New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-29

cordiugly. those observers who insist that Lear
shall be broken giant may find his performance
Inadequate He does not, in aspect, resemble
this ideal of Lear, as Forrest did,
or as Brooke did. or even as Charles
Dillon did. Nevertheless his personation is
one of astonishing power and of great poetic beauty.
The contrast between the agony Of person when
going mad and the idle lightness of perfected in
sanity Through which glimmer and then the
doletul rays of reason and feeling is made with
firm purpose and consummate skill.
He apprchends the character with exact ale
glance to Shakespeare's text-Inaking the venerable
King very old man, already on the verge of senile
insanity and likely to be shattered by any strong
shock bat resolute with the remains OF once tire
mendOus lergy, and sensitive with the more than
feminine tenderness of a heart that is ali gem
erosity and love. He also makes him selfish
with the infrmiIy of age. yet clearly denotes that
the selfshness of Lodr is the passionate reyulsion
of disordered bran-unconsciOusly and imper-
cephSly weakened by time. And he makes him both
lovable and finely imaeinative-a man. originally,
Of winning nObleness and sweetness. and Of phil0-
sophie and charitable mind. More than this Lear
is not in Shakespeare, and more thai this be could
not be made upon the stage. If Mr..
Booth had it in his power, while carrying
this ideal into execution to satisfy the craving for
some Of the situations in this tragedy create. his
embodiment of Lear would be perfect-since it
would then be as tremendous in power as it already
is superb in pathos and in felicity of poetica treat
ment.
The passage to which he Is least adequate
is the opening of the storm-scene. The
curse upon GOneril though, he delivers
with thrilling eloquence and awful sincerity,
and the terrible outburst upon both the daughters
in that heart-breaking situation which Shake
speare has wonderfully commIngled of abortlve
fury, wounded love, Inundated pride, selfcon-
tempt, useless authority. and breaking mindj-he
makes electrical with frenzied emotion and lament
able agony 90, Fool. | shall 90 mad I" spoken
by Edwin Booth, Is tho splendid elimination
of as fine tragic fervor as the
stage in our day has witnessed. 1t
was at such points as this that Garrck great
i'll Ledr-an actor of smaller stature than Edwin
Booth yet renowned in this character no actor
ever has been from his day TO ours. These two are
kindred again in the recognition scene. History
has told us exactly what Garrck did with that sit
uatiOn, except as to the vocalism. Mr.. Booth.
presenting the type of dazed helpless and for
lorn seuilitv. speaks the text with mourniul
sweetness and miserable, tlmld, half-pleading
wholly forlOrn resignation that words may despair
to describe. Wretchedness has never till now found
Sutu an image, nor Sucu Il VICE. II I-tN III
Booth had acted other scene, he yet, IN this
would have written his great poem, and told the
story of his great dramatic genius.
An excellent beauty in MIR. Booths performance
of Lear the fecitOus skill with which his delicate
mechanical art-the invention and MANAGEMENT Of
illustrative business-is into lis ut eIance of
the text. Many details might be mentioned AZ
showing this satisfying and beautiful thoroughness.
be accidental touching of the onet on lordeids
brow and the ensuing question, Am in / rance T.
of these details Ihe persOnatiOn Is embossed
with them the sky Is with stars yet the com
plcXty OF the work only seTyes-as true 9rt Will al
ways make tt ministers dOcIe to purpOSe-tO en-
nance It's simplicity. Lcqr has been gwen only
once during Mr Booths present engagement but
contrary to expectation, II drew very large
audience. 1t Is not yet an absolutely
perfect work, in Mr.. Booths hands; but ii is great
achievement; ne has done nothing that ought To lie
accounted more admirable, for there is other
character III Shakespeare chat pnts such strain on
the feelings and mental forces and this strain he IS
able 10 bear
Mr. Boo1h had great house last night, 70 see HIM
as BertucciO This afternoon Hamlet, ana tonight
richard lIId and then we shall see him nO more for
inpor rruua