National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-10-04

seems to have been most connected with ordinary
men is that ofnationalty." But how different Is
his nationality from that Of ordinary men! 1t Is
reflective, tolerant, generous. 1t lives not In an
atmosphere offalsehood and prejudice. Its theatre
is war and conquest; but 1t does not hold up war
and conquest as fitting objects for nationality to
dedicate itself to, except under the pressure of
the most urgent necessity. Neither does 1t at
tempt to conceal the fearful responsibilities OF
those who carry the principle of nationality to
the last arbtrRment Of arms, nor the enormous
smount Of evil which always attends the rupture
atty is best displayed. Shakespeare, indeed,
speaks proudly as member Of that English
family
Whose blood is Jet from fathers Of war.proof;n
family Of the human race. When Henry tells the
people Of Harfleur-
THE gates Of mercy shall be all shut up,n
and draws that most fearful picture of the horrors
Of o sacked city, the poet tells u.s. though not In
sententlous precepts, that nationality, when ft
takes the road Of violence, may be driven to put
Of all the gentle attributes Of social life and as
Stunning the action Of the tiger have the tigers
matchmaking blood-thirstiness. When Henry
on the eve Of the battle walks secretly among his
kings seldom hear, and which, however, the hero
in this instance, may contend with them, cannot
be disguised or cOntroyerted. Again, when Henry
has won France what q France does the nost
present to the winner!
'tAI her husbandry doth lie on heaps
Her vine, the merry cheefer Of the heart,
pnpruned, dies; her hedges. even-Pleaehed,
Put forth disorder q twigs her falicw leas.
The darnel, hemlock, and rank fumtory,
Doth root upOn while that the coulter rusts
That should deracinate such sayagery;
IN. freckled cowslip, burnet and sweet cloves,
Wanting the scythe, all uncorrected, rank,
But 6stefu docks, rough thisties, kecRsies, burrs
Losing boih beauty and utility:
Def ctiye in their natures 8 grow to wldsness;
Even 80 our hSuses ana ourselves ana children
The sciences that should become our country,
That nothing do but mediate on blood
And everything that seems unnatural
Thoughts such as these, coming from the great
poet of humanity and wisdom, are the correct
ives Of false nationality. II is scarcely neces-
instances. the conduct Of the dramatic action Of
"Henry V" in connection with its characters. In
the inferior persons Of the play-the comic char
acters-the poet has display ed that power which
he, above all men, possessed, OF combining the
highest poetical conceptions with the most truth
full delineations Of real life. In the amusing pen
dantry Of FlueIlen and the vaporings of Pistol
there is nothing In the slightest degree incon-
gruous with the main action OF the scene. The
homely bluntness Of the common soldiers of the
army brings US still closer to q knowledge Of the
great mass Of which a camp is composed. Per-
haps one of the most delicate but yet most appre-
ciable Instances Of Shakspeare's nationality, in
all its power and justice, is the mode In which he
has exhibited the characters of these common
come, brave as lions. but without the slightest
particle Of anything low or groyeling in their
COmpOkltlOD. I0ey are Mt representatives OF the
"gVod yeomen, whose limbs were made in Eng
land" We almost as anxiously desire that these
men should triumphantly show the "msttle of
"band Of brothers" should.
BE copy now to men Of grOsser blood,
On the other hand, the discriminating truth Of
the poet is equally shown in exhibiting to arrant
towards in Pistol, Nym and Bardolf. His Impair
guards that even our nationality must be content
toreckon as component parts Of every army.
This drama is full Of sngularly beautiful de-
tho King upon ceremony; the description Of the
deaths OF York and Suffolk; the glorious speech
fourth act, are remarkable Illustrations Of Shak.
speare's power as descriptive poet.
These scenes Will be enacted upon the mimic
stage Of the National theatre, commencing this
evening and continuing for one week only-an en-
terprise never rivaled before by any manager at
ington.
Lincoln Hall-Ths French Concert.
This evening our citizens have an opportunity
for the expression Of sympathy with the sufferers
in the inundated district Of France. The savings
and collected comforts Of years were all swept
away by the floods, and thousands of people were
LEFT houseless ard destitute. This concert has
been arranged under the patronage of NJ. Barth-
oldi the French minister resident in Washington,
for the purpose Of giving these suffering people
aid. 1t is noble charity, and we hope to see 1t
tinguished and popular teacher Of music, Prof L.
Corradi Colliere, for his energy in working up the
attendance viii have the pleasure Of hsariss his
voice. The Marine band will play some Of Its
choicest selections. Miss Zaidee Jones, gifted
with voice and beauty, will assist. Miss Rose Nc
DeImott, whose splendid singing at the dediea-
tion of st. Dominic's is not forgotten, will be on
the stage; and Miss Mirand Lucas will also favor
the audience with songs. Prof. Colliere will sing
"Pierre L'Hermite" and ia Marseillaise" The
proceeds will be sent to Mrs. President Mona
the sufferers in the valleys Of the Garonne and
Rhone Admission 80 cents.
Joe jefferson Dramatic Club
The complimental entertainment of this we'll
known club at Tallmadge Hall Saturday evening
last was q decided success. The drama Of "All
that Glitters is not Gold" was rendered in man
ner that would have done credit to professionals.
Miss Sallie Townley as Martha Gibbs, thefactory
girl, gave very correctimpersonation ofthe part,
and clearly proved that she has good dramatic
ability. She was handsomely supported by Mr..
Walter L. Dennis, as Stephen Plum, whose fine
ss This
Is talented young actor and has ease, grace and
SAILOR as Sir Arthur Lowell was excellent. Mr.
Tisburne as Toby Twinkle was exceedingly funny,
& EsR as am DID a a ssi Cus is
quires little more stage practice. Miss Lanner
as Lady Valiria display ed talent, and gave good
bridge cid exceedingly well. The farce Of "Turn
Him OUT was wei rendered by Mr.. Philip, Prot
ColIiere, Mr.. hewitt, Miss Mixoa and Miss Philip
We trust they will repeat this performance at sn
early day.
The Theatre Comique.
Tonight the Theatre Oomique opens for its
regular season of 1sT5-7o. The auditorium, stage
orchestra, and all conveniences have been put in
new and complete order. The evening, with
hne company, will be made gala one.
The Avenue Theatre.
Minnie Gray, the little comet; Little Ardine,
the pearl Of the Pacific; Mile Carlotta, Dody
Zaniretts, and Rouke and Mack commence en-
gagements at the Avenue Theatre this evening.