The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-03-23
VOL. IX.-NO. 81.

ADJUSTMENTS IN characterization of
Shakespeare by Mrs. Bafisr.--Mrs. Pierce
Butler, AS she announces herself in her card.
az Fanny kembIe Butler, as her early ADM.
rers loved 10 call her, is creating quite a sen.
salion in this city, by her readings from
Shakespeare. She has now given some five
or six, and intends to continue them up Ia
30; for they are reapinS for her not only
fame but fortune. Masonic Temple, where
she gives her entertainments, is crow dcd To
overlooking al emery reading. The tickets
are exhausted some &c to as hours before
the time arrives, aud hundreds, both stran.
gers, aud citizens, are disuppoints d. Ia their
efforts to gain admittance. Each readinu
netts her from $3.50 to $500, which, at three
week, (>he gave four last week, } would
produce $50 TO $500 clear Of all expense.
Her thirty readings would Thus nett her, AZ
the lowest estimate, 81 800. Aud, Of conrss,
she Will not be suffered TO stop here. A.
ready there are calls former from New Yu,k
and other places.
Last Friday evening, had the pleasure
OF hearing her. The coming of the lady waS
heralded by an elderly gentleman placing a
chair behind the little red covered desk On
the platform, which constituted all tie stag.
Of the performer. Two large volumes Of
Shakespeare were laid on the desk. and the
buzz of conversation that had filed the hall
ceased. Presently Mrs. Butler made her
appearance as from trap-dcor near tie
platform, and, escorted hy Charles SUMMER,
she took her place behind the desk. She
was elegantly dressed. MS if for a ball, wea,-
ing rich light silk, with short sleeves aud
low neck, the va6u'y being supplied by a
supcrabrndance OF flowing lace work. Bow.
ing with infinite grace, she put back with
her hand her dark and glossy hair, (Which
was dressed with elegant plainness.) and
with slightly affected emotion, said. II have
the honor to read the Merchant Of Veuice.o
Then. taking her scat, and just reading the
list Of the characters, she entered at cnce
upon the play.
! And now. how shall a describe the beau
'y. the power, and the geniu. .iisplayedty
This woman. by which Tor two entire hours.
but with short interuission at the ,ni,ldc,
she kept her large audience bound in almost
hrea'hles> ''tnce, interrupted chly by .pOn.
'aneou' outbreak, at applause, which il VAS
impossible 10 restrain. could not have
believed hriore. that u single human vuire
was able. by the simple reading ora play,
T." produce such al efitci-N Not only WAS
the utt'rarcr cl,nr. distinct and eloquent,
wv wv '''IhU> gu "a u aClHf W ere fepteAfn.
ted most admirably. in tie voice, express.
ion, manner and gestures Of the teatlrr.---
One m0men,, she was the ficud 81 Sh, lock
, and rage. hate aud vengeance ruled III her
ronn'r nance ana t,i voice tie next, tie
calm, kird, Christian. Antonio, Submissive
TO Iii, fate, Mas counierf,i'ed; again she
was sweet Poria. describing Yer loN erx tn
her maid, acting the Judge with dignity and
wisdom, aud tautalizing her Husband with
thrlcss If the ring which hc had vowed to
keep till death.
TIL" next forenoon Saturday she rersst.
ed 'tMii'ummcr Nights Drrom," which
she had previously given at one of her eve
ming readings. ! was again a delighted
listener She succeeded even better. il DOS.
siblr. in this than in tho "Mercbant Of Ven.
ice." Every variety Of passion, every shade
Of character, was portrayed with faithful.
ness and vigor that showed the master mind,
the genius and the requirements of the
reader, in a manner TO sStonish even those
most accustomed TO the representations Of
the best actors that ever walked upon the
stage. Her appreciation Of the several
character who acted "he most lnmentahle
comedy and most cruel death Of Pyrsmus
and Thisbe," was cEquisi,ely lifelike. So
If Puck, Helena, Hernia, aud all, indeed.
There was a satirical sting in her voice, a.
she said -
"Gy MI the vows that ever men have broke;
! In number more than ever woman spoke"
| that made the words cut deep. 10