New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-15
TILE DRAMA.

MISS NElLSON In lt1E DADl OF L1ONS,
The character of Pauline in The Lady of Lyons,0
Is kindred with the character Of Julia, in Tie
Hunchback" The latter, indeed. Is finer and
stronger in quality, and far amply and
minutey drawn. There are obvious points Of diff
ference, yet the similarity is strong. Both are
young, ardent, and beautiful. Both are enthralled
by romantic passion. Both are specifically
married by the influence of artificial social crcum
stances acting upon vanity Both are hurt by their
lovers. Both suffer. And both. under the stress of
suffering grow Dober, to the last. The superiority
Of Julia is in original simplicity, in depth of feeling,
in keenness of sensibIlity, in fiery vehemence of
passion and in moral grandeur. Yet Pauline Is not
deficient Of portion Of each of these qualities 1t
often is said-and it will be said again-by persons
as incapable of compromising love as . rhinocerOs
is of dancing minuet, that The Lady OF Lyons I"
is q silly play. The fact none the less remains
that while its situations are created by ex-
travagant and possibly even ludicrous means, and
while its text is largely overlaid with fustian, this
piece embodies q representative experience and
expresses an ideal that is of very general if not
universal application. 1t is, however of very
delicate and easily spolabe texture, and 1t espec
tally and peculiarly needs-as is the case, for in
stance, with The Stranger" and with 'Ruy Bias
the deepest earnestness, combined with apt suit
ability on the part of those who act IN it, If badly
played it IT, indeed, hard to bear. II acted in dead
earnest, and with O purely poetic treatment, it
is felt to be tender and true; it is pathetic and
impressive; and it leaves the spirit chastened
and ennobled, through tho comprehension of noble
conduct amidst affecting circumstances and
throughout cruel ordeal. Bulwer was sometimes
almost tawdry In his literary artlAce yet.-as the
thoughtful reader of "GodOlphin," Of " Harold"
and of "Zanoni" must admit-he capable of
very glorious conceptions Of generous devotion,
magnanimous self-saorifce, and mingled dignity
and sweetness in human nature. That element of
his mind runs through all of his plays, and it is the
browning charm Of " The Lady Of Lyons"
Miss Nelson. in acting Pauline, strikes the same
chords that she struck in Julia. The personation-
SEEM last night, by great crowd, at Booths Thea
tre-is marked by the perfect symmetry naturally
characteristic of an ideal clearly formed and firmly
expressed Here, as before, it felt that the
tress knows precisely what she wishes to do knows
also, precisely how it ought to be done
and possesses alike the personality, the
ability, and the art which enable her thor
oughly and splendidly to accomplish her de-
sign. tone Of satisfying adequacy is thus
ditfusod over the whole work. But there is always
in acting in the other arts, possibility of some-
thing moro than this-a possibility of fusing truth
with beauty, and Graduating tho whole artistic
structure with the vanishing light Of genius. The
addition of that last delicate touch Is the splendor
of Miss Nelson's acting. 1t is not alone, in her
Pauline, the union of cold elegance, uncon-
sciOus hauRhtiness pure simplicity, and ex-
0usIte refnement-which scOm and indig-
nation, in even their most tempestuous
utterance. do not for o moment rufle-
that cOnquers and delights. 1t is a something
strange and ndefnable. which, in the very fullness
OF exultatiOn at grand display of intellectual and
spiritual power, suddenly makes the lip tremble
and tho eyes fill up with tears. Itsprings, perhaps,
from tho profound knowledge of sorrow which,
mauifeSly this actress possesses and from the ex-
1uslte mourntulnoss with which that knowledge
shines through her eyes and murmurs in her voice
That this attribute is apart from the character, for
eIgn to it, and above 1t, may be true; but it is
only when exhibitions of dramatic art are informed
IN this way that they rise above technical merit
and really give anything to the world. 1t would be
saying little to say Of an accomplished actress that,
through tho finely devised cottage scenes of THE
Lady OF Lyons" she expressed, with full intelli-
gence and right effect, the struggle of passionate
love with wounded honor. the dark sense of inn
pending loss, the bliss of pride in her lovers vlndi-
cation of his integrity and manliness, and the
agony of sharp and apparently irretrievabe
bereavement. Miss Nelson is easily superb through
all this. But, with all ths-with the display, most
suffers-she likewise eliminates the whole abyss of
human grief, and launches Imagination upon the
pathetic spectacle Of what is passing in
millions Of human hearts. Her Pauline, like her
Julia Is n poem Of wOman's ove-a poem as stately,
buoyant, fervid and intense as of Byron's
lyrics and as finished and melodious the best of
the songs of Moore. Acting Of this kind Is creative
and its works linger In memory like the rhythm of
old ballads or the sound of distant bells:
"FOr, in 1t turks that nameless spell
Which speaks. Itself unspeakable."
Mr. Compton's performance Of Claude AeIaotte, like
bis Clifford and like the more sentimental portion of
his Romeo is remarkable for grace and quiet beauty.
An artistic prOpriety, q sense of proportion and
FORM is prominent in oil his action; If the express
sion were always as brilliant as the purpose
is fine, and as the feeling Is deep, those works
would not fail to arouse strong enthu-
siasm. As 1t u.s. they are the fruits of gen.
uine talent hard study, and thoughtful art. and 1t
Is found in reflection, that they arise very pleas
antly In the memory. Mr.. COmpton's Malvolio TO-
perhaps. his boldeSt most assured. and most shin