New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-11-04

ORLEANS, FRIDAY NOVEMBER
gnette. Not a pocket-handkerchief was

lorsnette. Not pockethandkerchief was
drawn in an overt act of treason to smiles
and laughter.
There were some things in Jefferson's
Rip Yam Winkle we did not like. 1t was
treason then to say anything against pet
version or dispute the conception of Jeffer-
son. 1t may be now. Nevertheless we will
mention three or four defects, marvellous in
deed in such an experienced actor
First-The Ed0 Va,s Winkie of Bouci-
cault's version stands, during the memoir
able final scene of domestic infelicity, the
type of a petticoated ligress. Her will
seems inexorable as Fate. The heart
does not so prompt wife and a mother.
Nature eompels such an one to vindicate
both the delicacy and the affections INSOFAR
able from her organization.
Second-Rip Von Hiek1c lies down to
sleep in the Kaatskills. He has no beard
other than that of a days growth. He
sleeps twenty years and rises an aged man
with long, flowing white beard and hair
This extraordinary change was unnoticed
by jefferson. The eyes OF RIP Van Winkle
should have quickly detected this change
from youth to age. tfet the detection was
reserved for an inhafitant of Falling Waters
after the return of the sleeper to that town.
Added to this manifest error was another.
jefferson unmindful Of the legend, causes
Rip to rise almost suddenly, and without
apparent cxertion, to his feet. His body,
chilled rs it was, and upon which the SHOWS
of twenty winters had beat, was muscuIarly
elastic There was almost the same snap
and spring as when RIP first saw the phan-
toms Of the mountains
Third-Jefferson puts into the mouth of
Rip the words May you all live long and
prosper" This toast is repeated ~ often
Ybo California of 80 Tb,,a do
pass the Yuba" Now, the word prosper"
is rarely, if ever, used by one so illiterate
as Rip Van Wink1e. The solemn cadence
of the word would cause it to be dismissed
by men of his class, if introduced by a
person of higher grade, as a simpler and
equally expressive ono was at hand.
FourtF-At the close. Jefferson makes
Rip not only drink the toast above. but re-
turn to the schnapps which had made his
shiyer his household goods around him.
The moral is thus lost as the curtain falls
upon a partial family reunion and expectant
rfOrematicn.
Mr.. McWadc. the new trespasser on the
pre-emption rights of Jefferson, dares to
escape the errors df his personation. Nc
Wade goes to the rich domain of Washing
ton Irving. The great author is dead. and
any one can now assert the doctrine of
squatter sovereignty. He enters and finds.
enthroned on a barrel of Scheidam schnapps.
bacco. solus. Joseph Jefferson He disputes
the pre-cmption. and with unprecedented
daring. says:
Rip Ias Hinkls's wife was a termstyant
yet a true woman for all that. Like all OF
her sex. anger would give way to hope, and
hope to Joy and joy at last to grief. just as
the rising smile is followed by the falling
tear. Aantippe "a she was, vet she wore in
her heart the sacred badge otthe affections.
Rip an Wjnkle would unquestionably have
noticed Immediately the marvellous change
in his beard and hair. and felt a twinge of
rheumatism in his old limbs after twenty
wears slumber. Rip ,0n Pjnk'c would
more likely have given this toast: May
You all live long and De happy Rip 10"
WUoi{e would scarcely have returned to his
old habits with the consent Of his friends,
and especially Of his daughter, Ii the closing
scene of the last act. That daughter. from
her sad experience. would act most natu-
rally and dutifully We're she to gently, ''but
put aside the glass from the
lips Of the father and receive the toast as a
simple blessing On her nuptial day. And
Mr. McWadc Is. in our judg gment. right.
There was i'll the interview of Rip Ian
WMkie and MS daughter choice bit of
acting. 1t was at that point when all his
hopes OF recognition were buoyant. En-
teebled a. he was. by age and exposure. his
voice found, TOR an instant, some OF it, old
power and volume. and his gesticulation
had somcthin. Of the old-tinle energy in it.
An instant. and exhaustion came. Those
Of our readers who remembers Macaulev's
description of the Last public effort of Lord
Chatham, can well appreciate SO sudden a
return and decline of both voice and mus
cularlty III extreme age. 1t ls seen almost
every theatrical season N the spasmodlc
fash and energy Of Leor. The entire inter-
view was carefully worked up by Mr..
McWade. And. par poreufbesc, It IS but
just TO say that Miss Blake, the Stsc,ajc ton
Uinkle Of the programme, made many q
lady fall ii love with her pure. womanly
acting during the interview For, after all,
women are the best Judge of the womanly
in woman.
We were impressed the genter eyes
around Us were visibly Affected Let us
repeat chat this may be treason, hut we did
just that vii ich We were dlsinclincd 30 do
when ,Jetfcrt Ion p.ayed Rip sat out the
drama
The truth is, Mr. Mcquade IS star
rapidly culr linatng, ana it is not in the
power of AMI one 10 Guench the light. And
right here. we mar be pardoned for thrust
ng ii prophecy into print, but we have seen
in our day many e rrshiight die out. and
many a star rise. eliminate, and shine in
the dramatic sky. Mr. McWade's Rip Ion
Hinkie1> an improvement on Boucicault's 5
version and Mr.. JeHerson's personation. and
Will be so regarded by shat vast Jury of
Americans " 40 sit in Judgment on the merits
II plays and actors.
Manager Bidwell has spaced no pains to
make Rip Ia, U',,ifc scenically attractive.
The very best Of the Academy regular Dra
natic Company are III tie cast