New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-11-29

in this picture on which we found hope that Mr.
Diehl may some day do work that can be cordially
praised. In his conception of the scene he has tried
TO avoid theatrical arrangement has conceived it.
mean, in a way that could not be represented on
the stage and he has also endeavored TO concentrate
ali the interest of the scene in the faces of the
principal characters. Duncan and the grooms are
introduced for the sake of telling the story COM
pletely' but they are made purely accessory. and
nothing else in the picture neither the architecture
nor the costumes necessarily attracts the eye from
the faces of Macbeth and his wife. If they do not
hold the eye and mind of the spectator it is not be-
cause the artist did not mean that they should His
want of power, and not his good will is to blame
In his anxiety, however, to avoid theatrical ar
rangement the artist has fallen into the error of
making the situation highly improbable, if not i'm
possible. Macbeth stands upon landing in a spiral
flight of stone steps At the back part of this land
ing is the bed of Duncan in alcove and the rooms
are lying asleep the floor at the side of the bed on
which we can plainly see the murdered king AS If
to show that this is landing and nothing more the
spiral stairs seen continued above although ex-
acly how this is accomplished archtecturally is not
very clear to our minds But that is not of so much
Importance as is the fact that there is great want
Of dignity in lodging Duncan in this fashion. When
bed in alcOye in the entry nor even in little bed
at the head Of the back stairs. Indeed, we are
quite at a loss TO know why MIR. Diebl insists upon
making this meeting take place upon the stairs, at
all. 1t is the last place in the world that should
have thought Of but then, we are not Germans, and
are quite content to take notion of tine from
Shakespeare who makes il transpire in the court of
the castle and if the stairs to Duncans chamber
then at their foot and not upon them. The only
hint of stairs that we remember is contained in one
word in Shakespeare;
Macbeth. have done the deed-Didst thou aot hear
nosel
Lady Macbeth heard the owl scream. and The crickets
cry Did not you speaki
~ when
L. Now,
IT. As deseededI
i. Az.
We suppose this word, descended gave Mr. Dehl
the hint of his arrangement, but we cannot think it
a happy suggestion. 1t is equally opposed to the
truth of Shakespeare and to the truth of nature
One word more, and we will have done with fault
finding. Out of respect probably, TO Duncan, who be-
side being a kingwas an old man. and may have been
troubled with cold feet Mr. Diehl has placed a strip
of carpet on the landing and has economically car
Tied it further down than the second step. This,
however, two steps TOO far since ii obliged hiIa
to add to the anachronism of putting a carpet down
at ALL the further sin Of antedating starrOds by
erGl centuries. Lady Macbeth has, also. by some
means. we are at loss TO explain. succeeded in
scssing herself of blaeklace shawl which, though
they are common enough nowadays, no king in
Europe could possibly have bought at that time if
he had pawned his kingdom. seeing that the thing
did not exist. 1t may seem like bypercritcism to OBJ
jet to these things hut they make an important part
of the deficiency of the work, and We mention them
because. somehow, the picture, while it is failure
almost absolute both in conception and in execution
inspires real respect for the artist 1t is the failure
of beginner, who has set his hand and mind to too
large task but he has, at least worked seriously;
he has respected his art and he has given promise
Of certain valuable qualities. lie has aimed high,
and has failed; but, then. as Sidney says. "Whoso
aims at the sum- though he be he shall never hit
the mark, yet he is that he shall shoot higher
han who aims but at a bush"