The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-01
MUSICAL AND DRAmAT1C.

Mr.. JOseDh Jefferson Rs 'sRIp Van WInkIe,U
Mr.. Joseph Jefferson appeared last evening at the
Walnut TO an immense audience in his great persona
tion OF the vagabond Dutchman who let the world
slide by MIN for twenty years without taking note of
time, and then awoke one fine morning utterly
unable 10 comprehend the fact that he was just
twenty years behind the age. II all OF Grips" proto
types could leave society as he did, and slumber
unuer a spell OF enchantment amid the Kaatskills or
Aneghenies, or any other mountains where they
would be out Of harms way the wheels OF civilization
would not remain ungreased so long as they do
sometimes and fogylsm in some OF our most respect
able institutions OF SCIENCE art and literaturewoud
no longer command a premium OF one hundred per
cent, but It would soon sink down so 1ar below par
value that would cease to be quoted In the market.
This however has nothing particular to do with
Mr. Jeffersons persOnation Of Grip Van Winke,"
which Is the same humorous, pathetic, and highly
wrought effort OF genius that 1t was three years
aQo when it was first revealed to our paygoers Mr.
Jefferson has played the part often that IL has
become almost second nature to him. and he gives
it with the finished and grace that come of long
practice, but with no falling of in power and no
dimnution Of any OF the finer lights and shades OF
the artistic picture, such as almost might be ex-
pected after so many repetitions.
The crowded house that greeted Mr.. Jefferson last
evening" and the heartiness Of the applause, ndi-
Gated that Grip Van Winkle" has obtained hold upon
the public taste which cannot easily be shaken and
that his popularity is likely to continue for in
definite period. This is acknowledged on all sides
TO be of the great dramatic triumphs of our day
it will be talked about fifty years hence of the
good things such as only are bestowed upon man
kind in ''the happy days when we were young" and
il is Of those performances that lover Of dra-
matte art can afford to miss seeing.
Miss Susan GaltOn "NTarguerite."
Miss Susan Cations benefit last evening at the
Theatre Comique attracted very large audience.
The performance consisted OF one act OF FtOrette
and three acts of Gounod's Fdast in which Miss
Gaton had the valuable assistance of Messrs Castle
and Campbell who appeared as "Faust" and 'tMe-
phistopheles." The production Of such an opera as
Faust at this establishment has something OF the
comic in it, and the attempt is not to be recon-
mended for repetition. The want Of scenic and
other appliances the limited stage-room and other
deficiencies, would, under ordinary circumstances,
be likely to bring such an affair TO the verge Of
failure. Benefits, however, are always exceptional
occasions, when everything is allowable and when
the largest charity is evoked to cover the most
garng artistic deficiencies. As this was almost the
only opportunity Miss Cation could have to show
her ability to cope with a flrst-class role, we
are glad that she determined to appear
last evening as "Marguerte." Making all due allow
ances for discOuraging circumstances the persona
ton one that can be spoken Of in high terms Of
praise The role is one that is very seldom given in
rsrate STYLE and some Of the best singers that have
undertaken it have been unable to express all that
there is in it OF innocence, passion, and terrible
despair. Miss Galton sang with much sweetness
and native grace, but much of the music is a little
beyond the range of her vocal culture Her acting,
although she abored under great disadvantages last
evening, was full of fine feeling and real sentiment,
and she appeared to have a better appreciation Of
all the requirments of the role than almost any ar
tist that has appeared in it of late and we believe
that with little careful training and under crcum-
stances that would permit full development OF her
power she would make of the best "Marguerites'
on the stage.
Miss Galton is a thorough artist in spirit; she
works hard for success and we would be very glad
if she could appear with thoroughly competent
support and under such circumstances as would
allow her to attempt in frst-rate roles and give her
mowers full play,