New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-11

Aaa seldom displayed; never before n such huency
such amplitude, and such brilliant yigor
ms lght manner has descended. on the English
sage, through long line OF ancestry Robert
Greene seems 10 have possessed II. IN Elizabethan
days Robert Wilks certainly possessed 81 IN the
days Of Queen Anne: Garr3ck and Barry were
famous tor g. IN The days OF George III: and since
that epoch IL has been brilliantly exemplifed by
Lewis. Ell-ston, and Charles Kemble. In the early
days o. the American stage II appears 10 have had
rre-erninertly bright exponents in John Hodgkinson
and Joseph Jeferson-the grandfather Of the illus
u4oGs Jefferson OF our era Old votaries OF the
theatre saw Il. with delight, IN some OF the per-
torna1ces OF the elder Wallack and OF the won
oe-fully versatile Finn and there are playgoers OF
later date who remember Il wildly manifested
Il the acting o. Charles Mathews. William Wheat
hy. James z. Murdoch. J. K Mortimer and Lester
Fahack- The manner IS one that cannot readily
Be described. Excellent examples of 1t were af-
'noed by Wheatey as DoTicourt, and by Wallack
6 Don FelK-performsnces characterized by exu-
be-ert aluence Of animal spirits unbridIed Joyous
e1sltatton, superb demeanor, alert end flexible
movement, beauty Of person. grace Of carriage
nelodous and piquant vccalism, and altogether a
certain victorious splendor and triumphant pre-
dominance. No doubt those old actors were careful
about torm but they concealed their mechanism
and never seemed 10 be careful about anything
TO see Mathews as Wlding Waack as Rover
vas 70 look on spectacle Of happy and merry
Ne as free and radiant as the breezy sparkle OF
Ire waves beneath the morning sun. The word
thai OLD writer's sometimes used 20 indicate this
peculiar manner was gig; but single word
tGly des.gnates It. Appreciable, but not quite de-
Enable TIE auditor knows il by its effect; and its
eject was signally created and difused by Mr..
AAasaelds representation OF Beaucaire.
The man Of original gen1us-such q man as
Richard Msnsheld-is seldom entirely understood
and rightly and adequately appreciated by any
krge number OF persons. IN his own time. OrIgi-
EEitv II freel
and thus sometimes its antagonisIn Genius
furthermore. usually duplicates disturbing elements
q character, and these have been provided by Mr..
Mansfield p copioUs abundance. Indeed this come
dams career. since the night Of his triumph in the
oeiestahle part OF Baron Chevrial, at the old Union
bq1sre Theatre. has been OF almost incessant
eor1ic; snc storm Prior 20 that time he had a
Bitter experience IN English theatres. OF poverty,
toll vicissltude. and hope deferred but soon after
that tine he became dictator OF fortune and he
has continuously risen. since, IN prosperity.
isns and power. All sorts OF contentious, however.
nave rsged around him Words OF sarcasm. as TO
ne actors, the newspapers. and the public, have
llen from his lips and pUngeDt ebullitions Of ban
s have come from his pen More than once-as
II Castle Sombras." and IN some OF the compost
ions o. Ar. George Bernard STRAIGHTFORWARD
hoaxes have revealed his inclination 20 mystfying
peasant. Press wrangles and law suits have
steadily attended him. 50 that. even IN the
shakespsarian OF COriOIanEs there has been
----oe sr--e and s4hAsA4Lc4 Dc44ALA oAN LlcEo
ers tWc facts about Nh Mansfield that stand forth
N conspicuous prominence: he has always been IN
terestng. and he has always maintained the
c1ity snd dignity OF his profession. His activity
as been incessAnt. and his NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
uHio before any rivalry nor hesitant before any
venture prolific OF new plays and expeditions in
many WanderingS.-has been courageous even 10
sooAcity. Z viii be remembered Of him that he
gave 20 London dramatic sensation, first with
1efyn and HYDE" and then with novel treat
hent q Richard mr. that he gave 20 New-York
one o. is prettiest theatres. the GarTck. and one
q us most splendid 6hakespearian spectaces the
Production OF Henry Va: and II viii be rernern-
bereo o. him that. passing easily and ably from
masicai-fsrce 20 serio-comio drama and nom TO
nance 70 tragedy. he displayed resources OF versa
ue sb.ity not often exemptheo IN all the long his
Sosy Of lis ar And finally II Is significant Of him
mat he is the American actor Of American he
ca be called having been born Of German parents.
foreign land). 20 whom by common consent
Zoe wishss Of thoughtful men have committed the
nSh artistic duty and the royal sceptre that Edwin
Sooth laid down.
II VIZ Inevitable. IN the development OF a mill
Aat Character and the building OF cosmopolitan
population, that he should have opponents and oe-
Asc'ors Merit always has them And II is not IN
-Aeg that Mr.. Mansfield. when acting from I'm
Vust rather than Judgment, has sometimes made
s'toTE But he Sc a remarkable man. and the COM
H41IlV Il indebted 70 him for pleasures Of a high
N1I and Tor permanent intellectual benefit AS
~ years have passed. Furthermore, the man has
trO"h In ssf-poise. cornposure. and dignity, and.
''iesIonoingly, the actor has grown In refinement
eeDueness and repose Doubt as 70 tbs public
recognition OF his abilities has long since passed
~sy. His victory has been gained; he must be
s- aware % II; and by observers. certainly.
-e Is understood. The performance Of Beaucaire
-sDeVeo With cordial sympathy and admiration
tO-A Tar 20 reveal Azr. Msnsheid's actual nature
e has been represented more particularly oy
-ea1oers q the dramatic profession. as an unrea-
0Atole martinez, hard. sarcastic. irritable in IAN
sage and tyrsnaical N conca The son OF thai
-oentr1o genius MEae Isudersaorf COULD hardly be
yting but cratic and capricious IN his Inherited
.'oaH' Gao doubt Mr.. EansheId's patience has