Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-06-01
From the New Orleans sunday states
OUR NATIVE TRAGEDlAN.

From the New Orleans sunday states
OUR NATIVE TRAGEDlAN.
1t has given great qualification to
our whole community, who take n
natural and justitiable pride i'll the
achievements Of our native sons, 10
read the many eloquent encomiums
of the dramatic art and accomplish
ment of our young traSedlan, IL. u.
Mclean, which have appeared i'll the
newspapers of all the cities and towns
in which he has filled engagements.
His dramatic tour, beginning August
18th last. has embraced the States of
Louisiana. Texas, Georgia, Alabama
and Mississippi. In the principal
towns in these States there has been
one uniform concurrence Of opinion
and criticism in assigning to him the
leading position on the American
stage a. n tragedian and artist
With his remarkable natural endow-
ments, physical and mental, and an
innate histrionic tendency, all that
was needed to develop in him all the
qualities of historian of the highest
class was the practice and training
through which he has just passed, in
the two years during which he has so
zealously pursued his onward and
upward course in the profession which
NE adopted with great personal sacri-
fee. but with an uneXtingulshable
affection and ineXhaustible devotion.
Even in straight-laced Philadelphia,
the tributes everywhere paid 10 Mr..
McLean's achievements in his art
throughout the South have been fully
indorsed and confirmed by the able
and appreciative journals of that
city.
Thus that most sedate and conserva-
tive of journals, the Philadelphia In
quirer of May s, describes our young
tragedian's appearance in that refined
and cultured city:
"rhe Philadelphia Inquirer of May
Sth says: The production of 'lngomar
at the Arch Street Theatre last even
ing was the opening of the engage
ment of the two eminent artists, Miss
Marie Prescott and Mr.. II. ID. Mclean.
Unusual interest was centered in the
performance owing TO the fact that 1t
was the first opportunity which the
Philadelphia dramatic public has had
of seeing the latter of the two stars,
and Miss Prescott had not been seen
here for an unfortunately long time.
In selecting 'Ingomar' for the initial
performance the stars were happy in
the choice OF, drama III which they
made IA thoroughly enjoyable and
strong dramatic representation. Mr..
Mclean il an actor of the most robust
and manly pattern, of commanding
physique and natural grace. His voice
is powerful, deep toned, resonant, and
musical, and capable OF every modula-
ton and infection with which to add
strength to the romantic impersona-
ton of the lOye-tamed, love-ciyilized
barbarian, lngomar. In voice and
bearing he has every natural iunda-
mental qualification for a tragedian,
and his attainments show such cul-
tivation of the powers in his command
as to leave no doubt about his posses
sion of dramatic talent of the highest
order. 1t would be vain to personity
hvpercriticism TO attempt TO find fault
with a characterization which in
every respect received such careful
and painstaking treatment as that
which Mr.. Mclean has bestowed upon
his romantic role. In every line and
action he portrayed the true disposl-
ton of the barbarian, whose coarse
nature underwent the rapid process
of civilization through the influence
Of his hostage"
Another leading journal of the same
city thus speaks of Mr.. McLean's mas
terly delineation of Shylock:
The delineation of Shylock by Mr..
II. ID. Mclean last night at the Arch
Street Theatre was especially power
full and impressive. He invested the
character with new and telling points
and became most intense at times in
the representation. Instead of the
beetle-browed. common. tricky and
abhorrent Israelite of the slums, Mr..
McLean's Shylock was Jew of intel
lectuality. bitter and intense in his
hatred of Antonio, not a a personality,
but as the representative OF Christian
sects, who had stolen his daughter
and his ducats and from time iInme-
mortal bad persecuted his forefathers,
stigmatized and scorned them. Mr..
Mclean was especially powerful in
the scene which finds its climax in the
words: But | will not eat with you,
drink with you or pray with you.
His glorification when he learns Bes-
SANTOS misfortune, finding expression
in the sentence, i thank God for this
news, was followed by paroxysm of
exultant laughter, intense in its hatred
and bitterness. He clutched the air
in his ghoulish glee as he bade Tubal
60 and meet me at the synagogue
70 rhnnI Gnd that tho Mound of fash