New-York tribune., 1903-01-14
A WORD ABOUT JULIUS CESAR.

Mr. MansheId's engagement at the Herald
Square Theatre, which began on December l,
1892, viii TO end next Saturday night. The
opportunity OF seeing his magnificent production
Of Julius Cesar is obviously valuable. and il
should not be neglected. In this revival of great
play the impressive pageants Of Roman history.
chosen and arranged by Shakespeares potent skill.
and enshrined in his noble and eloquent verse,
pass before the public vision IL one long, SYM
metricaI array OF royal pomp. spirited action, and
dramatic Significance, moving onward q mourn
full. splendid close. The temptation OF Brutus the
midnight conspiracy the assassination Of Cesar.
the respective efforts for the pacication and the
incitement Of the Roman mob the quarrel and
reconciliation Of the nsurgent chiefs the apparf-
ton OF Casars Ghost in the lonely tent at Sardis.
the v1cissitudes OF the final battle the suicide Of
CassiJs and OF Brutus. and thus the triumph of
inexorable justice over every power that would
aim TO serve good cause by bad neans-aII these
stirring incidents. graphically displayed by the
poet, and swathed in language of such sonorous
melody and vibrant feeling, live again in this
rich and beautiful representation,-the best in re-
spect to painting. that this tragedy has ever had
Most of the scenic compositions. it understood.
those that made and painted by Sir
Lawrence Alma-Tadena. for Henry Irvfng's pre-
sentiment Of "Coriclanus''
On Mr. Mansfed's original and poetic treatment
Of Brutus,-making him OF weird imagination
and fanatcal seIf-absorption predestnate misery
and ruiu.-abundant comment has already been
made in this place The performance is especially
potent and thrilling in its denotement OF a mind
that Is haunted; soul that is isolated conscience
that is riven with conflict between purpose and
doubt. The chief associated performances are in
the way of routine and therefore less strik-
ing-though that Of Caesar has conspicuous merit.
The most actively interesting character perhaps is
that Of Cassius-an ideal of pure exalted intellect
In Cassius intellectual pride is colossal that it
condemns Brutus. the least show Of subserviency
70 another even though that other be himself.
Cassius does disparage his friend for being
drawn into the conspiracy. but only makes one
passing comment the weakness Of mind that
will take advice from anybody. For Cassius be
lieves in the justice Of his the righteous
ness OF his purpose; and In the effort that he makes
10 incIte Brutus against Caesar. he conceives himself
to be using right means a good end, and embark
ing his friend upon glorious enterprise He is not
an Iago. He feels. indeed. personal scorn for
Cesar IncapabIe OF weakness himself he despises
veal aness IL others; and il has beer his fortune TO
behold the mighty julius both exhausted and H. He
is resentful Of the predominance OF not abler
than himself He is grim. austere. splenetic. But
his larger motive hatred OF tyranny and. hen at
last .the storm is up and all is on the hazard. no
man shows a braver mind. Z uuselfsh spirit,
more heroic front TO the foe, cooler indifference to
death The gentler caImer, broader. more self-con-
tained and more majestic nature OF Brutus attracts
more tender admiration; but 1t is Cassius who.
under the conditions prescribed in the play. and in
spite OF his crime which 10 him. is virtue carries
kindness COMPASSION almost love TO the last. As
fact Of history julius Cesar himself superior.
in every sort Of worth. TO all the Senators that slew
him with Antony and Octavius besides But the
reader cannot go behind the tragedy for iiuTnina-
tion Of IL the sufficient Illumination Of it, indeed is
given in words that are spoken by the great Brutus
himself over the dead body OF his comrade;
The last of all the Romans, fare thee Wen
II is impossible that ever Rome
Should breed thy felow.-Friends. owe more tears
To this dead man than you shall see me pay
W ".