Charles Macklin. By Edward Abbott Parry. (Kegan Paul, Trench, and
Co.)—This is a well-written account of a remarkably interesting life. Charles Macklin was born in the last year of the seventeenth century, and lived to within four years of the end of the eighteenth. He appeared on the stage for the first time, as far as can be made out, about 1721, and for the last, in 1788,—that is, if we do not reckon two pitiable attempts in 1789, when he broke down and had to retire. A dramatic experience of such duration is probably without parallel, and is noteworthy in itself. It was also distinguished and fruitful. That Macklin restored the character of Shylock to Shakespeare's conception, is the greatest of his single claims to honour ; but he was also a leader in that great reform of acting which has substituted nature for conven- tionalism. He was also a successful dramatist. The proportion of the plays that hold the stage to the total number produced is so small, that to have written even one is no small title to fame Such a one is The Man of the World. In its amended form, this was produced when the author was eighty-two. The Life is curious in itself, and in the insight which it throws on the manners of the time. Clagueurs are still known among us and there are some who would damn a play for personal spite against the author ; but we have certainly outgrown the kind of conspiracy for which certain persons were tried by Lord Mansfield in 1775. Macklin's conduct in this matter was admirable. He firmly vindicated his honour, but magnanimously refused to press for damages. The Judge's compliment, "You have met with great applause to-day : you never acted better," was thoroughly well deserved. We do not see that it merits Mr. Parry's sneering comment, that Lord Mansfield "seems to have been overwhelmed by the theatricality of the atmosphere, and to have delivered the ` tag ' to his judgment as though it had been the blessing of a heavy father." This is one of the very few things in which we disagree with the author of Charles 3facklin.
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