New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-11-07
TIE DIANA.
wALLACK's THEATER.


The second representation, this season, ~
Massinger's we-knOwn drama Of 4" New Way TO Pay
Old Debts" given last evening. at wallacks Theae
The house comfortably filed but not crowded snd
tho piece was received with Intelligent and apprecatye
applause 1t is thoroughly familiar to every habltuli
theaergoer To say word about II, Indeed, would
be to accomplish difficult task Dramatic critics how
ever like actors rest under most exactng dutyo
treat every play matter how hacknied, H. at the
moment OF writing it had presented Itself for the first
time That duty is by no means always performed-dnd
it Is especially difficult of Performance IN the case OF
New Way TO Pay Old Debts" We are not ardent IN
admiration Of this old drama; but its positive
merits-which have kept It alive for nearly two
centuries-are not TO DO disputed There -
immense cleverness in its construction. 1t hii
the stage like glove. There is strong and varied
characerpainting in it, also Municipalities that are fairly
typical OF the tlmo which the action OF the play IS
placed Then, too the blank remarkable for the
earnestness with which it is frcghtcd aud the smooth
ness with which, for the most part it Is finished II We
add the plot terestng and that the great dra
matte OF elimination is illustrated in several sltu'
tons each Of which surpasses ITS predecessor IN strength
and point shall fill up the catalogue of ITS morris As
to its faults they conspicuous as its beauties
certain coarseness incidental to Massinges age, ~ the
worst defects The antquated fashion OF the play
is also somewhat adverse to its acceptance In oUt
tlnie When all is SAID, however, "A New Way TO Pay
Old Debts" is sufficiently vital to awaken aud to hold
that the public has always felt Is that 1t affords occasion
for good acting Of the parts In it have been for
many actors. days past the steppngs 10 lame
Sir Giles Justice greedy Mural, Weitbora, Lazy Az
icorh Margaret OUereaeh, and even Furnace are stock
characters upon the stage We prose- however, in sayiag
this Everybody has recOleotiOns OF Sir Giles IL was
George Frederick Cookies great part The elder Booth
was famous IN it, Edmund Kean aurels by its inter
probation In day 1t has, perhaps, no representative
equal 10 either Of those but in the hands Of Mr Ed"h
L. Davenport finds extremely intellectual interpre'a
ton His persOnatiOn Of the part, bowbeit, needs
neither present description praise. IL hss
long been familiar to votaries OF the stage IL
has been thoroughly discussed aud it IL warmly
and deseryedly admired The chef charm OF II, we
think is its fine. indomtabe intellectually IL Is dis
tinct by reason OF its mental power The eradloh III
is intense but it is not demOnstrstye aud Is therefore
less conspc than the thought The spectator VINO
Judges by its effect on tho sensibiltes misses
,nueh of its merit To thinker it is uncOmmonly oo
guent The audience at Wallaeks Jheater last night
were especially moved by Mr Davenports acting In tho
fourth and fifth OF the drama. In the latter he was
remarkably powerful The bafed rage. the awful dying
frenzy of an utterly evil cruel nature interpreted
by him with lurd vitality that bespoke the nne mag
natOn and deep poetic heart not less than the nrn
sure and imperial intellect. Among the subsidiary per-
sonations may especially single out Tor praise Hr'
Gilberts Justice Greedy which has long been famous Tor
its unetuous humOr. and Mr. Stoddarts Mara"
The latter is new stage We believe, indeed that
Mr. stoddart TO the part He nils 1t admirably
His gtantness which has always been one OF the most
delicious qualities in his acting, finds most pleasing oh'
preston in IT, and his earnest fidelity In working on
every detail likewise seen in 1t 10 great adHahtase
The character extravaganty drawn and for that ex
trayagance the critic must mako due allowance. Wesa"
Mr. st6ddart MaaH for the first time last night aeei
dent having prevented from seeing the first presen-
taon of Sir Giles at this theater last week. and there
fore we now improve first opportunity to welcome
,,,,, WaIia stage ia A
sweetness in this actors humorthe reflex doubtless, OF
his tempeTament-whch strongly commend hun To SYM
pathy lie will be able to show his powers upon this stage,
and we doubt that brilliant future awaits him
here Mr. Rnggod played Weiiborr last evening, part
hitherto played here by the "Banquo whom we miss
Mr. Charles Fisher and in this in all OF Dit Rnggods
recent personatons there percepbie that dngent
study constancy Of purpose, decaoy Of sentiment ana
ueness TASTE which show him to be surely on tho road
TO distinction Mrs Jennings was the sweet and winning
representative OF Margaret OreTeaeh and Miss Morans
was as hitherto the efficient personator OF Lazy AHcor
Mr. Polk IA AHtrorth and Mr.. Rockwell Lord LOreu.
presented slight with and ease Tonight
Tho Honeymoon will be acted here for tho first tme
this season.
DRAMATIC NOTES.
Three novelties attract the pleasure seeker to-
night one is the Hon Mrs. Yeverton's First Readng
at Irving Hall The second is Miss Janauseheks rst APP
pearapce at the Academy of Music. in The Gladiator
Of Rayenna" The third Is the revival OF The Honey.
moon" with remarkably strong cast OF character
Waack's Theater. AT the other theaters no piesehe
change is TO be noted.
Only three opportunities remain of hearing
Mr. Arthur Sketchley, Mrs. Br0rA at Dodwortns nan
Tonight to night. and at the saturday han,c
Let him have good house. None who attend VIA "
disappointed
| Mr.. Thomas Placide, the comedian has re-
turned 10 town. having playeda long aud sucSessuie
gagement in Canada.
| Mr.. Joseph Pau, the Russian athlete, who has
been added to Lents already strong company AZ no
New Circus will make his first appearance thsio u
his wonderful Flying Trapeze act noxt M9Aiay ITO %
said by good Judges who have seen him abroad 70 ~
fully equal In this feat the eminent French acrop''-