Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-12-01
EVENING STAR,
7 Il z D E A n A

"A
There are some fine reflections on the drama
| contained In the following extract from an
English paper:
That which reflects humanity must partake
| its eomplexity, must be modified In like m an i.
Ter by climate and culture, and knowledge
| and intercourse Thus the dr. anna in all conn-
tries has had twofold relation 1t has re-
| Hected humanity in the abstract, and national
| character in particular. 1t has served as a
| mirror both to man and to sections of men
How wildly the Greek is reproduced in bis
| tragedies-free, fervid, heroic, artistic, reli
gious. How accurately the Spaniard. by Lope
and Calderou, in that proud self-esteem which
colors all his passions with such singular
gravity How happily the Frenchman, from
Moliere down to Scribe, in II his shrewdness
vivscity, and elegant skepticism. And need
we say with what vigor Shakespeare has painted
the EnglishmaE, from his Bolingbroke ard
Hotspur, his Bastard and Talbot down TO his
Cover and Hubert, his Falstaff aud Shallow.
But national character is progressive. There
is, first a long interval before it is formed
There is next period, long or short, before
II attains 70 refinement The drama, then
becomes twofold mirror to man, both of that
which is susceptible of expansion and change
What, then, it may be asked, is the relation
OF the stage to humanity? The stage may
be considered simply a mirror Of progress 1t
| reflects the special mind Of the age it belongs
to. ltprssents to US humanity as seen through
the media OF those successive tastes and feel
ings which progress evolves. A national char
acter may be either passionate or thoughtful
artistic or military. Time serves to expand
and to balance its features till they have
reached due adjustment of vigor and grace
A drama will become one Of the records oS
this progress the stage its exponent At each
particular step.
If We turn, then, TO America, we see why
sne possesses no national drama; she has yet
got to develop national character English
In origin, she has gradually become the cTuci-
Die IN which Europe deposits yearly every
possible variety Of blood, thought and senti
ment; and until these have had time 10 fuse
ana be reproduced ia an imperial unity, such
as England herself has already exhibited,
America, who partakes in our language aud
literature, must be content still to saryey her
self IN our national mirror
we come then to the question of the Amer
lean stage-whlsh, destined Of course, to run
the same race as our own, rejecting thu West
eTn mind at every point of its progress, till il
culmiDate in o period most conaucive TO art
presents to US, and especially with reference
to comedy, Mr.. Murdoch as the exponent OF
her stage as il is
We have propounded the rule that the ace
makes the actor and we must assert this with
particular reference to comedy, since that re-
fleets manners in addition to passions We
can scarcely, therefore, consider it a charge
against Mr.. Murdoch that be is wanting in
repose and the higher kind of refinement. The
time ls not come for these qualities Westward
I'LL country is settled, and has attained wealth
and leisure, 1t is clear it cannot develop the
highest features of taste. America is thought.
ful, courageous, inventive and vigorous This
ls her present phase. evolved by her many
and imperative wants; and need we say, that
TINS phase is but a step TO q speedy and still
nobler development
Ii faithful, then, to the highest idea of bis
ume, Mr.: Murdoch does not present to US the
niShest idea OF comedian, We gladly ac
knowledge his obvious approach to il, and the
fuiuess with which he responds to his national
I. pc, In all bis manhood, his shrewdness. his
warmth and enjoyment. Let Us take him in
detail. Mr.. Murdoch is essentially a manly
comedian and manliness, need we say, is =
quality that is never lost on an English ,pec.
rator Of good height and :person, with a
peasant, vivid face, and q dear, ringing
voice, he has all that positive basis of muscles
ana spirit which fully warrants his power Of
doing all ne proposes; a condition, it will be
owned, which wonderfully sustains both illu-
sion and pleasure. There is great common
sense in dramatic enjoyment; and =hun a
man talks OF knocking down -osues CT carry
whether 1t be evidenced or not. Another merit
Is his spirit, which is really unquench bic,
and Il only held in hand, would be among his
happlest resources. As it is, its exuberance
becomes defect, since, in wanting repose, he,
at times, wants variety. Another, and, per.
haps, still higher characteristic, is his tho
rough enjoyment
Those who are old enough 10 remember Ill.
ilston-that most joyous of actors, Or one who
IL most respects was his worthy associate, the
Duoyant Mrs Glover, will appreciate the value
Of this latter distinction Need We say that il
is among the rarest of comic resources, and
tnat while it lies at the reOt oi the greatest
comic success, In kinGling the sympathies and
warmth OF an audience, Ii even touches a
Morsl chord in the excited spectator He who
enjoys art respects it, and quickly extends
that respect to all who behold MIN. He shows
. sense of completeness in becoming thorough
~ identified with what he assumes-a fulfill
lns MS own end, in being true to his oSn gifts,
NHlcn must command our approval while it
a"akens our sympathf0S This merit Mr.
Murdoch pcS~esses abundantly. Through all
ms !ausers and adventures he bounds vita
such an evident sense of delight, ths! 1t really
seems In his worst scrapes T. create moral
immunity. We canno. help feeling that he is
unconscious that he is doing anything wrong,
and es We are soon led to share the fe9iing, ne
are greatly obliged to him.
by dwelling on these qualities We are not
denying to Mr.. Murdoch either art or intelli-
gence. lie has both to great degree, as he
has shown in his Young Mirabel; in the mode
90 varies the several scenes with and escapes
from his afianeed, and the well sustained
spirit with which he encounters the Braves;
the hilarity that plays with the very point of
the poinard, and especially in the manner
with which ne meets his indignliy, his sddden
iury, anu almost as Sudden self possession.
Another fact in his favor is be derives no as.
sistance frSm the plays he has appeared in,
SlS sne being antiquated and Of a question
able taste, and the other technical, farcical,
and very dull in addition. We could only
compare him to one CT his own Western steam
ers dragging up against stream a most un.
conscionsbls load.