, 1874-01-04

The italian people, though degenerate IN
wealth, industry, aud social standing. as conf
pared with their old-time position, are still pre-
amineps in att. Business in their cities is soth-
full; the land Of the country is worn out for
agricultural purposes; tie nobility has little left
but it's titles; the lazzaroni, once class, have
become almost nation. 4 new stimulant has
been found Of late yearB in the liberalizng Of
the Government ard the uniting Of the people;
but, for tie rest, tho Italians content to live
On their traditions. Their grand old palaces arc
metamorphused into lodgine-houses and second-
floor tratori1; their most sac1ed places have been
invaded for pro:ane naes their peasants are
still qteeped in an ignorance that must be
tic dregs OF tho middle ages their cities, with
one or two exceptions, are dirty and uncomfort-
able their hotels are cxecrable their tleatres
aud opera-houses like great barns; and all the
appu1tenanccs Of living, as We understand it,
far behind the spirit OF the times. But in Italy,
more than anywhere else. life Is short and art Is
long. Tho memories of their great painters,
eculptors, architects, poets, dra1natists, and
A+AH0~A
with genius for art which survives all
else. There is certain indefnable and
mysterious appreciation Of excellence, not at al
discoverable from the exterior appearance and
habits OF the Italian people Of to-day, which de-
velops and cultiyates the fine arts,-painting,
sculpture, music, and the drama
Tommaso Galyiui is one Of three great con-
temporary actors given to the world by the Italy
Of to-day.-the peer of Ristori and Rossi, and
perhaps greater than either,-actors whose
genius is 80 strong that they do not oven need
the language Of their auditors to make them
selves understood and to ASSERT their inan-
encc. Though now only 40 years Of
age. salvini has been great actor
for twenty years, and his fame has
spread over all the world, who're the dra-
matte art is appreciated, for the past ten years.
He began his historic career when be was Il
years of age, under the tutelage Of his parents.
who were both actors, and, with the exception
of such time as be Was prosecuted on account Of
his Republican principles, he has devoted him
self exclusively and ardentlY to the study Of hie
profession. Aside from his tours throughout
the whole Of Italy, he has received the
recognition Of genius in France, Spain,
Portugal, South America, and now in tho
United States. He has developed sone-
thing moro than tho initiative faculty
which passes for acting nowadays, and has
identified himself with the great romantic or
historic creations OF Shakespeare, Aeri, Schiller,
Yoltaire, sllgio Pellico, and other masters. He
has won at onco the patronage of all those in i
position to be patrons Of art. tho approval Of
poets, critics, and actors, and the homage Of the
people. Such man brings the histrionic art
out Of the depths into which charlatans. pads,
and sawdust have sunk IT, and gives it q place
alongside Of tha muaes who preside over
music md poetry.
The secret OF Salvini's great SUCCESS as an
actor. If the secret workings OF genius may be
explored, seems to be his faculty for combining
the cla ssic and the realistic schools Of acting.
His Ou.ello ia striking example of
this. 0:ateno. as he portrays the character,
is the negro with black face and
woo1ly head, who. in our prejudice, would be
apt, il the hands of lesser artist, to ALLEVIATE
every sympathy. Yet. with such surroundings,
be preserves, through the first three acts in the
quieter movement OF the play, the sta:uesque
dignity OF the Moor Of Venice, superior in civil
ization to those who lock down upon him. aud
the savage nature OF his race is not brought out
until wrought upon By deceptions that ho could
not comprehend Then he gives ii free scope.
Salylni darea attempt flights Of fancy and
picture scenea Of tragedy that few