New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-10-22
THE READING BY MR.. HATrON.


There are certain qualities of tone IN the human
voice-strange and lndescribable. but such
stantly make themselves felt-which denote, IN the
speaker, a deep and wide knowledge of human
nature This is the first attribute that strikes the
listener IN the read ng of Mr.. HattOn-the sense,
namely that he is a man of quick and keen percep-
ton and wide observation of life. All through the
reading that he gave yesterday-ihs first one in
New-York and one that called out an elegant and
thoroughly appreciative audience, at the Madison
Square Theatre)-ths fact seemed continuously,
and of course unconsciously, projected.
that q wonderful reader OF the human
heart was quietly unyeling its depths
and laying bare the motives of conduct and the
strange results that arise out of it's perpetual con-
flicts The work that Mr.. Hatton read is comedy
constructed by himself, upon the basis of his adml
rable novel of 1.-THE Queen of Bohemia" 1t is Ia
four brief acts and 1t is written with simple
strength and lovely delcacy such as have not, in
new work of this kind accosted attention since the
days of Tom Robertson. The story does not ann TO
starle. The effort is to treat realities with poetic
touch, and to bring romantic situation,
exciting incident and pathos out of entirely posi-
BILE experiences in domestic life, aud out of skfully
devised contrasts of rational character. The piece
might. to some extent, lack substance, II IT were
set upon the stage, or it might Lack strong color:
but it would be thoroughly interesting and it would
admit of a subtitle and refined manner OF comedy
action. There is nght-scene, with burglary
which would have a capital stage effect, as well as
dramatic force; and there is scene presenting the
Vicar of Durham in the drawing room OF the
Queen of Bohemia which is better than anything IN
the somewhat kindred exp rience of Jesse Rural
The tone of this work commingles high principle
with deep feeling and, when all is over, the spec
tator goes away with the of delighted and
salutary conduct and perfectly intellectual and
noble influence The style of Mr. Hatton is that of
a man who writes, with the vigor OF deep personal
interest and sympathy, upon subjects that he on
trey understands. This, however has long been
known. In the effort that he made yesterday there
was call for new and distinct order
of faculty. and it is but simple justice to
say that he disappointed almost everybody by
brilliant exhibition of true dramatic talent
1t was not that his management Of himself
upon the rostrum was marked by entirely good
taste that his deneanOr SIMPLE, and relied,
and free from self-cOnsclousness and that All art
and methOd-which, though it had been carefully
considered, seemed not the less spontaneous-gov-
erned his every attitude aud movement This might
all consist without the faculty of acting But Mr..
HattOn-at least for imaginative persons-succeeded
in making each of his characters distinct, and in
the case of the canny Scot. he gave positive i'm
PRESERVATION, and one that was brm-
performance. At moments. we mean to say
he was good actor and not reader. AID it is just
precisely because of this quality that his reading is
to be viewed quite exceptional. This scene. with
the Vicar and the Scotchman as interocut ors, was
90 full of lie, action, humor and feeling. that 1t
seemed as II two dstinct persons were convcTslng
and its effect upon the aud renee that of posi-
five enthusiasm MI. HaJton Is fortunate III voice
of unusual compass the low tones of which have
singular sweetness His sense of art is so true, Also
that lie never fingers ON DO ut, but invariably
passes on the moment his effect is made His read
ing therefore, is not bore. II held the audience
YESTERDAY for nearly two hours and sent ts auditors
away pleased and refreshed. Mr. Mackaye caused
a delicious little drawlDg-room scene TO be set for
Tins exblbition and the surrounding were all that
could be wished. Authors whO try to read their
own works so often prove bOres that 1t Is delight
full aud even memorable, 10 meet with an exceI-
ton The cautious reserve of the London articles
OF Mr.. HattOn-in papers quite needlessly fearful
tia their enthusiasm might take cold II exposed 10
the open air-had not prepared us Tor the success
that he achieved.