New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-02-01
The DRAMA.
"rHE MERCHANT or VENICE" AT THE WRITER

Among all the plays OF shakespeare, Inc MefChant
of Venice" is the one that everybody understands,
who can understand anything,-and the one that
everybody admires It's plot massive yet simple H.
Illustrates the production of impressive effects by nat
ural means It's Characterization is always clear and
often vivid. Its language is beautifully suffused
with pOesy It's substance and its texture are alike
free from blemish Then too, it fills the imaginat
with rich pictures; makes eloquent plea for human
ty; Tevives in fancy the reality of old and pic
turesaue civilization in one of the most stored of Eu-
Topean cities contrasts the arrogant power OF legal
lied hatred and intolerance, with the suppressed
power of passionate, resentment; depicts young
love in Its moonlight phase of sensuons
pleasure and enfOrCes the beautiful
idea of poetic Justice. That the judg-
ments of intellectual persons shOud be entirely
Harmonious in respect to this dmma is not sqrPrls
ice should have been almost done to death by fire.
quent representation. Few plays have been so widely
acted few have been more thoroughly discussed.
There is no need, therefore, here to dwell upon its
titles TO Animation and we come al once 10 the man
ner OF its presentation ut the Winter Garden. There
may be faults IL the scenery that has been painted
for the piece by Mr. billiard and Mr. William but We
have not been able 10 discover them. II the Hamlet
scenes realized % perfect ideal Of solemn gran
deur; if the Rchelien scenes made up an
| almost dazzhng picture OF ecclesasiical pomp
and royal luxury; these Merchant of Venice scenes
in no whit less worthy of art and Of the stagecon-
stitute spectacle of stately maguificence. Painted
from photographs and other pictures of divers streets
and buildings in Venice they are faithful Transcripts
of the "Sea Cybele." But their merit does not stop
short at the cold excellence of accuracy. The old
world spirit of Venice the atmosphere Of romance,
and the hallowing sentiment OF historic gLeat I
the composition and color of these superb siage-palht
ngs The principal scenes are; Inc Rlalio INC
Church of San Giovanni. and the ltal OF the Senal
by Mr. Whitman, and the Place of 81: Mark ana hal
in Portals house at Belmont, by Mr.; hllIlhra Ne
MaTE o. Tins s iSoW a IN the f T act U When So
rayng in the streets utters his passion ar tle lghe
of his daughter and the failure of his debtor Ia inc
distance stands the Dnca Palace, connected, by the
Bridge of Signs, with the State Prison beyond a
palace and prison on each hand" Very Impressive,
too with its atmosphere of busy 1afflc ana us Sug
gesOns of the stately enterprise OF the IOyai MGR
chants of an age when commerce was NOBLE IL INC
picture of the RaltO. very beautiful bit OF stage,
painting, too is the garden and lake-slOre NleW,a
Belmont, wherein We may imagine Loren%o ana Jea ,
sica gazing upward at :" the glow or heaven" anu
almost hearing the far-oft music OF the ofhSS q"h-
ing to the youngeyed cherubim'
"such harmony is in immortal soulsi
But whilst id MUDDY n ySs S cannot 90 d 6eaE
To saw then that the scenic artists have done for
the drama all that taste could prompt or talent, ana
skill, and industry cond execute, Is only 10 render
simple nstice To q marvel of successful workman.
ship Perhaps there has never been play produced
in This country with equal perfection OF scenic acces-
series; and doubt If the best Shakespearian re-
yvaIs OF London have presented scenic parallel Ia
the present production OF The Merchant Oh venice
! at the Winter Garden. -.
From the scenery we pass TO the acting. and this.
we regret 10 say does not inspire similar enthusiasm
In respect to Ar Booths Slyl0ck it is not easy tn
sneak with precision from the fact that his present
performance manifests considerable uncertainty OF
mind as to his own conception OF the character Inc
actor who expresses himself douDiiulS can scarGeN
wonder if his meaning be mistaken. One point,
however is clear Mr.. Booths Shy,ock OF sew
/ eral years ago was more distinct cOncep-
| ton than his Shyl0ck of to-day. Ii was not.
indeed nearer to Shakespeare but il definite IN
idea and the idea completely presented; IL was,
in brief, the stage-traditlon DhyGcG thht mas come
down TO ms from the pamy days of Edmund hean--i
| Shyl0ck that burns with tremendous passion, ana
makes tremendous noise, and dwells IN region OF
hghlv-colored melO-Iama and never fails TO please
the multitude. The robes of this hbBOck are cont
monty gorgeous his hair is black; his voice Is Ngor-
Gus and his style of lOcOmOtlon Is surprisingly swift.
Mr. Booths jew was of tins order. save mat IL
! was modified by the restraints Of dencatd
! taste and temperament lie has now perceived the
/ necessity of prefcuiug Shakespeare 10 the stage
tradition, and-unless we mistake hnl altogetherL
he is working ont conception OF the character tha9
j. yet unripe in form, however mature u may DC III
thought. lie begins The performance Win "a soi. OF
mcOdumatc effect. The scene opens disclosing
NhJ'0Ck in picturesque posture, standing WIN heS
soEi0 on flight of steps. lie concludes the INST act
| with another antonio and BdSSaniO walking
/ away, having just parted from the Jew; MgOcs
! Is seen looking around corner; ana ShlNihs
/ his fist mt the retTeating form of the merchant.
/ The scene recalls some of Gustye DOreS pictures.
lr is fine and striking in itself. but scarcely the
| Sh.I0ck of Shakespeare. The more massive ones
/ ideal of n great character IN Shakespeare becomes
the nearer we fancy, does he approximate to the de-
sign of the master Shakespeare creations are 10 Dt
studied not merely through their words but through
their actions and the actions as Wen a. tht words
/ of Shyock indicate n great nature. lie il
/ not "A petty money lender, pursuing petty
brew whose passionate heart has unused. for years
and years the of cruel wrong commit AGAINST
his sacred nation His outward life OF rlgld aus
terity cOncCals inward experience OF intense SUI
/ fering and bitterness Without all Is snow; within,
/ all fire Elevated not alone by sad personal cN-
! pcricnoc-thc mysterious discipline OF sorrow. which
rules every one OF in this wOrld-he IL noble and
pathetic the representative OF the unft'tteS'''
wrongs and the consuming anguish OF ms pro'GrlDt',
hunted tortured. plundcred, dishOnored and lumll-
lated tribe "the lshmaels and the liagars OF man
kind" This great nature never loses majesty even
| in the pursuit Of vengeance; bnt moves 10 rs puI
pose with an memorable energy and an auStcIe phP
of d.unemor that bGfit the vOtarY and the a'luns-
traitor of the Mosaic law Sbyonk without majesty II
am important creation and such 10 MS Is Inc present
81 I0ck of Mr. Booth For, not alone IN the ilrst acG
does he allow the ideal 20 sink In the let DuI sig
nificant interview with Jesscd he scarcely even sdg
gcsts that profound love for his daughter WHICH,
| in ShylocEs nature, is a blending 0t Ic!iSlOuN
! feryor with natural affection. and which. there
! fore presents him in the statellest ms well hS the
tenderest of moods. In the great street scene 700;
| affections and a despoiled home has intensified
Nhvlocb's bitter resentment, and has almost driven
! him into delirium-Alr. Booths tempest of physical
rage seems q very insufficient substitute Tor me
/ frenzy of noble heart almost broken and
| a great mind nearly shattered. OF coursn
we are not blind to the specific beauties
! OF Mr. Booths acting. Than ours no
hcartier words of admiration for his genius have
| been given him during the last sly years. BIT wa
/ have no sympathy with the insipid hcroworslllp
which sees only perfection in the works of fayoritn
artist. Mr.. Booths SbylOck has specific merits, and
! is full of fiery Fife and gives many indications OF
high purpose; but-thus far az leaSt-it does not
J Shakespeare. The best single point that hn
made on Monday, and the fullest rrycia-
! ton that he gave of the soul OF Hby'oc'.
was IN the delivery of the imprecatOn, commencing
TO bait fish, withaln In that speech the bitterness
! of wears of nouriShed wrongs breaks forth like -
flood, and sweeps discretion aud every check before