New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-01-17

LEAH" AT NlBLO y.

The second performance of Niblo's was at
tended last evening by an audience that completely
filed the tbeaier as the first night. Miss Batemans
popuarty Ike that Of Leah" is assured. and We do
no. doubt tina, the play win enjoy n long and prosper
ou- run In former seasons. IL Is not at all WONDER
full that =" Leah proves AN effective play IL has
simple and interesting plot and 1t appeals by strong
and natural msaps, to the emotional nature Hsberohe
Jewish girl. loves Christian youth with whom she
proposes is foreign land. abandoning her people
and her faith Tie consnmmation Of thus passionate
design IL frustrated by the plots of an aposate jew
who persuaes LEANS lover 20 regard her as false ana
mercenary to abandon her. and to wed woman Oh ms
own land and religion. Thereupon the poor Jewess
curse him for his peridy and wan,srs ava! an OUT
cast Years atcrward she returns TO the scene oil her
sorrow meets her false lover forgires and blesses hn
and passes 10 where beyond these voices there peace
In oil these circumstances there is much to excite sym
PATTY. We are summoned TO contemplate misery IN
Justly suffered the frantic despair Of cruelty outraged
love and bitterly huniilated pride; and the sublime
mngnauiriiiy of q nature In which sorrow las con
auercd passion LEANS character also. inspires deep
interest She is proud. passionate Hebraic woman'
torn by conflicting impulses OF religious devotion ana
human love. goaicd Utmost to madness by desertioh
and insult but ultimately triumphant over all earthly
desires. In such n character. developed under the
presence OF such circumstances, there is undeniabo
power and pathos.
The German original Of this drama, Mosenthals
deborah Is much admired. It, defect Is that IT i
NOT constructed In accordance with the principles OF
strictly cassic art Two STYLES combined in IT, the
classic and the popular and the mixture Is not pleas
ant one. Mr. Days American version introduces
some new material. and still further exaggerates the
pppulsr element. Mr.. Oxenford's emendations OF Mr.
Dalys work have not materially changed its character
though they have occasionally improved It's language
II is to be regretted that the critic OF The Londo" f
did not Top OF all the supeiues while he was apout
H. and shortening the drama 10 much vantage. make
ts portra, al OF LEANS wrong md sorrow ana sacrc
single cassic picture. unmiAed with baser matter
However the play in even Its present FORM exerts
worthy influence upon the appreclnt'e MIND ana III 30
far Il 10 I've warmly welcomed. We are glad oil every
thing which tends to check the rising tide oi sensa
tionalism in dramatic literature.
Miss Batcrans present personniion OF Leah pre-
sen,, no new feature Of merit nor any point that espe
cially calls for presen, criticism Her charms ~ al
actress are capabiliiy for statuesque posing ioc
bic earnestness OF manner and occasional pathos Sh'
i, utterly lacking in intensity OF emotion IN suggest
,rness and in repose The character ot Lcab as sue
portrays IT, is picturesque and theatfienhy eheo'e
nothing more. As 10 the minor matter oil eioeu''o"
e.per,euce does hot seem 10 have taught MISS ba'e
man any useful lessons She still speaks Win needless
rapidity clips her words. and lisps Asa whole w
re not able TO recognize her Leah as at all an eArao
binary piece OF acting. Opinions. however diner very
greatly as to this pointirom which fact we deauee 'h'
yell.worn ,rusn that every one has an audience
! TIE II ,MLET MATINEE.
/ Mr.. Edwin Booths first Hamlet matinee
performance will be given at the Winter Garden to-day
a, o'clock AT the close Of the day, when the Ham
LET ia still AS remarked by tic poet Bcaiiie-the pa,
of "Puarro will be represented. Mr.. Barron appear
! ing Us Eo!la