New-York tribune., 1870-05-28
~ DRAMA.
yIFTH ,.vExuE TuEATER-THE GooD-NATURED
MAN,

MAN,
'Fron-Froun was Withdrawn from the
stage Of the Fifth Avenue Theator Monday evening,
and on Tuesday its place supplied by Oliver Gold
smiths comedy Of The Good -Natured Man." The
revival OF this old play must recorded Of the
singular and interesting incidents of the dramatic
year For very long time the piece has been banished
from the stage. To reproduce 1t was TO make direct
appeal TO ripe scholarship and refined taste. The
GoOd-Natured Man is q curiosity Of literature, the
chief merits OF which consist in its writing,
and not In its action such works do not
address the thoughteSs multitude, do they largely
minister 20 the appetite for rational dramatic
movement and effect. There great deal OF character
in The Good -Natured Man" and great deal Of happy
language but Of the interest that attaches to plot and
The animation that arises from action there is very lit
tie To played, therefore is 70 enjoy calm intel
lectual uxury-and that IS what few people esteem
Our age busy bold turbulent and hungry for sensa-
ton Yioets have very little chance, in rivalry with
sun flowers or pcones. Reyiying The Good
Naturcd Man was ike opening Sc
cluded old portrait gallery, long shut from
the Carish light Of day, aud letting the
sunshine in the painted faces OF stately lords
and gentlewomen OF long ago. As saw it acted, we
heard in fancy, the music Of old mnuets and the grave
tones Of famous scholars wits soft laughter
OF ldes-from the far-of time that Burke, Johnson,
Reynolds, Garrck Goldsmith, and many another kindred
genius made iuustriOus and memorable. There
much TO strengthen the sweet Illusion in the in
slowed careful study all the details Of costume and
scenery requisite for this revival and the members Of
his company have co0pcrated with him, in the jealous
spirit OF artistic taste and devotion. Fifteen persons par
ticipate I'm the representations; and every one is
faultessy dressed. -Four for the ye acts
all interiors, and all picturesque and perfectly ap-
pointed One OF them-the wayside inn particularly
peases the fancy by It's rustic and its nicely blended
coor These merits satisfy the eye, which tran
gully from object Of beauty 10 another, and
Of old fba
could De expected 10 supply. Upon the somewhat vapd
love affairs OF Mr. H0neyroOd and Miss RichidHd Leon
tine and Oirid, spectator greatly care to be-
stow attentive consideration. The experiences Of
these lovers in wise exceptional,
they commended to sympathy by poetic in
Vestiture-such, for instance makes similar trvi-
alltios delicious IN the comedies Of Mr. Robertson.
But upon the phases Of character developed in these per
s0ns-and In Mr. Croaker, Mrs Crodker, Lofty and Sir
william Honeyood-by the influence and contact Of the
alla,.Orbng passion, and by the friction OF crcum-
stances the suur II OF human nature is naturally pleased
TO dwell. Croaker as everybody knows, Is the most
clearly defined OF all these persons. 1t said that the
character was based by Goldsmith sketch in Of
DR. JohnsOn's Ramblers. Nervous tmidty, apprehen-
sye dread OF coming trouble, sefsuficient manner,
the aectaon Of great serenity of mind that poorly con-
ceas real kindness of heart-these are the elements
Of his individuality; and these Mr. Dayidge has
blended into perfectly natural personation,
which is delightfully."- humorous IN its utter
1Hconsciousness Of humor. The most enjoyable part of
the play is that which relates to CroGkes terror, upon
the reception OF what he mistakes for ncendary let
terand this has been received with emphatic applause.
Er Lews's personation Of Lony-a truthful and funny
embodiment Of fussy concet and pert oidOusness-has
been similarly rewarded Mr. George Clarke represents
the gOodnatured man, Mr. HoneyCOOd, and supplies all
the grace, sweetness anu delicacy-ncey tnged with
formay and passoness dignitytha the part requires.
Goldsmith fond OF setting of his eXcenrc characters
by with this sort of boodless fine gentemanas
any may for instance in Tbe Vicar of Wakefield"
some Of his herOnes too, OF the same pattern-MSs
Richldnd being good illustrative type. But Miss fanny
Davenport nfuses pleasing viyacity into this charac-
ter and makes il distinct and winning by the marked
uiouorcy OF that cheerful temperament manifestly
ber own Mr. Harkins fills the role Of Sir william with
leattipg .di gny, and Mrs. Gilbert represents Mrs
Croaks with that kindness of heart keen OF hui
NOR, and satisfying skin at all times character
i-ne OF her acting. II the spectator hnds
nothing excessively brilliant in the acting OF this
comedy at least he finds intelligence, taste spirit and
symmetry and pleasant qualities TO encounter
For part the pleasure OF contact with the gehe
genius Goldsmith is exquisite that we could ENJOY
far less mertorious performance than Mr. Dalys com
pany il now giving Of "The GoOd-Natured Man." In ali
English literature there is author whose influence
flows In upon the mind with such sweetly competing
power To think Of him Is 10 think Of Spring flowers
Summer evening breezes and all manner OF pleAsah'
and refreshing things
THE GOOD NATURED MAN.
EruOGry-To Olirer Goldsmih's comedy Of" The GOOD
Not,red Nan" Written expressly J0r ~ @ Aa,ss'm 't
Dalgs repipdI Of The piece at the fYH-AVt""e
Thedter, by WILLIAM WINTER.
SIR WILLIAM HoSEYwoOD-(Nr. Harhns;
Old custom bids (well not foregO quItcb
An eploQue-befOre we say Goodnight;
In which the player, anxious oer ms ms task, ta,,, osk
Your cheer would crave, your kindly verdict ASH
For that reward he's not ashamed 10 sue
What true Good Nature ia he'd learn irOIn you. .
Sneak your kind hearts with hands az klnI-peoau9 %
The play ends well that ends In your applause
IoFTY-Cdr Lewis: ~
Good Naturel Umph! I've Tory views oi tn"I'
The man who serves another II "a nat.
A benefactOr be- with wa PreteIse;
But helm Yourself at other folks expense
Know All the nObs; be volatile and spryj
Your fingers poke In every BODY 3 PIE
IN never has the interest that appears
When one bas set his neghbOrs by the ears
that true good nature IL, beyond dOuDl-
Unless the benefactOT gets found out
CRoAKKR-(Mr. Davidge):
I am the most gOOd-natured man on edit
But true ROod-natuTed is MT found IN mUW'
4 hate voIr ratte-brain. Give me the man
Who troube sees before his ne1shbOr cah,- .zo,.
And gives him warning. That's the gracious way
And lust as good in life az In "a play ,..h
Hang 0rnmbIng bOres! But sure II lsntr rash
To indicate tn inevitable Smash. .,o ho,ce Won
AIl;s well tonight; but, three months hehce' you
Mrs CRoAKER-CIrs. Gilbert; ,
Urhere there's "A cOru-tield always there's II CIoh'
Good things grow better, by natural law,
TbOu0b forty thousand cTOaklng ravens c""'
Good nature makes "A banquet OF cIusl -.
AV-not WithstandiDg man must turn 10 uu9''
NychferfuI heart however life may rare,
M4kc. VladDess gladder sOfteus every 'dIc'
Mn doctfiue's simple but 'tls very huIhaIt, ,a.,
hId means cOutrHtmcut both for man ana "oinaH
IEOSTINR-CIT. Evans: