New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-17
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
urNRy IRVING IN AMERICA.


urNey IRyISG,s IMPRESSIONS OF AMERICA, Mar
rated in series OF sketches Chronicles and Converse
tons, by JOSEPH HArToN' lZmo' ppa'o' oos'o"'
James r. Osgood Co.
While Mr. Irving's triumphs as an actor are still
fresh in public remembrance his book of impress
sons of America" has been published, almost
simultaneously, in London and New-fork III WILL
of course be received with eager curiosity ana at
tentive interest. Arriving at the end OF octooer
1883. and departing at the end of April this year.
Mr.. Irving passed six months in this country
1t is not long time, and the ACTOR
was seriously employed during the whole Vi
its extent but he enjoyed extraordinary oppoi
tunities of observation he visited many VI .n1
more important cities of the Union he mingled
freely with many classes of American society nc
was entertained by the President of the uniteu
States by many prominent citizens and at many oil
the clubs he went to every point of interest tha'
he could reach in the course of his long Journey
and he saw all kinds of people. Dusier SIX
months we may we'll believe, it never was MS io' 10
pass and, as every judge OF human chSlactoi
must have seen, that ever saw him ACT, he
Is n man of the keenest intuition, the most active
power of observation, aud of sngulary clear )udg-
ment Next to the imagination, by which every
where his acting was illumined and exai'eo,
nothing was so impressive among his personal
attributes shown alike in his speeches and his
fine and satisfying knowledge, coupled WITH and
indeed reared upon, a temperament uncommonly
calm patient and gentle. The observations OF
such mind would, naturally, be characterized by
breadth clearness precision and courtesy; and THESE
are found to be the conspicuous quantieS III
all that Mr. Irving has here set down wlthrcIerehce
TO what he saw in America. Had the book oeen
written by his own hand, upon mature reflection
with patient labor, and in that Keen, compact
polished style which has marked his important
public addresses and his several prefaces to
theatrical works, it must have possessed,-what
now to some extent 1t lacks,-proportion. sym
metry. consistent and sustained Importance the
substantial quality that depends on choice OF topics
and rejection of details and atmosphere
of even and reposeful litei airy grace
But the work has not proceeded from his own PEN
and ii is more q passing chronicle than a Dody OF
thought upon what the chronicler has recorded IN
his memory. Mr.. Joseph Hatton, who is one OF
Mr. Irving's intimate friends, and who was his COM
panion in this country, has written the greater part
of the record and the object sought and accom-
plished by him was a History of Mr.. irving Amer
Jean Tour. This the volume presents in copOus full
ness aud minute accuracy. No such work
has ever before been done for an actor.
The narrative COWS with the excitement that at
tended Mr. Irvings remarkable progress through
our country, and fairly teens with observation-disclosures
incident that steadily attended his course. There
will at least, be complaint from the future
historian of the stage that this book passed over the
actual details and III the desire 10 theorze ana le-
feet omitted the common and essential facts
Viewed as material for history in this especial de-
partment the volume is a trustworthy cOntrlDu-
ton to literature for it is comprehensive 1t is
thorough, it is explicit aud it Is true. With
clear and fresh recollection of Mr.. Irvngs tour this
can be said very heartily for Mr.. HattOns account
of IT, The atmosphere Of travel preserved there
is no constrant or squeamsh fastdiousness in the
style OF the substance /; the twenty-five chapters |
are full of diversity, and they convey just I'M
preston of the most remarkable theatrical journey
that has ever been made in America, scarcely ex- |
cepting those of Jenny Lind and Charles Dickens;
and furthermore, by means of brief biographies III
foot-notes considerable quantity of useful theat-
rcal information has here been made convenient OF
access A sketch of Miss Ellen Terry, for example,
finds its place in tins way, aud is of obvious worth
To Mr. Irving's part in the book it is possible to
do iustice only by extract; and several parts
of his talk are given herewith. But that
which is most impressive in the actors share IS the
remarkable figure that he himself presents amid all
these scenes of novelty, excitement, artistic effort
and exacting circumstance. he perfect repOse and
simplicity of his manner the patience, gentleness
and dignity of his bearing, the calm resolution with
which he met every duty, the sincerity and brill
fancy with which he performed his wOrk-respond
ing night after night, to tremendous drain upon
nervous strength and the electricity of the mind
the unfaIling resources of playful humOr with
which he enivened the way. the constant and SYM
pathetic appreciation that he gave to others the
natural activity and variety that he displayed III
hiscontact with so wide circle of people andn his
many and always felicitous public speeches as well
as in his acting the foresight with which he
planned his professional campaign, the sagaclty
in choice and of pieces with which he
carried it through, and the grace and completeness
with which he rounded it to a consummate close
these are the denOtements of most exceptional
and admirable nature. 1t has pleased various sa
pient commentators to ascribe Mr. Iryings success
in America to management" and ntr;gue-as if |
he were charatan in the art of acting, and as II
his renown were a mere fashion of the capricOus |
hour. Nothing could be more false than such an |
idea Of Henry Irving He has succeeded because |
he is genuine actor, solid, substantial and ade- |
quate to his work; not always equally great but |
always good, always earnest, always original and |
definite and firm So much his public career |
avouches And no thoughtful reader OF these
Impressions of America" which he has authenti- |
Gated will leave the perusal of this book -notwith
standing its desultory feverish and often tri1ing
character-without admiring the ught upon the |
solidity of the character which could pass I'M |
scathed through such strain and bear the test of
such a chronlce
Here are a few extracts:
Mr.. IRVING on sHYLoCK AND THE FOLLY OF
TRADITION.
: Eyes" he SAID, 1.-The play has gone well, very
well indeed; but the audience not altogether
with me- always feel, in regard 70 this play that
they do not understand what ] am doing. They
only responded at all tonight. where Shyocksrage
and lnortifcation get the bettero his dignity"
=" never saw Kean's ShyOck, Phelps's, nor
indeed any ones. But am sure that Shylock was
not a low person mSer and usuTer, certainly, but
a very injured man--at least he thought | felt
that my audience tonight had quite different !
onininn and once wished the house hal heen |