National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-11-12
AKUsEKHETS
THE NATIONAL THEArRE-Mlss NEIL
SON AS ROSALIND.

THE NATIONAL THEATRE-MlSS NEIL
SON AS ROSALIND.
The character Of Rosalfnd e one quite superior
to that Of Beatrice for II has more Oft rounded
beauty Of WomanhoOd, IS OF softer outline, Of
more imaginative force and OF equal grade, to say
the least, In Wit and intellect. The beautiful I'M
persohation Of Rosalind last night BY Miss Nell
son revealed the true conception OF Shakspesre,
and tremendously blended the historic associa-
tions which belong to Rosalind's iiIe We saw
tive, shrouded IN melancholy within the walls Of
her uneles house, but even then she lights up
with the warmth and sensibility q her nature
Of relatives and friends, though she cannot be
taughtto nfOrget banished father.n A hne writer
says Of her. dshe is freeb a. the morning, sweet
breeze that plays among them-n In speaking Of
MilsNeilsonb RosalInd, thst high authority ndra-
It the life and purity OF early spring, the trick Of
sunshine playing at hide and seek In the clouds,
and surprising you through the freshness Of
Perhsps the most beautiful thing IN Miss
Nelson's assumption was the absolute uneon-
fSI and pleasing, and Of the impuises which
guided her all thot time in the paths Of affection,
truth and modesty. From these she never de-
parts, and although she appears In the dress Of
page. she never blushes on that account. In all
this Miss Nelson was the ideal Rosalind. The
depth and tenderness Of her love was shown in
sight Of Orlando's handkerchief stained with
blood, and as she regained consciousness one
fear she had betrayed her sex. This dificult
passage was admirably executed, and It proved
Miss Nelson a genuine artist. Rosalind says:
o man, that i have . dOublet and hose in my dis
positionG" She had neither, but II requires the
highest forms Of artistic skill to reveal all the
time the character Of true, tender and loving
lady when disguised In mans attire and pretend
ing TO be man. This feature Of Miss Nelson's
acting was also distinctly disclosed IN the bright
and FnarElfno dialOUuR heNWaan R0aalfnd
Orlando, preceding the incident Of the handker-
chief alluded to.
with all requisite animation and force, but during
its delivery Miss Neilsan never let down for
second the dignity and Uomanhood Of the "Prin-
she and Rosalind were like "Juno's swans
'inseparable;n but, unlike ROsalind, she shows
the character Of natural eoquette. The char
acter Of Celia is Of lovelier type and the sweet
ness Of her disposition wins admiration and re-
gard. The ladies last night who essayed the
parts ore to be commended for doing as well as
they could. Mr.. Barnes as Orlando was accept
able. He has much encouragement to cling to
the ladder Of fame, for his youth and ambition,
with earnest study, will enable him TO rise. II
would be simply his ruin to call him great actor
now, but he is full Of promise, and has all the
advantages Of handsome stage presence, true
conception Of an actors duty, and the modesty to
acknowledge that he Is not yet perfect; and It is
Q good thing in his favor to know that he would
laugh at critic who called him great. The best
Mr.. Barnes ought TO see him in the part. To-
night Romeo and Juliet will be played, and
special attention Is invited TO IT,
Mr.. Fosberg, as jacques, contributed to the
success Of the comedy HIS recitation Of the "SeVen
Ages" elieiting hearty applause. The Infant"
dier,n the 'iiustice" the Eold mani and SECOND
childhood" were admirably distinct.
FoRD's OPERA HoUSE-MR. ]. L. TOOLE
TIE audience that assembled at Ford's last
evening was evidently greatly pleased by the en-
tertainment offered. Mr.. TOole presented the
three-act drama entitled "Uncle Dicks DarlIng,n
and the amusing farce Of ''That Blessed Baby"
The former is an exquisite production, full Of
pathos and abeunds with telling dramatic situa-
tons It is simple dramatic story that, both in
sentiment and conception, appeals to the heart,
and sends an audience away with q better and
denrer appreciation OF home. The part Of Uncle
Dick Dollard Is admirably lifted TO display Mr..
Toole's peculiar power to hpe advantage. He Is
one Of those gentle, tender, simple, gOod-natured
old fellows who delight to do kind acts, and
will toward HIS fellow men. Mr.. TOole was the
recipient Of much applause during the evening
and the compliment ola call before the curtain at
Miss Mary Mitchell quite surprised the audi
ence by the exquisite manner in which she acted
in several important scenes. Miss Mitchell had
heretofore been admired simply for her beauty
and fine stage presence, for she had not previously
been intrusted with role that enabled her to
in aUncle Dicks Darling" she was given part
full Of pathos, and so fully did she do It justice
that the pleased audience rewarded her with
WelLmerited applause, and demanded the raising
Of the curtain a second time upon q scene that
was rendered effective chiefly by her powerful
acting.
Tomorrow evening Mr. Toole Will take bene-
1T, when the seriO-eOmic drama, "Dearer Than
Life" and the Dickens sketch, the Artful
Dodger, will be offered. In the former play Mr..
Toole won much OF his reputation in England,
where the press were lavish Of their praise OF his
acting. Beside the above attractions Mr.. ToOle
will deliver HIS laughable burlesque lectu re, the
whole combining 10 produce an entertainment
that should I'LL the opera house to repIetion. To-
night the bill Of last night will be repeaued.
THE SACRED CONCERT
For the sacred concert next Sunday evening, to
be given ct the National theatre, the services Of
Miss Eva Mills and Mr. Theodore Miller have
been engaged. They viii sing solos and duets
In addition, the orchestra Of sixty pieces viii
render some Of the best music Of the great mas