Mr. Brandram's recital of " The Merchant of Venice "
on Tues- day, at Willis's Rooms, was very successful. His rendering of the minor characters and of Shylock is more striking than his render- ing of Portia. His Lancelot Gobbo, and the scene with Antonio, and old Gobbo were wonderfully clever ; the rapid changes of voice and slight but thoroughly suggestive gestures literally realise the notion of " three gentlemen at once." The sprightly pertness of Nerissa and the " all for love " attitude of Jessica are as perfectly conveyed as they could be by any actor. Bassanio is also admir- able, so is Tubal's thick, shaky voice. But Mr. Brandram's Portia is a little monotonous, from the effort to sustain a flute-like clear- ness and sweetness in the voice, which is very effective in the love- scenes, beautiful in "Though for myself alone," &c., and good in the pleading with the Jew, but wanting change and sternness in the great effect of the " award." Mr. Brandram's Shylock is very fine, full of the venom of hate and the devouring rage of avarice. "I will not eat with yon," was extraordinarily effective; the eestaey of passion and amazement with which Shylock recounts Jessica's expenditure in ducats was the best thing of the kind we have ever heard ; the Jew's insistence on his " bond " was faultless. Bat Shylock's directions to Jessica were given too pompously, and we do not like his grief in the moment of his discomfiture. Cowed defeat and choked rage were surely the final sensations of the Jew whom Shakespeare drew;-Shylock would' not have clasped his bands and wept.
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