, 1874-11-21
Tier Drtinifific Debit.
1NC4 OH&GSsHaE&SN 3NVV~S
Trrn1 fHs Nttb FORK T,rfb,Ittf.. N6u. II

80 Frnns fhs NtlS York Trto,tnt,' Nou. 10.
Miss Kate Fiold mado. ber first appearance
upon tho stage on Saturday evonii1g at Booths
Ihoatro in tho character OF Peg Wellington: Tho
loNer part OF thb hotlso Wha crowded, and tho
Eal1Gfoa Wero tolerablY well peopfcd. so tint tho
hssomblhgo of spectators was numerous. 1t was
also, in an unusual dogreo distinguished. Mon
and women OF tho hr6t rank iu literature, art,
and society, thronged with ono accord to Wow
tiia courageous effort OF brilliant and wortlitly
ambitious conarado aud the welcome accorded
to Misa Field svas exceedingly cordial. At tho
eud Of tho first net sllo was called before the
turtaii st b later period in tho performance she
was made tue recipient Of many floral tributes
and ut tho cfoHo OF the representation slao was
ID brief. did aN that 1t could, and with the hsart
est good will, to mike thia cndcaVor RucceHs.
No uovico has appeared ou tho Now York stage
undor bctter auspices. mud none has accomplished
more Mt tito outset; to sntlsty the Ahticipntions
OF friendship, II not to moot tho requirements of
dramatic arb.
Tho stage ia not populous with women OF
brains, and the arrival upon 1t Of a woman Of
tried nnd proved intellectual character and ac-
compiishao11tB will always bo accepted with pro-
found satisfaction. Tho hope, In such o case, is
general and sincere that tho aspitaut will prove
10 bo an actress, and will win her way to fame
beneficial both to tho stage and to society. THO
INCLINATION evon of critical commentators iB to
loan very much in tho favor Of auch Q beginner.
Exporlollce, however, has shown tlAt, to per-
son who hicks tho faculty for actiug-wMch is Il
special, ,nborn talent and no moro to be ac-
qnirea than the color Of tho eyes Is to be
changed, intellect and culture aro OF little uso
upon tho stage. If Miss Field possesses tho
faculty for acting. and possibly sho does, for
she is desoonled from ~ ancestry Of play;I
upon this OCCASION. It is tai1ncult .jusiiy
20 describe this performance. It might, por-
llaps, be eaid that Miss Field made both a auc-
cesa and failare. The ono Vas Of tho woman;
tho other was OF the actress. Strong characler,
bright aud keen Intelligence, taste, refinement
md seuaibility shone through her couduct, aud
strongly aud pIoasingly denoted tho, indiyidual-
to t aoe tic earnest soul AID tie Imaginative mild.
II tho power to form an ideal were alao tho pow
CT to gvs it in execution, Miss Fiela would bo IN
actress at once. Even with her obvious lnta-s
tlona aho will eurpass in achievement and III
who a1n Just now 80 nnnerous!y ,masquerading
in public rs dramatic, artists. That Is not tho
point. When clever and mature woman.-
widely known as q sparkling lecturer and pun.
gent nnl brilliant writer. comes before tho pub
lio in one OF tho most prominent theatres in
America, and in Que Of tho most difficult and OK
acting parts in modern comedy, moro is PROM
iAcd,. aud moro III expected. than conpatition,
howovcr prosperous, with wax ngurcH aud white
muslin.
To choose Peg Wellington for first appear
ance was, in ono Hen8o, to evince moro audacity
than discretion. The part is ono that even n
born ncttoRa can only play we'll alter long ex-
peropce. When 1t is considered, though, tint,
IN cur faat agc, people nro inpaticnt OF satch-
ing growth, aud llnve no eyes except for salient
deeds and positive achievements, 1t will be Heen
thdt, in another sonso, tlie choco waa tudicious,
-sinco ut loast, 1t could not fail to attraos at-
tontion. Miss Held. possibly, did not assume
or anticipate TINT she could aot Peg lPoBnqlon.
She 1uuBt have known TINT tho part rcquireB In
its representative, exuborant spirits. aud per-
feet proficiency Rs d sparkling, t1nBhing
comof3v nptrasE. nt11 Rllt 1utlgt nian hnvn
known tint sho does not POSSESS tloaa
qualifications. Ii would ho natural. though, for
her to reaBon TINT in thla loading part; Hhe
igltt at ose win tue public n notso and mpart
Indication, nt any rats, tho moro critical OF
her auditors-w6ll aware that no novice can pos
Hibly act this part-woro eager aud waschful;
nd Z y with tLoss 81 such ~ tasy were TINT
may be informed md rectihod by iuturo
Representations but at the present. 80 havo ouly
to sny that tlcao Indications nlaant nothing OF
ronl moment In dramatic art: Miss Fields per-
hGnal accomplishments were, indeed, shown to
tho groatost advantage. bl.e spoke Frcnui. with
all uucommonly pure ncoont,, nho sang a Froncll
song aud an Eng'lFh ono In br,llant voice.
und with singular aud delightful tlneneas Of exo-
gnrrot, will, beautiful oaso and unexpected
c',raoy and purity, aud sI,o vas apt
in THO atago bnsll,ess. hho managed prasty
"a tine-houorol but diH,roRsful sontd, which
proceeds from tho throat aud not from tho hcnrt.
ello oxpreaaod with strong, effect the aotlon Of
resentment and anEor and tlta was TIC hiGheHt
did not exprcss at aEl and !u tho passagoa OF
brilliant ralllery she waH tun.e. Margaret Wof-
tlngton wuH laughing Irish hr!lnetto, Will! dark,
yolyety Dyes and as sho Ii not photographed in
ly-sho ought to De dnpictod according to tho
life. AllsH Field Ia slight, fragile, gray-oyel