The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1859-11-09

MRS. EMMA WALLER -GERALDIaE.-The
Philadelphians have been entertained during
the past fortnight by the performance at the
Walnut street Theatre, of Mrs. Bateman's
new tragedy of "Geraldine," with Mrs.
Emma Waller, in the leading character. -
There is considerable difference of opinion
between the critics as to the merits of the
play, but they vie with each OF her in aWar-
ding praise to Mrs. Waller, whose superior
delineations, in this city, short time since,
though so coldly viewed by the mass of play
goers, will be wildly remembered for their
excellence by those who are capable of ap-
preciating genuine acting. We quote few
extracts from the notices of the Philadelphia
critics:
The Sunday Transcript says: Now the
play being all "Geraldine' it could not fall
into better hands than those of Mrs Waller,
who, whatever be the character she appears
in, takes entire possession of the stage from
the moment she set her foot on it. Mrs.
Waller, with the intuition of genius, has
understood the deep concentrated passion,
the sensitive mind, the touching melancholy
OF the lonely, suffering girl who has lived
in solitude, on hope alone, during six long
years, in her ancestral castle. She has fol-
owed with suble art every phase of emotion
and passion. Utterly devoid of rant, yet
full OF earnestness and reality, she depicts
10 ,oll ~. l.:
on the stage, but as it is felt in the depths
of the heart and manifested in real life. The
deep vein of womanly tenderness that never
forsakes &c eraldine," even in her stormiest
moods, and which is her great hold on the
sympathies of the audience, was never lost
sight of for moment by this most accom-
plished artist, the very greatest of all dra.
matte artists Of the sex now on the English
stage.
The Daily Press (Dr. Mackenzie) says
'But if we admire the talent which wrote
the play, we must acknowledge the genius
which personi6es the character of Geraldine
This single creation of hers, throwing soul
into the poetic lines of the author, would
establish Mrs. Waller as great artist, if her
reputation had not been already established
in two hemispheres. There is nothing finer
in eur recollection-a part of her Shakes
perian characterization-th than Mrs. Walters
Geraldine. 1t is full of effect The shifting
phases of the character are brought out,
and the whole of her performance is per-
feet study. On Saturday evening her per-
Torrance was more perfect and thrilling than
before. We must notice, too, her beautiful
costume, so true to the period, so rich ana
SO becoming. We cannot imagine more to
be made of Geraidiae"
The Sunday Atlas ("Colley Cibber' )says:
"Mrs. Waller, who enacted Geraldine, was
an embodiment of the authors creation; she
looked it, spoke it, and acted it as no other
actress en- the boards could do. In all the
quiet and subdued scenes, scenes of love and
affection, she was so natural, so real, that
the illusion of the theatre faded away, and
1t seemed as if she had transported US to the
scenes Of the reality of the picture. But
when the demon jealousy takes possession OF
her soul, the.fury of.an othello was never
more fearflaly portrayed than it was by Mrs
Waller as the Hunchback Bride"
The Transcript says: "Mrs Waller is
splendid actress, and In nothing is her ge-
MUS more apparent than in the interest with
which she succeeds in investing this portion
of the play. = These are, indeed, the
grand points OF the play, and they receive a
heightened coloring and most able assistance
from the splendid defamation of Mrs. Wal
ier,of whose merits as tragic actress OF the
highest powers too much cannot be said in
praise.
NoRSoLK FAIh.-W saw a gentlemen yes
terday directly rom Norfolk, who gives a
most glowing description OF the internal ar
rangements of the Fair Ground at Norfolk.
Our informant says that larger amount
of valuable stock will be on exhibition there
than ever before, and that in the agricultu-
raj, vegetable and fancy departments, the
present will throw in the shade all former
efforts of the patrons OF the Norfolk and
Seaboard Fairs. Pet. i.rs0igencer.
4
LARGE PoTAToE. Mr.. Joel Tart, of
Norfolk county, has ia Used and exhibited
x..4aAoo AM, kao,ox"