New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-14

have never wished to raise Shakespeare above those
natural feelings Of servility to which both the period
ard his position subjected him, n this instance he
b'ameess Of this veria stain. Talpoe f1rgets that
the plot was Greenes and the play produced in
james. time, when apology FOR the conduct " the
Royal Harry would b. mos; seriously offensive to the
son of Mary Queen Of Scots.
But If Shakespeare borrowedth plot Of his comedy
the treatment is essentially his own. He ii who
polished and brought ont tn, beauties Of the vein.
Three. too Of the be characters Of the dramsts per-
sore are Of original constructon-the homes; Lord
Camille, the faithful Paulina, and the jester and
ballad-snger AutOlycus one of the richest of
Shakc ares comic creations Indeed the play one
which might have pleased Shakespeare in the Wild
of his most untamed mood, and yet at the same
time rs handling is that OF one whose years and ex-
per,nce lad taught him TO touch the deepest springs
OF the human heart. The scene inspired him with
the glowing beauty Of southern climate, the time
with the thoughts and ancies called up by the conflict
Of the fading relics of old Heathenism with the nroad
Of Mahometanism the one hand, and the equivocal
Christianity of the sensual Scilians the other. At
times, too, strange melancholy through the
whole, softenng the buoyant spirits which the merrier
passages awake without depressing them. He APP
pears to have caught in the audible beatngs Of his
Own b'ait AuC roit ulur4t VI AHt N'ttN "itA-
out; and We feel while reading the closing
act Of The Winters Tale" if wandering
among shepherds tending their focks round
whose simple joys angels watching, breath
lug peace and happiness on the scene and making the
air full of that Heaven that lies about infancy
The simplicity of manners enables the poet to lend
simplicity Of passion to his characters. The imagery
Is simple and the whole full of sweet innocence with
out being sickly; and we rise from its contemplation
with somewhat of that holer and better feeling
one gathers after gazing Ganeaboros markct-cart
or the Infant John of Murillo
1t has been alleged as a blemsh Of this play, and
Shakespeare has been blamed by Pope and other
snarers for his contempt of the immortal unities in
the necessary ntermssion Of sixteen years between
the third and fourth act. The poet sent Time "a
q chorus as his apologst, "asking the audience 10
mpute it not a. a crime since il is in my power to
overthrow law, and in an hour to plant and over
whem CUSTOM" No doubt in the classic drama the
chorus gave law and FORM but it was an alien e1-
crescence in Shakespeares day, a sucker of uncon-
genial nature which might be grated but could not
grow on the original stock. Still custom sanctonedto
some degree an occasional flight. For Perices, now
ACKNOWLEDGED as Shakespeare work, abounds in won
dlous lapsCs and strange leaps. Patrick Ppe too, an
old play Of 1903 exhibits the heroine in the first act as
lust married aud before IFS close presents her lord with
twins one of whom in the fifth act is represented as
full grown woman, ready to be married. But
though the events are scattered over great surface
and relate to a variety of character yet the links
which bind the interest are never broken. The most
struggling incidents are contrved with such cunning
that the story moves forward with graceful step until 1t
reaches the beautiful denouement.
Mr. Burton is desevcdly earning for his house the
title of Shakespeares theater, and we begin to look
forward to these yearly reyvals with the same pleas
IRE as to the coming of Spring; and to his triumphs
already achieved in the production Of the Tempest,
Alidsummers Night Dream As You Like 1t, The
Merry Wives Comedy of Errors and other master
pieces Of bis beloved dramatist have now to add
that of the Winter Tale. And it was pleasant to feel
last night that while French and non-descrpt vare-
ties begct only weary hal-audiences, the chaste and
splendid representations of our own romantic drama
for Shakespeare belongs to all who speak the Saxon
toncue-rich in poetry, in striking aud true delineaon
of life ard character, in maxinH of heavenborn wis
DOM and gems Of eloquence famliarlzed into house
hold words--still ever gather crowds, hold them
ortranced, and send them away delighted. The get
ting up worthy Of the play.
Mr. Burton has given us the original text, with just
as much curtailment as the present taste demands.
WIN Macready produced this piece in London he
omitted the appearance of Time a. the chorus, and
substituted miserable make-shit scene for the change
of clothing between Forizel and Autolycus. Dir. Is.
has restored both these omissions, and also gwen Us
more Of the song-scraps of the merry pckpocket, with
the original airs, which his research enabled him to
discoyer. Every scene was distinguished too, b.
perfect proprety, in which word Is included both
beauty of picture and attention to the usage OF the
supposed period.
The scene in the fourth act, in which is pictured
Bohemian farm, with streams and cattle, and the
mountain rising in the distance suffused with roseate
atmosphere of sunlight was beautiful piece OF scenic
illusion The actors, too were-wondrOus to tell on
first night-perfect in the text, and seemed to be
thoroughly dred-ndividual peculiarities being soft
ened down and the better qualities developed, each
being put in bis proper place and contributing to the
general effect of the scene ike figures in wepanted
picture Indeed one Of the best features of this play
as an acting drama is that it hardly requires a high
order Of acting All that il required Is not to mar the
beauty Of the poetry The prodiga beauty OF the
language, the wit, sense aud pabGs the picturesque
ness OF the and Incidents give 10 this drama an
interest powerful that i requires bad acting to
destroy It's influence.
The characterof Leontes King Of Sicily was person
ated by Mr.. Perry with much effect. He looked to
perfection the ormented and perplexed victim OF the
green-eyed monster Still the suspicious OF Leontes
being more a matter Of temperament than profound
passion, the part would admit at times Of more way.
wardness and spirit in the depicting Of his jealous
humor than Mr.. Perry threw into his wholly one-sided
personation.
Mrs. Parker, who played Hermione, wore all the
saint-lke resignation and calm dignity Of the injured
Queen. In appearance, she was all that could be
rui.hld Rnt ler xnicn rRanfs the sOf music Of