New-York tribune., 1870-08-17
THE DRAMA.
soorns rnEArER-MR. JEFFERSON.


magnetic and exciting. The familiar play of rip Van
Wskle set in appropriate and picturesque scenery
ran smoothly from first last Its general representa-
tion. indeed, somewhat impaired by the manifest
inefhcienCy and by the unpleasant physical peenai'
OF among the subordinate performers seeing
great artist thus environed 10 difficult now anu
then 10 avoid reminscence Of those affecting hlusa
tons IN Fox's Book Of the marVrs "m0h
show the holy but unfortunate apostles heuseu
tn with sticks General representations, now
ever commonly to De received win good oea oi
Indulgence Figs not 10 be expected from thistes,
NOR excellence TO be expected from mediocrty. II the
central art Tedort IN "a dramatic performance is but
soeraby well sutaned by the auxiliar aids, the spec
,stor may content That result at any rate Is the
beet which can he hoped for from most OF the stock
companies the present day That result attained
in the opening performance Of rip Van Wrinkle" at
Booths Theater say this Of the subsidiary acting
lay enough. There would indeed, be occasion 10
mention at ALL but for the fact-indicatve of Natures
loving kindness toward her Opaque ofspring-that dull
often considers itsef commended IL by chance il
happens not TO be positively condemned. Through the
fog which surrounded but could not obscure it, Mr. JEFF
feIsons Personation Of Rip Van Wirkle
reen 20 be beautiful work of art. Our judgment in
reference 20 this superb piece OF acting has been fire.
ouenty and distinctly expressed that it's present
reiterauon may seem super6uous. The topic,
however, invites ms, and the duty OF
Journalism impes. Again, therefore, welcome with
the most poetic, symmetrical humane eeyating and
loyable embodiment Of character and experience
That can be seen on the American stage. To say
ibis 10 imply that have for saying IT, They
shal not be withheld In the first place. then, Rip Van
Hk, though great part, is part that can he played
Herein II has the advantage of several greater parts
Tie grand porsonages in Shakespeare, for example,
Utfrend altogether. But those personages stand at
high altitude in the ideal world; and every repre-
... ion Of them with which stage is acquainted
falls short in some particular, Of absolute perfection
Usnaly the sbakesperean actor by striving TO III
terpret the poeteal through the insufficient medium Of
fbe real In other words he drags his snhect down in
stead Of rising level His conception may be excel
lent. His execution is often inadequate. He accom-
plishes great deal, but he cannot accomplish that
which Is impossible. Nobody play King Lear so as
thoroughly TO satisfy the heart and mind that have once
erasIed and felt that stupendous creation. The charac
Ter Of Rip Van Whikie hOweyer,-though pitched
far above the level Of the commonplace,
and though unique, comprehensive, and
fertile for the actor, than any part now
call mind outside Of shakespeare-is not beyond the
reach Of of genius. He realize it and he can
represent IT, Mr.. jefferson is Of genius and this
result he atans HE ideal Of the part is very hgh and
his execution of IL is entirely equal to his ideal. When
speak Of Rip Van Winkle great part, of course
dc not speak Of the Rip Van Wrinkle of Washington
1rvmgs sketch. That sketch, based old German
legend tells the pleasantly romantic but not very impress
MI Jefersons Rip Van WiHke sa very different sort of
man and passes through the adventure under very
different cOnditOns-s in fact the creature Of his own
heart and brap, eilt On tbs basis Of fiction And here
touch the second for lOfrs estimate oi tIs
remarkable achievement 1t is the distinct and Seeety
finished wOrk-mim-full Of heauyof an original inad
nation il thus character that is worth being repre-
sented; and Mr. jefferson deeply feels and thoroughly
sntcrprets its worth whether it lie considered then,
with reference spirit with reference TO its form,
in either his performance found TO lie perfecuO
Turning YEARLY from many hGp results IN art, II II
great rereshment therefore, 10 find in this one result
that IL ehole Yielding 10 its spell upon the feel
ings one ~ comforted to know that 1t viii
hear the test intellectual examination There is no
trickery IN the charm The Of beauty is satisfied
the object that il apprehends is beautiful The
heart deeply and surely touched, for the simple and
tufbcient that the character aud experience
brought 20 bear on II lovely and pathetic. In one
woodland this suggests yet another Of it, titles TO adn
ration-the embodiment is genuine In the quality of his
nstre This RD Ida Winki6 Of Mr.. Jefferson is one OF
she hest mortal creatures He is kind, sweet gentle
tender and incapable of wrong His goodness Is dent-
cal with his LIE. IL exists oak exists, aud If not
dependent principle precept, resolution. He Is one
Of those persons whom everybody loves, matter Of
eoprse Their characters may lie weak Their conduct
may iIresoue. But they bright and warm
Ike the sunshine and like the sunshine they are trans
Iarent. Aud hOwsoeNer they drift, they never drlft
weak 10 say the worst that be said Strength and
morality loV tNer sufficiently vndicated in his ex
terence-for. surely. weakness never punished with
more sorrowml misfortune than his. Dear 10 us for
what he s he becomes dearer stl for what he suffers
sud-in the acting of Mr. JeffersOn-or the manner IN
which he suffers IT, That manneTarising out of complete
Identification with the part informed 10y lntuihve and
liberal know ledge Of human nature, and guided by
un,rrne instinct of taSteis the crown of Mr. Jcfersons
tr. unrestrained II is graceful; ii is utterly nee
from effort il equal to every situations and it shows,
with the precision and decacy OF the finest miniature
lantnc gradual natural changes OF the character
o. wrought by the pressure of experience. Mr. Jeher
op's Rio Van W,nke is seen under many lights in bis
COMMONPLACE relations with the village fe in his vaga-
bond wanderings; IN his genial companionshp with the
children and dogs; in ms indolent making; in
The Gains aud storms Of his hresde; in his mood OF
Ihcuehtess merrment, and in his mood Of shame and
soTrow brave man, strugging-with plteOus courage
md humor-aga the thrilling terrors Of contact with
leings world; and old cut off from all
she earth suPpcatDg humanity for little hit of recog-
uirion aud comfort But, under al these lights, the
distinct and beautiful indiy yduay is constantly appar
sut What one a type Of human nature and
experience eInbelhshed by the appliances of romance
and allowed 10y the atmosphere Of poetry; and one 10
whom Nature has given imagination and sensibiity can
zee II without being charmed by ts hunor thrilled by
ST. manifold suggestions Ot beauty and made yet more
sensible of the that life is utterly worhess-how
eooyer brilliantly lis ambitions may happen 10 he re-
warded-unless it is haloWed by love and soOthed by
Kindness.
Promising that the ehostscene set and presented
fn mauDeT that showed the most careful eIuanage
oDi and noting that there several points of merit
IN the GreAen Of Miss Mary Wells and the Hendric OF
Nj sheridan, aIpenG the complete east with which
Rip Van wlnke" has been produced and take leave
OF the suhiect
Eu Van WrteJsTi Joftsou HeIdrck Vdder 8gsd
I.r.Ics VoL Heelmau Mat HAIRY Jaek son
j. 4. ALtorfOI CldUseu.. Henri logan
W ltuno 6 Miss Mlry Wells
t,..n decker MeeLie, aged
6oetIss.......... .kot Fdt'manI Miss t-Ta Mc'oMck