The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-05
American Artists in ENGLAND.

The following extract Is taken from the T.opdor
| Morning star OF October TO- IL but sustans tht
| opinions OF the American press. expressed In hel
| favor when she appeared here in the character OF
Leah. q part which she has made essentially her
own -.r.-' 81
Miss BatemAn, the creator OF Leah appeared last
night 10 that pathetic and tragic part, after ABB
sencc from London OF about three years duration.
She was received with oil the enthusiasm that was
To be expected on such an occasion and the close Of
her performance was signazed by one OF those
scenes Of popular arrecton and admiration which, II
they do not always attend the steps OF genius hardly
ever take when true genius present IL was
not merely that the plaudts loud and ecstatc
that the favorite actress laden with bouquets inc
last scene OF the play had drawn tears from almost
every eye and when this best Of applause had been
given to the fair artists efforts the audience burst
forth the curtain fell INTO long OF thanks aud
welcome, which II was impossible 10 construe other
wise than ~ tribute rarely paid to histrionc
BY the magic Of histrionc power with such feelings
ofpersonai kindness Is stranger seldom receiyeS
stranger. Il seemed but as Yesterday s nV1Hl .S.s
on another stage she had enacted these
same touching sorrows; and though the
building was densely crowded, II Is probable
that those who now saw "Leshr for the drst time
might have been seated without difficulty In one row
Heartfsyorite Of the London public. like the original
perception Of her rare gifts was gradual but sure
The calm though passionate sufIusion OF the nrst
acts with intellectual and woinanly devotion gded
with the piacidity Of deep river above the falls
towards the surging torrent Of the terrible curse
WHICH, IN IOuTbt ACT, uhs0tS WHO Jet caCu.
lated force and grandeur over the precplcc Q, the
Jewess great injury and al this point the cordially
OF the audience had warmth and rapture that
quite reached the height OF the old Adephi excite
Then followed the wonderful scene with little
Leah attuning the audience In common to the nne,t
issues, and by this time the audience had once
again enhr0ned In her old place and sway this VERT
table queen Of the tragic affections aud emotions.
As she stood the stage after the mai recall Miss
Bateman felt, no doubt, IKE revival Of Old sympa.
thes for to great artists their audiences In all parts
OF The world appear TO have distinct personalities
ana are TO them as well known iriends to be parted
from ana met again as the vicsstudes OF life ap-
point For moment she hcstated; then whisper
ing 10 Mr.. Kendall, who conducted her before the
curtain. addressed few words in faitsrng tones TO
the audience. They were simply to say how glad
she was TO find she had not been forgotten after
three years. absence and to thank the audience for
their past and present Kindness Then, in evident
emotion, Miss Bateman retired.
or the performance of the night IL TO- or course,
necessary TO speak at length. Every scene and Line
OF II familiar, and few OF Its speeches episodes
Speaking 81 Ieass part only; for It must Be- SAINT.
ted that % whole Mosenthal's play u at least ~
didactic as dramatic The creation Of Leah oy MISS
might almost call an atmosphere OF preachment AID
polemcs-though always laden, in justice let US say
with sweet and balmy odors OF charity and gensle
ness--into one OF intense and tragic human feeling.
The power Of Miss Bateman's conception-in cen.
trail force and Rrasp-its intellectual emphasis s o.
tons Of feeling-piace this great performance On
q. characteristic eminence absolutely sA 0ensrts.
more than fatal trap to most actresses even OF high
repue, this lady Is enabled, partly ~ renned
appreciation OF prolonged and graduated climax,
aud partly by a concentration OF tragic force, winch
has nfty times the power OF rant and none OF IT,
vices to achieve IN artistic triumph, wnue pr0duc-
ing on general audiences thrilng IMPRESSION,
such rs hardly anything In tragic VEN nas pro.
duced on the Tendon stage for many YEAR,; And
what MISC Bat ewan accompisnes under the difncul-
ties OF a backney ed, though fine situation, We may
be sure sne achieves with equal sureness at all those
less obvious points which thorongn a,us, can IN.
atom aud by clances with those nnsuspecting mean
ings which IL IL the honored task or really great
aching 10 dtsc over and illuminate In the language Of
tragic suthory. we cannot doubt that the resppear
ance on Miss Bateman win be the prelude to q ioag
"a Of very successful performances, and in eur
indvmsnt. nothiag conld more erectually bring
.iianity aud grace to the London stage.