New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-23
THE DRAMA.
SAI.VINT AS SULLIVAN.

SAININl 40 SU li4lN An
It is surprising that a performance OF such re-
markabe ability as thSa pers lna'ion so l"YeiY IN
its spirit. and go beautiful IN its details of treat
ment-shoud not have act the town wild with
pleasure The audiencs at Booths Theatre last
night, was enhnsiastic-as it had good reason
to be and good sense in belng-but 1t
was small audience, and in that the
tribute seemed inadeq1a.e to the attraction.
The loss, however. Is to the absent. Salvlnl,
perhaps accounts his mpersonatiOn of SMiUaa a
slender work; but II Is of his hes' achievements,
and it gives HIM ths prominence among irageil-
ans-that be is the only tragic aciorof our time who,
stepping aside from his hahi mi grove has given
an absolutely perfect piece Of comedy. Charles
Kean was able TO perform this sort of feat in his
day: hut Charles Keao's true greatness, like that
Of Henry Irvn%s, was. perhaps. really N com'dY.
Salyni is essentially tragic vt. IN this part. be
di-cards every attribute Of tr.g.d7. and is alto
.gethcr human. gentle plan and winning.
sullivan as readers know. is only another
rame-though not q rood one-for the piece that IS
familiar here as David G rick y; ant all play
qoers remember that the second &c, ofth's piece IS
devised TO awaken the sense Of mourufuI loss be-
hind laughter and frol-c--haf IN lis d"'t and deli
cate construction the Tear continually ramblss inst
within the smile. S,lvini rea1 initiates tpe Gus
tomary tokens Of inebrety; but, through this mask
of aronizlug deception, he shows in way more
gracious and pathetic than can vel b. described,
profound goodness Of heart and hmitle55 depth Of
suffering.
The transitions from eager. snirtual e9rnrstpes~
TO tipSv vacuiiy and then 20 sottsh levity, were
made with astonishing snrDieness and finish; bur,
larger and better than this mechanism, was tie
constant sustanment of the noble, grieVed, ard
lovely spirit an mating the whole structure Of art.
The cqpac.ty 20 give ab oluto real y 60 dram1tlc
sltuations never fors1les this actor ami
in the subsequent scene with the fuZiuye
girl. he made to be fully felt the
sublimtv ofr-ctitude winch virtne reaches when it
holds passion IN perfect control. and counscls end
eniorccs allegiance first Of II to dutJ-oyen thoueh
the heart be broken and the life made desOlat..
Salvini was recalled after tao scene o! the ntoxica-
ton AMI at the end OF each Of the three ac-s.
Mr.. Weaver was IN caDtal trm, as the ob-nse but
kindly oil British merchant, and Mr.. w. I. Owen,
one of the best eccentric comedians of the day, and
always an actor of purpos" intelligence. and fine
executiOn-cmhodied the suffering LAWYER with
humorous breadth and udcrous effect. Mrs. T.. l..
Davenport also carried with easy. I'M
conscious truth the ridiculous character
Of Mrs, Amaranih. There wa need that the
real ntoGs.atIOn Of the young BarOnet should be
more sh lrply emphas q. 60 serve a foil To the
Inebrety winch is assumed bar, in OF Der respects
Mr. j. l.. GOSH acted with conspicuous talent. The
dissOnauce of the TWO languages seemed more Obyi-
Gus III This comedy performance than 1t has been In
the tragic pieces.