The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-07

but one proclamation to the liquor dealers and let
II be thus, I'VE propose to move upon your works
The FIFTH AVENUE THEATRES "CHARITY."
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALp:-
l am delighted to see that English dramatic
writer's deal with social subjects as fearlessly as
French dramatsts Our Gallo brethren have never
minced these matters. Vice they have held up for
public execration, and hypocrisy they have always
unmasked. Old classic British writer's were quite
as bold, but their successors IN these days have
been afraid to touch social subjects for fear of being
considered indicate. American dramatists have
been and are 30 squeamtsh that they dare not
paint sin in any OF its recognized colors. All hail,
then, to the effort Of new and powerful English
mind in the direction Of vigorous combat upon
the side OF virtue!
The occasion Of these remarks Is the recent pro.
duction of w. S. Glberts drama, "Charity,n at the
Filth Avenue Theatre. Here is o play which is the
best we have had from England in ten years. 1t
surpasses Robertsons 'Caste, !" School" 'Home,n
&C., UNNECESSARILY. Its plot is strong, decided and
absorbing; It's dialogue witty beyond all reasons
BILE expectation in modern plays; its situations
intense and its Incidents crowd thick and fast.
Invent to see 1t acted at the Fifth Avenue Thea
that dared touch the sacred subject Of woman's
folly. l knew, OF course, it would be elegantly
acted, because the best performers in Mr.. Daly's
company were in 1t, and was certain we should
have the subject presented at its best. Well, what
did l seer play in four acts that lasted three
hours and drew from the crowded audience pres
ent alternate tributes Of COpiOus tears, loud and
hearty laughter and vociferous applause The au-
dience was one of the very choicest ever gathered
In theatre-as the audience at the Fifth Avenue
Is sure to be- This audience OF intelligent, re-
1ned pure and bright people, sharing with Wal
lacks the cream OF New York In solidity and intel
hgence. applauded 'Charity'' to the echo, as they
have applauded Money! At times the play had
to be stopped to permit these outbursts of appro-
batiOn Never has play been SO continuously
interrupted by expressions OF delight Hardly q
speech was spoken that did not bring down the
house," Now, what were those speechess They
were pointed hits at the folles, the fraities the
deceptions the lies and the hypocrisies OF the day
There was no mincing the lesson taught 1t was q
sound lashing Of the wickedness Of uncharitable.
ness, and every lash echoed IN the applause of the
hearers. Then the tears that were shedl The
sympathy excited by the SORROWS OF the women Of
the piece was sure sign OF the feeling of the
best American hearts for women who have suf-
fered but who have risen superior to their suffer-
ings and their temptations.
I tell you, Mr. Editor, the people have hearts,
and this play touches them. May che discovery or
the fact excite our American writer's TO q sense of
to tell the story OF wOman's woe and wOman's re-
pentance in books which we all read, but our dram
atiss are AFRAID to tell that story IN their plays
written to expose the cant that stiles IN our So
ciety the voice OF sympathy. The fallen have sunk
lower Tor want OF that sympathy. 1t Is considered
a revolving topic to touch on. Why? Our minis
tiers and our churches take up the subject and try
to work the reform OF the fran. But the theme
m nd tau
for the theatre But the blow to cant has been
struck. "Charty' delivers that blow iull between
the eyes, and its moral is plain.
AS to the characters in the play, they seem
chosen by inspiration. Mrs. Van Brugh, o young
widow. and her daughter Eve, are ladies' moving in
eves herself to be the victim OF her late husbands
yiilany, and that she was not his lawful wife.
devotes her life to deeds OF charity which may be
accepted by Providence as an at0nement and pro-
sSe y on But
ing revenge OF Cant and hypocrisy In the persons
OF Old smailey, his son. Fred Smailey, and that
briancy that were worth dozen sermons).
They turn the detenceless woman forth, rob her OF
her property break on the match between her
daughter and Fred Smailey and heap every degra-
dation upon her.
But the antitheses of these canting villains is
son Ted Athelney, and the sharp but conscientious
detective Fitzpartington. These three foil the
efforts OF the other three IN their plots against Mrs.
Van Brugh and Eve, restore the good name and
fortune Of the injured women and bring the play
to happy conclusion.
But the greatest picture drawn by the dramatist
was that OF Ruth Tredgett. This was presented
by an actress who on that night startled me and
the public by stepping with ease from high
comedy into role demanding intense
dramatic power fine sensibility and exquisite
character painting. The pers0nation was marvel;
thing to be remembered. Here is the character -
A tramp, poor, wretched, ragged, fierce I'M
tanned creature--a thief, a jailblrd and-worse
But w0manl woman who can be saved II q
helping hand be stretched out. And that hand
was found In Mrs. Van Brugn. True charity does
its work. The Outcast s saved The struggle was
hard. The auutence was melted to tears In that
grand scene where the aristOcratic English lady
took perf0rce the reluctant hand OF the tramp.
Ruth Tredgetr, and lifted her into the light OF
cratic lady. Ruth Tredgett was the pOssessOr OF
proof OF Old Smaieys viliany, and, acting In con-
cert with the good and noble hearts in the play,
took an Important part in bringing tne hypocrites
to justice.
A glorious play for those who longed to see an
English treatment OF what we have hitherto
thought an exclusively French subject. All honor
TO the actors who made these remarkable char
acters i've and walk and speak; TO the manager
who had fa1th In the appreciation OF an American
public; TO that audience which received the play
with open arms. Every scene was applauded: The
curtain nad TO rise twice alter each act and the
players were recalled at the end 70 receive their
due. AS companion said to me when It was all
over, eve have had all the cardinal virtues here
tonight. me manager had Faith, che actors mad
Hope and the audience had Charity and the great
ost Of these Charity" Yours, ,