New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-09-26
THE RACHEL READINGS.

4
Nile. Rachel appeared last evening in the first OF
series Of dramatic readings at the Tabernacle.
We have never seen Rachel look more to advantage
than or this OccesoD the absence Of the stage co..
tune and Illusion Of the thester serving only to bring
out in stronger relief her natural powers. Il we saw
ess Of he actress, we saw more Of the woman; but
she bad scarcely as Esther opened her lips, when the
Tabernacle seemed to glide away and the Metropoh-
tan to steal into its plaoe-so perfect the illusion, so
powerful the pantOmiDe, so al absorbing the elo-
duenoe Of Rachel. As Esther Rachel gave u a beau
tul picture Of the God loving Hebrew woman, ready
to sacrifice her lie to her country and when she
kneeIs down to send up her prayers to the throne Of
Jehovah solemn stiffness stole over the house and
the audience hurg upon Der words az they fell from
Der lips fragrant with holy rapture and gowed upon
her countenance, surrounding her as ii were with an
angelic halo.
As Athaleah. Rachel On the other hand presents
fearful picture Of the idolstrous woman. Upon her
every expression ia written the mperious fire which
makes her ready for every crime TO CRAFTY her feeling
of hatred and revenge. The tension and concen
trated impsence which fret her while she examines
Eessiu is yondrous While her lips utter words Of
announcement 10 the child her eyes looked daggers
No staee surroundings could render this scene more
effective than a. we saw it last night Athsesh pro-
poses 70 adopt the child. The child demurs and says
"Ouel mere aui-. here Rachel begins 10 as
sumo formidable look oanger shepresses EeasIn to
complete his answer: " It pour quele mere! at THIS
naive expression Of repusion, Rachels whole being
rustes over with rage and even those who could not
follow the Frer Oh felt moved by the inimtabe power
Of her acting Miss Dinsh personated the child Eleasn
with great propos, and when Rachel asks her VINO
supplies her with bread she recites the touching an
swer: Deu lsssa til smais enfsnts au besoin ?!
with much naive grace.
As Ceirneoe Rachel gave charming airy sketch OF
the witty, high bred, elegant woman, and the point
end enran she gave TO her conflict with Arsnoe must
be seen TO be realized. As che says:
File fat des tsblesu1 couvrr les medts..'
Nsis ellie de 9amour pour lea realities,
The emphasis with which the word realities is pro-
pounced one Of those pieces Of crushing irony net
soon TO be forgotten This whole passage with
Arsinoe was keenly enjoyed by the audience, and
Rachel seemed TO laugh herself at her playfuness
and fascination.
AS Iphigena Mile Leah won well-merited applause
by her refined and delicate uterance. OF the other
performers we particularly struck on this as on
other occasions with the intellectual presence and
eloquent elocutOn Of Monsieur Cherisine. Monsieur
Raudoux should hardly have had occasion, by recting
from book to mar the effect of the celebrated pic
ture Of the famine by votaire, which s familiar by
roe TO every schoolboy in France and indeed in most
other countries Cameille seems to be greater Ia
vorte with Monsieur Rsudoux than Camelle, as on
the opening of the readings in his recitation OF the
stanzas of the Cid, he was highly effective.
The soiree closed with the terrible scene in the
second act of phedre which was rendered by Rachel
with her woned majesty and power. On the whole
we have rarely passed evening of more pure, ele-
waited, and intellectual enjoyment, and this feeling
seemed to pervade the Tabernacle. The audience
was not by any means as crowded as it should have
been on such an occasion. The body OF the hal was
toerably well filed but the galleries looked gloomy
The notice was, however, short, and we trust that
Mile. Rachel-who deserves the hveiest acknow-
edgement for the graceful desire, last night e1-
hibited to consult the wishes and win the favor OF
many whose conscientious feeling prevents them rom
seeing her elsewhere-may not feel discouraged but
afford us soon again such another delicious evening