New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-17
Mr.. EDWIN BOOTH As "I8GO."

Three four years ago, benefit was given ~ wal
lack Theater TO Mr. Henry c. jarrett; the play was
Othello, with Mr.. f.. l.. Davenport as the Moor and
Mr. Edwin Booth as IagO. The house was iammed 20
its utmost capacity, and although Mr. Davenport was
great fayoie here, and Mr.. Booth comparatively IN.
known, the youthful Iago Of the evening adudged
to have carried off HE full sbare Of the honors Of the
occasion Striking and original Mr. Booths perform.
ance was at that time, hut it was then mere SKETCH
possessing certain salient points of unusual power but
weak in the filing upa Characterization telling, but
rough, unfinished, and uneven.
On Saturday night Mr.. Booth again eSsayed the sub
tie Iago with success TO the full great on that
former occasion, and winning from the audience full
measure of unstinted prase. The difference between
the Iago of Saturday night and him Of three years ago.
is plainly perceptbe the character has lot nothing Of
its holiness, and is far more carefully elaborated
Perhaps the strongest feature Of Mr.. Booths Iago, IL
his 7lauSbLeneSs-he is nc vulgar, meodramatic VIII
lan full Of scowlngs and writings transparent in
his malice that Othelo could not fail TO motives; he
does not go raving up and down, rantiDg his devsh
designs at the top Of his voice, in believing tones that
would indeed have frighted the whole Isle Of Cyprus;
be is no slouched-bat and dark-lantem scoundre
proclaiIning 10 the world his intended villsiny in
gruf stage whisper, and bearing his character writ
upon his vieage with all the malignant power that
resides in blackened eyebrows and burnt-cork scop
AFR. Booths Iago is different sort Of gentleman. lie
is gentleman in dress and bearing aud with facility
Of adaptation, making him all things 10 all uen, that
gives him hold on the minds Of all with whom he
comes in contact, that enables him 10 compass his
schemes Of vengeance by that thorough knowledge of
human nature that makes the men with whom he
works but face tools in his hands Of which he has
the complete and perfect mastery. His demesnor
changes with every varying scene and 10 no two persons
of the drama is his bearing the To 0thello his
superior N rank is deerentsl; to Cassie, his rival
he - rsI~,ct maintains the tone Of familiarity
that h.rrs 81 ,1usi 10 Rodengo be is the jocnnd,
joyai l,a O.. superior, aud TO none she other than
ptasau, Dt'e ,nan.
W. sca space TO give full analysis OF his acting
but wouio specify the most striking and decately
excellent the great scenes at the third act where tie
whole instillmsnt Of the poison Of jealousy into the
mind of Othello lie done with peculiar, quiet art
which makes Otheo rather infer the worst than Iago
suggest IL the acting Of Mr.. Booth through this entire
act is most impressive and ten times from de
fact that the whole cooquy s conducted his part in
voice that is never raised above the ordinary key If
conversational Tone In the fifth act in the last scene
after he mas delivered his final speech no rivets the
eyes of the whole house on himself during The prog
ress Of the whole sccne acitbom spCakiag tcOyd,
presses seres of varying emotions that plainly
read in his face the forcible words could
prese them; and through the physical anguish OF bis
wound from 0theo, he expresses il his looks tri-
umph Of malignant gee that s the browning point OF
Of the finest pieces Of acting on the New
York boards. We have never sen an actor with such
tremendous power 10 simple action, with such CO.
pabGty of expressing conflicting feelings and deep
emotions by the expression of the eye and face Mr.
Booth. There are meuy other fine points in his acting,
and a whole it is the best iago We have known FOR
many years, and ia by Tar The ablest Of Mr. Booths
presentations thus far.
TIE rest Of the east needs little moniionihe ladies'
Ar, both well enough, The BrabaDtiO excellent.
The entire audience, we apprehend, thoroughly sym
pathized with the unfortunate Mr.. John DyOu, who
undertook Othelo it perfectly apparent that it
il character for which be possesses scarcely single
ratification.