Hermione's
restoration to her husband and her child, after her long separation
from them, is as affecting in itself as it is striking in the
representation. Camillo, and the old shepherd and his son, are
subordinate but not uninteresting instruments in the development of
the plot, and though last, not least, comes Autolycus, a very
pleasant, thriving rogue; and (what is the best feather in the cap
of all knavery) he escapes with impunity in the end.
THE WINTER'S TALE is one of the best-acting of our author's plays.
We remember seeing it with great pleasure many years ago. It was on
the night that King took leave of the stage, when he and Mrs. Jordan
played together in the after-piece of The Wedding-day. Nothing could
go off with more eclat, with more spirit, and grandeur of effect.
Mrs. Siddons played Hermione, and in the last scene acted the
painted statue to the life--with true monumental dignity and noble
passion; Mr. Kemble, in Leontes, worked himself up into a very fine
classical frenzy; and Bannister, as Autolycus, roared as loud for
pity as a sturdy beggar could do who felt none of the pain he
counterfeited, and was sound of wind and limb. We shall never see
these parts so acted again; or if we did, it would be in vain.
Actors grow old, or no longer surprise us by their novelty. But true
poetry, like nature, is always young; and we still read the
courtship of Florizel and Perdita, as we welcome the return of
spring, with the' same feelings as ever.
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