The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-02-16
MRS. BUTLER AT THE TEMPLE.
Correspondence o. the Springfield Republican,
BosToN. Feb. g.

sDeaf6.
intends to continue them up TO thirty; for they
are reaping for her not only fame but fortune -
Masonic Temple, where she gives her entertain
ments is crowded to overlooking at every read.
ing, The tickets are exhausted some &c to As
hours before the time arrives, and hundreds, both
strangers and citizens, are disappointed in their
efforts TO gain admittance. Each reading nets her
from $3.50 to $500, which at three week (she
gave four last weekly would produce $3.50 to 900
clear of all expenses. Her thirty readings would
thus net her, at the low est estimate, $500
And OF course, she will net be suffered to stop
here. Already there are calls for her from New
York and other places
Last Friday evening, through the kindness of
friend, (all the tickets having been taken up
early Thursday morningl l had the pleasure OF
hearing her. Though at the Temple an hour be-
fore the time, it already well 6led-two-
thirds of the audience being gaiy dressed ladies.
1t was a select sBoston audience" evidently; and
so, having plenty OF time, set myself at work
TO discover the s.fGcidl angles" which were de-
scribed by a transcendental letter-wrter in the
New York Tribune, as characteristic of such
collection. But failed altogether; though here
and there, in the crowd, discovered politicians
who had become noted for the facility with which
they turned angles in their public career.
The coming of the Lady was heralded by an
elderly gentleman placing chair behind the lit
tie red-covered desk on the platform, which con-
sttuted all the stages of the performer. Two
large volumes of Shakespeare were laid on the
desk, and the buzz of conversation that had filled
the Hall ceased. Presently, Mrs. Butler made
her appearance as from trap door near the plat
form, and escorted by Charles Sumner, she took
her place behind the desk. She was elegantly
dressed, as if for ball, wearing rich light silk
with short sleeves and low ne OK; the vacuity be-
ing supplied by superabundance OF flowing lace
work. Bowling with infinite grace, she put back
with her hand her dark and glossy hair (Which
was dressed with elegant painness,) and with
slightly affected emotion said, 81 have the honor
to read the Merchant of Venice" Then taking
her seat, and 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, with but short
intermission at the middle she kept her large au-
dience bound in almost breathless silence, inter-
rupted only by spontaneous outbreaks OF applause,
which it was impossible to restrain! could not
have believed before that single human voice
able, by the simple reading OF play, to pro-
duce such an effect Not only was the utterdnce
clear, distinct and eloquent, but the feelings of
each actor were represented most admirably in
the voice, expression, manner and gestures OF the
reader. One moment, she vas the fendish Shy
lock, and rage, hate and vengeance ruled in her
countenance and her voice; the next, the calm,
kind, Christian Antonio, submissive to his fate,
was counterfelted; again she was sweet Porua,
describing her lovers to her maid, acting the
Judge with dignity and wisdom, tantalizing her
husband with the loss of the ring which he had
vowed to keep till death. The manner with
which these memorable lines were pronounced,
was above panegyric; every syllable fell upon
the ears OF an almost bredthless auditory:
"The quality of mercy is not strand;
II dToppeIh as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath; 1t is twice bleSs'd;
1t blesselh him that gives, and him that takes
'Tis mighties in the mightiest 1t becomes
The throaed monarch better than his crown
His sceplre shows the force oftemporal power,
The attribute to and majesty
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear OF kings;
But mercy is above this sceptered sway,
1t is enthroned in The hearts of kings,
1t is an attribute TO God himself;
And earthly power doth then show lkesl GODS,
When mercy seasons Justice"
The next forenoon Saturday she repeated
ssMid-summer Nights Dream" which she had
previously given at one of her evening Readings.
i was again delighted listener. She succeeded
even better, ifpossible, in this, than in the Mer-
chant OF Venice. Every variety If passion,
every shade of character was portrayed with
faithtulness and vigor, that showed the MASTER
mind, the genius and the requirements OF the
reader in a manner to astonish even those most
accustomed to the representations OF the best ac-
citation Of the several characters, who acted 'the
most ameutable comedy and most cruel death OF
Pyramus and Thisbe," was exquisisely life-like.
So OF Puck, Helena, Hermina, and all indeed
There was a satrical sting in her voice, as she
said
"By all the vows that ever men have broke
In number more than ever woman spoke;"
that made the words cut deep. But as her hear
ers were mostly ladies', fear it was in great
degree lost On this occasion, she was led to her
seat by Judge Byington 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 a row OF silver bell but
tons down in front.
Mrs. Butler is an elegant looking woman in
every respect; and would scarcely be taken for
over 80 wears of age. Her resorting to these
public Readings was probably induced as much
by her own taste, as any supposed pecuniary ne
cessity; for take it for granted, that her hus-
band still continues his yearly allowance for her
support. Even if he were not disposed TO, the
Court would obge him to do it. 1t is certainly
auite fortunate for her, that she has chosen the
plan she has, in preference to her returning to
Inc stage. Acting has become disrePutable III
this country, at least; and few or none, however
pure, go on the stage nowadays, that 40 not
suAer from the breath OF scandal. Equally Tor
innate do | regard it for her hearers. For In.
stead of hearing one part well performed, and all
.ba raet murdered by tyros, as would be the case