The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-02-11
Amusements In Boston.
Correspondence Of the Sprin gfisld Republic

W .. HOTEL, teO. D, lS4S.
Mrs Pierce Butler, as she announces herself in
her card, or Fanny Kemble Butler, as her early
admirers loved to call her, Is creating quite sem
sation IN THIS city, by her readings from Shaks-
peare. She has now gwen some five SIX, and in.
| tends to continue them up to thirty tor they are
reaplng for her not only fame but fortune. Masonic
Temple, where she gives her entertainments, Is
crowded to overlooking at every reading Tho
tickets are exhausted some SO to AZ hours before the
time arrives, and hundreds both strangers and cti-
zens, are disappointed in their efforts to gain admit
lance, Each reading nets her from $3.50 to $300,
would pr to- Of
Her thirty readings would thus net her. at the low
est estimate, 500. And, OF course, she will not
be suffered to s,oR here Already there are calls
Last Friday evening, through the Kindness of
friend, Gall the tickets having been taken up early
on Thursday morning) had the pleasure of hear
The coming Of the lady was heralded by an ell
derby gentleman placing chair behind the little
red covered desk on the platform, winch consti-
tuted all the stage OF the performer Two large yo-
tunes OF Shakspe are were laid the desk and the
buzz of conversation that had filled the hall ceased
Presently, Mrs Butler made her appearance, as
from trsP-door near the platform, ana, escorted
by Charles sumner, she took her place behind the
desk: She was elegantly dressed, as il tor a ball,
wearing rich light silk, with short sleeves andlow
neck; the vaculty being supplied by superabun-
dance OF flowing lace work: Bowlng with infinite
| grace, she put ba ok with her hand her dark and
glossy hair, (Which YVES dressed with elegant PLAIN
ness,) and with slightly affected emotion said 81
have the honor to read the Merchant st Venice"
Then taking her seat, aud just reading the list Of
| characters she entered at once upon the play.
And now, how, shall describe the beauty, the
power, and the genius displayed by THIS woman, by
which for two entire hours, hut with short inter-
mission at the middle, she kept her large audience
bound in almost GREATNESS silence, interrupted
only by spontaneous outbreaks of applause, which
II was mpOssibletO restrain! could not have be-
lieved before that single human voice was able,
h q TTnIa M rIotrf xl.-~
effect. Not only was the utterance clear, istnct
end eloquent, but the feelings OF each actor were
represented most admirably, in the voice, express
slop, name Eand gestures OF the eader One mo-
ment, she was the fiendlsh Shylock, and rage hate
and vengeance ruled In her countenarce and her
voice; the next, the calm, kind, Christian Autono
submissive to his fate, was counte lfeited; again
she was sweet POrtia, describing her lovers to
her maid, acting the Judge with d,gnty and WIS.,
dom, and tantalzIng her husband with the loss Of
the ring which he had vowed to keep till death
The manner IN which these memorable lines were
pronounced, was above panegyrlc; every sylabls
fell upon the ears OF almost GREATNESS audi
tory:-
g. The quality of mercy is not strand;
" droppeth as the gentls rain from heaven,
Upon The place beneath It 10 twice blessed;
IT bles.sth him that gives, and him that takes;
IT'S mightiest in the mshtiest 1t besomes
The throned monarch better than his crown
His sceptre shows the force Of temporal power,
wherein doth sis the dread and fear of kings;
1t Is snthroned In the hearts OF kings
IL IL q attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest Gods,
When mercy sessons justice ~
The next forenoon Saturday she repeated
M dsummer Nights Dream" which she had
previously gwen at one of her evening readings
was again delighted listener. She succeeded
even better, It possible, in this than In the "Mer-
chant oil Venice" Every variety of passion, every
shade of character, was portrayed with faithful
ness end vlgor that showed the master mind, the
genius and the requirements OF the reader, in q
manner to astonish even those most accustomed
10 the representations of the best actors that ever
walked uron the stage. Her appreciation Of the
several characters who acted 6 the most lamen-
table comedy and most cruel death of Pyramus
and Thisbe," exqusitely hfe.llke. SO of
Puck, Helena, Hernia, and all, indeed There
was satirical sting In her voice, as she said -
By all the VOWS that men have broke;
In mum Der more than ever woman spoks,n
that made the words cut deep. But as her hearers
were mostly ladies' fear it was IN great degree
lost. On this occasion, she was led to her seat by
Judge Byngron. of the Common Pleas Court, and
had substituted for her gay array of the previous
evening rich dark velvet dress, high In the neck.
with row OF silver bell buttens down in 'front.'