The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-09

OF zerlina is not perhaps the most suitable Tor the
exhibition OF the best Qualities OF MISS kel-
loggs singing. but her rendition OF 1t last night
presented points OF excellence very credtabe 70
the American lyric stage Miss Kelogg:s method
pure, but Though they have brliancy, they lack
warmth. Her rendering or the song, lon Yonder
Rock Kecinng," was extremely dramatic ana
effective, but without the sparklng hu,nor with
which other artists are accustomed to invest IL.
M 6asse au ne, na.terins success as
singing OF The sere Jade In the second act young
Agnes, Lovely Flower" The choruses and con-
certed pieces were well given. the company. de-
monstrating clearly the advantages arising from
the habit OF working together Miss Beaumont
sang very acceptablY the role or Lady Alcasn.
''HENIY W AT BOOTHS THEATRE.
The production Of shakespeare's play OF "Henry
W. by Messrs. Jarrett & Palmer, at Booths The
atre last evening, Is the marked event OF the
present dramatic season. and was welcomed by
one OF the largest audiences that has been seen in
any New York theatre this season. In this respect
it must be ranked with Mr.. Bouccault's comedy
OF the ''Shau9nraun." now In the full tide OF It's
extraordinary career. The "Shaughraun," as
an original comedy. Is contribution 10 our dra-
matte literature, while "Henry "" Is a contrlbu-
ton to our Shakespearean literature. ANY
enterprise OF this kind deserves the highest en-
enlargement, and Messrs. Jarrett & Palmer can
not be too warmly praised for their energy. lDer-
this noble play in the manner In which 1t was
performed last evening.
While "Henry "" Is among the most brilliant OF
ShaEespeare plays it has never ranked with King
Lear" "Hamlet." "Macbeth" or 'Othello." lisa
thoroughly English play, written for an English
audience. Its subject Is the exaltaton Of the
English name. All the old prejudlces on the part
OF EnGlishmen toward the French. the dlsparage-
ment. misunderstanding, the pity ana contempt,
the singular Interpretation OF the true points OF
national character, which marked English liter a.
ture even down to the time OF Napoleon, are
shown by Shakespeare. Their Is nothing fair in
the play 1t is not historical sketch, an Impair
tial calm estimate OF the characters OF the men
who lived in the time, but partisan eulogy OF an
English prince and q fervent appeal to the pride
and vanity OF mis- countrymen. Therefore, what
Is in every respect brilliant play, worthy Of
the authors supreme and sacred genius becomes
narrowed and limited. This shows that even Q
Shakespeare cannot give full measure to his
genius by parttsanshlp or injustice. The Henry v.
or this play Is not the Henry V. OF history. That
Prince was fair type OF the later ieudal times
violent. merciless, Tree minded, impacabe, am
itous, living only for glory and conquest and
war. with great ability Tor command and ad.
ministraton. he became King at twenty-four
and died ct thirry.1our. The scene Of the
play was mainly In his twenry.hnh year.
Had he lived, his policy; In its splendor, might
have anticipated that OF Frederick ana Napoleon,
for his aim was to combine England and France
under one crown. Whatever may be said Of this
policy, the manner In which the King pursued 1t
wanted every element Of honor, international
comfy, and consideration Tor the welfare OF his
own people and or mankind. Therefore, tue Hen.
ry v. OF Shakespeare Is not simply the exaltation
Of great king but dedication OF prince who
sacrificed to ambition ana love Of conquest the
highest qualities Of the ruler.
Henry "" has many attractions as q dramatic
work. Some or the scenes are as fine as any In the
whole range Of Shakespeare's writings, for humoe
as well as eoquence. The fourth act. ior instance,
embracing the scene between Henry and the sol.
diers, when, IN disguise. the King discusses with
them the features OF the battle, and the
address alterward to the army, on the
eve OF the contest, are among the nobest
conceptions or shakespsare's genius. The nith
act, embracing the wooing OF the French
Queen by the English King Is unsurpassed In
the delicacy anu brightness OF its comedy. This
play is also remarkable for its variety OF character
We have the remnants of Falstafi's time in Nym,
Bardolph and Pistol; we have Fiuellen, the
WeIshman. and Macmorris, the freshman, two Of
the most interesting characters IN Shakespeare's
works: while his sketches OF the French princes
and warriors, although unjust to the last degree,
as Illustrations OF French character as portraits
The play, as performed last evening, closely fol.
lows Shakespeare, although 1t or course mas been
amended to suit the eXlgencieS or the modern
stage. Messrs. Jarrett Il Palmer have produced
II mora with view TO the spectacular and ara.
matte points than to the subtle philosophy OIL the
texr. The question sometimes mas been consld.
cred whether Shakespeare really Il served by
these ''revvals," in which the idea Of the author
Is overloaded by the scenery and color. pageantry
and variegated lights. Mr.. Booth showed US, dur
ing his brie but brilliant administration, what
could be done even in the way OF q spectacle; with
Hamlet" Romeo and Juiet' ana "OthelO.n His
''Hamlet.r as remember it, was an extraOr-
binary exhibition OF the resources or the stage.
upon !n stage manarement. S1enry w YOU'D be
nothing without pageantry. Its story Is war from
beginning to end-war and the trlumphs of war.
The d. UNI beats from the rising TO the ial OF the
curtain The leading character Is a soldier, in the
fuhment OF soldiery duties we nave sieges,
assaults retreats ana c1mOats IN t9e ,o neid
war. The question mas sometimes arisen
whether 1t Is advisable TO devote the stage to
battle scenes were never presented. The Greeks
believed that tragedy addressed itself more to the
1maglnatlon and the grandeur or the ola ideas
the boards OF mere play house. Tney addressed
the imagination OF the playgoer. THIS was the
case In Snakespeare's time. Tne nrst words OF
this play Illustrate thts:-
Can this cockpit hold
The Vastly fields Of France Or NAV we cram
That did alright the air at A4Sineourt'
Think, when we tals of horses, that you see them
printing their proud hoSfs the receiving earth;
AS a most ingenious critic observes, .'It is cer-
tainiy laughable enough that handful OF mock
warriors. In mock armor, who take especial care
should decide the late OF mighty kingdoms. But
the opposite extreme ID still much worse. II we
in reality succeed IN exhibiting the tumult Of q
great battle, the stOrmlng OF fort, and the llHe
In q manner IN any way calculated 10 deceive the
eye, the power OF THESE senslole impressions Is so
great that they render the spectator incapable OF
a