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A DRAMATIC CRITIC
pleasant in quality, had many unrefined
nasal intonations; and in the interpretation
of her text she frequently missed delicate
opportunities, sometimes squarely blun-
dered. It happened that she did not re-
appear in Boston till 1880, and connois-
seurs of acting were then permitted to
note the effect upon her of seven 3'ears of
the experience and culture of the stage.
The change was remarkable : she had
gained greatly in vivacity and power, al-
most equally in breadth and suavity of
style. Her voice had acquired an absolute
clarity, with no loss of richness of tones.
An extraordinary advance had been made
in the finish of her work, which now exhib-
ited, at almost every point and in almost
every detail, an exquisite precision that
testified to the operation of a clear and
highly cultivated intelligence.
The evening of February 16, 1880, when,
after the long absence referred to, she was
once more seen in Boston, was an evening
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