Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-10-07
"DEFENcE OF sHYLocK"
James Young ofVioIa Allen Co. Spoke
 to Pupils at Notre Dame.

A literary treat of rare value was
 enjoyed at the Convent of Notre Dame l on Friday afternoon when James
 Young, the brilliant and leading young
 actor of the Viola Allen company, de livered a lecture to the students, alum nae and patrons of this well known in. stitution.
 MT Young has had wide experience
 in featuring before colleges and univer. sities, and this, his second appear
 ance at the Convent of Notre Dame,
 was greeted with enthusiastic ap.
 plause by an expectant and apprecia. five audience.
 This youthful orator combines with his marked dramatic ability the charms of a most pleasing voice, and fin his interpretation of Shakespearean plays the immortal poetry of the Bard of Avon becomes melody and music.
 His passages from the Merchant of Venice displayed his rare gifts as an actor, and his deductions and argu- ments recalled vividly the truth that 'It takes poet to appreciate poet"
 Mir Young assumed Herculean task-"The Defense of Shylock' In his opening remarks he cited an incl dent in a modern theater which sug- gested his theme, 1.-The poor old man is wronged"
 He stated emphatically that "0f all the characters in the Merchant of Ve- niee.' Shylock is the most honest, most sincere" and he would show also that "Antonio was not so good or so generous as he pretends." He paid a flatterlng tribute to the poor, misguid- ed Jew, broken in spirit, unjust to himself. persecuted, too proud to ask protection, crushed by the perfidy of his daughter, yet true to his prinel- ples-a worshipper of Jehovah accord ing to the ancient customs of his race. Mir Young represented the character of Shyiock as the outgrowth of the harshness surrounding him and yet, through all, he was actuated and gov erned by three underlying principles love of home, civic relations, and re- ligion.
 The trial, bringing into prominence the beautiful Portia, Antonio, Shylock and the judge, was both graphic and interesting. Roundly did the young lecturer condemn the cruelty and In. humanity that forced upon Shylock the necessity of becoming an unwilI- ing Christian.
 Mr Young violently attacked the deep-seated convictions of bis conven- tual auditors when he declared Ihat Portia was unforgiving. was without sentiments of mercy or charity, and that she viewed the scene of Shylock's unjust condemnation without compas- sion, without plea for leniency.
 Antonio was guilty of intrigue and treachery in beguiling Shyiock to his palace to be sumptuOusly entertained that. in his absence from home, the m. victim might be despoiIed of his ducats, his jewels and his daughter.
 AEr Young held that "shylock was right in motive. wrong ln method" and that he was faithful to his reli-. ous code-"Be silent to those that rurse ye and humble rhyself to the dust"
 The lecture proved both interesting ind instructive and. owing to its dra- natic features. it was more attractive iban Is the usual conventional lecture. Its results must be of practical bene- it. encouraging as 1t did greater ir- l crest in Shakespearean study.
 It was with reluctance that the gift , sd young lecturer was allowed to l ,peed away for his evenings engage nent and his departure was not taken | without many a protest mingled uirb l he unanimous wish that at an esrIy l late Mr Young may repeat his visit | To the Convent of Notre Dame.