The New York herald., 1866-12-15
A M u S e M { N T S
Rrondxxnx Thenfre.


Tho simple announcement that Mr. Davenport was 10
appear last evening the occasion Of his benefit
Hamlet should have had the effect OF drawing
crowded house, but for some unaccountable the
attendance only respectable In extent, although the
appreciation manifested for the artist took the form OF
ovation of unbounded applause. Although the
tragedy was well cast and performed smoothly
and well, without a halt or break In any line
or sceno tho subsidiary parts were overshadowed
more completely than by tho unusual virtues
manifested by the Hamlet OF the evening
Mr. Davenports Hamlet Is IN It's main points peculiarly
original and characteristic of his cultivated style OF
diton. Unlike most OF his contemporaries he draws
palpably plain line OF dsmarcaton between the first
and the succeeding acts Of the play According his
conception the noble Dane docs not burst upon In the
first 'stark starng madp II he had been so
born; but at first appears morose medtative, gloomy
brooder deep mysteries and I'll defined maginnps
Of mind oppressed by weight OF thought beyond Its
powers Represented thus far advanced towards insanity
and further, Hamlet in the Of Mr. Davenport
listens in TO the first breathings OF suspicion In the
tale Of the ghost From this point tho madness Of tho
subject begins until the second stage reached
In the third act where. In the with the King and
Queen It reaches It's grand climactc Of fully developed
madness and thence the fire or the subject smouldcrs
on the end as il settles firmly into constant hope ess
insanity These three phases. in which Mr. Davenport
has conceived his great character, are most artsfi
fully decorated with choice readings, fine mod
uations and graces OF action to add 10 the
ment the additional merit OF equal and consistent beauty
throughout In the first the with the ghost
conducted with line effects OF good acting and
careful reading whiie in the second act where Hamles
anguish is sharpened towards Madness h,s
were intensely powerful. In tho third not. however.
the representation grew most powerful in ts intellectual
force His readings especially in this act were novel,
and In ths approach 20 the grand climax,
in the scenc Of the play before tho king. Ham
let's interpretations wern most sklfullv made, the
exquisite modulationg max tho body
mimic scene the expressive bass Of chorus by
Of the great masters 6ls In and explains the sentiments
the effect superb-the swelling OF the rcpressed
madness until II bursts ifs bounds In overwhelming
fury most grsndy Expressed HamIets threats that he
will 'spsak dargers IN his mother Ia well put
ton, aud in snch shows conclusively
that tho actor has firmly grasped the hIt and not the
point. and. moreover, deals with weapons whose he
well knows In this act Mr Davenpors Hamlet especially
shines Ia characterstics nre promptness OF passion
pansibility OF emotion, effectiveness In It's transition
ing rage and sardonc nvecive In the succeeding acts
the performance s quiet moody, reflective. hut never
duil the graveyard scene being especially mterestns
from its positive merits Perhaps the most admirable
point be remarked in Mr. Davenport's rendition II
that he PLAYS 70 the audience regards It's
applause, guiding himself only bv his own con-
vctions and conscientiously adhering 10 his rule
or action. without tho least strnining after unusual
probation This artistic performances did not fail TO
arouse enthusiasm, however, In obedience 70 whose
demand Mr.. Davenport appeared before tho cur
tain after four Of the acts, SUCCESSFULLY. At
moned again. and beng greeted with bouquets
and cheers, made q neat little speech, In the
course OF which hs remarked that on his wav To the
theatre last evening he had wished he Black Crook
in order that he might be success but since his fiat
terng reception by the audience assembled he had
changed his mind and preferred 70 I've himself Mr..
Davcnpst's Hamlet II persisted In FOR a second per.
forman8 would most probably for somo time the
strength Of its novelty and fresh Unfortunate.
lv, however, the puoc taste Is not long subjected
the beneficial tutoring given by such performances
that OF last evening