The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-09-26

In order to accommodate the scrupes Of persons who
bave objection 20 visit theatres but who can afford
10 make compromise with tLcif consciences when dra.
matte entertainments presented TO them in Museums
or other less sinful sounding places, Mile Rachel and
the principal members Of her company gave at the Ia
bernaclc last night what they were pleased 20 term
"readings' from the pieces in which they In the
habit OF performing but which in truth perfect
dramatic episodes everything but the mere accessories
Of costume and scenery. The result OF the experiment
In an artistic point Of view, was may be imagined
very poor and its with the portion Of the
public which II intended TO draw must have been
anything but satisfactory those who suggested IT, The
han was scarcely half filled, and the greater por-
ion Of this scanty audience was composed of
chool giils. The whole affair had cold and spritless
sspect and must have been exceedingly trying TO artists
unaccustomed TO these bald compromises between re-
Rion and art.
lae programme OF the evening offered all the attrac
ton OF variety and interest inasmuch as it presented
Rachel in some Of her greatest parts and in the OK
tremes both Of tragedy and comedy or the selections
In which she did not take part shall not say much
although they recommend themselves both by the merit
OF the works from which they taken and the man
ner IN which they were perforr ed. Every knows
that the "Cd from which the opening was select
ed vas the hfst cf dwc that ssued from the pen Of
1ornese and MARRIED the regeneration Of the French
Language heeect which II created great that for
many years the French adopted proverbal expression
to testify their admiration Of its merits Beau CONNIE
le Cid in fact the highest measure Of praise that
could be accorded by them. 'Ta Famine de Paris, is
extracted from the poem which yotarc eonsecated 10
the glory OF Henry ". a Nenrade) THIS work. noble
IN construction, although absurd In conception mas.
much ss 1t exalts false glory aud conventional hero
contains many remarkable passages amongst which 4,
sne iste.a given on this 'casiu. The from the
fourth vet Of iphigene entitisf ole Sacrifice IL also
ore OF the hnest in that admirable work These
were all correctly and spiedy rendered by the subord
nate members OF the troupe.
Nenow eome to the pieces in wl'sh the great yu9ed-
enne hersef took part. This Is the hrst occasion on
which, we believe Rachel has yeuured on such an
experiment We are inclined 10 this that II win hs the
last Great as IL her scfpossession appeared 10 be
rather nevozs and excited from dnoins herself without
exposed to the gaze Of the audience during the intervals
between her appearances Her dress was sort of com
promise between evening and theatrical costume ART
was exceedingly becoming Three OF the four parts II
r,Pertoye of Racine. In Athae the blood Thirsty anr
pefhdiouH queen, struggling against suspicion and
motsen Esther the inspired and touching wife Of the
ieFocious Aman and In Phe5fe, In which she gives
way to such admirable bursts Of passion hatred aud
o,c-she, as usual brought down the s,ic ap-
plause OF her audience The principal attraction or the
evening however, the most piquant and that perhaps
which excited the most interest the second act of
the Misonthrope" Of Moere Here she passei from The
highest tragic efforts into those corney and in the
tee ofthe coquette Cemene showed that like Gar rick
she possesses almost equal talents In both. STILL In the
whole OF these performances the dramatic Illusion
completely destroyed by the Inconsistency between the
subjects the actors, the costumes aud the locality We
monse ant with the and bgoed prejudices Of the
coDventicies.