New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-23

strengthened the stage in the esteem of all good
men, and cheered the heart and fired the energy
Of every sincere artist that ever came within the
reach of his example. For his own best per-
sonal success he required a part in which. after
long repression, the torrent of passion can break
Loose in a tumult Of frenzy and a wild strain of
eloquent words. The terrible exultation of Cassius.
after the murder of Caesar, the ecstacy of
L~anciotto when he first believes himself to be
loved by Francesca. the delirium of Yorick when
he can no longer restrain the doubts that madden
his Jealous and wounded soul, the rapture Of
King James over the vindication of his friend
SEXTON. whom his suspicious have wrongcd-thes
were among his distinctively great moments, and
his image as he was in such moments is worthy
to live among the stored traditions and the
brightest memories of the stage.
Ccnsure seems to be easy to most people. and
few men are rated at their full value while they
are vet alive. Just as mountains seem more
| sublime in the vague and hazy distance. so a
noble mind looms grandly through the dusk
of death. So il will be with him. Lawrence
Barrett was a man Of high principle and perfect
integrity. lie never spoke Il false word nor know
ingly harmed a human being, in all his life.
Although sometimes he seemed TO be harsh and
impcriOus. he was at heart kind and humble.
Strife with the world, and in past times unccr-
tainty as u his position, caused in him the as
sumption of q stern and frigid manner, but be-
meath that naughty reserve there was a great
longing for human affection and q sincere hui
mility of spirit. He never nurtured hostility.
He had no memory for injuries bat a kindness he
never forgot. His good deeds were as numerous
IS his days-for no day rolled over his head
without its act of benevolcnce in one direction
or another. lie was as i%mpnlsive as a child.
He had much of the woman in his nature, and
therefore his views were impctuous, strong. and
often strongly stated; but his sense Of honor
kept pace with his sensibillty. and So maintained
the equilibrium Of his mind. In temperament
he was sad, pcnsive, interpretive, almost gloomy
but he opposed to that tendency an inccssant
mental activity. and the force Of a tremendous
will. In his lighter moods lie was not only
appreciative of mirth, but was the cause OF il.
His humor was elemental. and whatever aspect
of life he saw in a comic light he could set in
that light before the eyes of others. lie had
been a studious reader for many years and his
mind was stored with ample, exact and diversified
information. lie had n scholars knowledge of
Roman history. and his familiar acquaintance with
the character and career of the First Napoleon
was extraordinary. In acting. he was largely
Influenced by his studies OF Edmund kean and by
hi, association with Charlotte Cushman. For n few
years after 1864 his art was especially affected
by that of Edwin Booth, but the style TO which
he finally gravitatcd was his own. lie was not
SO much an impcrsonator as Inc was an inter.
prefer of character, and the clocutionary part Of
acting was made more conspicuous and important
by him than by any other %tragcdian since the
| days of Forrest and Brooke.
1t is q beautiful life that has ended. 1t is a
brave, strong spirit suddenly called ont of this
world. To the dramatic profession the loss Is
irreparable. In the condition OF the contemporary
theatre there are not many hopeful sienN. No
| doubt there will he bright days in the future,
as there have been in the past. They 60, and they
return. The stage declines. and the stage ad-
yances. At present its estate is low. Few
men like Lawrence Barrett remain for IT. to lose
It's main hope is in the abiding influence of such
examples as he has left. The old theatrical period
is fast passing away. The new age rusheS on the
| scene. with youthful vigor and impctuous tuinnlt.
But to some of us,-whO perhaps have not long
to stay. and to whom, whatever be their fortune
all this tumult is unsympathctic and inslgnlii-
| cant.-the way grows darker and lonclicr as we
Law our garlands Of eternal farewell upon the
coffin of Lawrence Barrett.
uTII INII