New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-11
REMITTANCE OF JOHN s. CLARKE.

1t IS the popularity OF the fine strain OF art
that its charm is elusive; charm felt rather than
perceived easy to recognize but dienlt to define Inc
acting OF Mr. John :. Clarke has always been animated
by this vital quaiyan integral power and an interior
grace; sympathcc to the emotions, but coy TO the
mind II s entirely sincere is urged by clear. iim
propusve purpose 1t original in character; and 1t
co,opact and pointed in style The power that 1t e1cF
cses 10 please and captvatc TO stimulate laughter ana
inspire aectonate liking. may, Doubtless be ascrlhed
10 tennperament. Mr. Clarke Is born humoilst Life
strikes his mind the comic angie; and all MS
constitutional methods OF response 20 It's IN
1uepce are either droly playful or downright
comic. Yet, artist, lie leaves no'hhe |"
chance and the first Implications or his acting are
deep feeling and strong thought There IS no needless
hlt-or-miss quality in the art OF this comedian lhec
Il neither hesitation. uncertainty, nor excess nor
crror Tho .pectator IS not wcarcl by nclcency nor
irraed by vain pretonsion For the full spring OF vie
tory in his acting therefore, are 10 look 70 the per
feet intellectual government when he possesses over
his own powers; to his complete understanding OF him
self to his minute and thorough perception oil cause
and effect In stage art and TO his c0nsummate SKIN in
eedncing the from the other. wealth ana variety
OF pathetic spiritual nature nrc not often implied by
his ersonations but they richly fraught with orig
ina character with drOery with intense earhes'hcss'
with clear meaning distinctly revealed ana unerigiy
projected, and with the unity OF texture ana
svmmotry OF form that should clIancierize a dra-
EXPRESSED When Mr. Clarke steps upon the stage III an
assumed identity he fills -eyen TO the iiuS"r-tips ana
he never apses ont of 1t. His method 10 be sure, L. III
all things studied one aud his ways are ID al 'i"s'
or almost algrotesque yet each OF ms porray's Is
distinctly individual. he Boots, Toodtes Fd"0oss wac
dIore Bob Acres Bob TgLe and ReaOad Tdpc-to men
ton but "a few OF the characters in which his bright pro-
fes,oua fame has been acqurodare all different per
sons His lesson is the intellectual benefit winch
augmening the benefit OF Joy, comfort ana laughter IL
40 abundantly yIedsthe student OF dramatic ART may
derive from observation Of the acting Of Mr. CLARKE His
perorinanccs the Fifth Eycnue Theatre, on Satur-
d,v evening radiant with pleasure and resonant with
ou,use The lesson is rite perhaps but not needless,
IN me 40 full OF Stop work and wild experiments upon
nubc tas.e-tha there is an everlasting power OF con-
ouest in the art which understands Itself ana goes
straight 10 It's purpose. MI CLARKE acteu nc Ioo@ anu
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. often seen ana 0iteh described
and he acted them as to keep crowded mousse ID
steady gale OF laughter lie mas Huccceueu J." 'Ai"s
them extraordinarily than In the gern-natura
and probablc buuan creatures rather than Pigments oil
grotesaue fancy As represented by him, both OF them
suggest a background Of experience, ana the 'er'nI
Jude Of daily life. lie has introduced many uec'c '
points OF new business which serve to augment ana moro
clearly define the texture Of the parts, Without nov"
ever, in any way changing IT, lie acted with the Spioh
did ease OF second nature. that makes one totally CD
viOus OF the enormous effort aud restless skill which
alone could produce such effects OF illusion and ENJOY
ment Nothing ludcrous heard upon the
stage than the tone IN which De Boots mentioned the APP
proach OF that who has such lively interest III
my nose and those observers who herewith contracted
the sefopnionated complacency with which Ioodfes
aftorward said lie went to hi, grave, and died there
coud scarce have failed TO gather an umnatyo sugges
on m TO the richly humorous and finished art
Of this magnificent comedian. In ace-w0rA the most
delicate threads count-and Mr.. CarKes nechanismiS
pure lace. "a widow Hunt {" Eyerybody's Friend ,