The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-05-09


to proceed In fact, the third act, right on to the
end, whether by Mr. Kean, Mr. Ryder, or Miss
Poole, was admirably represented, and we may air
ly say that the honors divided. Hopeless mad
ness, however brought by ilial ingrstitude "
the passion to be represented and it's cruel excuses
were most wonderfully displayed, with fearful
energy at times, sometimes sinking into almost
childish idocy and then awakening again TO sense
Of parental wrong, that makes the spectator weep
as well az tremble
In the fourth act, as the reader knows, the poor
kings madness takes a new phase He has more
decidedly lost his mental consciousness and rec0llec-
ton than in any previous part Of the phy but yet
there is method in his madness, az witness:-
The usurer hangs the cozeper
Through tsttered clothes email vices do sppeay--
Robes and furrd gowns hide al Plate SIN Win god,
And the strong lance Of Justice hurtsss breaks;
Arm IL in rags, pigmy g straw doth pierce r.
Take that Of me, my friend, who gave the power
To seal tue accueers lips. Get thee gass eyes,
And, Ike scurvy politician seem
To gee the things thou dost not
"A speech of course, that appears in strange con-
trast with the seni-comic insanity Of the few pro
vous minutes
The tragedy however, assumes oonsumnatsly
painful character in the last act in which the tan
derness Of the long neglected but now royal, Corde
liza, and the gradually awaking senses and sympathes
OF the aged king are beautifully displayed, though 10
is still enyeIoPed in the cloud of insanity 10 Cor
della, half unconscious of her identity, he says -
am very foolish, fond old man,
Fourscore and upwards and, 10 deal plainly,
fear am not IN my perfec. mind.
Metbinks should know you and know this man
What place this ia: and oil the skiiI have
RememSsr err no. these s.I%en' nor know not
For, as I am man, think this lady
To be my child Cordelia Z"
But above ALL the notice of the audience was dr.
rected to poor Lears last dying efforts he asked
for the tears Of those around him. and in despair ex
claimed
know when one Ia dead, and when one lives.
She's dead earth. Lend me lookng glass.
IL that her breath viii mist or stain the stone,
Why then she lives.
The scene SURPRISINGLY touching and
when, with altered mien he turned to the officer near
him.
killed the slave that was hanging thee,
Did not fellow
have the day, with my good biting fAchon,
would have made them skip
And then with painfully altered tone
am old now
And these same crosses spoil me- Who are your
Mine eyes are none Of the best.
The last speech, somewhat prolonged and his
death, while still watching over his only loyal
daughters corpse, equally affecting and though,
az conscientious critics We give the preference to the
illustrations of the third and fourth acts yet pity
prevails for the old kings suerings and the curtain
falls not without causing tear to bedew the cheeks
of many fair spectator not to mention the sterner
part Of the audience.
To deny to Mr.. Kean first position in the walks
of the tragic drama were simple absurdity. That
others have not their merits were equally ridiculous
to dispute. To Mr.. Ryder, who played Edgar-a
is due; for he did it-no slight praseful justice,
especially throughout his feigned mad scene with
Lear in the third act, and at the end of the fourth
where he bursts into indignation reading Goneri1s
| letter. Next in order may notice Miss Poole,
whose long experience Of dramatic business and arch
/ comedy, too added TO her fine alto vocal powers,
| gave her the ability of-saving her pardon-being
good, and what nova days rarely happens, clever
fool More than all, however az long lovers OF the
stage, were delighted TO see Kent, most de-
cidedly an important and conspicuous character de-
| lnUn no mall al all hv
veteran John Cooper, whose genial smiles and
active friendship seem 10 have made him even
more active and lithsome than he was 1.-THE Of
years ago. when be was already veteran Of half
century's standing. The part played
udiciousy and with more spirit than is usual with
this old public favorite- the last remnan. of the
| Kembe and Egerton school OF acting Graham's
Gloucester, too, excellent; and as IL requires
more than common talent and judgment, IL deserves
all praise IL were injustice, however, 20 say the
same OF Walter Lacy, who, without making himself
audible TO third OF the audience, made himself tho
roughly and visibly ridiculous TO all by his Quxotic
mode of PRESERVATION: As for the ladies-propery 20
called Miss Kate Terry made an excellent Corde-
liza, thoroughly entering into the spirit of no very
easy part; Miss Heath would have made a good
Goneril, but she has too much honey in Der face 10
| suit the gall of such a character: but a. for Miss
Button, prob pudor, she was beneath contempt,
account of her utter nefciency-a proof Of the
impohcy of making actresses of merely pretty faced
members OF the corps de ballet
On the whole, repeat my visit 10 the Princesss
was a great and an intellectual treat. Az general
rule II IL unsafe TO make the property man, the
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