, 1862-01-21

<'F9S: aplcaftu 1or tHt i!rsi tiIlc IN CElc1T0
last evening at MeVickcr's Theatre, playing
Richard Ill to ono Of the largest audiences
ttlc scasun. Tic curiosity Of the play going
public to know whether the mantle of the
i''H'sstrious l;,ther had fallen upon the shoul-
s'ers If the sou, perhaps influenced in some
,>r.rec tic size and social complexion Of the
honsc last evening, but it is fair 10 say that
...o=c who went to the theatre expecting to
SIC tho lackneycd tragedy Of Richard, and
anticipating 4 good rap while the play
dragged its slow length along, were agreeably
disappointed. Nothing more unlike the old
time representation Of the hunchback monarch
could hare been produced. It's old admirers
hardly recognized 1t.
J. Wilkes Booth is a very youthful actor,
and as a consequence has hardly reached the
point at which full appreciation Of his pow
ers as tragedfan can be arrived at, but to
judge from single hearing, VIC would ut once
pronounce him genius He undoubtedly has
all the elements to hereafter ensure him an
eminent position in Lis profession. Posses
sing in remarkable degree the mobility Of
features, the energy, the frc, the action ofhis
father, handsome form, voice though
rather sharp yet fully under control, and true
inspiration and just appreciation of the play,
lie must become popular and worthy artist.
He has also excellent study, yet his action and
c1ocution do not smell Of the lamp, but seem
10 be in every way natural and involuntary.
The particular portions Of Richard in
which Mr.. Booth ezcels arc the wooIng
Of Lady Anne, the scene in which he sees the
vision Of his murdered relations, and the COM
bat with Richmond. In the Inter he surpasses
in energy any actor NC hare seen since his
father. So fully docs he become impressed
and identified with the character that those
with whom he fights the mimic fight fear him.
In the combat with Mr. Pryor, last evening"
and by the way that gentleman sustained Il
difficult part with credit-he broke the heavy
stage sword used by Richmond and for mo-
mcnt one half Of the audience supposed he
would kill the actor himself. It is this very
absorption Of part aud forgctfu1ness Of self
that rendered the elder Booth the man he WAS.
In this respect the son certainly follows the
sire, yet he cannot be said to copy.
Richard was well put upon the stage. and
Nr. Booth was ably supported by Miss Hos
mcr, Mcssrs. Pryor, Mordaunt, Rainford and
Myers. Should the present star sustain hlni-
self equally well during his engagement, it
will prove one Of the most successful Of the
season. He appears tonight as Claude Mel
notte, in the Lady Of Lyons.
Meeting of the Chicago Theological
Seminary Societies.
The public meeting Of the Societies con
ncctcd with the Chicago Theological senaina-
ry, was held last evening and attended by d
large number Of citizens and friends Of the
| Seminary The students provided literary
entertainment, consisting Of essays, orations
| and debate. The music for the occasion
was furnished by the Mason Society. The
| programme was filled as follows:
! "Mystcry,' an oration pronounced by Mr.
Il. E. Barnes. The orator, evidently, was moi
friendly to Metaphysics. The question pro
pounded was: "To be deep'preacher, must
one be also dark" He answered it BY yerz
clearly showing the distinction between mud
and metaphysics.
Mr. c. E. Dickinson followed with IN essay
upon the subject Of "science the Friend O
Religion Mr. D. did the theological worI
Of the evening in a very sensible manner
debate ensued upon the question, stWa!
the Punishment of Roger Williams from Mas
sachusctts Colony just?" A. L. Riggs af
frmed, and disposed Of Roger Williams will
some rough rhetoric. J. W. Cass came to tht
rescue, and defended the old apostle Of fre,
speech with the spirit Of a descendant in di
rect line. The right Of liberty of speech ii
peri1ous times was well discussed BY both gen
t1cmen.
Next followed m essay upon ssHcr
Power by Il. Durham. The cssayist defines
the term by showing what it was not. Hca,
power was illustrated by . gr1phic picture o
mule cloping with street car: Mr. D. mad
some attempts at Wit, most of them lligh1,
successful especially his allusion TO P:Iey OF
Paleonto1ogy.
The exercises closed with an Grafton by E
n. Lewis. Subject: Necessity Of Radical
ISM" The oTnt1on vas evidently Republican
with tendencies toward Abolitionism, fea
ture with which the Chicago Theological Sen
mary as whole is most happily indoetrinatcl
Mr.. Lewis spoke well. His sentences III
sincw in them, and lie is lucky with the dix
tionary, always using the right word.
The whole affair passed oil cxcellently, IT
fecting credit upon the Professors, undo
whom the students sit. VIC noticed an almos
entire absence Of what the Country Parse
denominated "Veal;'' on the cont1ary r
found manly thought, spoken III Il manly ma1
ncr.
The friends Of the Chicago Theological Sen
mary have ample reason to be proud Of tt
F progress the young gentlemen are making an
the high position IN the theological world
. is assuming.
ATLANTIC FOR FEEnrARY.-Thc Fcbrua1
Atldntic opens with !" The Battle Hymn Of tt
Republic,'' being choice addition to our Wa
Anthology. a new cAapter of Our Artist
in Italy, by Paul Akers, is devoted to Lant
scape Art-of Page, Hamilton, Wild, Brown
and gives deserved passing tribute to Ga,
Of Boston. "The Experiences Of the A. C.
VIC leave the reader to unravel. "snow," b
T. ". Higginson, is pleasant study of Tintr
days, and there is a companion piece in tt
: verse "Midwintcr.'' Agnes Of Sorrento, l
L Mrs. IL B. Stowe; A Story Of To-Day, by tt
+ author Of 81 Life in the Iron MiIls;'' Metloi
Of Study in Natural History, By Prof Agassi;
Love and Skates, by Theodore Winthrop; Mi
: winter, BY ]. T. Trowbridgc; Ease in Wor]
i by Rev. D. a. Wasson; At Port Royal 1855
by John G. Whittier; Fremont's Hundre
: Days in Missouri, by William Dorsheilner, lnr
u Secretary Of Gen. Fremont; Mason and 81
: dell, Yankee 1dyll, BY James Russell 10y
Z eli. Reviews and Literary Nnfices