The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-06-21

The appearance of Mr.. Buchanan, ct thu Broad
way Theatre, last week has created . great suou.1
OF discussion in tho theatrical circles Of this .ity
and would give him fair chance for that place
to which his ambition leads him. For the pasS
ten years. Mr.. buchanan has been industrious
student In the dramatic art commisson msr-
chant in New Orleans he has devsted his leisure to
the dramatic field, and having built beautiful thea
tire for private performances became the President Of
the Hstronic Association Of that city At that place
he had the opportunity very frequently, Of appearing
before the most fashionable society Of that metropolis
and his triumphs were many After gaining the appro-
baton of his friends last he visited the city OF
New York, and performed at Burton's Theatre as an
amateur when he distinguished himself for the pos
session Of ordinary talents in comedy Since then,
learn by the newspapers, that he has performed
seVsa profitable engage ments in the principal South
ern cities where he has been received with much en-
thusiasm II these later DISPLAYS of his talents r
md that he has relinquished the title OF amateur
which, IL seems his modesty suggested originally an
appropriate designation and that he has challenged
public opinion upon his presentations of the most din
cult tragic characters.
His engagement last week, gave an opportunity
OF seeing him twice as Hamlet Claude Melnotts.
Macbeth Othello, and shylock watched all these
performances with deep interest and with the corest
possible attention did not shut my eyes to ths
actors fauts-I could not overlook the i'm menss
number OF his requisites for great tragic His
faults are not many. but they positive lie
draws by using sylabiacation that sometimes spells
almest, the words he utters. The elder vaudenhof
aud Fanny Kemble cele brated the same defect
Of manner. IL stands opposed to equal defect on
the other side of clipping syabes of which al foreign
ers complain when they listen to performers.
happy medium between the two Is what perfect
enunciatien demands and think Mr. Buchanan may
easily acquire it. Another fault in asd passages IL
such as marks Charles Keans performances-an inds-
tinctness Of enunciation-a speaking bet ~ee-n the
teeth which indicates nervous energy, but which Is
positive defect These the main faults OF Mr. Blu
chanans style His gestures, also, though emnsntly
natural ana earnest sometimes angular the elbow
being kept at the side and the wrist crooked the
collar homo mannerism introduced bv Mr. Macready,
and expressive of nothing hey ond itself.
Having thus pointed out all the essential faults, I
would In vite attention TO Mr. Buchan an unq
bic merits The first Of these, think is hi, entire
alaido~ to the character which he is portraying In
Hamlet he never for u moment loses sight Of his
personstion lie ia prompt, decisive, natural In
every he is in the vein that the text suds
The where the ghost appears each Of them
powerfully, earnestly depicted. and the originality
that marks their progress exhibits the portrturs Of
no common mind In the lighter portions OF the dis-
log the colloquia freedom of h manner Is beauty
in which be stands approached la my humble opin-
ioD by any performer no~ living. In the dignity Of
his style he 10 remarkable In the grave yard scene
: Hamlet" In the banquet scene in Macbeth in the
bell scene Ina Otheo in his last of 5hylock
this fine quality displays itself with power Ma
jestic and towering above his associates it is MT In
figure alone that his dignity stands forth IL ID In the
mental stature OF the actor who nds the utmost
attention. not only by his words hut by face
BILE With every emotion aud bespeakpg constanay to
the character In every mood OF the scene. strict
spalyss by competent to follow the actor in his
estDg chapter In mental philosophy and IL Is in this
spectt hat Mr. Buchanan be deemed pre-cminenuy
distinguished Though he blends the technicaiities
of his ui1cult with the conception OF his mind,
there seems 20 nothing disjonteo no want of htr.
mony, nothing out of proportion. The pertormsooe
H. always unique. While L was surrounded by some
twenty actors at Of his performances could not
but smile at the desire that his faults should
be noticed There was death like silence when he
psrsyzed his auditors In the third act OF 0theilo"
and tremendous burs when he slipped ia n single
word This Is about fair specimen of the astut sness
of criticism. and mention 1t To show what Mr. Bu-
cbsnsl has had IN contend against
The Herald hiss hitherto been the warm eucourager
OF American talent Miss Cushman recently molly
acknowledged It's underwriting kinduess 10 hrr during
her whole career; aud not doubling that = fair aud
candid nvo~al OF MIR BucbADan's PERFORMANCE would
be- svorably received when there IL evid-nee that
IL only prompted by love Of the dramatic art have
thus given my opinion 1t by no means does justice
to all Of Mr. Buohanans merits, while IL has over
looked fault
The inclusion which your correspon lent has ar
rived at. IL this. Mr. Buchanan Is TOO certain OF .
high position 70 be Affected by any attempts to crush
HIM by odious comparisons" lie IL an m
phi she'd gent. and evidently superior to
the sspirAbis Of the day. that any aud every
opposition TO him will only place HIN In the
mort elevated rank Believing that the Herald wlil,
at fitting time give the public proper ant correct
estimate Of his merits n friend to talent. only
ssh that the new tragedian may have q fair chance
before the public. sPlx.