The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-06-23

And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!"
The origin of the drama is lost in the mlsts of
antiquity, and perhaps If we were to trace its
history through the dim traditions of the ante
diluvian ages, it might be discovered that In the
pristine innocence of Eden, with the mother
of mankind" for an audience, Adam
stepped upon the stage and was received
with thunders of applause which lasted full ten
minutes, and which nearly overpowered the
star of the evening with its tumultuous enthu-
siasm. Such greeting has never been extended
to any aspirant for histrionic honors in the
memory of the oldest play-goer, and Estlin
must have felt more than repaid for the Afteen
years of hard study which he had given to the
role of "Claude Melnotte." The performance
was such as might have been expected from
man of truly original mind, who had done
nothing else but study Claude Melnotte'
for fifteen years, and had conse-
quently become mentally saturated with
the metaphysical essence of Bulwers creation.
Mr.. Estlin's "Claude" was truly originals 1t was
no imitation of Booth, or Fechter, or Daven.
port; it resembled Mr.. Forests "Claude" more
than anybody elses but Mr.. Forrest in his most
inspired moments never moved an audience as
Mr.. Estlin did last evening: it unlike any
thing that had ever been seen before, and may
we express hope that its like may never be
seen again? We may, for the human powers of
enjoyment and appreciation are limited, and 1T
was evident last evening that the public of the
present day is not educated up to Mr.. Estlins
standard. In fact Mr.. Estlin is about two
thousand years before his time, and as a conse-
quence he has to submit to the usual fate of
reformers, and to suffer on account of the
jealousy of those members of the dramatic pro-
fession who would find their occupation gone if
this actor of the future with his novel style were
to come into fashion. Mr. Estln S elocutiOn is not
to speak irreverently, of the pump-handle order,
and this, with his peculiar walk, that impresses
the behoder with the idea that he imagines he
is walking upon eggs, had peculiarly exhila.
rating effect ON the audience last evening, and
WhpneVer the representative of tl,auQe' fet
impelled to walk across the stage he was greeted
with shouts of irrepressibe laughter and up.
roarious applause. All went passing we'll until
the scene where "Claude" describes his palace
by the Lake of Como. At the lines
"And. when night came, amid the breathless
heavens
We'd guess what star should be our home when
Becomes immortal"
the audience became uproarioHs, and the loving
pair were greeted with cries of "Put him in his
little bed" "Kss him for his mother, Pauline, !"
and the representative of the naughty lady of
Lyons, unable to endure the situation longer,
placidly walked off the stage, leaving "Claude"
to breathe his love VOWS to the men in the flies.
This he did with graceful unconcern that was
touching to behold, and for some moments
was unconscious of the disappearance of his
partner. He finally discovered her base deser-
tion and at the same time apparently became
aware of the fact that he was to some extent
an object of ridicule. Advancing to the foot
lights Claude" undertook to explain that he
was not fit to play. That's So" yelled q cho
rus of fends in human form. ''Thats played
out, John; we've heard it before, cried others,
who were anxious to get the worth of their
money. ''Give the man a chance" exclaimed
a stockholder, who, in the capacity of a dead
head, felt direct interest in the success of the
performance. This partially restored order,
and "Claude" retiring for few moments, re-
with
''Dost thou like the picture?"
''Of course do, said some young man with
an eye for artistic effect 1but Claude, needless
alike of praise or blame, weRt through the
| scene like a hero, and evinced determination
| not to be bluffed that did him infinite credit.
| During the second and third acts various hor-
| ticultural compliments were thrown upon the
stage, and upon the fall of the curtain an indi-
| yidual who appeared to be the manager of the
| concern made his appearance and gave an ex-
| PLANTATION in re Estlin which LETT the impress
| sion on the audience that the performance was
a speculation on Estlin's weakness not particu-
| larly credtable to its originator. The gist of
this speech before the curtain was that the
audience were at liberty to guy Estlin as much
| as they pleased, but that the representatives OF
| the female characters of the piece objected to
| dodging the beets and cabbages that were
| thrown upon the stage, and that they would de-
| cline to continue the performance II there vas
/ not better behaviour.
! After some delay the curtain again rose, and
| the fourth act commenced. In the scene where
L
| pauline" the amusement of the audience was
| promoted by the sight of 'Claude" thrusting his
| head in at the door of the room and regarding
| the incident with anything but the righteous
wrath of an outraged husband. Come in
| john" shouted dozen voices, and at last, In
compliance with the request OF his admirers,
| Estlin did put in an appearance, but as his cue
| was not yet given he was obliged to stand a
properly indignant but, owing to the exigencies
of the dramatic situation, passive spectator OF
| ''Beauseant's" base conduct. At last the word
| was spoken, and "Claude," with hop, Jump,
and slide, threw himself between the villain
and his woud-be victim and proceeded to de-
nounce the attempt upon his wlte's honor In
| the choice language furnished by the dramatist
for the occasion. The conspiracy against Est
lin at this point reached its climax, and amid q
shower of torpedoes, beets, cabbages, and other
missiles "Paulne" retired from the scene,
and the performance came to stand
still. The hero of the evening here
again advanced to the footlights and
attempted an explanation, only few words of
which could be heard above the uproar. Estlin,
however, was understood to say that he did not
mind the noise, but that the ladies playing with
him objected to 1t, and as there was general
demand for the performance to continue, the
representative of "Claude," with an amount OF
pure pluck that cannot be too highly spoken of,
and willingness to oblige that cannot be too
highly commended, said that he would retire for
a few moments and endeavor to persuade pau
line" 10 appear again. The lady, however. had
had enough of IL, and, after another explana-
tory speech from the manager, In which the
OF IN no very complimentary terms, the red cur
tain fell and the play was played ont.
We must give the ladies and gentlemen who
appeared with Mr.. Estlin the credit of affordine
him as good support as was possible undel
the circumstances. Pauline" alone proved