The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-11-03
MISS JEAN HOSMER.

During the week citizens have enjoyed the raro OBJ
portunty of witnessing the theatrical performances of
one of the most promising young ladies on the American
boards Miss Jean Hosmer The history of this ladys full
OF instruction to all who would seek distinction on the
stage She did not burst suddenly upon us with the dag
cling brilliancy of shorlved meteor but has slowly
from the obscure mss the horizon till she reached
the meridian and now shines resplendent light in the
zenith of the theatrical armament She belongs to A
family in which genius hereditary and she might have
set her fortunes upon the cast of brilliant debut and
won but preferred to enter the profession by the only
Legitimate portal and began her ascent at the lowest
round of the ladder. Miss Hosmer is native of New
England, and is exemplfcaton at least of the fact
that good thing can come out Of Nazareth OCCASION
ally. Her parents, however, removed to New YORK.
while she was still Child and settled Buffalo She
early manifested strong prediction for the stage and
was very fond of theatrical representations. Much
against the wishes of her friends when she had ripened
into womanhood and finished her education she deter.
mined to carry out the cherished wish of her fe She
went the stage in provincial town. under the as.
sumed name of Jean Stanley, taking her position among
the ballet But, you cannot disguise or repress talent
though you clohe it in rags heap mountains upon
till they oertop Olympus The manager soon discovered
the true metal hidden under her modest bearing and she
was doomed to rise from that moment. Some persons
may smile at US for comparing provincial with metropoli
tan audiences to their capacity to crticise or appre
ciate true art But, why notf The audiences of coun
try theatre are certainly refined and discriminating in
their tastes and thoroughly educated as the mixed
crowds that nightly hrong the theatres of Broadway;
and are as capable of passing judgment upon the claims
OF artist as even the critics the Herald or the World
In fact it requires higher order of talent to succeed in
aprovincal theatre than it does in New York In the
latter city the places of amusement sure to be filed
even though learned ape should be to play
Hamlet for the desire of the transient population to see
all that is to be will carry them into the first theatre
they come to, and they easily satisfied and not
CHOICE they apt to applaud that which tickles
them most without much regard to the standard of arts
tic excellence. While the other hand in smaller
city, where the theatres depend upon the resident pop
aon for their support the have appear before
IN audience of critics very difficult to please and very
eager to discover fauts There great deal TOO much
Difference therefore, paid to this thing called metropol
Tan success An artist that pass the ordeal before
Norfolk audience could not fail in New York
Miss Hosmers fine talents and remarkable fitness for
the stage were at recognized by the public and her
fame reaching New York, she was welcomed to the
metropolitan boards and her efforts were crowned with
success. She at took foremost place among the
leading ladies of the country and hailed with delight
in every city in which she appeared Boston to Nor
folk The old school of actresses fast passing away
the old school of paysand no longer look for
such women as Ellen Tree, Fanny Kemble Mrs. Sddons
Miss Cushman Eliza Logan Julia Dean, and others of ten
years more gonesince the new regime has been
nangurated The. style is totally different, and the
change is very remarkable. We not of those who
believe that everything is good that won respect for
It's antiquity and that bound to initiate and 60 on
initiating our fathers forever This is the age of improve
nent and of novelty, and the stage must progress with
he rest of the world 1t is useless therefore, to compare
he present with the pastsuch comparisons odous
Hiss Hosmer has appeared in Camille, Evadne, Blanca
s Halter and Juliana before fashionable and abpreci
tive audiences here and her presentations have given
he greatest satisfaction. With fne form and ex. |
ressive face, she combines sweet and harmonious
DICE, and the most graceful and easy movement There
nothing affected In her Language acting, but all is
erfectly natural and free from effort Her reading is
lear distinct and correct and in the climax of her pas.
ion she is trngly grand she is soft and tender in
Ter emotions But Is unnecessary osay of her rare
bites. We do not claim perfection for her. nor has
he tho vanity to think herself the greatest actress on the
age but she certainly the most accomplished and
erect artistic we have lately in Norfolk Tonight
her benefit 1t will be her first and last as other en-
ageinents call her elsewhere and people should en-
eavor to do the best they to convince the young
dy that her efforts have been appreciated She will
'pear this evening in Victor Hugos thrilling drama of
creta Borga and also in the captivating little comedy
TITLED Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady. The young
'ntemen of Norfolk should manifest their proyerbal
berality and chivalry this occasion and give Miss
osner an ovation worthy of her attachments as an
nd refinement.