New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-07-30
MIR. DICKENS AS AN ACTOR.
Fr.m The London Times, July Is.

Never, probably, in any age did private theatrical
performances attain such high degree of celebrity as
hose that took place last Winter at TGyisOck house,
the residence Of Mr. Charles Dickens: None were &C
mted to witness them, the friends Of the amateur
maLager but 80 wide is his circle Of acquaintance and
go great is the social influence held by many of the
persons Of whom it il composed that the merits OF the
"Tavistock house Theatricals became oelebrat
ed throughout the whole literary and artistic world Of
London. The number who actually saw the perform
ances did not most likely, exceed j0O but most Of
is sure to find listeners; and hence the fact that Mr.
Charles Dickens was an actor of a far higher kind
thGp bad been demonstrated by his earlier amateur
performances Of the best affirmed facts of the
day. Under these circumstances, it was but natural
that when, on Saturday night, the "TavistOck" per-
formances took place before such Of the public
choose to visit the Gallery Of Illustration for the
benefit Of the fund in remembrance of the late Mr..
petion. The Gallery it will be remembered is not 10
the shape Of theater, but ID an obOny ROOM the
length Of which far exceeds its BREADTH aud hence the
inerniuable series OF heads presented curious aspect
to spectator in the vicinity Of the stage.
An audience which is select as we'll as numerous,
and the humblest constituents Of which pay 5r. for
their places, is not apt to indulge IL those noisy
demonstrations OF delight that so freely given by
never was there feeling Of deeper and genuine
admiration than was left by Mr.. Charles Dickens u
the minds of his auditors at the conclusion of Mr..
Wilkie Collins drama, The Frozen Deep" There
descended, and the conversation that ensued duriag
the interval that preceded the farce composed Of
audatory criticism Of details. To gain the COOL de-
lbeIate appreciation of such audience wac no small
triumph. The rineleaders Of conversation on such
occasions are men who, to use common phrase are
up to everything" especially 10 matters connected
with public amusement and whose organ Of generation
is by no meals largely developed. They would rather
grasp al opportunity for quizzlng the ridiculous than
seize an occasion for admiring the sublime. When
such as .hee not only murmur forth their animation
but discuss the causes Of it, who among audience
could raise dssentent voice
The performance Of Mr. Dickens as the vindictiye
and (afteIward penitent Richard Wardour is, in the
truest sense Of the word, creation. Nay, We may
60 further and say that it is the creation Of literary
man-that it is doubtful whether any mere actor, un-
lees under the influence Of extraordinary sym-
paihy with the pant assumed, would attempt to FIJI up
outline with that elaborate detail that introduced
by NJ. Dickens into Mr.. Collins's sketch. We feel
lat it Mr.. Dickens had had to describe in narrative
form the situations Of the Fy0>ea DeeD instead Of
acting them, he would have covered whole pages in
recording those manifestation, OF emotion which, n0
having his pen i'll his hand, he now makes by tic
mn u'est variations OF voice and gesture. Where an
orc haiy artist would look for "pOints Of effect, be
looks for "points of Truth. specimen Of human
ity ID which every twtch Of every muscle can be &C.
counted for is 70 be with all the elaboratoo OF actual
nature, no matter whether il be admired or not
When Richard WaiGour tells the story OF his
disappointment in love, there Is ample opportunity
for much noisy gIief and many stride to the
foofshts, but Mr.. Dickens dares to keep down his
voice through the whole of the narrative. The effect
II ay BE- mono toDous-but what OF that He who
talks not for the sake Of display bat simply that he
may relieve his mind from an oppressive aud almost
bumatiDg burden, will necessarily be monotouous.
A man louder under tie sense Of wrong would have
sxoit, less asness in bis cohhdant. But such
man az Mr.. Dickens presents-a man sirong in the
command of his voice. but weak in sUppressng the
language of his eyes and facial musolcsa MAJ aese
constant attempts TO hide the internal storm By sch,
sin ulatiors OF good fellowship only renders con.
spcuous the yasness Of that which be would conceal
"a man who has habit Of losing his temper 10 a
manner that mere external circulns do not war.
WardouI, as depicted by Mr.. Dickens in the second
act Of Tie Frozen Deep, is the most perfect repre-
sentaon Of logged vndictvehess that the Imagination
could conceive. $500
In The third act 80 intricate is the web Of emotions
that be uliolds, that in verbal description NJ more