Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-14

raphy of Caesar is acknowledged to be
very imperfect, Caesars character al
tered very much for the worse shortly
before his death, and Shakespeare has
represented him according to his sugges-
ton. With what reverence Shakespeare
viewed his character as whole may be
learnt from several passages of his works
and even in this play from the way in
which he allows his memory to be respect
ed soon as he is dead
CHARACTER OF CASSIUS.
In the description of Cassus we look
upon the time when the great man was
natural, simple, understanding popular,
and on an equal footing with others Now
he is spoiled by victory, success, power,
and by the republican courtiers who sur
round him. He stands close to the Dor
ders between usurpation and discretion;
he is master in reality, and is upon the
point Of assuming the name and right; he
desires heirs to the throne; he hesitates
to accept the crown which he would
gladly possess; he is ambitious, and fears
he may have betrayed this in his par
oSys,ns OF epilepsy; he eSclaims against
flatterers and cringers, and yet both
please him. All around him treat him as
master, his wife as a prince; the senate
allow them selves to be called his sem
ate; he assumes the appearance ot a
wife he uses the language of man who
knows himself secure of power, and he
maintains everywhere the proud, strict
bearing of a soldier, which is represented
even IN his statues.
Il ore of the changes at which Plutarch
hints lay in this pride, the haughtiness
another lay in his superstition. In thesus-
picion and apprehension before the final
step. he was seized. contrary to his usual
q h wifi yixyiv ~
surerstiuous fears, which affected like
WISE the hitherto free-minded Calphur-
MIA. These conflicting feelings divide
him, his fcrebodings excite him, his pride
and his defiance OF danger struggle
against them, ard restore his former con-
tidance, which was natural TO him, and
which causes his ruin; just as like con-
fidence, springng from another source,
ruined Brutus.
acting Of Richard Mansfield is seen at
it's best in those impersona sions OF his that
derive their vitality from the grim, ghast-
~, and morbid attributes OF human ma.
ture. That he is unique actor, and DIS
inctly great actor in Richard III.
Jekyll and Hyde, Baron -aevriel, Shy
lock and Arthur Dimesdale few Judges
vii. deny. His performs noes of these
parts have shown him to be man o.
that his characteristics, mental and spir-
itual, arc sombTe. But from his Prince
Karl, Beau Bruulmel, Beaucsire, and Don
Juan. 1t is perceived that the current Of
mis- inspiration flows as freely from the
silver spring of goodness as from, the dark
and troubled fountain of human misery.
The public gain in the cor..icoming pro.
duction of Julius Caesar will be a re-
vival Of interest in one of the most IA
nous tragedies in the language, and the
possession of ccenicsl pageant that will
i'll the eye Will, beauty and strongly
move the Imagination.
On Monday and Tuesday evenings OF
this week the Academy will be given over
to comedies from the pen OF the late
Charles Hoyt. Monday matinee and
night, his latest success. "a Stranger in
New York" will be presented, and Tues
day. matinee and night, his famous IA
Trip to Chinatown
Both these plays are written in Hoyt's
happiest VEIN and it is claimed by many
critics that they are by far the best plays
he has ever turned out. At any rate II
not the best they have been the most
successful Of his efforts They are, Of
course. both full of bright wit, brilliant
satire. and that delicious topsy-turvydon
| that this playwright reveled in.
Singing, dancing, and specia1ties, that
are said to be absolutely new, bevy of
pretty girls-for no Hoyt show is com
plete without the1n-elaborat e and fetch
/ ing costumes, ridiculously funny scenes
and situations. and bright, crisp, witty
i dialogue are the principal features 81
/ both plays.
Each piece will be given a complete
] scenic production, While the music, songs
and specialities will be entirely different