Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1886-07-31
THE DRAMATIC RECITAL.
The Reading by Mr.. Royle for she
Masonic Library Benefit.

From the Salt Lake Tribune. June 29.l
Notw outstanding the fact that Inde-
pendence Hall was crowded to its
utmost seating capacity and that the
night was Oppressively warm, such
was the rapt and undivided attention
given to MIR. Edwin Milton Royle's
masterly reading, that at times the
very ticking OF the clock could be
plainly heard. He held his audience
enchained for almost two hours, and
while monologues as usual thing are
bores, Mr.. Royle SO engaged the atten-
ton and fascinated the minds of his
auditors that the time seemed to have
creLt away stealthily and unobserved.
The reader was surrounded by one OF
the most critical and cultured audi
ences ever assembled in Salt Lake, the
department of lie being well repre-
sented. OF course Mr.. Royle knew
he was among friends, and this fact
Introduced by Judge Bennett as q
Utah Gentle production in whom we
all felt pride and a deep interest, the
young gentleman began the evenings
entertainment by announcing that this
was his first appearance as public
reader, and he would on that account,
if for no other reason, crave the
audiences indulgence. His exOrdium
or rather his analysis of the play Of
Julius Caesar, showed that the gentle
man had devoted considerable study
and research into the Psychological
phenomena of the actors Whom Shakes.
speare had placed upon the boards in this
play. His language was chaste, choice,
beautiful, his synonyms we'll chosen,
| and his metaphors most apropos. The
woof upon which he wove the thread
of the story, leaving out here and
there scene, yet connecting the world
in such manner that not single part
of the plot was lost by the necessary
cutting that the length of the drama
demanded, was OF delicacy of con-
slruction which proved that Mr.. Royle
as not only an elocutIonist, but gen.
tleman of strong intellectual attain
ments and a scholar.
1t would be unfair to compare our
tellow-townsmen with such men as
Herman Linde or Locke Richardson in
the rendition of such a masterpiece as
"Julius Cesar" for these men have
had years of experience. But it is safe
TO predict that Mr.. Royle will, ii the
present gives any indication of the
future, not only equal, but In time sur
pass these giants in the rhetorical field.
Mr.. Royle has an abundant amount of
self.assurance, and this is said not III q
criticising spirit, bnt rather in the way
of praise, for it is a characteristic in
which most public elecutionists
are sadly deficient. His enun
citation is clear and distinct and
while his facial expressions are not
as yet sufficiently trained to depict all
the various passions and emotions with
that truthfulness to nature which adds
half the charm to u well.mOdulated
voice, he nevertheless gives evidence
of good training IN that direction. In
pathetic passages he is particularly
strong, and his recitals Of those scenes
between Brutus and his wife POrtia,
and the tender talk that Brutus has
with his page, were admirable. The
quarrel scene between Brulus and
Cassius drew forth warm applause, and
throughout and at the, close of the enter
tainment, the young gentleman was
greeted with testimonials of approval
The effort of memory alone was marvel.
ous, Mr.. Royle never hesilating for a
word, and going through the whole
play without book or note to give him
the "cue."
1t was certainly an intellectual feast
and 25O people present went away in q
most comfortable and happy frame OF
mind. Mr.. and Mrs. ROyle, the par
ents of the young gentleman, were the
recipients of many warm congratula
tions Oh their sons success.