Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-01-13


Prince Pucklcr Muskau has just taken
up his residence in the Island OF llhica, the
native country of Ulysses. He has pur.
chased some hundred acres Of land in TINS
island, and has procured laborers from Ger
many. for the purpose Of cultivalmg them'
Bold project for Throne "A company
is forming in London, the object of which
is TO fish up, by means of diving bells, the
throne Of pure gold OF the lncas, which the
Pcruvians throw into the mineral waters Of
tho Coxnmcrcar, on the approach Of the
Spaniards. Tho various attempts OF the
Spaniards to obtain this envicd treasure
have been ineffec,uu'
Mn. FoaREsr. Forests success has been
Unprecedented. When last wrote he had
only appeared as Spartacus,and l doubted
10 confess the truth, whether he had mind
enough to play more intellectual charac
tiers. Charles Kean led me into mistake,
by speaking Of Forrest asla giant-onc
who could throw man across the stage"
and ] was led TO think that he had more
muscle than genius. But his OthcIlo is
considered tho finest that was ever wit.
messed on the British stage. The A'hcne
um, (no mean authorily.) places il far above
Kcan's, (I mean The Kean, not the boy
imitator.) and the Atlus, tastdious 10 a
fault in dramalics and letters. says. eff we
observe that, since the days OF kcan, we
have had no actor capable of approaching
his excellence, and that in many parts Mr..
Forrest was equal, aud in some few snpe
rior 10 that great ,ragcdian. we shall have
discharged all we desire TO say on that
point" He then goes on Into an analysis
of Forests acting. which subjoIn, in the
hope that you muy make room Tor It: "Mr
Forests voice, action and figure, sdmira-
bly, adapted him for the part Of Othello,
which he performed Throughout with great
dignity Of manner and depth Of feeling.
Having formed some slight coojcctures as
TO M Forests merit from his performance
Of the Gladiator, we confess VIC were IN
prepared TO expect 80 much truth, earnest
ness, and power in his dcllneation Of one
Of Shakespeare greatest conceptions. lie
has evidently studied his original with a
critical and searching mind, and not con-
tening himself with points, he has master
ed the character. In the address 10 the
Senate he give two new readings Of great
Il
decided Improvement upon the way in
which the lines arc ordinarially delivered.
For example:
Rude am in my speech,
And little blessed with the set phrase Of peace,
For since these arms Of mine had seven yeras pilh,
Till now some nine moons wasted, they have used
Their dearest action in the tented ieid,s
And little Of this great world can speak,
More Than pertains 10 ieats Of brol and battle;
And therefore little shall grace my cause,
IN speaking for myself.
We do not recoIcct an instance where
this was not rcnd-
...---':.s c. -~..E
The other reading was Of still groo,nr
importance; it is in that passage where he
describes the anxiety with which Desde-
mona used 10 listen TO his rccitals.
Shed come again, and with greedy ear,
Deyour up my discourse: which observing,
Took once plant hour, and found good means
10 draw from her prayer Of earnest heart, SC.
The application OF this emphasis to the
charge brought, against O'hello by Bfaban
ito Of having employed magic art is obvious.
and Mr. Forests manner of revealing it
considerably enhanced its effect. The first
scene between Othello and lago was played
by Mr.. Forrest in n subdncd tone, to which
our actors have not accustomed us. Slow
to suspect, Olhello hOvcrs over the abyss
before he takes the fatal plunge. Mr. For
rest embodied this view Of tho opcniDg Of
The temptation with great skill. Through
the terrible scenes that follow lie rose 10
a height Of grandeur which places him OF
the head of living actors in England. in
one particular passage he drew down an
expression Of admiration, such as we have
seldom before witnessed IN London thea
ire. The passage 10 which we allude is
that beginning. or rather ending, with
l had rather I've toad,
And live upon the vapOur Of dungeon, SC.
The look Of CHASTITY horror with which
the uttcrancc Of this passage was accom-.
panied, electrified the audience, who rising
in ali parts of the house, continued tor
several minutes to greet the performer
with mos: enthusiastic applause.
Mr. Forrest has had the good taste ill.,
wo believe, wore than one insiancc TO re-
store parts Of tho original text left out in
tho acted copies. In the following passage
occurring in the 4,h scene Of the Sd act
where Olhelo declares himself Diet crmict
upon vengeance, the lines in italics arc re
stored by MIR Forrest.
laso. Patience, say; your mind, perhaps. ma
change.
9th. Never, Iago, like to the Pontick sea,
Whose ice current and compulsive course
Meier feels retiring ebb, but Keeps due on
e To the propontick and the Heiiespoint;
Y Euen so my bloody thoughts, toith pioiant hast
D Shall ne'er look back. meier ebb TO humble love
TIL that capable aRd Wide revenge
' StcaliotD them up.
u These lines were delivered with eX,raordi
nary vehemence and rapidity, the acto
enbodying that image of impulsvc cours
in his action and articulation, Mr. Forres
introduced an innovation in the last seen
of which we cannot altogether approve, al
y though ,ls immediate effect is probobl
d striking and lmpressive; instead of entc,