth as a drama, would require a muster of talent not to be found at present in London, and a greater outlay than could be devoted to the performance of a single night: but that is no reason why Mr. Macready should refrain from One of his most effective characters, when the whore arrangement is for his special benefit, and he has to please those who come 'with the express desire of supporting him. Even such absurdities as actors playing parts totally out of their line have been allowed to pass on benefit nights; but no such absurdity took place on this occasion—Mr. Macready simply made himself prominent where he had a particular right to be pro- minent. We doubt much whether those who make complaints of this sort would like to sit out in succession the whole of Henry the Eighth and the whole of The jealous Wife--tedgood substantial acts, instead of six.
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