THE THEATRES.
Ix pursuance of the policy which has ruined most of the mimic mo- narchs in our time, the rival potentates of Drury Lane and -Covent Garden seem bent on injuring each other, rather than on promoting their individual interest. " Grand opera" having been the favourite product of one manager, the other exhausts his resources in glutting the market with the same commodity ; although experience ought to teach him, that foreign competition will soon deprive both him and his native rival of their most profitable customers. In like manner, the ruler of Drury, calculating that the forte of his opponent would lie in tragedy, skirs the country round for recruits ; Shylocks and Jajfiers flock to the capital as rapidly as railroad direc- tors : but, alas ! small profits are realized by managers, or by share- holders.
:Meanwhile, the votaries of the Comic Muse can only concole them- selves for the mortifications they endure, by smiling at tile sorry figure made by the parties who slight their chains.
We have not yet seen Mr. TERNAN, the new Shyloch of Drury Lane ; but, judging from the reports of the daily papers, we conceive him to be a well-practised and efficient actor--a man of talent rather than of genius ; who, if he do not prove individually attractive, will certainly add to the general strength of the company. The honesty of purpose which induced Mr. MACREADY to avoid the practice of cramming Covent Garden with orders to support a new piece, or give the appearance of attraction to old ones, has served to show that his receipts are sometimes less than his expenditure. We confidently anticipate, however, that the Manager will be indemnified for his early losses, when the town fills, and when tt Experience, slow preceptress, teaching oft
The way to glory by miscarriage foul, Shall p.ompt him."
Mr. MACREADY being at present the only first-rate actor in the establishment, and the plays (operas of course excepted) having been chiefly seleeted with the view of obtaining his support, the perform- ance's have been upon the whole rather monotonous. It must also be confessed, that the fatigue which the Stage Manager undergoes in filling the elliuf elmracters formerly sustained by :Messrs. FAIKIIEN, FAWCETT, BLANCHARD, and himself, is far from contributing to the gratification of the public. When measures shall be taken to supply these, and a few more deficiencies in the comic department, we are certain that the high success, which the direction of the theatre deserves in all other respects, will speedily be realized.
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