xcellent acting of Mr. Barry; who, in this part, defied the severest
criticism, and justly claimed what he always obtained, the warmest
applause that enchanted feelings could bestow."

_Antony in Julius Caesar._

Mr. Barry beyond doubt stands foremost in our approbation for this part,
as possessing an adequate figure, an harmonious voice, and all the
plausibility of insinuation that Shakspeare meant; however, we think
that critic an enthusiastic admirer, who, speaking of him in the
Rostrum, exclaimed that Paul never preached so well at Athens.[C] It is
certain, nature in this, as well as in all his dramatic undertakings,
furnished him with irresistible recommendations.

_Varanes in Theodosius, or the Force of Love._

Varanes, who was most the object of our author's attention, is an odd
medley of love and pride; now he will, then will not; tender, impatient;
in short a romantic madman; yet notwithstanding inconsistencies of a
glaring nature, he is a dramatic personage highly interesting. Mr. Barry
must, in imagination, to those who are at all acquainted with his
performance, fill up every idea of excellence in this character: his
love was enchanting, his rage alarming, his grief melting: even now,
though overtaken by time, and impaired in constitution, he has not the
shadow of a competitor. The rheumatic stiffness of his joints has been
industriously trumpeted forth, and every mean art made use of to lower
him in public opinion; yet true it is that _if he hobbled upon stilts_,
he would be better than many persons, in his style, upon their best
legs. A gentleman of acknowledged judgment lately made the following
just and striking similitude: that Mr. Barry was like the time-worn
ruins of Palmyra and Balbec, which even in a fallen state show more
dignity and real beauty, than the most complete productions of modern
architecture.[D]

_In Altamont in The Fair Penitent._

After observing that this character lies a dead weight upon the play,
this great critic says, "We remember Mr. Barry, by exertion of singular
merit, making Altamont as respectable as any other character in the
piece, though Mr. Garrick did _Lothario_ and Mr. Sheridan _Horatio_ on
the same occasion. Indeed he so much outfigured all competitors and
illustrated so beautifully a character scarce known before, that he
appeared to great advantage."

_Othello._

"If any performer ever was born for one part in particular it must have
been Mr. Barry