The New York herald., 1873-11-25
Olympic Theatre.

Last evening the romantic and domestic drama
OF ''Enoch Arden" was given at the Olympic
Theatre, with Edwin Adams as the hero OF the
story. The characters OF Philip Ray and Annie
Leigh were respectively filed by Mr.. M. A Ken
nedy and Mrs. C. W. walcot. The jolly Old inn
keeper, Peter Lane, was done by Mr. Charles
Leclercq and with these exceptions there were
not any remarkable instances of genius shown in
the drama, which yields but very little oppor-
tunity for the display OF individuality outside of
the main characters. The scenery in the first two
acts was rather inferior to what is usually
at this theatre; but in the fourth act wherein
is depicted the isle OF gold in the far-or Pacific
seas, the painter made up for all the previous def
ciences Here had warm bit OF color and a
full-rigged ship. whose sails were furled in the
perspective, to the great qualification of a number
of people nautically disposed, who were seated in
the audience. Like "Leah," "Enoch Arden" is a
play calculated to open the noodgates of feminine
sympathy, and the parting between Enoch Arden
and his wife created vast amount of tender efru-
sion where it was certainly most desirable TO
have 1t Effected AS the curtain fell at the
end OF the second act Mr.. Adams was surprised by
the gilt OF an enormous sidewheel steamer, con-
structed in floral navy yard, with which he strug-
ged OF the stage, so heavy was the burden imposed
upon him by his friends. II is in the lourth act
mastery which Edwin Adams has made of tins
poetic and pathetic character The lone island in
tne racine, burning HHueT lOTrlu the intense
blue or the eternal southern sea which laves Its
borders; the ragged wretch who totters with de-
sparing eyes TO the rocky point TO gaze
on that trackless sea, which gives
no echo OF hope: all these picturesque details are
but the primary iounuatiOns OF a structure, which
is made up OF the love OF home family and chill
dren, and which grows INTO the heart OF every man
at one period or his life. The abyss OF despair
which has no iurther depths for Enoch Arden when
the snip arrives, Is but reflection OF that feeling
which lies deep in every man, and which is COW
cred by the crust and custom OF conventionality.
IL IA MAJ mar far
all the conventionaties. Mr.. Adams has studied
with wonderful keenness the facial expression
which is needed in such despairlng moment
as that which came to the poor and
lorlorn castaway before the welcome sail
came in view. In the nfth act the heroism and
seli-abegnation OF the returned wanderer are made
evident in the scene where Arden comes in view
OF the cottage which contains all that he holds
dear on eartn. The look through the window ut
the wife, whose image has lived with HIM for II
solitary years, and NJ his children is a picture
which might test the resolution OF the phosopni-
cal Socrates. Yet he bears IL all, and dcvotes him
self TO a sacrifice which rends his neart. Here
Adams Is again most powerful, and wIthal he ~
natural and true to humanity. The close OF the
act is rradlated with pathos and the death of the
wanuerer with no one to carry mis- secret Di-s the
widow or the nkeeper has in IL all OF the solemny
OF the last hour of noble ana guiltess, but
unfortunate life. In fine, Mr.. Adams dellneation
OF Enoch Arden when the curtain falls deserves
to rank with the wonderful picture which Mr.. Je-
erson has maze ol Zip Van Winkle. lts lights
ana shadows are rs strongly drawn and its unities
have hut very few naws. VI Mr. Kennedy, who
nls thc character OF phiho Hay. " " oDu aeccs'