The New York herald., 1871-12-26
MUSIC AND TIE DRAMA.

seG5 SJulius Cesar" mt booths Theatre. alf
The dinicult,es In the way or placing piece like
Julius Cesar" upon the stage In per-
fectly satisfactory manner are almost insnr-
mountab,e. Y Individual passion may ma nt-
ting expression on the scene; but when It
b incidentally necessary TO- convey some
idea OF the uprising OF popuace the means at the
disposal Of the theatrica manager fall so far short
the occasion that always feel regret that tbey
do not initiate those great painters who. feeling
their art unequal to the expression Of
some intense passion. content themselves with
ldrapinx the head or their hero. and leave
the Imagination free to image the features. Julius
CHsarv has appeared to Of the greatest
II not the grandest OF all OF Shakspeares works. and
most worthy to charm ana instruct an audience.
In no other play have we presented . nobler
picture or human passions or an assemblage OF
worthier characters. h These considerations make
its preservation desirable but the very excellence
or the play throws obstacles in the way Of It's wor
thy presentation. We know no company that could
Hi the different parts to the satisfaction Of even an
indulgent critic. The public however are more in-
dulgent, aud are content to forget the short
comlngs for the sake Of whatever merits thoy may
ind. The performance last night OF .Julius
CGsaru was certainly not wanting in many points
which deserve favorable mention. The scenery was
well studied and appropriate, the costumes correct
and the general mise scene such as LETT little to
be desired. II Is true some Of the most pathetic
parts were rather interiered with by the
presence Of o number Of supernumeraries VINO
were supposed to represent the Roman p0puace. but
who looked nothing moro than small number
OF hOwling ssupos," with n0thlrg Whatever oil sh0
Roman about then.-except q possible resem.
biance OF costume. There wore not enough OF them
to cheat as into the belief that they were crowd;
AMI their AntlcE to our mind, destroyed the dignity
Of the situation. The two actors upon whom the
interest or the performance was concentrated
were Mr.. Booth aud Mr.. Barrett. Mr.. Booth
Brutus certainly not without much OF the Dig.
nifty that we look in the character OF that pure
friend Of liberty; but this actor seems unable 10
free himself nOm tricky staRinoss which Will force
itself for ward nc the most unreasonable mOMcntS
when. we feel least inclined tQ psrlpD. any
deviation from severe alS Gi3nihed naturalp ees
We have not space time to review At length the
pointB where We think the actor errs, but purpose
TO return 70 the subject another day. whatever
faults belong to Mr.. Booths acting We.
genefaly . md his reading careful and
effective. His rendering OF the speech "Romans,
countrymen and lovers" was wanting in
retL has wen seized the spirit OF CassIns,
and has the advantage OF looking Tho character.
There IS. perhaps, shade Loo much or the cloeric
spleen and not enough OF the intense devotion 10
liberty aud nobility OF soul OF the old Roman. but
II IS an Intelligent study, though Inferior In the
reading o! the part, ana does not display the same
careful training as is visible IN Mr. Booths efforts
Tie mousse was crowded BY an appreciative but BY
no means enthusiastic audience n f@.-.,.g = ,fll