The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-07-18
The Trncsdian, Mexican Buchanan,

The recent presentations by the American TRACE.
dian, Buchanan, have become themes Of discussion
and Ct exultation among those who are always
ready to hail real histrionic genius. AS in every
other case too, that of pestIlen,ial mosoui-
toes which always rise from the low marshes and
dirty poole, where envy and detraction lie inertly
offensive, have done tn work during the heat o.
the excitement But all this will have good ef-
feet, because the public have decided, fully and
emphatically, on the subject ld, if we know how
tojudge, by expressions Of satisfaction and delight
Independently of the convi ;ton Of our own rea-
soDs-have forever stamped the tragedian as a
master Of his art. 1t Is of little consequence what
opposition talent and genius meet with, provided
the sympathies Of literature and the drama have
been excited by the trumphs Of the Individual
Taste and discrimination a match, at any time,
for the shafts of malice, or for those mischeyous
arrows which are sent from the hands Of men who
have credit for any true love of the dramatic
art, and whose ability to test the merits Of
ale, and whose relish for it, may be more promi-
nent in their daily lie, than any delight for i'm.
bibing the rich draughts Of the well Of English
indebted" However, need not waste words on
those who affect to discover in an admiration Of
Buchanan the kind expressions Of friendships. Long
before We knew the gentleman, saw the artist.
and promised the American public that there were
those qualities in his first inefficient efforts, which
wosd be ripcped into the very best of fruit
The promise Of the blossom is more than equalled
by the richness Of the sonsummate devclopement
Buchanan has now given US an lago, Macbeth,
and Othello, which take pleasure in re-
He;ting upon, not evidences Of something that
will be great hereafter, or perfect. but porso-
nations Of character at once original, mastery,
well finish ed, and capable Of standing the test
Of close analysis Let US look at his Iago. lie
entered upon the scene with everything in his favor
"A correct costume and with that bold and dashng
air which convi need the auditor that he was soon
10 sec the portrait Of the character Shakespeare
drew. such a characteristic walk in itself, vas
a key 20 the whole man. IL the grace Of the
panther, without the full diplay Of the panther's
faHss No artist, probably. eve7 made his feet
play 20 important part. Ii was unlike anything
else we have seen upon the stage bold design {,
unnag gingly sustained to the last moment. 1t
would have made the reputation Of an artist, by
itself alone. But there we're dramatic beauties be-
| you'd this. We saw, by turns, that lago had five
| phases 70 make up his whole Of villany. With
! Desdemons, he was the gentleman with Casio,
the fellow ssldier-with Roderigo, the man about
/ towI-with his wife, monstef-and with Othello,
| the subservient, time serving knave Az only one
point-snd il was admirably na.ural-did he ex-
bibit to Othello sense Of injury Where OtheHo
doubts him in the third aci, he assumed passion
Of anger and was about TO retire, 1t we're, In dis.
pleasure. A liar, doubted, always acts in this way
and in adopting this new style Of making his first
exit in the third act, Buchsnas showed that be Is
no mere student Of words. but thorough one Of
nature. The subdued voice, the quiet, steslthy
mode in which he approached his yictims-the tran.
sitions from motive TO motive. as the various cha
racters met him, also singularly artistcal and
excellent. From large number Of these, we refer
with pleasure TO the scene in the fourth act, where
he led Desdemona to the dor in the most gentle
manly manner-then turned upon his wife with the
gesture of brutal husband, and. Immediately, as
Roderigo entered, jocularly ssluted him. 1t was
mastery exhibition Of artistic skill, and such as Is
refreshing in these days, when even the circum-
scribed stage Is circumscribed stu more oy the
narrow invention Of our performers, and by want
Of sympathy with what is good in the art The
soiloquies always given, a. they shouldb be- a.
the immediate, impromptu emsnations Of the brain
working up, towards the sequel, the net that
would enmesh them all" Evey reading was nstu-