New-York tribune., 1875-11-09
BOOTH AS RICHARD THE SECOND.


Shakespeare's historical and tragic play of
king Richard second" was, last evening, brought
mon tho stage Of the fifth Avenue Theatcr where #
ceved fine scenic treatment and an Interpretation ron-
orally tasteful and whore II with great interest
by crowd Of eager spectators. The piece is almost
known upon stage, and it is, 0t,ner than little.
neglected e closet II used, however TO be acted.
though never with the concomitant - popularity I'd
muud Keans eloouii0n. iu playing Mctqrd ne SCcond,
Nas accounted immensely nnc, and Macrgady's persona
tcn recorded schoarlke aud excellent. The elder
Booth eomcuLe- PLAYED tho part. Int aftorwafd dis
car led it. Edwin Booth now brings Il once more within
the Ken Of pnbc curiosity, and makes theme f'i the
comment Of the journalist
Richard the second came 10 the throne Of England IN
1877 when e only Il years old. and le died in 139e
ia the 31t yaar o s aso and the 25d year of h roigu
II was indo.ent pioiuse in his expenditure,
addicted low plcaurCs. easting, and joi,y and he
wasted the revenues of his kr gdou IN making osten
;iOns parade Of royal pomp IN giving boungies 20
worthy fuyOrites ale wa- weak ruler unit for
mont not because he lacked nura talents ana courage
but because he lacked solid Judgment ard good ednca
ton prudence IN design and g0r in action and
sod with violent tempcr and supine temperament
actual life he seems 70 have been excessively uun
teresing person ue kept 500 cooks ana scuons, ana.
doubtless many good dinners bal bo did not POSSESS
sufficient stability o. admit OF his seving'ey as sue
cessai hgurecai. The powerful aud arrogant mobiles Of
his time Knocked him about the royal seoce with great
freedom; and though he rallied and thCn, and de7t
blows m return he finally discounted deposed, and
slam.
Shakespeare has given free rcus 20 his imagination in
dollDcane the character Of this monarch and has
pended great wealth OF dcton upon the portrayal Of his
disastrous experience In the pages Of the poet he be-
comes-apart from shallowness rivolity, and pcuant
caprciousness,-a majestic sad-miuded person. aIniapc
and profoundly phoscphc His mcapacty for action
seems closely kindred, 10 motive or fundamental
cluse with that OF Falasc. LIE OveTwhclms him, with
It's OF Surroundings and its inherent mystery
uis tendency mOTaze l. akin y III that OF Jacques In
word Shakespeare has leavCncd what he found 10,
was barren hltoric tradition, with human goodness.
pocc swe.uess aud diver trans Of winning character.
ard mas TINS made Richard he seoOR9 interesting in
quality lie has not. however, suoceeded-and, In fact,
mas not trlod-tO invest him with the interest Of
action. The play Is pageant rather than
drama. II begins In 1885, introduces twenty eight
persons. itself mainly with tie closing IN
Kings life, shows much talking and suffering dis
pcrsedy IN England anil Wales" sketches fow in
cidenfa individuals boldly and briefly utters few
nfcelt speeches. and leaves us sorry for fellow
who suffered much, and SIN more sorry
tho suggested lesson OF mans inhumanity to man"
As history. the play follows FrOissart and Hoinsheds
the latter sohnses notices that