New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-20
EVANG'ELLNE


II would bs difficult TO find pevson IN this latitude
who claims to have taste and cu.tuie, who Las mol
read I,onpfe,low's Evapgeliue. OF tbs poem II may
be said that while few if any Of its lines contain
apothepns or compressed and trenchant sorrow Oh
ov. wit or wisdom. Jet the effect Of the whole u
dreamy ard delicious. There are two schools, seems
to ne, of writing poetry the one which seeks
each line marvslousy striking and memorable, an the
ether which i,conten with dfdsiye range oil
over the whole, and accompanies triumph by socn
eynthesis. or such latter class is Erangel'ne
How far tie poem as 10 plot and Characterization IS
capable of successful dramatic treatment may Dc
questioned on the ground that the nature OF narrative
poeiry is different from that due the stage; but one
thing is certaintbat this quality we have described Ia
essential even to promise Of success for theatrcai
adaptston We confess to great liking for the poem
OF Eraneelins 90 much so that the mere mention OF
the effort to put on the stage exctes with rs interest
We acknowledge the peril of such an attempt
We feel that the Americans, as regards the drama,
are becoming more and more unspiritua snd unssnu-
mental-tbat a certain hardness OF appreciation IN
Iespect to scenes of pathos and the masterpassion
seems to be growing. Burlesque farce, African and
Caucasian outlaws and "break- downs" appear to be
more relisbed than the most excellent fueney Of the
fearful or impassoned muse on the stage. What ex-
cites a throb of admiration in Partisan audience-
beautiful poetry, even lachIymose sentiment iifs is
sad in the mouth Ct an iupassioned, cultivated char
acter-here seems generally to bore the audience, who
are eager for any comicslity, even that which would
Lot bear judcious warranty.
The most te nder ard beautiful scenes Of "Evange-
lire" put on the stage would by these authorities be
pronounced "slow;" and certainly by the same rule,
some OF the best in Shakespeare would be voted
a bore. For people not welded to "ne2ro-min-
stresy" and the jokes the crcustrdnsferred
TO the thester, the adaptation by Mrs. Bateman OF
"Evsngeline' for the stage ought to be considered
mertorious and for tie most part successful The da-
ogue is clever Some of the ocuariiies are pleasant
The progress and coz clusion good The plot OF the
poem is followed pretty closely, except that the tragic
end is represented 10 the drama a dream, and the
lovers came ont good as new, and are made happy.
Tie cast was strong. Mr.. Jefferson as the droIl Of
the piece was admirable. Mr.. Jordan, Mr.. Pearson,
snd others gave much pleasure.
But jumping over other characters, let come to.
the moot important matterto Eyangelne as played by
Miss Bateman. This young lady is hand.ome, has
good speaking mot siDgne voice, and displays rare In
telliQence in the rendition of her scenes Her more
pathetic efforts were her best She is invariably ruled
II
by good taste and gentle, lady-like appreciation
Her familiarity with stage business is admirable.
Here nothing Of the novice but all of the experienced
actor appears. Her intonaiOn at times is slightly
"etsgey." Itwants intensity ,andthe arfcalreatment
appears At other times she surrendeIs herself to the
author, andObtains success accordingly Sheis great
accession to the stage, and will improve in proportion
as her experience of life grows She was well
received andapplauded by a large and brilliant au-
dieBce.
The scenery and the stage Illustrations are excellent
One scene, that representing the sea with the village
burning on the shore the most beautiful of the kind
yet given in this country 1t is the hghart of scene
painting. Epangeline, except to people welded to
broad grins which degrade the TASTE ought to succeed
There is gentle suavy Of tone, purity of sentiment,
which should commend it alike to the lovers OF good
taste and good morals.