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CHARLES FECHTER
clouds, where Shakespeare put it. But
when the matter in hand was one of clear
romance; when youthful love, or the
power of loyalty, or the spirit of daring
was to be exemplified; indeed, when any
common passion was to be shown in
any usual way, Mr. Fechter's playing
was eminently effective. As Ruy Bias,
his bearing in his servile attire at the
outset was singularly impressive, — true
native dignity without presumption, deep
pride without arrogance, the simplicity
of a great, unsuspicious nature. His first
revelation of his passion for the queen
awakened profound sympathy; and in his
interview with Don Ceesar, wherein one
noted the manly affectionateness of his
love for his friend, the actor's power of
intensity of utterance and of swift transi-
tions of feeling had remarkable illustra-
tion: at one moment his heart's secret
rushed forth as if it could not be stayed;
and in the same breath he checked himself
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