The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-05-12

sTHEATRIcAL.--THE PARk.-One of the best
houses, il not the very best house which we have
seen at the Park this season, witnessed the debut of
Mr.. Henry p. Grattan last night The character Of
Hamlet, which was that chosen by Mr.. Grattan,
has some how or other not been popular one with
play-goers here The unsuccessful attempt of Sc
vera debutanes afford, perhaps, the best solution Of
this apparent enigma. The character is acknow-
lodged 10 be one of the most magnificent and per-
feet of the creations of the great dramatist. We
were therefore most agreeaby surprised at the cor
dial, indeed, we may..say the enthusiastic manner
in which the performance, OF Mr.. Grattan was re-
ceived.
Mr.. Grattanfpossesses.o great advantage in the
impersonaton of the Prince of Denmark. He looks
the character better than any one we have seen
since the days of the elder Kean. Indeed Mr. Graf
tan in many particulars very forcbly reminded us OF
that illustrious tragedian. There was the same
quiet, subdued, but thrilling pathos in the volce-the
same chastened and unaffected grace of action-ihe
same speaking eloquence of eye, and much Of that
welltmed energy and fire which have made the
name of Kean immortal, and now 80 seldom seen.
The performance was throughout admirably sus-
tanned, and elected repeated bursts Of applause
Were to partcularize any scenes of peculiar ex-
/
with Ophelia-the play before the King
the chamber scene with his mother, and
the dying scene. These were all marked
with the stamp of genius, and most acute
perception OF the authors meaning, and elected, as
they deserved, a degree of applause more warm and
enthusiastic than we have ever seen bestowed on
any other performer of this difficult part.
After the curtain fell, Mr.. Grattan was called out
md aJ 1ooc
brief, and singulary feeling and appropriate terms,
he acknowledged the gratifying compliment, and
| retired amid renewed applause.
| Placide was, Of course, at home in POlonious.
Mrs. Hunt, as Ophelia, was all that could be wished
Mr.. Lovell's Laertes, has raised him much in our
opinion. Mr.. Grattan plays short engagement
at the Park and we can have no hesitation in CON-
mendng him to the favorable regard of the patrons
of the legitimate drama.
The pretty Julia Turnbull takes her benefit to-.
night. Mrs. Brougham appears in London Assur.
| ance as Lady Gay Spanker. The bill is good, and
| the graceful beneficiary will doubtless have good
house, which she very well deserves.
CHATHAM THEArRE-MAoBETH. - This sublime
conception of the great master-spirt of dramatic
poetry has seldom fallen into ADLER hands than those
who held the principal characters charge at the
Chatham last night. The main force of this TRACE
| dy belonging almost exclusively to the ambitious
Thane and his still more ambitious lady, give full
scope for the display of genius such as Mr. Forrest
and Miss Clifton must be acknowledged to possess
This evening Mr.. F. takes benefit, and appears as
Claude Melnotte in Bulwer's beautiful play of the
Lady of Lyons" and as Roa in "Pizarro"-
Miss Clifton supporting him as Pauline in the for
| mer, and Evira in the latter play