The Sun.
London, England, 1819-07-23 00:00:00

MRS. SIDDO NS.

We have much pleasure in recording the visit
to this University of that untivallet; Actress Mrs.
SinnoNs. Distinguished as she always has been,
by commanding genius and unsullied reputation,
we have no doubt but that her reception here
would have been more more marked if her in-
tended visit had been generally known. Her
journey to this place was undertaken in conse-
quence of an invitation front the Master of
Downing College and Mrs. Frere. On Monday
morning, viewing Trinity College, she .was in-
vited to the Lodge by •the &shop of Biistol,
where a small party of friends had the gratifica-
tion of hearing her read the opening of the fourth
book of Milton's Paradise Lost, and a part of the
Tragedy of Macbeth.
On the following morning Mrs. Siddons visit-
ed the Public Library, and was conducted by the
Librarian to the chief objects of curiosity in
that collection. She afterwards sate down to a
small collation of ircs, fruits, &c.: when the
Librarian, Dr. Clarke, presented to her a large.
paper copy of the Cambridge Stereotype Bible,
addressing her nearly in the following words :

" Mns. SIDDONS—I am very happy that I have had the
honour of receiving you in the Public Library; because, cir-
cumstanced as we are in this season of the year, your recep-
tion among us might otherwise seem more private than is
consistent with the honour you hare done us. Allow me,
Madam, to beg your acceptance of this Bible, as a token of
that respect which associates with religion an admiration of
exemplary character and exalted talents ; and, moreover, as a
memorial of the deep sense of esteem entertained by me, in
common with every other Member of the University, for the
accomplishments of your mind and the excellencies of your
heart.

Mrs. Siddons expressed herself extremely sen-
sible of the Librarian's kind attention towards
her, and at the request of some friends who were
present, obligingly read the celebrated scene in
The Merchant of Venice, where Shylock demands
" the due and forfeit of his bond." From respect
to the University, she would not seat herself at the
Ehrary table, but stood during the whole of the
rec;tetion. 'those who have witnessed her per-
formance of Portia could not fail to recollect and
acknowledge the distinct and mellow tones of
her voice, and the eloquent and persuasive man-
ner in which she deliveted the beautiful and unri-
salted lines on Mercy ; but her excellence in that
character has long ago received the seal and
stamp of public approbation—it requires not any
additional praise. iVe cannot, however, refrain
from expressing our admiration of the varied pro-
nunciation of this accomplished actress, and at
her just conception of the other characters in the
scene which she had selected for the gratification of
her hearers,—the mild yet commanding dignity of
theDuke,the impassioned pleading of Bassapio for
the life of his friend. and brother, the settled ma-
lice and unrelenting hatred of Shylock. We have
seen the part of the Jew performed with great
ability, but we doubt whether even Macklin him-
self ever delivered with such force and propriety,
the line " I stand for judgment, answer, shall I
have it." Nor must we omit the effect she gave
to the cutting raillery of Gratiano, when he re-
torts upon the Jew his praise of the young yet
learned Judge. Great, however, as her excel-
lence was throughout, the play itself does not
admit of a full exhibition of those high and com-
manding powers which Mrs. Siddons so eminently
possesses—it was reserved for a numerous party
in the evening, at Downing lodge, to witness a
bright display of her transcendent abilities in se-
lections from Henry VIII. and Macbeth. The trial
scene in the former was given with prodigious
effect. Nothing can exceed the fine exculpatory
speech at its commencement, except it be the
queen-like dignity with which she exclaims " Lord
Cardinal, to you I speak ;" or the struggle be-
tween the wite's agony and the queen's grandeur
on her exit. The dying scene ca►lled forth deep
commiseration and interest. The selections from
Macbeth, however, we 'considered the most ex-
quisite treat of all. Her unrivalled excellence in
the heroine of that noble play is too universal-
ly known and acknowledged to need any com-
ments—but her conceptions of the character
of Macbeth himself, and the manner in which she
embodies them, form, perhaps, the grandest pic-
ture of scenic skill ever witnessed. We can only
briefly instance the celebrated dagger soliloquy—
the scenes of guilty terror and remorse after the
regicide—and the " pricks and stings" of con-
science in the banquet-scene. In these, such was
her wonderful expression of tone, manner, and
features, that we may safely aver that no actor,
in any age, ever gave so appalling—so faithful a
portrait of the guilty Thane ; it absolutely com-
bined and concentrated the powers of a Garrick
and a Siddons into one brilliant point :—thus af-
fording au exhibition as transcendent as it was
funique.
The intervals between the readings at Down-
log lodge were enlivened by the vocal strains of
the hostess, whose elegant hospitalities are not
less characterised by the display of talent, than
by the encouragement always extended to -
v.
arils it.

On Wednesday Mrs. Siddons was conducted,
by the Rev. Mr. Hughes, to Emmanuel lodge, to
view the fine gallery, which, amongst numerous
portraits of eminent characters, contains that of
the late Dr. Farmer, Ole learned and ju►iicious
corm:,entator upon our immortal bard, which was
therefore particularly interesting to the British
bidpomene.---(Cambridge Chronicle, July 22.)