New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-08
LAURA KEE.NE'S VARIETIES.

We are rejoiced when manager bethinks himself
row and then of revivng some kind old comedy. Sur
feited as are with French icandeaux and ragouts
Il Is pleasant to sit down occasionally TO little OF that
fare that good old people before loved and good old
actors before our time played. We went then, to the
Varieties last evening with expectation of enjoy
ment which if not owing to we trust the temporary
illness of the fair manageress fully realized was Ger.
tainly not disappointed
What the "Vicar Of Wakefield is to novels She
Stops to Conquer" is TO plays Both seem in every
scene full of the personal pecuiarites Of Goldsmith
his simplicity good nature houghtessness vanity and
charity and sotness to have been derived
from incidents and characters that fell under his OWE
observation in youth and had been turned in his mind
for years. The "Vicar of Wakefield is the first book
out Of which foreigners taught English as Fenelon
is the first out of which are taught French, and
"She Stops to Conquer" the frst play to which tho
stranger to tongue is introduced, as Is one Of Mo-
Heres the first comedy we are taught to learn.
When the curtain rises on this play and the old
English couple enter we feel as if visiting some old
spot iu gentle age 1t scarcely needs surrounding.
1t is of those pleasant pictures of human nature
which and then 80 delightfully."- and truly
reflected in the mirror of the stage and which reward
the pay-goer for much empty show and vile nonsense.
The character Of Miss Haidcaste il Of the most
beautiful in the whole range Of comedy, presenting,
it does, picture Of young and beautiful girl.
without the guile cunning art which Is 30 soon
taught in town. but full of that sweet archness and
vivacy which belongs naturally TO woman IN hex
youth and joyousness, and is her ARREST charm. We
should fancy the part specially suited to Miss keene;
and even struggling she was last night with illness,
occasional beauties broke through it, But she natu-
rally lacked much Of that gayety OF heart which she
would have worn in her perfect form.
Mr. Bass bore himself like old squire, and hs
personaton, though wanting some shades more OF
genial softness create the full sympathy 1t should
awaken was on the whole most excellent. The DELI
cacy with which the kind heartedness and feeling Of
what became the gentleman in his own house got tho
better of bis rising anger at the rudeness Of young
Morrow and Hastings was very beautifully portrayed.
ard you could see the wrath the old mans coun-
tenance stealing gradually into polished smile.
Mr. Johnston's was a capital picture Of Long Lump
kin. His selfenioyment OF bis own fun was hardly
sufficiently rich, but be threw great spirit into tho
part, and was the wild, uncultivated, spoiled good
natured over-grown boy that Goldsmith drew 10 tho
life. Messrs Jordan and Chandler, who played Young
Morlow and Hastings, had not scope for acting, the
parts being barely above the line Of walking gentlemen.
but they performed what set for them very cred
itsbly In the aterpiece Mr.. Johnstons personation
Of retired coachman most truthful and NATURAL
and filed the house with meniment.
We were glad to find in the region OF dance tbs
pas replaced by character dance. These pas are
well for a time as exhibiting the excellence OF tho
methode Of danseuse, but they are mere exhibitions
ofgskiIl and power exhibiting the steadiness OF
nltnb and the ease with which the difficulties Of art
nav he suymounted-not manifestations OF inventive
fancy and lively sensation. We never care to SEQ
human beings TUNED into whirggs or elegant shapes
distorted into pair Of tongs in motion or jumper ON
stits The idea Of exerton should never be permtted
10 enter the head. Dance should be apparently un-
studied and spontaneOus-a bound OF delight ana
movement Of joy. In national dance alone the viva
cious impulse Of the animal spirits find vent. mo
Frsnck Is danseuse Of much excellence, ana
if she does not reach the highest phases
of her art performs what she attempts with
case and elegance. She has not the elasticity Oh
muscle requisite to the performance Of tours &c io,os
but she has sufficient delicate hexbiy TO round on
N. stiff angular attitude Of French Postung and u
conceal the echsnis1n Of art, even in It's mechanical
exercise by the flowing phrase Of the poetry OF
! motion.