The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-09-04


lifted by the opposition Of the worst of Coun-
ellis.
RAcHEL's FIRST NIGHT IN New YoRK-THE
EFFECT OF HER ACTING ON THE AMERICAN
MND-Mademoiselle Rachel played last night
at the Metropolitan theatre, in this city. We
have no doubt that the occasion was as inte-
resting to the great actress as it was to the au-
dience that filed the spacious theatre from
pit to dome. Her mind must have gone back
eighteen years the night when, at about the
same time in the year, she stood trembling and
shrinking before the very small audience that
assembled to witness her debut at the Coincide
Franchise. The same part that she acted then
Camille, in Lies Horaces'O she played to an
American audience last night. The girl had
come to the full maturity of womanhood, and
stood before an audience the majority Of whom
were strangers to the language that fell in
such sweet and subtle tones from her lips; but
by the mighty magic Of her art she overcame
all this, and held and controlled their sympa-
thies, while she, cold as marble, reigned the
queen Of all.
When we take into consideration all the cir
cumstances attending it, Mile Rachel's debut
was wonder. Although many Of us have a
superficial knowledge Of the French language,
but few learn to speak it, unless absolutely
compelled by the exigencies Of our trade or
profession. AS was said by an orator q few
nights since, when addressing an audience
mainly composed Of Cubans it is unfortunate
imnc hat hn pic1,uo Mt For fhn
irreverent ancients who commenced the Tower
of Babel was confusion Of tongues. It is
unfortunate for us that Mile Rachel speaks
only French, and it is unfortunate for Mile
Rachel that most Of us speak only English. 1t
is also bad that almost all Americans think
Racine and Corneille rather too "cold and
classical" as Mrs. farley would say-that we
generally 60 to the theatre to be excited or
amused and, as we are notaccustomed to high
art there, we are not prepared for it, and con-
sequently do not appreciate it,
Again Mile Rachel's visit has been purely
a legitimate undertaking. Her manager has
eschewed all the usual tricks and humbugs.
He has simply said here is an actress-you
have been made familiar with her history and
position abroad-the price to see her is SO
much, and she will play on certain nights in
those parts which she has made her own. No
auctions-no serenades--no ovations of any
kind.
Another salient point from which was predi-
Gated tho comparative failure Of Mile Rachel.
was the arrangement Of the prices. There are
no three classes in this community. The best
part Of the house should be at one price, and
the remainder at another; and this could be
made lucrative, even allowing the expenses to
be three thousand dollars per night, which is a
liberal allowance.
These are the negative points Of the argu-
ment-those which bear against Mile Rachel
She has triumphed over them, at least in part
She will have the almost unanimous verdict
of the American mind in her favor. She is
the first great actress that ever crossed the
Atlantic. 1t was not vouchsafed to us to see
Mrs. Siddons or Miss O'Neill. Ellen Tree made
furore, but chiefly in comedy. And it is re-
markable that the only great actress of the
age speaks in tongue which was foreign to
| the greatest dramatic author. Shakespeare
| knowledge of French must have been very
| limited; but he is everywhere acknowledged
| as the master of the English stage, without an
exponent; while Racine and Corneille, inferior
ing for century or two have suddenly burst
upon us with new glory, produced solely
by their modern representative Mile Rachel.
We hesitate not to say that to the mass of
the American mind, Racine, without Rachel,
would be q bore, and Cornelle positive
opiate. We do not belong to that school
which thinks that a thing must be very good
| because it is very old On the contrary, Mile
Rachel will attract greater crowds in Adrienne
and Thisbe than in Camille or Phedre, be-
cause Miss Davenport and Miss Cushman have
made us familiar with these characters, while
| the others are strange to us, and Scribe and
Hugo belong to the present day, while Racine
and Corneille are buried in the dust of Roman
monuments and the ruins of Grecian temples.
Scholars may admire them, but not to the cy-
tent of three dollars for single admission
| The greatness of the conqueror is to be esti-
mated by the magnitude of the difficulties
which he surmounts. Rachel has therefore
achieved great victory. Her Sebastopol is
| taken.
| THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY OF WAR IN
| MIssIssIrPI-VERY IMPORTANT CORRECTION.
| The Aberdeen (Miss.) Democrat says that, "On
| the 9th ult we addressed note to Hon. JEFF.
| Davis, informing him of the silly and contcmp-
tble anccdote that was circulating here, in re-
ference to conversation alleged to have oc-
Cured between him and the President in re-
ference TO the removal Of Gov. Reeder, to the
effect that he had told the President that he
had pledged himself to the people here that
Reeder should be removed, and that the Presi-
dent, in reply, asked him if he Davis thought
him (Piercc) such q id fool as to remove
Reeder, and incur the ill-will of the abolition
lists, for the little one-horse-State of Mississip-
pit" Our Mississippi contemporary then pro-
Jucoc tho roply Of tho Gaora.a., sr W.