New-York tribune., 1870-10-20
THE DRAMA.
Mr.. vANDENHoFF's READINGS.

Mr.. vANDENHOFF's READINGS.
Mr.. Yandenhoff held an edwin Drood'
oo-e Oh Tuesday in the Hall Of the Y. NJ C. A He had
been impressed with the idea that the deep interest felt
by many in Dickenss last but unfinished work-on which
e was engaged up 10 within the hour Of his decease,
and the mystery with which death had augmented the
rnysery Of the books before read in pubcwould
attract throngng audience Of the admirers Of Engands
most popular novelist This anticipation not real
ICED for the attendance comparatively thin Those
who came were however very and sppreciative,
and on the readers social invitation, encirced him
closely, like ring ofyilagers on winters night about
Che venerable reatOr Of ghost story AL entered with
aerect sincerity into the pleasure Of the evening MI
&andenhof read with brief ntermsslon Tor ABOUT TWO
hours giving best portions Of this remarkable rag-
yept especay the comic and female characters,
with happy effect, strDging the narrative togethor
eighty in an easy conversational style. Edwin Drood
Is however indferently adapted to the purposes OF
popular elocuon and the most striking features OF the
entertainment were the cOOqual discussion MI Van
denbo held with his audience the most perpexing
points OF the mystery, and the original theory preached
by him for their solution The performance as reading
was well nigh failure but as eonr9sazone 1t was
quite a success
Mr. yandenhof presents popular, attractive,
and aereeaby varied entertainment for this evening,
aud We trust that the attendance win be proportouaie
70 ia merits and those Of the veteran elocuuonist
EDWIN BOOTH.
We learn with great satisfaction that one OF
fe most decided and brilliant professional hits lately
made IN the West by Nh. Booth was made in his repre-
sentaton of King Lear. This part-the most dcut III
tb whole broad range of the dramabe had not acted
,efor. IN at least ten years He played 1t at Chlcago
however during his recent engagement there-aDandon
ing the old version by Tate, and substituting the oI1g
1al oil shakespeare very effective and really remark
able success appears 10 have resulted from TINS revival
Doubtless MI Booth viii play Athg Lear al MS OWL
tbeate when next he acts in NewN oIk, and II we may
Al. .to.. "a "
Ebake.peare and Of acting very great intellectual
pleasure From the local papers We CLIP these re-
marks;
ITO essay the portraiture OF poor stricken Lear ma,
] oe.n q ,'A % .L , med 10 shrink The triumph
achieved by blr aJJ in his conception OF te NOes anu
rouc. NJ the crszed old King j. one that must ne graf
even 10 his ura-e-surfecd heart From the mo
ment OF he tr, appearance as me abdlcauhg
p9i.,hsken frame, il evident that shaKespeaf5 IS
a ,t, va " t1r es - i,e NAV h out Of question
suffice IL 10 say that az far as the leading chaia
entious in every phase, and IL l. to be hoped
that Nr Booth viii include the assilnP' lOh ~ ~
This regular repertoire, and Ucyer again aHOW " 10 10
sink disuse. IN the terrible denuncatory scenes ne
magnificent ia " pltf hai daLed ssaSslOnii ,e ~
touching; and IN the affecting w0rldweary pasSasos% % u
the closing acts was the pathetic embodimen OF the @
Er, % m t ne ne ttirt a HIow winds
and crack your cheeks a dramatic treat. Ihosee
present who had listened to the studied eoquence OF
zod rawlings OF Forrest could wen appreciate the ring of
the ptess, binding elements. Altogether the mper,
sOnatiOn 70 be carefully noted, enjoyed, and
long remembered Another peculiar feature Of the play
was found IN the comparatively few devistons from the
original text. There was but little pronounced wan
dering from the auhOrs ines and then only when an
unlicensed freedom Of wording called for IL. In brief
King Lear was given very much Shakespeare con
rceived it
sEEBACH As ADRIENNE,
To Madam Seebach's fine success as Matkildt
have adysrted in terms Of emphatic and deserved
uogum That sweet tender, and touching performance
was repeated Tuesday. Last evening "Narcsse" wa,