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The dense mass present seemed to have some especial object in view beside ban queting on the performance of this gifted actor, and symptoms broke out, before the rising of the curtain, of some such disposition. Forrest's name was frequently repeated, accompanied with cries of "Hail Columbia," and when at last the scene drew, and presented to their longing eyes the well-remembered form and features of our national tragedian, a shout burst forth from box, pit, and gallery, which for intensity and duration surpassed any thing we had ever before heard in a theatre. The honored actor rose and bowed profoundly, but, as if indifferent to his acknowledgments, the deafening roar still went on and gained in strength and volume.

It was evidently meant that its echoes should cross the Atlantic, to abash and confound the pack of English curs, "Tray, Blanche, and Sweetheart," which had lately showed their teeth and malice at sight of the envied excellence of our American actor, whose marked superiority could not be brooked in silence. This demonstration was well conceived and as well executed by the audience which crowded the Park Theatre on the return of Forrest, and there was a haughty dig. nity in the mode of rebuke which well became the American character. The play at length went on, and never was an audience more intent, and never did actor better deserve such homage by the thril ling portraiture he drew of the follies and griefs of the broken-hearted Lear. It would delight us much to wander sippingly, bee-like, from flower to flower of his exquisite delineation of Shakspeare's grandest effort, but our space and not our will refuses. Our remarks must be gene ral, and directed rather to the ensemble of Mr. Forrest's performances than to the minuter details, whose novel beauty and excellence would consume whole volumes of eloquent commentary. We attended his impersonations of King Lear, Othello, and Hamlet, and were not more fascinated by his inimitable acting, than struck by his unexpected improvement.

We recollect distinctly Mr. Forrest's acting in 1830, which was then remarkable, and filled our theatres to suffocation. His style was chiefly impassioned, and he gave to the utterance of the wilder emotions and passions of our nature a stormy vehemence, which appalled by its fury and attracted by its truth. The masses particularly were captivated by the natural graudeur of his acting, which owed nothing, then, to the refine. ments of study or to elaboration of ornament. At this period Mr. Forrest overlooked entirely the development of all

the subtler shades of character, and failed utterly in the delineation of the tenderer emotions. It was then supposed by the best judgments that his style was determined, and that to the end of the chapter our tragedian would excel chiefly in the terrible expression of the stronger passions for which his herculean powers so well fitted him. Had Mr. Forrest's genius been less, these predictions would have been verified. But as years went on, his acting steadily improved.

By degrees he began to evoke the secret spirit of his impersonations, and give to its capricious and varying phases a vivid and startling reality, which doubly enhanced the spell of his acting, and revealed the intellectual acumen of the player. Stranger still, this giant-actor, whose furious bursts of simulated passion have made whole audiences recoil in fear, gradually learned to subdue the hoarse thunder of his magnifi cent voice into tones of such tender sweetness in the well-feigned revelation of the gentler emotions, as to draw tears from every eye. His pathos was so natural, subdued and touching, as to become irresistibly affecting. Those who had followed him, admiring and wonder-struck, through these alternate and marvellous unfoldings of his ripening powers, thought at last the ultima thule had been reached, and that they beheld in him the last perfections of a truly great actor, whose natural genius, sharpened by experience, and refined by study, had given form and shape to its brightest exhalations and left nothing more to hope, as there was nothing in his acting to desire. His recent performances at the Park Theatre have proved the utter fallacy of these convictions, for, like his great master, having exhausted all old familiar modes of stage-painting, he has imagined new.

It would be a labor of love to enter, as we have said, on a critical examination of his admirable conceptions and still more wonderful execution; to expatiate on his new readings, and to express our fervent admiration of his noble bearing, his graceful gesture, his harmonious intonations, and on every light and shade of the faultless portraits, he throws off with such consummate skill as to fill us nightly with wonder and delight. But we must confine our selves to the simple statement of the marked novelties we recognize in Mr. Forrest's acting since his return, which may possibly serve his future biographer in tracing what we have so crudely attempted, the progressive growth of his rare talents to the fulness of maturity. Whilst the early fire of the tragedian has lost nothing of its heat, it has acquired from passing through the lens of longer experience, a concentration which gives it ten

fold effect. His passion is now displayed with an intensity which arouses the spectator to involuntary sympathy, and awakens responsive throbs in every heart.

Throwing aside the conventionalism of the English stage, which has transmitted tragedy clothed in the stiff manner and pretentious stride of the Kemble school, he walks the stage with rare dignity, but in a natural gait, whilst his manner wears a simplicity so real that the audience is cheated into a momentary belief that they are looking upon scenes of actual life, and not the "counterfeit presentments" of the stage. These delicate shadings which lend "a grace beyond the reach of art," are the genuine inspirations of a keen sensibility and the acute mind of genius. To say that Mr. Forrest is the only living representative of Shakspeare is saying very little; for without quarrelling with the mental capacities of English actors, it is indubitable that not a single one of them has the mere physical requisites in shape or power. There is not one that can stand up, and " say to all the world this is a man;" and no matter what the intellect of the actor, his physical inability to realize the conceptions of his author renders him incompetent, and certainly no rival to the American tragedian, who has been so liberally endowed by nature with a person entirely adequate to express all that his original and daring mind can in its boldest flights conceive. Whilst the English nation may justly boast of their immortal bard, have we not reason to be proud of the only actor who can give to his creations a habitation and a name?" The esteem in which he is held, and the crowds which flock to the theatre, are the best proof that his country rejoices in his splendid talents; but

"come what may, The cat will mew, and dog will have his day."

The public of New-York are still surprised and pained to see the persevering malice of certain journals which have for years past followed the career of Mr. For rest with the spiteful expression of their private grudges. This is unworthy, and must do more to compromise the character of these journalists, whose duty is stern impartiality, than their ingenious detraction can possibly impair the fame of

the actor.

Samuel Lover.-Ere the publication of the present number of the Review, this gentleman will probably have made his first bow to an American audience, in a species of entertainment that he seems adapted, above all the celebrities who have visited our shores, to render brilliantly successful. He intends to give a series of

lectures, enlivened by anecdote and musical interlude, illustrative of the history, habits, traditions and national characteristics of his native land. Carleton, Mrs. Hall, and several other writers, have recently endeavored to portray the peculiarities of the Irish; but the first, like the mere farceur of the stage, has exaggerated every defect, displaying the so-called "wit of the people" at the expense of their common sense, and their vices to the prejudice of their goodness of heart.

Mrs. Hall, following in the wake of most English writers on the subject, has but too often mistaken effects for causes, thereby attributing the miseries of the Irish, rather to innate depravity and natural indolence, than to the misgovernment of the country. Lover, on the contrary, in his stories of the peasantry, has depicted them as they are, and possessing almost every phase of the national character, he has been enabled to reflect with matchless accuracy all their redeeming, as well as defective traits. This gentleman's accomplishments are as various as they are fascinating.

A charming poet, excellent novelist, skilful composer, and able painter, he is petted and applauded wherever he goes. Surely he must have plucked the Fourleaved Shamrock, which, according to his celebrated song, enables the possessor to weave such varied spells. If Mr. Lover had composed no other song than this, it would have secured him an enthusiastic reception, for it breathes the pure spirit of philanthropy which pervades all his writings. Mr. Lover is, in private life, an agreeable and finished gentleman: his manner is frank, unassuming, and cordial, and both his person and conversation are sufficiently bland and jovial to sustain the impression which has preceded him.

New Theatre.-We learn with great pleasure, that a new theatre will be immediately built on the Astor Place, the best site unquestionably in New-York:-first, because it is perfectly isolated, so that in case of fire no other property would be endangered-second, it will thus present two or more striking facades to public view, favored by a situation so open and unencumbered and thirdly, by possessing at least two different ways of ingress and egress, it will enable the largest audience to enter or leave the theatre in a few minutes time. The ground is taken, we understand, and the plan of the building is under discussion. We hope great attention will be given to the interior arrangements, so as to unite elegance with far more convenience and comfort than any of our present theatres offer to their visi tors.

Arrest of the Mayor.-No one who has visited New-York, or remained in Broadway, if only for half an hour, can be ignorant of the danger to which those who have more money than wit, are subjected at the mock auctions with which this beautiful street is infested. The worthy Mayor had long tried the ordinary, means but without effect. Copper was still vended for gold, pewter for silver, and cotton for linen. At last he thought of a device which was considered the most effectual to which he could have recourse. He employed men in front of these dens of fraud with placards on their shoulders, cautioning the unsophisticated, to "Beware of Mock Auctions." This must have put many ou their guard, though it did not oblige the auctioneers to close their premises. One of these persons, bolder than the rest, lodged a complaint against the Mayor for having damaged his trade and hurt his interests. The Mayor was thereupon arrested, and was compelled to give bail of $500. The complainant, we understand, thinks himself entitled to 20,000 dollars indemnity. The whole affair, however amusing to the public, suggests some grave and gratifying reflections. It shows the necessity of a law that will reach the great evil complained of, by which so many poor and honest men are cheated of their hard earnings; and it evinces, on the other hand, a feature of our institutions, of which we may justly be proud. When have we heard of a Lord Mayor of London being arrested for so slight a transgression of the bounds of his duty? Never. There is a spirit awake in this land which examines with jealous care the slightest sin of irregularity or excess on the part of our public officers, and alack for those who are devoid of the intelligence or integrity essential to the just fulfilment of their du

ties.

Abuses of the Prison System.-The annual report of the Prison Association presents for consideration and reform some serious evils in our system of imprisonment. It complains in earnest terms, that a class of persons not convicted of any crime, are received into our penitentiaries as being diseased or destitute, and that as a prisoner is never dismissed until he asks to be discharged-if he choose to remain and be supported at the public expense, his object can be easily obtained.This, however, seems to us the least important cause of regret; for wretches who

would prefer staying in such a receptacle, are unfit to mingle again with even the common herd of mankind.

But there is one dreadful feature of imprisonment, both in this and European countries, at the sight of which the humane and better portion of society must start back with horror. We mean the promiscuous association of prisoners, by which the bad are rendered worse and the comparatively good become irrevocably depraved. They render the prison or peni tentiary the school of vice and every spe cies of infamy which the ingenious villain can invent or the daring robber put in execution.

The Californians.-This month the regiment destined for California, numbering about 700 men, resolved, like the pious Æneas, exire locosque explorare novos, sailed for that country. So many difficul ties had been experienced both in its formation and in preparations for the voyage. that we sometimes doubted the success of the expedition. When the troops were on Governor's Island, mothers, sisters, and fair cousins, sought the recruits daily with tears in their eyes, beseeching them to remain, and numbers, overcome by their entreaties, took advantage of what has been facetiously termed the "baby act," and obtained their dismission. These are certainly no great loss, for not only were they generally under age, but deficient in fortitude and those other manly quali ties essential to a pioneer in a hostile country like California. We understand that a great many highly respectable young men joined the regiment. Amongst these we may mention seven clerks from a great commercial house in this city. There can be no doubt that the expedition has been a dernier resort to a great many dis contented and unemployed persons, and that it has rid the city of a few hundred idlers who were neither useful to themselves nor a credit to their friends. We have little faith in most of the complaints made against Col. Stephenson, the commander of the regiment. Those who are placed at the head of undisciplined men like these, and whose duty it is to make soldiers of them, can alone know the various obstacles which arise, and the amount of dissatisfaction whicheven moder ate dril ling occasions.

We have now but to express our best wishes for the brilliant success of the expedition.

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THE labors of this august body were brought to a close on Friday evening, the ninth day of October last, at seven o'clock, after a session of 131 days.The result of its labors will be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection on the 3d instant, when it will probably receive their sanction by an overwhelming majority. The opportunity is offered us to express our views of the proposed Constitution to our readers before the final vote is taken; and we feel that we shall in no respect be chargeable with departing from the legitimate province of a national magazine, in devoting a portion of our columns to the deliberations of the Convention, although its immediate labors were designed for the State of NewYork alone. Many of the principles which this Convention have proposed to incorporate into the fundamental law of the State of New-York have been, or must in due time become, the subjects of political controversy and agitation in every state in this confederacy; and the disposition which has been made of some of them by this body, may be merely an anticipation of the action of sister states, whose political experience is less mature, or whose efforts at constitutional reform have been less successful.

These considerations, together with our desire to lend whatever aid we can furnish towards effecting the favorable reception of the proposed Constitu

tion, by those whose votes may control its destiny, will be our excuse for inviting our readers' attention to a brief analysis of such of its contents as specially deserve consideration.

Before proceeding, however, with this analysis, it is proper to refer to two unfortunate circumstances connected with the process of the Convention which can hardly be too much regretted. By the law under which this body was called together, the members were directed to submit their labors to the people at the general election in November. They felt that three or four weeks at least were necessary for the people to have the subject under consideration before voting upon it; and hence their deliberations were confined to the working days between the 1st of June and 9th of October, within which period they were to submit a report, whatever might be their state of preparation. The absurdity of such a restriction had not probably been realized until it became apparent, as the time for the termination of their labors drew nigh, that the Convention must inevitably leave a large portion of its work entirely untouched, and a much larger portion imperfectly executed.

It was not considered, doubtless, when the original law was passed, that a Constitutional Convention has to deal almost exclusively with abstract and fundamental principles of governmentany and all of which required, for their

prompt and wise application to the existing condition of political society in this State, the most commanding intellectual abilities, enlightened by a profound political philosophy and large political experience Nor was it realized, perhaps, that no State in the Union could furnish forth one hundred and twenty-eight such men who would be competent to enter into council, and without farther maturing their opinions by debate and reflection, sit down and indite such a Constitution as would wisely embody the political experience of the people they should represent. It therefore happened, as it must have happened in any other state, and as it was to have been expected to happen in New-York, that the delegates chosen to remodel the Constitution were quite unstudied, and immature upon a large proportion of the topics submitted to them. Many were obliged to commence their examination of the most important questions after they had been submitted in Convention, and every one who has ever experienced the birth and developement of a new principle in his own mind, and the slowness with which one yields entire confidence to it and all its consequences, will readily understand how improper and perilous a step it was to force such a deliberative body as this to conclusions by process of law—that its inevitable effect would be constringere verba

non res.

It requires a long time for any large deliberative assembly to become familiar with the views of its members; to discuss them in public and in private, and by discussion to bring out controlling considerations; to realize their importance; to disabuse each other's minds of existing prejudices; to learn when and what prejudices are to be conciliated; to receive or propagate the philosophy by which the body should be moved in common, and to which all will agree in looking, as to a controlling centre. For all these results, the period allowed to the New-York Convention was entirely too short. They required at least a year; and if they had been at liberty to occupy thus much time, we have no hesitation in saying, without meaning in the least to disparage the present result of their labors, that the Constitution they would have furnished, would have been speedi

ly accepted by nearly every State in the Union, as well as by the people for whom it was prepared, as the most perfect code of fundamental law ever offered for the government of civilized society.

This error to which we have alluded, however, is to be charged upon the Legislature which prepared the law calling the Convention; and the Convention are, therefore, in a great measure, if not entirely, innocent of its consequences.

The other unfortunate circumstance connected with the process of the Convention, the Convention itself was solely responsible for, and it is the only incident in their labors which is unworthy of them in every point of view, in which it can be estimated. We refer to the prohibition of written reports by the several committees, setting forth reasons which led them to the conclusions they should recommend. It has always been our impression that the primary purpose of raising committees in legislative bodies is to subdivide the labors of their constituent body, so that the facts connected with any topic requiring legislative action, should be digested, arranged in a convenient shape, and where practicable, estimated by the committee, in order that the burden of this preliminary labor should be spared the rest of the assembly. When the report of the committee is thus made up and presented, it enables the aggregate assembly to glance through and appreciate the points with comparatively little labor, and become qualified for final action much more speedily, than would be possible without this wise division of labor. Quite otherwise appears to have thought the New-York Convention. They deliberately pronounced it an act of disrespect to the house, for a committee to present, in writing, a single reason in favor of the legislation they advised the Convention to sanction. We have carefully examined the debates to which this absurd restriction gave rise, and have failed to realize the force of any single argument in its favor, while the circumstances under which the proposition was initiated and adopted, have satisfied us that the motives which instigated it were discreditable in the highest degree to those through whose immediate in

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