Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-10-19

Frnnk StOckwoll I'd violin Ira Burnett, cor
net f. Wales, ir, organ nccumpanist A. II.
Hines prompter As we have already init
mated all the arrangements for the observance
of this annual field day passed of in success
full and satisfactory manner There is, how
ever. one suggestion which should be offered
on behalf of the Coumandery and all like
bodies when on street parade. We refer TO
the fact that the success Of several Of their
street evolutons was nodceably marred by
the thoughtless conduct Of owners and drivers
of teams who, in some instances, divided and
drove through the ranks, while in other cases
loaded wagons were unnecessarily allowed 10
stand directly in their way We are not aware
that such bodies have any legal claim to the
right of way upon the streets when on parade,
but they should nevertheless be shown all
such courtesies as are consistent with the pub
JIG convenience. "A word 20 the wise" etc.
MR. KNIGHTS DRAMATIC PERsoNAT1oNs.
When it was announced last week, that
Mr. Alfred J. Knight would appear for the
first time before a Brattleboro audience, Mon
day evening. and give several presentations
from Shakespeare preceded by few miscel-
lnneous recitas, it must be confessed that We
entertained serious misgyings on the subject,
induced by a somewhat varied experience in
first appearances. But, on the other hand,
this same experience had shown Ills that by
not mourning an occasional risk Of spending
a tedious evening, one often loses what dwell
lers il country villages can i'll afford 10 lose
an opportunity for real intellectual enjoy
ment. And this is precisely what was lost 10y
"a very large majority Of our citizens Monday
evening for. in spite OF the dispiriting coInbi-
nation of unfayorable weather and conse-
quent thinuess of attendance, Mr.. Knight was
equal to the cxigences Of the occasion, and,
throwing aside any depression of spirits he
might naturally have been supposed to feel,
gave us IA most thoroughly enjoyable evening.
The first part Of the programme, consisting
Of simple Rotations, was sufficiently varied
10 be entertaining, and to display MIR, Knights
great versatility Of talent to good advantage.
Like most public readers. or actors. however,
Mr.. Knight makes too frequent Use Of certain
pet rhetorical tricks. The sudden and entire
dropping OF the voice. for instance, however
effective it undoubtedly is, at times has. in his
case. almost dogenerated into a mannerisln.
This Is the more to be regretted as Mr. Knight
is unusually free from any appearance Of af-
fectation undue striving after effects. The
little gem taken from the AidiHe, entitled the
Death of Samson. was exquisitely rendered
and met with an appreciatiye response from
the audience while the humorous selections
particularly those of ''Alerrikys Conversion
l. j l. l..
down the house. In the second part of the
programme, consisting Of SIX personations
from Shakespeare and one from Bulwer. we
were agreeably surprised to set u considerable
| degree Of originality displayed in the actor r.
conception Of the different roles chosen. One
Ii tired of Witnessing indifferent limitations Of
Booth and Fechter, and it Ii q relief to note
admissible departures from what Lns come
/ to be considered among us ~ the only correct
manner Of rendering certain Shaliesperian
| passage Let great actor accompany q pc
culinr infection of thu voice. at the end Of Il
! given passage. with IA wave of the hand or II
roll Of the eyes, and Immediately al the les
ser lights commence 10 infect. wave. OF roll
/ an imitation, until the public feels defrauded
/ without 1t, and attributes the lack Of it TO the
most lamentable want Of talent on the part of
the actor. But one great charm of Mr.. Knights
| presentations. aside from his well-modulated
and highly cultivated. voice, lay in the fact
/ that he gave Us his own individual conception
| of the passages presented to US. and that that
/ conception was a good one. His rendering of
| Il know that virtue &c. from Julius Cesar
was mastery, and it would have been difficult
to suggest any improvement in the passage
! commencing
"Brutus and Cesar What should be IN that Caesar
Why should that name be sounded than yours q
The costumes adopted by Mr. Knight are
| elegant and correct, and the celebrity with
which he transforms himself from Shylock
into Cassius and from Othello into Richard III
/ is scarcely credible.