Mr. CHARLES KEMBLE has been giving a second series of
his Read- ings of Shakspere, at the St. James's Theatre; where they are effective, and have drawn good audiences of playgoers. Mr. KEMBLE'S declama- tory style of elocution suits the stage better than a room ; his " read- ings" having more the character of recitations. He aims at producing dramatic effects by changing his voice to suit the several speakers, and uses theatrical arts of emphasis—not always escaping the theatrical sin of sacrificing sense to sound. He plays upon his voice as upon an in - strument ; lowering and elevating its tones, and regulating the in- flections and emphases of his speech, arbitrarily, or with reference to their musical effect upon the ear, instead of making the import of the words impressive by mere earnestness and significance. With this abate- ment, Mr. KEMBLE'S readings are elegant, interesting, and even useful.
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