New-York tribune., 1871-03-30

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,,or ia an insufcrabe nuisance. To meet her where
h has right to bein the social essay the sermon, the
ce rcnort or the medical gazette-is tedious enough
b,t IN meet her in art IL little more than we fnd our
sc,ves outo capable OF enduring with patience. That
Mr. Bouccault any benevolent phIlanthropc pur
in bringing her forward those persons may believe
who think that bloom in December at the North
Pole 1t Is old trick that infuses the un-
clean or the forbidden, into an artistic crea-
ton with view TO catch the curiosity Of the
muude but Is rather too stale TO be widely potent
in deceit. The thing that Mr.. Boucicault has really
thrust forward Is hard, wicked unchaste, unoyely,
hideous female, who trades her physical charms
for admiration and luxurious living and who Is az loath-
some object could we'll be furnished, even from
dssectngTOom. Speaking for herself Jeebe states that
women of this kind ought be thought Of with sgh II
only in remembrance Of what they might have been.
Perhaps. But should prefer to do our signing over
these sad creatures somewhere else than in thcaer 1t
province of the Of art in any formto
photograph the surfaces OF actual life II Jezebes exist
10 and old boots and rotten potatoes, ana
other kindred of unssvory muck-whch not even
Mr.. BOucicaut would think Of reproducing in play
Art implies selection. 1t is not a maker of maps. Mr.
Boucicault has given evidence, in past time, that he
knows this thoroughly well but IL peases him TO hold
the public mind in great contempt, and to offer what he
thinks 1t will like. Hence these ebuons OF tainted
trash which he isnow putting forth Hence "JezeOe'
Mr DAILY has put this play tho stage with perfectly
beautiful scenery. We not censuro him for bringing
it forward The accepted law. in these matters, pre-
scrbes that the theatrical manager must follow ana not
lead The great matter is to please public taste. We
dare say Jezebe Will please it, Our duty however,
s-not with anybodys method OF conducting theatrical
busness-but with the merits and defects OF the drama,
its relations TO TRUTH beauty and morality, ana its
probable influence upon public taste and culture Look
ing at "JezeDel in that light find 1t to be perncous
rubbish.
The nlavers dd everythng that could be wished for
the success OF the drama Nss Clara Morris enacted the
forbddng heroine. Miss Morris dresses Je-ebel In em-
nently fitting attire she wears jet black hair ana tinges
her skin with the duy hue that expresses Indian blood
Her dress is yaregated silk, in the evening mode
set off with ornaments in great profusion. Her second
dress Is mostly of light colors, as behts the uolea
scene In which il is worm but dash OF red Is not want
ing TO suggest play of tgerke caprice in the fair
DEVILS nature The third and last dress Is black as
funeral scarf the choice OF costumes the actress has
evnced correct comprehension OF The correspondence
between temperament and outward garb. Her Je-ebes
spirit shines through and animaes these trappings,
making part of herself and index to her soul
| Also and this is greater excellence - she
| shows that she comprehends the individuality
| Of Je-ebel. A taint of the bar6arlc
I animal runs through the whole performance. During
the earlier scenes Miss Morris was remarkably success
fu in depicting Je=ebepS adroit stimulation OF airy ana
gay composure midst of almost renzied agitation
| and great peril The rapid transitions from vacant
leyity or guleess sweetness 70 wild excitement ana
passionate hate were made in natural manner ana ex
pressed subordnaton OF all the artists powers to
one xed purpose The strongest part OF tho play Is the
first part which Jesebe tries TO poison her husband
in the frantic hope Of thereby saving the life OF her
| No subsequent situation arOuses the woman's wicked
nature to an equal state Of turbulence gives an equa
scope to the powers tho actress Miss Morris proved
fully adequate 10 the deeds OF the part In Later
scene her expression OF Je-c6ePs malignant
rage and baleful tOy,-at discovering tlat hel
| husband is alive and within the reach OF hel
hate and her vengeancc-was profound and so vivid
as to be really repusve and, in the eliminating
passage when this sable en1 descends upon the retreat
in which her husband has found love and peace shc
embodied vindctive impacabe cruelty, cool insolence
and internal wckedness as TO seem In fact hatefu
monster. With all this however, we should not omit to
av that she did not fail blend these hdeOus attributes
into consistent whole, by means oftthat glamour o
| physical fascination which is tho pivot OF Jf-eoeF'
power There is certain roughness OF method III tho
| acting of Miss Norris and che employs faVoH'c
1oannerisns in excess but In this pcrsonation
Of Je-sJeL sho is awoman OF ina ginaOn, OF emotional
power and Of distinct ability for the dramatic expression
| OF character and experience.
In Mr. Davidges portrayal Of the old seacap'an there
was true marine flavor and there were touches of panoS
and humor-aGecting, but notgreadly to be described
II was the embodiment Of honor, courage simplicity
and loving fidelity Of soul, under rough and eccentric
| exterior II nature-an1 1t touched many heafts
Yr Parles and Mr. Harlsns have, comparatively, but
little TO do in the representation The former person
aes with discretion grace, and dignity the part OF Inc
medical Tathia. The latter satisfies the conditions
under which tho hcros character is exhibited by being
handsome manly andn tho perplexed situation OF the
! third ac-duy afectionate reInOrseful, ana true 10
| duty Mr. Lewis exceedingly drol, as CrSt0f, the
innocent bgaInst. Mr.. DO We're gave conference and
meaning to irrational person1ge as ever was DOrI
from the brain Of sensation wrigh-Painoa, the
Na1l
man house.maid GertrVde, with mischievous viyacy
and graceful ease Miss Linda Diez personatcd Gret
cben-the opposite character TO Jc=ebet-and offered
very pretty type OF domestic gentleman. The perform
ance was crude but 1t fun Of intelligence, and at
| least OF the semblanee OF feeling.
We could well desire 20 Nj. Dalys handsome stage,
and the talents OF the people hhas assembled upon
it. employed in the illustration Of loter themes than the
coarse inrigHes OF adventures. The actions done
and the surngs endured in the cause OF virtue furnish
sufficient field for such mOrazng az society requires
romhe stage. For the yivisecton OF oathsome sores
and horrors there caat least upon that source Of
knowledge. We living in sad and weary age.
Heavy burdens OF rest upon all lus Grave prob
lens of religious social and political advancement beset
u.s. There is pain within hearts, and tempest OF
strife and hatred and falsehood around our pathways
The sole refuge is art and that should be kept white
pure, peaceful and beautiful. What we need on the
stage 10 what will and comfort, and strengthen
and this, feel vel assured Is not 10 DC iOunu any
where in Mr. Boucicaut's fragrant thOrOughfarc.
The scenic dress that "Jezebel" has received is excel
lent One represents elegant drawinGroom In
Paris another sets forth brilliant Mexican andscape
the third shows cosy cottage nestled in an Alpine VALE
In every important particular these are delightful
to the eye color and the harmonious grouping
Of objects The costumes employed are likewise charac
tersc Ia each instance and conducive to the effect or
ghness and completeness for which
the representation is remarkable
We put on record the complete cast Of parts:
George DArsues Hrkins German. ...Ar W Beetman
p.Ao llrrn