The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-01-31
4 SEMEN rs.


There is good reason for saying that Mr.
Booths representation o. The Merchant VI
Venice would be more satisfactory II the last
act 81 Shakespcares drama We're not omitted
The play must be regarded rs IA comedy, and il
is tho comedy element which this act
rounds up and completes >lyock does
not make the play. 1t is true he Is
the most conspicuous. because the most
passionate. pcrsonagc in tho group. but
10 end the comedy with the trial scene leaves a
painful impression upon the mind; an impress
sion OF cruelty in the judges directed against
miserable old man. We do. indeed. catch in
this breath OF Shakespeare something of tho
GENTLE harshncss OF The sixteenth century.
The observer Of the present day does not quito
feel that >hylock's love for his daughter is SON
timent to be revilcd. or that the obduracy and
literal exactitude Of his demands are warrant
for the sentence. Robbed Of his child. his
dueat-. and hls reVenge-his judges end by
robhsns him OF his re.:ion. At the close Of the
play ne sta.Scrs away "a miserable, crushed
object ~ pits but il does not reach him from
those who surround him. and though he may
have forfeited mu'h ~ our sympathy by his
conduct. It is nevertheless true that modern
audience invariably detects the harshness OF
Sir. Booths impersonation intensifles the
ilcal2es the jew. Ne lose sight Of his ma
uunal in his personal WRONGS. and our feelings
peculiarly ablol; melancholy, and distressed
picture whicn Mr.. Booth presents in dress.
bearing, complexion. manner, and intonatlon.
As piece of derunatory skill II will not COM
pure with his Hdnli or Idgo. II II easy To- be-
lrve that he has not given it the thought and
study that have been bestowed upon those
other roles tor he does not get 10 much
out Of the lines We incline to the sus.
p'iun that the assumption OF n constrained
individuality hampers him. for when he first
appears in the Venetian street scene there Is Il
distinct Hebrac flavor 10 his cnuncatlun
that leaves HIM entirely IN the last act AIR.
Booth dWclis most effectively upon the uNarce
and hatred Of the jew. His cunning is less
shapIliy portrayed, ana his pride. his affection.
ana ms stern llehraic sense Of justice are hard.
is indicated. II docs moi and cannot RANK with
two others at least Of his Shakes pearean lmpcr-
sunutluns. for the simple reason that there is
less Of q general train in il than of special
la T.. The jew and his inherited traits make
less impression upon us than do the incidental
outbursls that depend upon the incidents. The
lmpelsonailun i utterly without the dignity.
the protests ami appeals OF SiVlOck. Mr.. Booth
docs iut lrcl That the Hvarleipus money lender
can swell with the traditions and memories ~
Biz turruihcrs. He takes one-sidrd view uf
IN" character and lie gives us that side with
remarkable fidelity of detail. II il only when
Ia the proportions OF a pocll' creation. Last
h..ut Mr., Booth assumed thu part Of BtriucciO,
IN The Fools Revenge 1t Is II very power
iul portrayal. and one into which the actor puts
all his energies but 1t il not a role. 10 our
thinking. in which the best qualities of Mr.
30 ia ; mind aud tne ilucr shNucs Of his genius
are exhibited. Mrs. Agnes Booth lent her Nalu-
Booth was, as H. now the nightly custom. re-
t.llltl t.ltpr plel