New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-21
THE DRAMA.
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.


Whether it was the love of that mischief
which abounds in The Grand Duchess Of Gerolsten"
whether 1t the sentiment OF benevolence, which,
as the Christmas season draws near may be supposed 10
agtatc the human race cannot undertake to decide
But motive the other, BOTH prompted great
number Of people TO go to the Academy Of Music ast
night The house densey crowded and it is seldom
that gay audience in any theater that
which greeted last evening. The Grand Duchess" and
the Ballet The French Benevolent Society must havo
proAted very largely by this performance We cordially
hope so, for 1t Is well known to be one OF the best
institutions OF its kind in New-York or the perform
that was given 1t Is scarcely needful TO speak;
yet bear willing testimony TO the unusual
spirit with which "Tho Grand Duchess interpreted
last night The novelty Of the occasion and OF tho
roundings seemed to inspire the artists with renewed
zeal Mile Tostee all herself the Duchess, albeit
her voice has certainly suffered by the illness she ha4
lately experienced More than once as her surprising
buOyancy strove TO assert ITSELF reminded OF
the old poetic predcament OF Ariel in the coyen pine
tree In spite OF weakness however she infused soul
mrth into the representation and several times swept
the audience Into tumult of joyous applause The cast
Of parts was the to which have so long been
custOmed at the French Theater. NJ Leduc again de-
lighted good taste by his finished and elegant personaOn
of lie Prince Paul This is uncommon actor, and wo
especially advise the critical spectator TO study him. M
Duchesne az General BO0a should likewise be mentioned
here as having manifested delightful vvacity In
his acting last night And here il may be fitting TO re-
mind the reader that the lastinights Of The Grand
Duchess are at hand. There will be Matinee to-day.
and this opera will be given every evening next week
excepting Saturday. On the latter day hr Batemsn
leads his conQuerng musical host TO Boston. Oh ths
dancing that so arseablY closed the entertainment lass
night we can only say that as bewiderng as tns
Ballet usually IS to the lovers OF Ballet and that IL was
hailed with the warmest enthusiasm Nile. Morlacch'
QQ1a EnnU 70
euted La Danse de LAbeile;" Mile Danl appeared ~
a Polka Hongrose:" and Miles. MOracchl ana blesni
performed La NepOlitaine." These airy ana resDenu
ant beings are-to borrow the old poetic smile-ths
roses of tho wilderness left on the stalk 10 snow Whero
few OF the golden flowers Of beauty stu remain ms
ought be comfort to intellectual New-Iork ~ cor
taiuly material benefit TO perseverance, mst nsh''
CHARLES DICKENS.
Mr. Dickens finished, last evening, his second
course OF readings at stenway Hall, but Will give an
extra matinee to-day He has listened TO by crowds
of delighted auditors nor they been idly delighted
Mr. Dickens may not either perfect actor or perfect
reader No man makes himself supreme In any one arr
by devoting his life the service Of another But Mr.
Dickens has interpreted his works in his own simple
characteristic way and has made us laugh and made US
cry and entirely captivaed our admiration And that
victory enough. His readings OF "Dombey ana Plck-
wick last evening" although Is the least striking OF tho
series was received with frequent and hearty paaas
To-day he will read from David CoppefneI9, anu tno
exGnisite sketch of Boots at the Holly hee Inn"
MATINEES TO-DAY.
"The Stranger" may be wept over, this after
MON "A Barnums Museum Tost6e will sing in q" Ths
Grand Duchess =" at the French Theater. "The BlseE
Crook" with the addition OF Mile sohke and other Sc
eeders from the late Golden Branch" ballet may DO
enjoyed AT Niblo's Garden. Pfau will astOnish msnhnd
at the Circus He to make his last appearance there
Tonight Mr. Nast's "Caricaturama" may %
seen at nodwOrth Hall. The beautiful drains
Of "Dora will be acted at the Broadway
Theater Nh. Dickens will read at steinway Hall. 90 hq
Pilgrim at Bunyan Hail. will be shown as usual Prices
have been reduced. At the Olympic "A Midsummer
Nights Dream which ought to have crowded mouse.
and which always rewards its audience. -" Under tne
(aslightp will be acted at the New-Iork Theater 80
much for the Natinees We have TO remind our readers
that The Rvalsp will be repeated tonight at EaacSs
Theater. and that BanvaTds Opera House VIII DO 10
opened with Our Mutual Friend"