New-York tribune., 1885-01-24
Mr.. BARRETT AND FRANCESCA.

The Tooth performance in New York of Mr.
Boxers tragedy f"Francesca ia misunderstanding from
Lawrence Barrets first presentation OF 1t at the star
Theatre, August 27, lss3wil tonight, and tho
piece Will then be- temporarily, withdrawn 1t has had,
under Mr. Barretts direction and largely consequence
OF the vigOr with which he has pired IT, remarkable
Before this courageous and ndonitab,e actor
undertook its revival 1t had long slept upon the library
shelf and but for him. its sumber would have remained
unbroken By judclous alteration of its form, by virtue
OF personal suitability chief character Ian
ctoto by splendid force OF intellect and OF passionate
with the clearcut style and exquisite
finish Of the eameo-by judgment and taste making
competent cast OF parts, and by liberal
garnlture beautiful and dresses Mr. Barrett
succeeded, had done before
in vtazng the tragedy, and in bringing its pathetic sig
nifcance home the hearts OF his audence-which is
great throughout this land II Immediately obtained
bouneous acceptance every where; and Thousands OF
and women have thus been led by 1t to reflect
upon one Of the most essentially elemental aud
representative stories OF human experience that tera
has embalmod The good result OF this
quence-n It's tendency toward enlightenment OF the
mind as to the passions and in its stimulation Of ts
moral sensecoud scarcely be overvalued, aud is not
readily to be expressed.
Whether viewed as an ethical lesson a dramatic
picture the story OF Francesca da Rimn is possessed
deepest significance. There perhaps many
persons the world who capable Of feeling such
ton Is sway ana the
this terrible tragedy who would under the stress Of
such emotion have the courage TO act In accordance
with their feelings There Is among human beings-and
always has been. and probably always will be more Of
talk about sincerity there is Of sincerity itself Yet
all persons SEQ, in such story. something repro
sentative of possible human experience, something
tually pictorial of human misery and ruin, and
something therefore, which ennobes the emotional
ture by inspiring pity and terror while 1t impresses
the moral with both warning and guidance. All
the great poesand they after ALL tho best teachers
without meaning to teach-who have touched
this theme OF the violence done to love- had
but drift Aud, strange to say il Is not invariably
usually the sin against others, but the earnesnes
truth, depth and fidelity Of the passion ITSELF which has
been shown the source and motive Of an gush aud
DEATH PaOto and Hdncesed have betrayed trust and
broken law, as Lanceot and Guneyere had done before
them but Romeo and Juliet innocent OF
everything but secrecy OF plot to battle a cruel tyr
amy ; and so, in Robert BrOwDings fine old play OF
"a Blot in the 'souteheon which Mr. Barrett will
shortly reproduce here-Merton and Mildred, consider
ing their respective natures tho circumstances suggested
and their purpose OF reparstion are substantially nno
cent But perhaps the poets have had it In mind TO say
npd probably IL is true that any great human passion
thaG sweep. away from Its perfect spiritual
fidelity from its moral moorings upon the Divine law
and its fealty to Heaven, will inevitably cast 1t upon
We cannot live to ourselves alone. We do not with
idolatry One OF the most eloquent and significant oi All
tho great lines poetry refers the fatal giit of
beauty" association with everything that the moss
lovely aspect and the most rapurous In feeling there
Is always tone OF sadness OF ominous presentimen
The greater the passion. the enhancing Is the
ecsatic perception Of life. and the more inevitable is me
seouence OF disaster and grief Not indeed for ignoble
natures They sometimes feel strongly. but lhey
cannot suffer nobly and Of these. accordingly. Fate
makes no account. They suffered TO
escape by grovelling through meanness 10 oblivion
There would seem % be possible choice between an
guish which is followed by redemption and immortal re
nown and scathless shame which Is followed by ex!inc
ton Paoio and frdneesca instead OF shielding thsIn
selves with lie avowed their love and their guilt and
paid their penalty and they survive In halowed
light of yrdomthe victims OF what, In all theu
mortal lyes truest and best Conquest OF the pas
slons Is, doubt the higher heroism That way lies
moral grandeur and success But the failures of life also
teach and t is with these that the poets have reached
the human heart In this the tragedy OF fran-
cesca da Rmini has brought authentic message.
and In Its revival and continuance upon the stage. Law
Barrett has eonspcuonsy shown both his feeling
and his wisdom.
LAWRENCE BARRETTS PERFORMANCES