Year: 1859

LUCRETA BoRGGA.-This is one of the most
powerful efforts of the modern drama, and
difficult to play. Very few actresses have
been equal to the rendition of the principal
character. Mrs Estelle Mcdonald is one OF


that number. Indeed, Lucretia Borgia Is. IN


our opinion, her greatest part. She seems to


have studied the character philosophically


and historically, and her impersonation most


thoroughly realizes our conception OF what


Lucretia was. The mingled affection, ten


derness and passionateness of her nature


the wild impatience of opposition-the world
! of flaming love that dwelt within her bosom
the power of hate that was part OF her
extraordinary Characteristic pride that KIN
died in her eve and curled with scorn her
beautiful lip-the hell and the heaven OF her
mind and heart-are hard indeed to cmbody
and represent in the histrionic art But Mrs.
Mcdonald succeeds in the representation
We have heard hundreds of good judges de-
clare that Mrs Mcdonald (then Mrs. Potter
was the best Lucr tia Borgia that they ever
saw, and we are inclined to second in toto
the proposition. There is something of
mannerism, we are bound to admit, in her
portrayal of the scenes which are more par
ticularly devoted to tender feeling and pathos,
but when she comes to the truly tragic por'
ton of the drama, she is ga beautiful en-
bodied storm y" commanding, grand, awe-in-
spring. Then does her voice seem to assume
new power and to pierce the very soul with
its thrilling and sublime melody. No shade
of expression, no vibration of feeling is lost.
In every tone, in every hue that colors her
cheek, in every fash that illumines her eye,
the soul Of the drama and its perfection are
visible. No movement or gesture is out of
place. There is perfect majesty and grace;
and genius stands confessed before us.


Such is the character of Mrs. McDonald's
acting in this great part Her genius never
seems TO have full swing until she renders
some character of intensest energy. She is
one of those actresses who must be aroused in
order to shine, in order in fact to do herself
Justice. 1t has been said of certain great
orators that in their ordinary mood, they
were ordinary men. 1t was only when their
mighty souls were stirred with some com
mensurate theme, that they came forth in the
amazing power of their gifted natures and
shook the world with their eloquence. The
case is similar with the best actors very
great part, and only that which is truly
great, brings forth their energy and shows
what they are. Lighter parts they leave to
lighter material.


We had intended to make extracts from
this drama of Lucretia Borgia, in order to
give our ideas, by illustration, as to where
the peculiar forte of Mrs Mcdonald lies, but,
not having the piece before us we must forego
the pleasure.


P. SIT was the intention of this lady, we
believe, when she married her talented hus
band, to quit the stage forever, but literary
men are not always the most blessed in this
worlds goods, nor the editorial profession al
ways the most productive, (although it often
is) however honorable and influential She
has, therefore, with the very reluctant con
sent of her husband, concluded to re appear
upon the theatrical boards, for the purpose OF
aiding him in his arduous and often unre
Quilted labors. The motive is honorable to
her as a woman, and we wish her the utmost
success