The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-12-04
Thcatrlcal.


PAsx THsArnx.--Mas. FANS CoxsrAscE~-Ths char
scer of Constance is one of remote dealsm,
plicatsd texture. II Is most homey and most simple
character II does stand afar off, and thus tax imag
nation 10 reach 1t II Is not Of subtle composition and
thus does not profound sagacity to analyze It, The
character in itself has extraordinary qualities has
inherent loftiness heroism. Constance, in the
opening Of the plot the dignity that belongs
to her situation Neither she especially amiabls nay,
she somewhat Of shrew She is not out Of place in
scolding match, her place there IN inferior one.
both Elinor and Austria could well bear witness
STILL there is rich fulness of womanhood in her. with
all the passionate intensity and depth of Its affections
and when these stirred they the uttemost
she rises the widest subIimy of grief Then and
till then does she become really tragic and impre ssvely
great: but 1t Is tragedy wrought out, not by the
strength Of her individual but Of her womans nature,
and her greatness belongs to that majesty with which
her clothes her Her misery, however implies
no capacity of emotion than that which any true
womanly heart would exhibit in her position.
To some, il may, perhaps, appear that the sim
pier the character the more easy its performances.
But the very contrary 10 often the case For in
ths to wSoS IT.
perence must be presented to exactly they are
and not the failure is complete In matters that lie
the reach Of our ordinary vision mistake not
thus fataindeed. to great extent it may be commit
ted with almost absolute impunity The fact has illus.
trations In the commones occurrences of daily life
You will hear a magniioquent demsgogus address q
multu de in bombastic phrases that them gaze
In admiration while what he says has neither truth
meaning but let him attempt to address their
common feelings and at once his incompetency
appears. Let him try TO rsce simply pathetic incl
deut his hearers laugh let him aim at effect of hu
NOR they look grave here they have him fully within
the circle Of their and hi: funny dolor and
hi. dslorCa fun are .1asly sppsr:ns and equally .d
of defect exaggeraon destructive Of the result in
tended. but the sghtesr is at detected This
TO perform Lady Macbeth in the fulnsss OF its
truth and grandeur, would, no doubt be q higher
effort Of intellect and thought than to perform
ocrity would be safer In Lady Macbeth than in Con-
stance The depths Of Lady Macbeths awful nature
would be the easily msed by false clue amidst
its wndings But this could not be with Constance
Every mother critic sudicent upon Constance nay
tsrnity - = -
In Witnessing the performance Of Constance BY Mrs.
and there We saw stamped the deep impression of its
ay; saw that It was true to the impulse OF nature
70 ne 81 o S: s o.
Mrs Kean In whatever character she performs IL dstin
gushed above all others her profs:sion her sass
saty-for he most rapid changes without least sb
ruptness-fcr an evervaryiDg trsnsitior that sxces
1sp.o s'I nsy Of These
show themselves pre- sminently In her Constance.
and Constance Is q part that needs them all: for,
brief though Il be In the drama, were II not for
for the vivid alterations of expression which it gets
from the genius of the actress, would become almost
have seen Mrs. Kesn's impersonation, with the least
capacity to appreciate the highest order OF acting i'll
.5Ssu Of m Or
force Of its passion, she adds new interest to IT, by
giving to the varied moduations Of her own gifted
SOUL Observe. for instance with what sarcastic and
mocking irony she addresses Elinor, Do child. 80 to
its grandsm. child I" Yet. while there is scornful
that they are raught with alarm and come out from the
palpsons of bleeding heart Then there Is the rage Of
her when she learns Of the peace coISoc
hopes and expectations broken to pieces: with what
energy she recognises terrible certainty in the manner
false blood Joined 7" until she goes on she avincss
that the certainty has laid hold upon her very ifehen
Of The sous ' sfiicton, murmurs; For / am nick,
and capable Of fears" Risng, for instant again to
the Hottest grandeur and Courage of affection, she
obtains to q suUlimty Of which II 10 di6iesh to
concsive greater in the power of tragic conception
expression in that majestic burst that begins with the
close. with the one Here IS my throne bid kings bow
to IT," Who forget Mrs. Kean, that has heard
her speak this her looks her tones her
wrept 80 lost in her calamity and yet 80 queenly. i
impression to engrsve itself forever on the mind
earthly msmery Bat oven from this pession Of solemn
and awenspirng snguish, abe could change the mood
with torrent OF the mos, crushing and burning invec
tves and in these Mra Ksan De electric both IN voice
and action Her denial of madness Is appalling there Is
terrible sanity in it which shows reason standing
firmly the brink Of bottomlsss despair and looking
down with open eyes into its unathomsble darkness;
IF n uD reel. and III no the
plaon Of its misery We felt MIRA Kean uttered it,
the narrowing import In the expression Of unhappy Cen
stance -
al am not mad-I would to Heaven were,
For then, Ills like should forget myself"
At the close. how tender passing almost the tender
Their for her absent child with what low, sweet sad
ness does Mrs Kean utter all those endearng, woman
and connects and ri, Tn
to retirement and DEATH We have written these 70.
marks in dry spirit Of analysis but fresh from the ma
tural feeling stirred within At times, perhaps, we
are nothing if not critical now should be nothing,
If We were. Tonight is for Mrs. Kesn's beneht; we
trust that such an audience will be assembled TO greet
worthy Of him.
BowEaY THEArRr-" Putnam" continues to draw full
and crowded houses nightly, since its reproduction at
this popular theatre and the boxes have been enlarged
within the last few days. admit of nuch additional
accommodation. vaches General Washington was
again admirably performed last evening Mrs ssrgesns
Kate Putnam was also well sustained piece Of acting
HsJawsy was itch as stsrkham Nssfs as the Indian
Chief and Mrs Booth a. Vioetsh his daughter
themselves in their Pective parts most creditaoiy
Fores we've also produced This evening there will be
change in the after piece, ss will be perceived BY the
bills Of the day. PUTNAM, on the last occason wnch
il was produced had a run of several nights, and
grand national drsma has deserved popularity.
ALHAMAA.-This evening is the last night but one Of
the engagement of Herr Alexander, whose magical
powers we'll entile him TO the name of the German wi.
zsrd All his lsgsrdsmain tricks fats of second sight,
experiments in natural philosophy and chemistry, are
performed with rapdity and neatness rejecting the
highest credit upon the performers skill This evening
he will introduce Of his most popular scs, and viii
be assisted by excellent orchestra, % well q BY
strong array OF vocal talent
BowrRY ANPHlrnEATRK.-The attractions here draw
nightly crowds to witness the astonishing feas
performed by the company. Mr. Norths rsappsarancs
has drawn to the circus many of the admirers Of his
tcnishins equestrian fss Kemp, the celebrated Eng.
sh clown keeps the house nightly IN of laughter
by his pantomime, called the " Hsrlsquins Frolcs
The whole plot Of this humorous piece is designed BY
Mr. Kemp, and ii forms the most humorous budget OF
comcsliiies, that be well conceived. II H. rich
ly worth seeing by every one who wishes to laugh
ming 0ossin, the favorite Clown, engaged to appear