The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-11-21
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in attraction the excellence of ito representation be-
comes more familiar to the public mini Whoever would
90 to IT, spectacle would do to himself not
less injustice than to the thought and talent and labor
which has required thus to place before the commu
nifty. 1t is not spectacle, but great historical
picture faithful to the age which represents not alsns
in its broad outlines but in the smallest of its deta
1t thing 10 study over and to mediate and to bring
knowledge from, and while we derive from it the
fined emotions which magnificent piece of art give
gain the time and gain most easily the rich
results of the dgen enquiry and the patient research
Of others Such enquiries and researches have takens
start in these times; and there is no period to
which they have been directed with such intense inter-
est to that of the middle ages of European cviliza
ton No topics within the last half century have gain
ed more attention than these whether dscoursed upon
from the desk of the college professor from the r
bune of the popular lee urer. Books have swarmed
from the press these subjects, and they have no
appeared the other continent than they have
been reprinted this In this sge Of reforms and
revolutions, mons minds are naturally turned back
upon past ages-some with a sort Of lingering regret
for their departure, and others with the keen spirit Of
historical analysis in tracing their the insu.
tons amidst which live There point in those
ages deeply pregnant with meaning for the modern
student than that Of John About that arose the
crusades those gigantic expeditions faught with the
power and passion of mingled warlike and religious
thusiasm. Then the contest fercest between the
authority of the church and the authority kings
church being for brief space triumphant in the hum
ration of John. Then in England the feuda sy stem
struggled for ascerdancy against the popular laws and
customs of AngloSsxon org and these again acquired
new strength not from any intentions in the barons favor
able to liberty, but incidentally from the weakness Of
the sovereign Then determined the form which En-
glish political institutions should assume the Anglo
Saxon element prevailed tho Norman and time and
circumstances have tended ever since to give that ee
ment wider and wider expansion. This reproduc-
tion them living commentary on the opening of our
freedom it h not mere spectacle. but most vivid
and most impressive contribution to history II affords
instruction by the fidelity Of its scenery of the most
the highest taste by its fine artistic combinations while,
by the passions in it, and their results those
mysteries OF the moral nature only Shakespeare of all
human beings, repeal them The scenery, then is
true TO its the performers true to their part and
the spirit and the poetry out from the august soul of
Shakespeare If there be enjoyment greater than can
be thus obtained know not where earth it is to
be found We will here particularize but of the
characters-that of Constance, by Mrs. Kean The Gun
ming tempting of Hubert by Mr. Kean, John, most
admirable acting; the malignant laugh when he gains
his point; the look of blank when he thinks the
deed is done, Dut would wish it not done-al this
concerned the real grandeur Of the drama centres in
Constance. Shakespeare has character of har.
almost our asaa
see her grief, as Mrs. Kean impersonates it, 1t is not
mere defamation word we have used is the true
word. Mrs. kean gives living mpersonaon of the
utmost suffering Of the brokenhearted Constance. We
conceive Of nothing finer. Mrs. siddons for aught
Sddons and We willing to talk with heartfelt enthu.
sasm and grateful appreciation, Of the pleasure which
the in which she poured out her Indignation
against john her rebukes Of Phillip, and her whering
s a TO S than %hen sSs
says, am not mad" &c1 We will merely repeat, that
if there be anything finer than Mrs Keans Constance,
cannot conceive of it.
Much of late II spoken the degradation of the stage.
II this be So where lies the fault Certainly not with
the actor or manager who put the stage play
this in the manner which they have DONE giving the
public opportunity Of the noblest qualification which
be drawn from intellect, from passion and from
We find that We committed unintentionai in
giving to Mr. Barry the credit Of drilling the supernuma
res, &c II is entirely the work Of Mr.. kesn The
natural one. Mr. Barry stage manager, and his
merits cannot be overrated but the energy and
PRISE display in producing this play belongs wholly to
BowERY THEArRE-MR. BoorH's BENEFIr.-As we
anticipated, this theatre filed last night to
its utmost capacity, by the numerous admirers Of this
eminent actor. who, though the decline,
still greet him with cordial welcome on tho occasion
of his benefit is ct all times creditable the admirers
cere or liberal than at Old BoWery,S the lust sp
probation of the merits and qualities that attach the
ted his hour upon the sge comes before his old friends
and acquaintance to revive former friendships In this
being filled to excess Il being his last Appearance here
| for the season. and his friends wishing to give him
"a bumper at parting"
Mr. Booths PRESERVATION OF Richard Duke of Go'ster
this splendid tragedy OF was highly wrought
and powerfully sustained He appear: more at home in
with an impaired articulation the fire and energy which
he inuses into the part show the great powers and
ceptOn of the actor. Indeed If MIR Booth confined his
actingsngly to gcsticuaton the language of the great
Smsn Of the s, tragedy T0Ta S !. find emSO
Clarke's Duke OF Buckingham, was good perform.
ance As rising actor he promises wei! in his profess
lord sdHns was
Lady Anne, were creditabe perfor The Misses
xsllee danced iavorite Pas" with much animation
also performed in which De Bar kept the house in roar
by his Personson of Timothy Dodge and of strappado
The entertainments Of the evening passed of in
ner highly creditabe to the entire company. The bill
for this evening will be found equally attractive.
PALMos.-Every part Of this house was Gro wded last
evening and more enthusiastic assembly we never saw
collected in this city. Mile Bangy's triumph was CON-
plse. As much as We have supposed her capable Of
totally unprepared to witness such very perfec
ton of the graceful and beautiful she her
several pas In the first place, as La Giselle" she
danced better than We ever her dance II before
though our commentator of her performance of this
character has been unsparingly as it deservedly
given and in La Chstte" she introduced vivacty
and syIphlike lighness in her steps, which were &C.
companied almost throughout by the mpusive applause
of all present Repeatedly she encored and at the
falling the curtain was called out to receive their
testimonials of delight But the browning piece of all
was what she simply announced as "Fandango." 1t
was danced with manner that passed
on any stage. more fascinating supremely angelic
performance, never yet accomplished by being
OF earth, and she seemed to float the air,
the very pesonidcation of grace and buoyant beauty
the building shook again with the of prolonged ap
plause that burst from the spectators she of course
cncored end again at tie close called before
the curtain Ii her subsequent be a continuation
of her success last evening her position will be
viabe, indeed M Hazard performed his part admirably
and both he and Mile Celeste added fresh honor to their
already high reputation Tonight is the last of the
at this theatre AID Mr. Chppcndale takes his benefit
Mile Bangy has kindly consented to app. ar and will
dance in the first oct Of La Giselle p and the Pas
Styren" with NJ. Hazard The vaudeville of Thunp
Legacy received with of laughter last night
will be repeated Mir. Chippendale deserves bumper,
and will have liz besides who will omit seeing Mile
Blangy once more.
THE ALHAMRA,-Ws advise our uptown people to
avail themselves Of the opportunities Of enjoyment and
recreation, offered to them at the Alhamra. The