The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1880-11-13
PROF. HAMILL.

There was 3 good sized and intel
ligent audience at the Theatre last
evening to bear the first reading by
Prof. 8. &. Hamill and his daughter
Alice. At the appointed hour Prof.
Hsmill, VINO il d large, finely built
man, came on the stage aid enter
tanned those present for about twenty
minutes with very interesting but
brief address on the present method
OF teaching reading, or rather on the
failure to do so. The remarks of the
speaker we're insterspresd with ex-
amples, and were full of hard facts
on the topic. He showed clearly the
necessity of more attention being paid
to the study OF elocution, and
contrAsted it with the methods pur-
sued in giving other instruc-
tons; the contrast, while true. being
anything but creditsble TO the plan
too generally and almost universally
pursued regarding this art in schools
ali over the country. The address,
though short, was calculated to give
some insight into the evils resulting
from improper evolutionary training;
and was given in a style wnicn
amused and instructed the hearers at
the came time. The first reading or
defamation WAS taken from act four
of Hamlet, commonly known as the
Closet Scene, in which is given the in
tsrView OF Hamlet with the Qdeen
i'm media;ely after the play scene.
In this piece Mr.. Hamill as
sumed four characters, those OF
Hamlet, the Queen, Polonius and the
Ghost Apart from its being q mar
vel Of elocutionary perfection. it was
one Of the finest pieces of acting ever
on the stage here. Every
word wss given with al it's beauty,
force and was full OF meaning; every
idea was made 60 clear as to leave no
DOUBT SIS to Its meaning, the express
SION being so perfect that where there
wa, any probability of biguity aris-
ing from the words, the tone of the
voice at once came to the assist
ance and cleared away the mystery.
The sudden transitions from one char
Acter to another, embracing different
gestures. demesnor, quality of voice
and facial expressions were made !
With perfect grace and ease, showing
the master hand and skilled and cnl-
tivsted voice, action and conception. |
''The Blsoksmitb's Story" brought
tears to many eyes, and was, like
zach of Mr.. Hsmill's selections, in
marked contrast, as regards style.
With sll the others. betsy and |
are Out" and "How Betsy and 1
Made Up were equally we'll sppre-
,isted. The scene from the "Mer-
,hant OF Venice" in which
be professor assumed different
characters, Shylock, of course,
being ths leading enc, was
erribly realistic, aud WAS fully
IS fine as the scene from Hamlet.
The portrayal of the conflicting pas
ions for gain and revenge, so strongly
marked in the Jew, alternatingly
made uppermost in his breast the
me suspending the other in
be instant, so that one could
lardly tell which was dearest to him
his money or his revenge--were
out with a viSidness and re-
lily, which almost made one shudder.
'rof. EamilPs part of the entertain.
nent concluded with q most Iudicrous
OF q "Western Lawyers
to . jury" which sent every
ne home laughing.
Miss Alice Hamill, his daughter,
Tas suffering from very
evere cold, which made it dir
Ioult for her to speak, yet she had
lot finished her first recitation,
Jennie McNeil's Ride" before abe
made such favorable impression that
be audier &c throughout the entire
veniug accorded as much applause
nd appreciation to her as to her
ather. She has q most pleasing
manner and is Wi!hsl such an artist,
hat one cannot help liking her ct
nee; besides this, her selections were
II OF a character calculated to please,
nd all that was in them she
,rought out, Notwithstanding her
cry painful cold. She gave. besides.
Jennie McNei's" ride, "WhiItling
q Heaven" Shadows" and "The
Itory of the Little Hs.chet. Because
Il her hoarseness she did not attempt
he heavier pieces which bad been
,ut in the programme, but those sub
tituted csptivated the audience. In
in the little touches of
,athos, in the broad humor, in the
iner wit, there was the unmistskable
ofthe finished artist. II any
hing, Miss Hamill carried eff the
lonors of the evening though her
pieces did not call into play the depth,
ire and higher art which was re-
Iuired by her fathers selections. each
II which was intended 10 show some
peculiar feature OF the power of elocu.
ion, and which were made to do 30
With remarkable fidelity.
A greater intellectual treat Of the
lind than that of last evening has
lever been given a Salt Lake audi.
mes, and without doubt Prof. Hamill
5 the equal. if not the superior, OF
NY elocutionist in America. He and
his daughter give another reading to-
light, when every person who appre-
,iates an entertainment which COM
,ines pleasure with instruction in one |
If the arts, and its higher branches,
will not fail to attend. The pro-
Zramme for this evening embraces
IeveraI scenes from "Mscssth,"
The Vagabonds," ''Mr. Pickwlck'S
Proposal to Mrs. BArdell," "The
Rum Maniac" etc., and is particu-
srly attractive. Another feature is
The one that the Theatre is we'll
and made just as comfortable
IS can be desired, 90 that no one need