The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-09-26

full, hslf-fearful power-that strange, welrd-hke
fascination, which so enchain one in "TBE SCAR
LET LETTER . while, in the warm fulness ana
quiet scorn of the lips, we re-read that memorable
preface wherein the play Of delicate fancy ana
a delicious humor alternated with cold, sharp
strokes of merciess satire.
MIR Hawthorne is, according to this portrait
singulary handsome man but his face wears an
expression of Inconsistencies, or rather disdain,
Of his beauty.
Finely contrasting with this picture is one Of
the poet Longfellow. This, taken some ten years
since is still strikingly like the genius and the
gentleman. Over the face is spread the glow Of q
genial and harmonious nsture-his eye seems to
CLEAN sunnily, rather than to lighten-snd his
Inns seem moulded by the gentlest human atiec-
tons.
Mr.. Thompson has also some fine portraits Of
the New York literati. That Of Bryant is full
of character-having q sort Of severe earnestness,
a grave simplicity, the depth and repose OF ge-
MUS and the most wonderfully life-like portrait,
| think that have ever seen is that OF Hoffman.
Mr.. Thompson is very successful in crayons.
| He has lately executed one Of our friend, Helen
Irving which is much admired for its beauty and
a certain thoughtfulness and spirituality of ex-
preston. The very light of the soul is about the
! low, Grecian brow.
J To return 10 orr Boston visit ln the evening.
/ we went with party of friends to see Charlotte
! Cushman as Meg Merrilies. Ii was great treat
! for us all-aside from the Richard Of Booth, the
erandest personation | had ever seen. IL was
throughout magnificent display of power, and
wrought one up to q fearful pitch of excitement.
/ can hardly conceive of anything more terrible
! than the death scene, or more touching than the
diving tenderness of the old Gipsey Queen for
Harry Bertram her s. bonnie BARN" Miss Cush-
man is indeed wonderful woman Her acting
has an almost superhuman strength as well from
her great physical vgor, as from the intensity OF
her passion Her voice is the outgoing OF an
overmastering power-a wave Of her arm has all
the force of fate--her glance paralyzes and sub
dues If ever an eye shot lightnings, hers does,
in the scene where, as Meg Merrilies. she, with
one awful look, arrests the descending blade OF
the smuggler.
When, after the play, the great actress obey
| ing the tumultuous call of her admirers, was led
before the curtain, and her pleasant, winning
smile warmed our hearts toward her, we found 1t
difficult to believe her the same Gipsey hsg
whose terrific laugh had so lately frozen all the
blood in our veins.
The season being about over, |, having laid by
a good stock of health and strength, really intend
going to work seriously upon such trifies as lie
in my line mean 10 keep in the quiet and
prove myself pattern of industry. Sometime
next month however, may indulge in 9n|isit TO
Boston, when / shall stay with DUR friehN AT tine
Adams House You will not soon forget that
quiet, orderly, and home-like hotel To me- 1t is
almost the only public house in which feel de-
cidedly comfortable. In its neatness and simple
elegance, in the polite attentiveness Of its pro-
prietors and servants it forms an agreeable con-
trast to some more famous, snowy, and noisy ho-
tells; for instance-if | may be allowed TO give a
name just by way of illustrstion-the celebrated
Aston House, at which stopped for short time
on my way East, expecting wonderful things, and
can hardly say | was disappointed-for ! GER
tainly found it q great, grand building, with Q
granite front, where strangers are taken in y
and done for.
As you perceive from the unredeemable dulnes,
of this letter, am living a most uneventful sor
of a life. Such communications are really no
worth the wear of type but if in the future any
thing of interest turns up in my rides drives
rambles, or brief journeyings, will not fail t.
faithfully report. Truly yours,
GRACE GREENWOOD