The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-03-26
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
MARCH 26.
ShakesperIan Readings.

The usual dearth Of entertainment has been
happily broken the past week by the appearance
in Honolulu Of Prof. WALTER MONTGOMERY, who
has favored the public with several readings OF
classic authors. Like the visit of Madame Anna
Bishop four years ago, his is purely accidental
In this way, We are sometimes favored with the
presence of artists of whose wonderful performan-
ces We read and often long to hear, and whom
princes in older countries : delight to honor"
Prof. Montgomery is a true cosmopolitan, hav-
ing been born on Long Island, of English and
Scotch parentage, and made the wide world, as
it were, his home. Having attracted the notice
Of the late Charles Kean, he was invited to make
a three years engagement, butdeclined this very lib
eral offer, preferring to study Shakespeare on his
own account. His career commenced in England,
and wherever he went he met unbounded
applause. In London. for instance, he appeared
on the stage 40 nights, and in thirty-seuen different
characters. The secret of his success is the origi-
nality of mis- various impersonations, whether he
appears in the sterner classics or more humorous
comic selections. But in all these he is perfectly
at home, changing his personality, voice, features
and character 50 suddenly as to take his audience
by surprise. In the language of one of the Fac
ulty of Oxford University" He is n thorough
master of his art. His elocution is perfect, and
his actions and gestures expressive and chaste in
the highest degree. L think it impossible to hear
him without qualification and benefit, and every
member of the University may take a lesson from
such an accomplished member of his profession as
Mr.. Walter Montgomery
He has given three readings in Buffum's Tenn
- I'LL
by as select audiences as have ever assembled in
this city. The success which he has achieved is
as honorable TO our community as TO this accom-
plishsd delineator of Shakesperian character,
who, without the aid of scenery and gaudy trap
pings, but in plain dress, assumes a variety of
characters really astonishing, and SO well executed
as to defy criticism. Whether as Brutus, or the
noisy Roman rabble whether as Hamlet solilo-
quizing on human frailty, or Dogberry with his
pompous airs whether as a sour and morbid
philosopher, or a vicious halfwild vulgar boy
he is equally at home in each character.
But perhaps the most charming of his perform
ances arc those pieces in which touching pathos
and tender sympathy stir the soul, as in the
Bridge of Signs, or Poe's Raven, or what appears
to be more difficult to execute, Poe's g Bells"
in which the sweet music of sleigh bells, and
the more thrilling peals of the midnight alarm, are
initiated in a manner truly wonderful.
The audiences have been not only healthily
amused but instructed by each of the perform
anees, giving frequently the most enthu-
siastic demonstration of appreciation. A little
incident which occurred on Tuesday evcning-the
n~on-lighting of the hall-caused the professor,
,uIo - g,-,--Io-T.. -. - 4 u I...I- I-.-I-
some annoyance but we are sure his hearers
sight of the dimness of the iights-in their
Of his skill as an eloeutiOnist.
Prof Mo~ntgomery's greatest effort will be made
this Saturday evening, and we publish with
the accompanying outline of the enter
t~ainment, written by him on a recent occasion.
much we may differ from some of his
views, we cannot but admit the originality of his
conception, and We shall listen with particular
interest to the unfolding of this wonderful poem,
of a refined and careful rendering from
IN earnest student of the greatest poet the world
has ever produced:
What Is She argument Of the playr'
Macbeth, a great chieftain in the Highlands of
is the near kinsman of the reigning King.
Duncan, with whom he stands in high estimation
both for his personal character and eminent ser.
sices 10 the field Of brittle.
Duncan. King OF Scotland, has two sons, Malcolm
md DOnalbain. the eldest a mere youth and thus
Ne NAV assume that the old man was childiess tI
ate in life. and that Macbeth, his nearest relative.
vas. previous TO their birth, heir presumptiye to
he throne OF Scotland. with every prospect of le-
Ultimate succession. 1t is exceedingly probable
hat this contingency was subject of converse. and
most interesting " theme " between the sopIess
Gacbeth and his wife. and the advent of the male
children gave the death-blow TO this dearly cher
she'd hope 1t is evidently in these private con-
anent their future that Lady Macbeth
eads the character of her lord. and the scenes be-
ween them in their first and second meeting give
variant for this assumption, since the tenor of her
emarks refers TO scenes between them cOnsidera-
Iy antecedent TO the period at which the tragedy
An opportunity occurs for Lady
lacbeth to use her mighty mind upon the irresolute
'hane, when he represents himself before her after
n interview with T" three weird women, " who have
lretOld his past, and prophesied bis future. that
ItuTe being no less than the dream of his ambition,
ne possession Of the " round and top of sover-
ignty." ---T -7sE7 --r -,rr.s -FI
Lady Macbeth. inspired With afectionate devo-
on for her husband. argues so convincingly with
i'm, that he consents to, and commits the fonl J.
lurder that makes the Angel of Pity ride like a
courier through the universe to drown the
ind with tears. l-
He now Wiley fixes suspicion upon the Kings
To sons. who, with many terrified friends, fly the
Iuntry, and. thus having removed every obstacle
his way, be assumes the sovereignty, and is
owned King Of Scotland, with the guilty partner
bis crime as Queen.
The blOodstained monster now no longer needsa
question from his helpmate. but ignoring her very
isteaes till her death momentar1ly recalls q
inpse Of his better nature. wades through slaueh-
r TO his fate, which occurs as predicted by the
and the spirits Of darkness. ummoned by ]
cir belIish rites and foul incantatious. Reading
IS poem As a picture of human life, we unhesitat-
ely pronounce Macbeth q villain OF the deepest
g J; but the supernatural element introduced re- Z
ems him from this unqualified caStigation. whilst
y for the errors of . misguided and sorely
npted felloW-creature miuglss with our detesta- i
N. .
The play is a grand romantic and poetic fiction. =
th Il substratum of truth to render it acceptable