Miss Cushman's success in _Rosalind has induced her to essay
Beatrice; but this second attempt at Shaksperian comedy is not equal to the first. Miss Cushman's Beatrice is deficient in delicacy of sentiment, refinement of style, and playful grace; and her vehemence and energy, wanting these restraints, give it an air of hoydenish levity and boisterous rudeness. Her sprightliness appeared forced, and the witty banter of Benedict seemed im- pertinent, and prompted by bitterness rather than the spirit of raillery: there was venom in its mirth. The saucy vivacity of Rosalind being assumed to hide a deeper feeling, the effort and masculine energy of Miss Cushman's style was not unbecoming or out of character; and the graver emotions gave it relief. Her Beatrice is too much like the assumption of her Rosa- lind; and as a piece of acting, it is rough, hurried, and lacks repose as well as elegance. But there is intelligence and spirit in whatever Miss Cush- man does; though she has yet to acquire the finish of art. Wallack's Be- nedict was effective, but vulgar in its vivacity. Compton's Dogberry was quietly droll: he seemed unconscious of the blunders he made, and a ludi- crous gravity mantled his self-iinportance. With Mrs. Stirling in the company, it was surprising that Mrs. Brougham' should have been put up for Here. . .
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