New-York tribune., 1868-04-14
THE DRAMA.
MIR. DICKENS AS MRS. CAMP.

The spirit of delight. as every reader NJ
Shelley knows rarely to the tired poet Rarely n
any lover the spirit of delight that suusaa
his mind sparkled from his face when rst be mads
the acquaintance of Mrs. Camp That fat and fussy ke
then is one of great creations OF English humor I'm
genial uncomlcal herse having perception stbe,
OF feelings fun the gross London nurse the sbar
terae, unganly pggsh cockney. the friend Of virtue
and OF Mrs. Harris delights by sheer force Of character
that very skllfHlly exhibited, with view 10 comls
effects, under developing influence Of various hit al
ways happy combinations Of circumstance II In Mr.
Pecksts company that this eccentric female first en-
cOuntered and contrast could well be ludIctoas
than these personases present Introduced by th.
urbane architect OF Salisbury, Mrs 0aus
thereafter makes her way very easy
10 tho highest place ia the estimation q
lovers Of humor and In fact overshadows all her cou.
contemporaries that figure In the tale OF Martin Chuzs
wit" Her umbrella; her Oquacity; her personal aneo
dotes and timely aphorsms; her fOndneSs for gin: er
bottle the chmbey piece. TO set 70 her lips wbc.
dspoged" her penehont for cOwcumbers" her belief
In regular habits her mythical friend Mrs Haris whos
husbands owls was hOrgans" certain delicate snS
interesting OCCASION her ability for sardono chatting hcs
extraordinary in tho way Of seriously meant
bnt entirely ludcrous illustration her wonderful and en-
haustless vocabulary her everfamous combat witt
Betsy Priggwho recall. without joyful emotion hA
first Introduction to all these comcaes The spirit q
delight with which they were then greeted came back IN
all its freshness ana fulness 70 the mutitu0e tha l
night saw and listened to Mr. Dickens at Steingay Haum
the character Of Saiey Camp All students Of Mr. Dic
ems know that his conceptions OF comic character are
thoroughly felt and minutely worked out In their
thOrs naturethat he throws bis whole genius and
sonality into them and spares no labor 10 mako Their
execution perfect Mrs Camp. written, conspcuouAy
attess this Mrs Camp, read fully csonrms
this theory Like all his best readings it throws cess
light upon the constitution Of his mind and the meoA
offf
possess peculiar interest In one word 1t shows an s
sOue and perfect sympathy between tine intellect sna
the imagination The ideal Of the latter ia profound
10y to the former Mr. Dickens must have taken
the keenest pleasure in depicting old Saireyj ana
that pleasure seemed TO feel representing er
last night Necessarily he could give but few scenes
from her checkered csreer-a few passages from her
volumnOus conversation. But those scene, and pas
sages well chosen and the effect OF the reading
not 30 much by reason OF Dir. Dckenss elOcutiorav
powers by OF the spirit that sboDe through him
and Lit up the character just the flame within ghn
up the enfOldng transparency-was that OF an actua
dramatic performance. We call 10 mind but TIVE
actors on the American stage who, with all the
appliances OF theatrical art, could mako Mrs
Gamp even half as Ife-lke TO the material eye
she in Mr. Dckens's suggestive sketch to tho eye
OF imagination Those actors George Holland and
William Davdge. To tho reader, however, dinerens
test Is applicable from that invited BY the actor By
4
eearsghted. steadily ydrected, and genial intelligence.
by tho true feeling the simple method for which he
remarkable Mr. Dickens made this creation OF his genca
copied from reality but charmingy embelshed and em
phaszed In the copying. graphic picture, TO live m
memory side by side with his Boo CrdtehI, his hms
Judge his Old Weller his John Brod his Fanny Squc1s.
his Mr. and Aoocber platform characterzations
presented by author which could not be bettered
and which arc altogether delightful and nemorabls
| Dr. Mai1gOd preceded Mrs Camp last evening but Of
that have previously spoken IL was no less chsraS
terstic and pathetic than at 6rst. and most csb
Oratey executed The hall full, the applause was
frequent and expressive but neither frequent hearty
enough The occasion In all respects pleasant Mr.
Dickens evnced fatigue. but apparently In excel
lent sprts-touched Within doubt. by that natural
sadness Of sentiment which cngs about tho heart thss
utter to multitudes Of friends its loving aad
sorrowing word OF Farewell
BARNEY WILLIAMS AT THE BROADWAY.
Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams epppeared at
this heater last evening before crowded house, anA
warmly welcomed By their many admirers Very
wellkDown pieces presented" Tho Fairy Circle
and Customs OF the Country" They have often ~
celved attention I'm these columns The former Is much
quieter and delicate than the general run Of Irish
dramas, and It's chief part Con OO1odH,
affords scope for faithful character-painting and
real Celtic humor on the part OF MI VIZ
ams Every habitual theatergoer will recall with saos
faction his acting in the OF 0CarOans dream The
after.piece Customs OF the Country" introduces hs
Williams as the Yankee Carl, In which she Is unique and
comic, II not truthfully representative OF the original
These pieces will be repeated tonight A. the momentn
is only necessary thus 20 direct attention TO the Green
Harp That instrument sounds IN vain, psrtic
ulary when brushed by the Hbernan hands OF Barney
Williams.
MRS. KEMBLE'S READINGS.
"Cymbeline" was last evening the first of
though labOring under cold, which taxed her
voice and seemed to cause her slight discomfort ns
result OF her efforts evidently most satisfactory
her large audience. The hall OF the Institute Is quits
we'll adapted TO readng-better, perhaps than 10 the
anthmetical calculation Of the janitor one else
TO the comfort OF tickethoders. The space ordinarily
given to four persons the distribution Of seats Lass
evening, frequently made to answer for Eve. Hbto~
hoped that hereafter this mistake will not be made Ths
audience select and punctuany seated at ne R
pointed s III ~ na ne Pr Kemse " was sssys the
artist that she has 40 long been ia the inteprelsNVn
shakespearan genius
DRAMATIC NOTES.
"Ruy Bias and Daddy Gray" are the lates,,
publications in Mr. X. d. DE Wits futeeh SeD' 'ot0''
! Acting Plays"
Mr. Dickenss programme for to.night,ss srssi, rsss,
HE Is S%0IS SS the Boots Tsr q the Sei HOyTrSe
The present is the Fourth Week OF " La Beiis
Helene at the French Theater. Another :, 1rsns ss
Duchess Matinee is set down for next saturday .ni
house Boston believe is 70 hear and see the Des""
| fu Helen in the course OF the Spring
Mr.. VandenhOff appears TO have nailed ,.Se sse
nag of elocution 10 the mast Of perseverance nd
! at Dodworths Hall he will read Dr. Marisena "a
! I" Mrs Camp" On Wednesday evening he wlinitsT vii
selections from Scott and Mr. Dickens; and on IN nrS
evening will read selections exclusively from MT ga
ems People who have the 0dor of COMPARISONS B snd
hear Mr.. Dickens, aud then hear MT m m sn,isI
then read themselves; and they will be sure 10 "
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| Music