National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-10-27
AMUSEMENT9.
FoRD's OPERA HOUSE ELIZABETH =
MRS. LANDER.

tTagedieGnes now adjoining the stage shines out in
tke history Of kings and queens as Oae OF the
most remarkable in regal annals. The great
daughter Of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn was
born in the royal palace of Greenwich September
Z, 1873 and died March "A, 1908. She was only
three years old when her mother perished on the
scafold. Shortly after that an act Of Parlis-
ment declared her illegitinate, and, though her
right to reign was restored, that act has never
been repeated At the age OF sixteen she was,
world, speaking readily the Latin, French,
italian and Spanish, and besides, she was a fine
Greek scholar. Her hfe was not specially event
ful until the death Of her sister Mary and her
accession to the throne In 1858. Then followed
her abandonment Of the Catholic Church sad
assumption as the head Of the Protestant.
Her early difficulties with Mary Stuart, her In
references with Scotch affairs, her secret aid to
with Henry FitzsIn, the Afchduke Chsrles, the
Duke Of AnjOu, Rudolph, son OF Macmillan IL,
Henry Of Navarro and others, the conspiraeies
ton Of the way for She murder Of Mary Stuart in
Fotheringay Park, February s, 1887; the anathe-
mas which followed from Slxtus W, the invasion
of England by Spain, the plot to poison her, and
all the events Of her life are familiar to students
of English history, An analysis of her character
is something like this: She had an imperious will,
but was not consistent in the exercise Of power;
she had a remarkably keen insight, but was su-
perhcial in emotions which followed knowledge
Of events; she was vacllating, but never at fault
in courage; she was rigid economist, never luxu-
rious, but always easily hattered; she was full Of
aTtince, ana mao regard the sacred ODli-
cations OF hGnOr. When pity was demanded Of
her she was cruel, and when she might with pro-
priety have been cruel she was kind. Her name
is great IL history, because her age was that Of
Shakespeare and his companions. Her road to
honor was strewn with the lives CT mobiles, and
yet she always shuddered when signing their
whole becatombs of common people without q
tear. She has slept in her grave more than two
anS Is mel o5 H.
grave last night-her ministers, secretaries, war
riOrs mobiles and courtiers reincarnated by genius
and talent, appeared in the splendOr Of their orig
inal costumes, and made the stage for the time
being English ground, and revealed Elizabeth as
she was. The author of the play, however, has
not been exactly faithful to history. King James
of Scotland was not the bold, high-spirited man
represented so handsomely by Mr.. LaWlor. He
is described by Sir Walter Scott as q timid man,
afraid Of the sight Of sword, but man Of learn
ing. Then again, he never had the audience with
Queen Elizabeth after the execution Of Mary
Stuart, so wildly depicted on the stage, nor was
he present when Elizabeth died, as represented
last night. Then again, the history Of the ring
given BY Elizabeth TO Essex as represented in the
play is not the true history. heDuchess of Sal
isbury had the ring, and she, in her wisdom,
thought not best 10 deliver It to the Queen, and
the play depicting the queens visit to the Duchess
and the violent shaking she gave her in
her terrible rage after finding out
the truth; but perhaps It is better as 1t is. The
scene Of the disgrace of Essex was one of great
power During his imprecatiOns, the posing OF
Elizabeth on the steps leading TO the throne, was
grand. The training of the company, Its atten-
ton to every little detail of business its perfect
ness in parts, and its accuracy in al things is
something very refreshing to theatre-gOers.
Charles De Greats Burleigh, Edwin Varrey's
Lord Howard, and Charles Ahrendt's Sir Francis
Drake were very fine, and although Mr.. Beck's
Sir Francis Bacon was elegant, Il was wanting
somewhat in the dignity which belonged to the
first philosopher Of his time. elizabeth was
produced before an audience, including the Presi-
dent OF the United States and many Of the most
brilliant men and women in Washington, and
with the cOmpletest satisfaction.
THE NATIONAL THEATRE.
When Charlotte Bronte wrote her intensely
powerful novel, "Jane Eyre" she did not anticl-
pate that It would be dramatized, and If she
did she certainly would have been satisfied
had she known that its presentation would have
fallen into such competent and appreoIative
hands as those Of the Union Square Theatre Com
pRny Of New York, by whom 1t was rendered at
the National last night. 1t was the perfection Of
art in the exemplihcattOn Of nature, and the
hearty encOTes Of the audience throughout the
entire performance attested better than the writ
ten lines in newspaper can possibly do, the feel
ings Of those who witnessed 1t as we'll as Its
merits. Happily the play is natural, and more
happily the actors know II. There was no rant,
no attempt at sensatiOnalism, but in its stead an
honest and successful effort to reproduce the
wonderfully practical scenes Of the authors life
as penned by her own hand; for "Jane Eyre" in
all her troubles and triumPhs was simply Char
The dramatist has, It is true, taken the liberty
Of materially changing one or two Of the import
ant scenes Of the novel; but he has also taken
care to preserve the individuality of Lord Re-
chester and Jane Eyre, and with 1t many Of their
interesting conversations. From her unhappy
home with her relatives in early life, through
the hard lot Of the orphans career at Lowood
hall, amid her contentment and heartaches and
final triumphs at Thornfeld: Miss Charlotte
Thompson was perfect in the assumption of the
wonderful character Of Jane Eyre; and Roches-
ter, one OF the most peculiar of men, whom fate
had made Q eynic, but who, under the influence
Of James power, was compelled to return to his
and an excellent one, in Mr.. MceKe Rankin.
Mrs. Marie wilkins as Mrs. Fairfax, the house.
keeper, divided the hOnOrs with the two above
Miss Granger as Lady GeorgiRnna, Miss Vernon
as Mrs. Reed; and Mr.. Montgomery as Jacob But
tsTcnp EhiS the qthgfs sssSIEs o. the eomnapy
the acting Of the play entirely smooth and even.
Little Bessie is gem worthy to be among so brill
liant company.
for which Mr.. Sayille has made the National IA
nous. 1t will be repeated tonight, on which oc-
easiOn it is to be hoped there will be such an audi
ence as 1t deserves.
LINCOLN HALL-THE MINSTRELS.
A packed house at Lincoln Hall last night at
tested the popularity Of Duprez & Benedict's
minstrel troupe. 1t was one scene of extreme en-
jOyment and constant applause throughout. They
close their engagement tonight.
THE THEATRE CoMIQUE.
The excellence Of the programme at the
COmique must insure for it the balance Of the
week the same enthusiastic patronage it had last
night.
CIRCUIT COURT CHIEF JUSTICE
CARTIER.
This court adjourned yesterday morning after
calling over the calendar and entering a large
number Of motions to default.