New-York tribune., 1874-11-18

| advised in favor of her appearancef HOW many
were there who anticipated that whatever her tai
ent might be, she would mako anything else than
failuref sl
Jbaye seen debutante, who afterward became
finished and popular actress. fall into distressing
series of blunders on her first night, when IN
an inferior part and assisted throughout by com
rades no less thou gful than Miss Fields associates
upon the stage. have seen her awkward ID her
| movements and neg glectful Of the stage business; ;
| have seen her lose her voice, forget her cues UP
over tables and screens make wrong exitS-in shol'
barely struggle through tho play, to her own mortl-
| fcation and the embarrassment OF the AUDIENCE
| An actresses friends, however much they may
! sustain her, often, in their effort to rehder
| an impartial verdict, arc her severest crlucs'
Doubtless many of the acquaintance OF Kate fieu'
who assisted upon this occasion with warm hear'S
| and kindly offices, disturbed by suspicioh
that they were aiding tn maintain the decencies ol
| funeral-or some equally mournful affair. Inc
nearer friends came laden with flowers, IL Is True,
but somewhat as chief mourners bring camellas ana
| tube roses with which to strew the remains OF u
| loved and lost A select few. am sure were
prepared to tenderly perform the last offices, at
whatever cost of pam and lamentaton to themselves
These people must have been agreeably surpriseo'
| Their flowers were bestowed with sentiments pro-
cisely the reverse of that pronounced by the queen
above Ophela's grave. From the moment wheh tno
candidate made her entrance. and gained control OF
her voice it was evident that they would be sub
iected to no distress upon her account. Among
halfa-dozen first appearances do not recaii ono
wherein the novice, from first to last showed more
self possession, acquaintance with her part anu
ability to dispel the fears of a sympathetic audi
ence or so fair knowledge and instinct
i've management Of what is called the stage-busi-
ness. In very difficult role, she went through the
play without serious mishap of any kind. ms Is
the more noteworthy, since it is understood that
owing to the difficulty of securing Stock engage
ment she never Tehearsed any stage-part WIN
company until within few days OF her
appearance. Much of this technical success
should be due to the teachings OF Miss
Moran and to rehearSals with Mr Wheal-
leigh and much 10 remembered knowledge OF details
with which she was familiar in her childhood For
in one sense, again. she is not novice: IN youth
she had the atmosphere of the stage about ber'
which, thus inhaled, is never forgotten.
A word as to the part assumed, and the temeTty
of the lady in undertaking any leading part that
would require the weight of the performance to fall
upon herself Was not this owing to the impossl-
bility of making d6but under any circumstances
of her own choosngf Doubtless Miss Field, who
always has shown the true professional spirit wonid
have preferred 10 begin with routine duties under
regular and quiet engagement. As 1t is she has ac-
cepted the only opening which, after many efforts,
she could find that of the oii-nights at Booths,
and the assumption of leading part with all us
difficulties and dangers However arduous the role
of Peg Woflington it seems to me well fitted TO
hor as another part would be which some other
actress would find easier. We all know Miss Fields
abundant brisk wit and vivacity, and many are
familiar with her esprit and somewhat capricions |
II aud rriN tn
think her high spirits and thorough uncOnvention-
alism would enable her to enter with zes upon the
mart of Mistress Wellington. Her acting was often |
tame and formal as fundcr instructions in the first
two acts; but in the third. where most actresses |
are least successful, and which requires so much |
movement and versatility, she acted with great |
spirit and frequently received genuine applause |
Her minor accomplishments recitation, music. |
dancing etc.are not, it seems me, to be despsed
they are so much clear gain, though only accessory
to her main purpose. |
One other point, and have done. The success of |
any debutanto in greatly iinpre;sng or magnetic |
ing" her audience even if she can under such |
circumstances forget herself III her part depends |
greatly in my opinion, upon certain qualities OF the
tbeater and the stage. People remember the
excitement aroused by Miss Heron's Camille. in
Waacks tasteful little downtown theater, IS or 10
a wonderful sympathy with audience
that hung upon every accent of her thin,
falsetto voice. and watched her slightest
motion on the stage. Not long afterwards saw the
same actress in the same part, but in theater ap-
proaching the proportions of Booths, and the charm
was almost entirely gone. / scarcely believe that
Matilda Heron, with her long experience and un-
questionable gcnius, would have made an instant
sensation if she had out at Niblos or the VIM
ter Garden. At Booths. last Saturday, the size,
grandeur and all the associations Of the stage and
tbeater told against the effect of tho play and OF
bliss Fields enactment.
ain sure however that the dramatic critics will
watch the progress Of thiI lady-fOrmerly one OF
their own numbcr-with thoughtful and impartial
interest and if they her proting by their hints,
and exhibiting not only artists devotion, but
true histrionic power. will record every advance
made upon her first experiment. If were of
our actors at this juncture when an old war
faIe is renewed against their historic and beautiful
profession, I should warmly welcome the
accession of woman so enthusiastic cultured.
and favorably known. If l were Mt.
Wallack or Mr.. Palmer, gentlemen who work SO
earnestly for the true of the drama and for
the delight Of this generation of play goers should
try to make place for this aspirant in my COM
pany and give her a chance not only to prove her
industry and sincerity but to develop whatever
genius she may possess. In short,
If were King of France, or, what's better, Pope OF
Rome."
should try to arrange matters 80 that all things
would find their right places with less of jostling
and confusion. AS it is, the least and most that
can do is to relieve the editor from any responsible
ity for what / now have written. Respectfully
vours. f. G. STEDMAN.
No 205 Vest Fify-sirih-st., Noy. II. 18Th
DEPnRMEN