The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-01-05
TheatricRIs.

hand with ignorance and narrow mindedness ex
cite simply our contempt and detestation. But
eBthroned in powerful mind, side by side with
ability, decision and iron courage, they assume
the aspect either of a foe to defeat whom will be
next 10 impossible, or OF a cOadj1tOr whose as.
sstsDce is not TO be lightly scanned. There is in
the character Of one cOnsummately arful, now
by honeyed words, now by the drawn sword, but
at 81 times by one or The other method, pushing
his way TO the goal, a something 80 fascinating
rs is the glittering eve of the serpent Knowing
the venom IL behind il we yet hesitate. lost in an
Undesirable sense Of admiration. Cruelty clad
in the velvet Of smiles, arch-deceit glancing out
from a bright beaming eye, words OF hellish i'm
pert spoken in sweet, clear utierances, and
polished periods, are, though bus the devil Ia dis
gUise nevertheless often brilliant in their hues
8s 10 outshine in cur admiration even virtue and
honesty themselves, clad in the less conspicuous
white robes Of purity. And so we lose sight of
the humble good, and find ourselves blindly fol-
lowing, mechanically spplauding that which our
OVID ecDscieDces tell us is unworthy of and has
ing 10 humanity; so il was that Cardinal Richie
lieu, undaunted by threats, unmovsd by pity, and
under the guise OF devotee of the goddess JUS
tice, conquered here by a smile. there by the
eXecutiOner-all his foes, and won the reputation
which to-day makes the impersonation of his
character at once the most trying test of an &C
tors merit. and the most fruitful 10 reflection for
those WHO behold il.
In the sketch OF the main features of his minis.
teIial career, as dTama'iZed by BIlwer, very
many opportunities are offered for the display Of
that peculiarly refined and cunning diplomacy
which characterized the cardinal. In the work
ing Of his mind, as each new dilemma, or each
flesh opportunity presents ITSELF plot can be seen
underlying plot: pretended pity. treacherous
eltmtncy, mock tenderness bard icy determine
tion, are interviewer in q tissue hardly to be IN
raveled save by the master mind In which they
exist. Re NGIprGt would take his life, wOuld
assls M liz EicielieU vanquishes him by
word. Hug,te, the captain of his guard. bows
too low when the cardinal delivers instructions
At once RiCheiieU suspects him, and "a events
prove justly. The Duke Of Orleans and B1rddIS,
the schening courtier, plot his ruin. Their de-
signs are known TO the cardinal, through the
agency Of Marion DelOI7Re, slmost before their
authors have completed them. In describing
these Gferent incidents, we see them only as
rendered by Booth. We see only the grand old
man, with flashing eye, with proud unbeuding
battles Of France, in reality those only of Richie
lea.
But there is one scene in which Mr.. Booth pos
sesses power OF acting sufficient almost to make
lis audience doubt its very reality. 1t is where
Julie de s1HOrtemdr, having fed TO him for pro-
lection from the unchaste advances OF the disso.
lutte Louis XIII, is pursued by mandate
mOniDg her TO the royal presence. Her comph-
ance would prove all but ruinOus 10 RicteieUS
plans BE bids the messenger return. Again the
mandate is sent, and more perem ptorily than be-
FIRE. DGTddGs, eager to fulfill his kings com.
msGd, would even lay hands upon her whom be
~.
cardinal awakens to life. All other means Of de-
Tense have failed. Persuasion, refusal, entreaty,
are in vain. With grandeur OF pride and dei-
snce which makes the actor all but divine in the
estimation of those behOdng him, Richelieu
draws the circle Of the church about the tmid,
frightened woman, cBgng TO him for protection,
snd upon the covering BdrGdds, in ihunder tones,
he threatens, should he but stir a step, beyond
that line. TO launch upon him the curse of Rome.
The effect is magical. Frightened and appalled,
the inuuders shrink from his presence aud the
cardinal has conquered.
We must not f0rbear too, 10 pay a well deserved
compliment 10 Mr. Dyott, for his excellent i'm
PRESERVATION of Fri0r Joseph. By him, was in
our opinion. accorded by far. the best support
Vhch Mr.. Booth received in the performance of
"Richelieu," at the Varieties.
THEATRICAL CHIT. CHAT-Edwin Forrest, &C
CO mpaLied by Barton HILL who will support him
during his engagement, sid by Mr.. McCsrdle, his
business agent, arrived here yesterday by rail,
but will not appear until Monday week. Until
that time, the Black Crook will continue to
occupy the 81. Charles stage.
Edwin Booth and Mics hcVicker leave town
to-day fcI Memphis, where they will open an en-.
gagCment on Tuesday evening.
The Academy danseuses have all gone. except
ing Leah, who continues her engagement. Yes
terday evening, there vas tr0lcsome scene at
TIE departure of tie Cuba for Havana, and the
embarkaticn of oil the artists talent want to
ilumine the Hartz forest, or add to the glOres of
the Crystal Cascade. The Ilyies., Caruaggio, that
fair Mile Rosslie who, clad in white ami red.
danced so gracefully in and cut amcng the march
irg AmszOns, and ell the others, alas, have de-
serted The Hayanese have nice treat in
store for them
The regular variety entertainment inaugurated
upon the Academy's stage, contain many really
fresh and novel features.
The Varieties Theater was so crowded last night,
il being the close Of SIR. Booths engagement, that
every seat aud camp stool in the house was occu
pied. The building will be closed this evening to
sflOrd opportunity for a rehearsal OF the new Irish
drama, Peep 0'Day," to be produced tomorrow
evening.
The great circus which has been exhibiting
during the week az the corner Of ST. Charles street
and 1voli Circle, and which has created such
fuTore among admirers OF horse flesh and the saw.
dust ring has removed TO the corner OF Bourbon
and Orleans streets, where the opening perfor
nance viii be given to-day in a matinee at IL NJ
There will also be an evening performance, and
two daily thereafter until further notice. The
monster pavilion will doubtless be packed with
spectators.
Al the st. Charles the Black Crook" will be
repeated this evening.
At the Academy Ad. Rymsn, Leah, the Maco's
and other artists will appear in a variety enter
tainment.
The Crescent City Museum will be open as usual
during the day and evening.
The steamship Cuba, Cap, Dukehart, sailed
- IL Ia wWH 10 A