Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-11-04

MEMPHIS IHEArER. - Ihe Haverlg
Minstrels appeared before another good
house last night. The songs in the open
ing part are exceptionally good. Dub
lin Boy" challenged the admiration of
the critical, and received the well mer-
tied applause of the house. The min
strsls follow a very satisfactory plan in
rushing things through without any
tedious delays or rasping bitches. The
whole entertainment proceeds from the
opening chorus to the closing farce
without a moments intermission, thus
keeping up with the expectations Of the
audience and agitating the ripping
laughter that ~pervaded the house from
beginning to end. Tonight there will
be a complete change Of programme.
Ben DEBAR's WILKINS MIcAwBER."-
The St. Louis Republican Of a recent
date says:
A prominent feature of the week was
Ben DeBar's production and embodi-
ment of wilkins Micawber." Though,
Of all writer's of fiction, Dickens is, be-
You'd comparison, the most dramatic,
not only in the narrative and construc-
tioR of the story, but also in that far
more difficult and important element Of
dramatic art, the creation of character,
it is undeniable that no novels present so
great difficulties to the playwright as do
his matchless stories. II, however, the
entire story of David Copperfeld be
beyond the powers Of the ablest play
right, it is yet possible to convert some
of the characters and certain portions
Of the narrative to dramatic uses. This
has been attempted, with greater or less
success, by many dramatic writer's,
from John Brougham to the author
OF "Micawber," in which Mr.. De-
Bar sustained the title role for the
FIRST time in this city on Monday
night. This latest dramatizatiou Of
David Copperfeld is less artistic, and
more fr%agmentary possibly more spas.
model in its construction than any of
its predecessors, but this blemish was
perhaps inseperable from the design to
present Micawber' as the central figure,
the action aud interest being accelerated
or retarded in due proportion to his pre-
sence upon or absence from the scene.
Whatever opinion may be entertained as
to the excellence of the drama, however,
there can be no question as to the great
merit of Mr.. DeBar in his conception
and Interpretation of the character of
" Micawber." He presents the pompons,
important, impressionable and variable
victim of ~"pecuniary difficulties with a
distinctive, peculiar humor and fidelity
never attained by any actor who has
previously attempted the part. His
tragi eomical despair in r%ecounting
the elimination Of his difficulties
in a recent encounter with "a
minion of power-in short, the turncock
of the water-works;" the ludicrous earn
estness with which he consoles himself
that no man is without a friend who
possesses courage Rnd-shaving mate
rails" concluding with the lugubrious
a~djuration, Emma, my love, bring me
my %razors," contrasted with the almost
childish facility with which he regains
his sanguine spirits and confidence,
when Heep discharges the triaing in.
debtedness, and his subsequent hilarity
in the punch making and drinking
scenes with which he celebrates his en-.
trance iRto the legal profession in the
Office Of Wickfeld & Heep, is something
to which no words can do justice; one
must see it to realize the combined
drollery and humor which render it SC
laughable. 1t may DO maintained by
some that Mr., DeBar portrays Micaw,
Der in broader low comedy colors than
Dickens intended, but this objection will
lose all weight when it is remembered
that, though an important, he was but a
very subordinate figure In the novel
whereas in the play he is the principal
the central character; and, to make him
such, his peculiar traits have, Of neces
sity, been exaggerated, and that exag
geration necessarily results in c~aricature
and that a c%aricature and portrait arr
widely different things.
BABY MCDONALD MATIYEE.-At tn,
request of many ladies and the publ,
generally, MI. Myers, of the Jefferson
street Opera House, has consented Il
give a matinee with Baby Mcdonald
the worlds wonder child, at the Green
law Opera House, on Saturday after
noon, commencing at two o'clock. TIL
whole company will also appear. Mr.
Mcdonald. the wonderful champion pc
destal skate dancer Of the world, vii
also appear in his extraordinary feats
The performance will be equal to any
thing in that line ever seer in this city
and will bring out q full house of GU
best people.
MYERS OPERA HoUsE.-To.night
number Of new people will appear on tn
boards. Among others, La Belle Pal
line, Ida Morton, j. G. Murphy, job
c. Smith. Baby Mcdonald and jaime
Mcdonald will also appear nightly dr
ring the present week. A fine pr,
gramme has been arranged for tonight
performance by stage manager GriAil
introducing many Of the best songs an
dances known to the variety stage.
Clara Norris Peril.
New York Sun, Both ult.l