The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-03
CITY NEWS.
nIr. Rarrett,s Cassius.

MIR. Barrett's Cassius.
!. The ablest critics of Shakespeare have
pronounced "King Lear his creates
! play, because it is the sublimest; and
we have the authority OF the greai
German critic, Ulrichi, for saying that
'tHamlet" was the favorite production OIL
the immortal Bard Of Avon. Although
"Julius Casaro has been Hess read
than either Of the plays mentioned, it
is inferior to Lear" only in sublimity
but equal to Hamlet" in intellectual
power, embodying as it does one Of the
most thrilling periods of Roman history.
The genius OF Shakespeare, while observing
fair historical accuracy, has constructed
a play of wonderful dramatic power
and unity. Apart from the gran
deur. of its soliloquies, and its dialogues
the action of the play is quick and rapid,
and there is q continuity of plot from
beginning to end. Strangely enough, last
night was the first time that "Julius
Caesar" has ever been performed in this
city, Mr.. Barrett appearing in his great
impersonation of Cassius. Dramatic crit
les have alleged the discovery of a
close resemblance between "Iago,"
Orchard III" and "Cassius.r We con.
TESS our inability to see it, except in
consistent and most subtle villainy. The
motives that impel ''Iago" and "Richard"
are more groveling than those of Seas.
sius" who, while moved to action chiefly
by hatred of Cesar" is also impelled by
some better motives of patriotic duty.
Mr.. Barrett fulfilled Cassius last night
upon this elevated plane, and presented us
with one of the greatest pieces Of acting we
have ever seen. His Cdssius comes to US
with all the fresh power of an original and
profoundly studied conception. d. 1t is no
composite conception, made up from the
performances of predecessors !; but it is a
pure, strong, powerful creation of master
mind, conveying the import of the greatest
of dramatic authors. The highest quail.
ty of art is to make us forget that it is art,
and to appeal to our feelings by the init
mate sympathy which exists between all
human passions, and Mr.. Barrett accom-
plished this last nightswith perfection to
which all who witnessed his performance
will testify. We would be glad if the space
of this article permitted us to follow him
through the rendering of bis part. In the
first scenes between 9 Brutus " and Gas.
sius, and . assiusn and "Casca," in the
meeting of the conspirators, in the quarrel
scene, in his parting with "Brutus,o and
in the death of g Cassius there was
a perfect art which we do not believe
any man can excel, and it will be
the fortune of but few to equal. In
all these scenes, each of the most exact
ing character there was in the
subtler more subdued shadings and
tonings of his acting as great q
power when his trash humor' betrays
him with B,atus. Excepting Fechter, Mr..
Barrettathrows more power into his poses
and general stage business than any
artist on Our stage. In appearances
Mr.. Barrett looked that lsspare
Cdssi,.s" whom .C@sar' describes with
such graphic power. His zcostuming
was very handsome, and his stage presence
imposing. We shall always be glad to
welcome in our city Mr.. Barrett, whose
great abilities have given us so much de-
light. He is great exponent of that art
which Bulwer has called "The noble
dramatic art" and in it a greA
interpreter is barely less meritorious
Nortons Bratus was pains TAX
ing performance. He has evidently
studied with care, but in his acting there
was no inspiration. During the greater
part of the play there was in his voice the
information OF an enthusiastic shouter at a
camp-meeting. 1t was not the deep, rich
swell of that "Brutus" who was "the
noblest Roman of them ALL" In "Julius
Caesar" "Brutus" is the popular part,
and sympathy does much for the actor.
But in spite of all sympathy Brutus
dragged. In dramatic strength the parts
of Brutus and Cassius are about equally
divided. In contrast last night with Mr..
Barrett, Mr.. Norton suffered fearfully.
This he might have, IN a measure, dimin.
ished by more careful vocal training, and
a discardal of ranting. In his scene with the
ghost there was real artistic beauty, show
ing too what a pleasing actor he might
be if more subdued. Mr.. Norton should
know that the vehement school is the aban.
doned one, and that no actor can hope for
histrionic success who persists in following
1T. We cannot fail to praise Mr.. Meredith's
Julius Cesar. TWAS highly creditable per-
Torrance, showing dramatic power, analy-
sis, and study, which, aided by MIR. Mere
dith's fine voice and presence, made him
many friends in the audience. We deeply
regret that the part of "Marc Antony" was
not given to him. s.-. 49,
Of Mr.. Morton's More Antony we can
say but little in praise. 1t was the effort
Of young actor, whom we presume is
without experience in the part. He did
not approximate q full rendering Of
the lines of Shakespeare. "Antony'so
speeches to the populace are full of the
subtlest inesse, but the fact seemed un-
known to Mr.. Morton. His makeup was
too youthful.
CES TROLS FRERES.-The late Col
onel Joseph G. Spalding, a native of Rich
mond, once lawyer of talent and candi-
date for Congress in Virginia, who died as
castaway few nights since in the county