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A DRAMATIC CRITIC
have given, on the whole, more complete
satisfaction and refined pleasure, than any
others which the American stage has ever
known.
The criticism which precedes this para-
graph was printed in the Atlantic Monthly
of March, 1884, a few months after Mr.
Irving's first appearances in this country.
Since that time he has had several seasons
in America, and our theatre-attenders and
critics have had many opportunities to
consider and reconsider the quality of his
art. Rereading my essay, I have decided
to reprint it with no substantial change,
inasmuch as I find that no substantial
change of my opinions has taken place ad
interim^ though my general summing-up
would now be less favorable to Mr. Irving
than then it was. In the class of actors
worthy to be entitled ^' great," I know of no
other player than he whose appeal is effec-
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