Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-09-19

he speaks of the judgment of audiences and critics
is truly edifyng and will be doubtless truly apprecia
ted. There some of us who having studied
Shakespeare from infancy, fondy imagined that we
knew something about him But no, we mistaken
know nothing it Is the London critics only that
wise-Mr Forrest says so. They have dignity and
critical precision" they have force" [this will try
to acquire for Mr. FORESTS sake their comments
show that they have read and appreciated the writings
of their chief dramatists while with us poor miserable
loafers that arel q there many who would hard
ly know, il for the actors that Shakespeare had
existed" We confess the soft impeachment with
all due humility. Forgive sins ! As the actors
enlightened understandings know Shakespeare, we know
him not. How kind Of them to enlghten darkness.
Henceforth shall be their critics until they
have thoroughly informed who Shakespeare was, and
whathe meant by his writings We resign our editorial
chair their superior judgment. AS they strong,
let them be merciful let them spare ignorance, and
in their wisdom laud themselves.
We sincerely hope that the audiences viii pay the
actors, and MIR. Forrest in particular the defer
ence for they, it seems, in the same miserable
plight the same darkness and ignorance that we
they know nothing Of Shakespeare the London audi
eaces do They have not the quick and keen per-
cepon of the beauties Of the drama They do not like
the London audiences " from the tmeliness and pro-
portion of their applause, seem to have previous
knowledge of the text They do not, the London
audiences do, applaud timely and seasonably." [If
Mr. Forrest would be obligng take hint, this
difficulty might be obviated if he would mark the pro-
per time for the applause to be given, either by waving
handkerchief blowing his nose any other signal
that might most proper him, then the audiences
here might almost up with the well read and inf
nely Superior London audiences. With them, the
tors MR. Forrests) study of Shakespeare has been
thrown away his attempt ths is modest in who
is such Judge in Israeli "o grasp the character in its
gross and scope is and appreciated and that
they and feel, is given with emphasis and
heartiness that makes the theatre shake
LETTER FROM Mr.. FoRREsT.-We have received a
long and interesting letter from Mr. Forrest which,
though intended only for the eye of private friendship,
will be read with pleasure by many Of our readers,
that take the liberty publish its material parts
Plaindcdier.
No success in England has been very great
While NE people evinced great admiration of the
Gladiator they came in crowds TO witness my persona
ton of Otheilo, Lear, and Macbeth. commenced my
engagement the 18th OF October at Old Drury,
and terminated the 10Th of December, having act
ed in all thirtytwo nights and represented those three
characters of Shakespeare twenty out OF the thirty
two, namely, Othelo nine times, Macbeth, seven, and
King Lear eighthis last having been repeated ofener
by than any other the London boards In the
same space of time ccpt Kean alone. This approba
refues the opinions very confidently expressed by
certain clique home thar would fail in these parts
before London audience.
But il is only from my reception within the walls
OF the theatre that have TO be pleased with my
English friends. have received many grateful kind
nesses in their hospable homes and in their intellect
ual circles have drank both instruction and delight
suppose you the newspapers that dinner gi
ven to by the Garrick Club Sergeant Taourd
presided, and made very happy and complimentary
speech, to which replied. Charles Kemble and Mr..
L.. latfnw 1oo ha-
haved in the handsomest manner Before had
arrived in England, he had spoken of me in the most
hattering terms, and my arrival he embraced the
earliest opportunity to call upon since which time
he has extended to many delicate coureses and at
entons, all showing the native kindness of his heart,
and grea, refinement and good breeding The dinner
at the Garrick attended by many of the most dis
tnCuished men.
feel under great obligations to Mr. Stephen Price,
who has shown only the hospitalities which he
knows well how 10 perform, but many other aen.
tons which have been of great service to me- and which
from his long experience in theatrical matters he
competent 10 render than any other person. He
has done the honor To present me with copy of
Shakespeare and Richards sword which we're the pro-
perry Of Kean. Weuld that lie could besow upon
his mantle instead Of his weapon Mr.. Charles KEN
BILE too he has rendered me, in the kndest manner,
swords, one of which belonged to his uuy eminent
brother and the other TO the great Taa the theatrical
idol Of the grand nation.
The London press you probably have noticed have
been divided concerning my professional merits though
republican, ought 10 be satisned, seeing
overwhelming majority my side. There Is de-
gree Of dignity and critical precision and force IA their
articles generally Il speak OF those against me- as well
for me, and Others also OF which my acting was not
the subject that place them far ADORE he newspaper crifi
Of stage performances hch NTH IN country
Their Arrays shop iagtat they hare read
ana appreciated the ritiRgsof their chief droatiss; phe
nth s there many rho mould hardly knop not
for actors that Shakespeare haderer ertsted The dndien
TOO, have quick and keen perception OF the beau
ties of the drama. They seem. from the timeliness and
proportion Of their applause 10 possess previous knew
ledge OF the text They applaud warmly but seasona-
bly, They do not interrupt passion and oblige the az
tor sustain 1t beyond the proprety of nature but If
he delineates il orcbly and truly they reward him in
the intervals Of the dialogue Variations from the
cus,orned NODES though not in any palpable read
ings which, for the most part, bad readings, for
there il generally but mode positively correct, and
that has not been left for to discover. but slight
changes in emphasis tone, action, delicate standings
and pencings, observed with singular and most
gratifying auickness. You find that your study OF Shak
spe are has been thrown away that attempt to
grasp the character in its gross and scope, well
IN ia detail merely TO know how to speak what
ia written but to preserve its truth and keeping in
new succession Of Incidents could il be exposed them
You find that tbs Is and appreciated by the audi
enee and the spdence that fhey and feel Is giren Nth
Emphasis and heartiness that make the theatre shake
| l am now performing an engagement to very crowded
houses in Liverpool You will see by the papers what
they think ef nv efforts here shall 90 next TO Man
chester and thence to London where am to appear
Mt Drury Lane in February. During that engagement,
shall bring out a new tragedy which Miss Milford is
now writing for me- under the title OF OTTO ~ Wufcts-
back IL nm n German OF the thirteenth