The Portland daily press., 1877-04-07
s:eorse Riuuord,. Renea,.

equlVOCai triumph dl MS dement, laSG eVeullS
! The call before the curtain at the conclusion of
, the first play was the most emphatic and
enthusiastic which has been vouchsafed to
any actor on the boards of Fanny Marsh 8
Theatre this season. And it was deserved, for
Mr.. Reynolds impersonation of "Colonel
Challlce' in the delightful comedy-drama
Alone" was an admirable impersonatioD,
remarkable for its strength of color, breadth
of effect, and finish of detail. 1t is very
seldom that one sees The aged patrican so
wildly presented and all the peculiar eharac-
teristics of the role, the irritability which
naturally comes-at least in man-of in
validism, the naughty spirit made sensitive by
misfortune, the splendid manhood spoiled by
| one terrible infrmity, were portrayed with
wonderful realism. The manner Of the blind
man, in which the missing sense is in so much
measure supplied by the extraordinary de-
velopment of hearing and touch, was perfectly
reproduced. There was too in Mr.. Rignolds
impersonation a nobility of bearing which
strikingly suggested the royal part which he
has made his own.
Very charming too was the impersonation of
"Mrs. Thornton by Miss Marie Brabrook who
udu, luz tu0 uIcG tiuC oluCC CuSukCucut
here, opportunity to make manifest her talents
as a coincidence. The characterization was
thoroughly satisfactory, piquant and easy.
Indeed the play, in its rapid and brilliant
dialogue between "Mrs. Thornton and "Dr.
Micklethwate," affords scope for very bright
and lively acting which was taken proper
advantage of by Miss Brabrook and by Mr..
Gossin who took the role Of the physician.
The other support was good, Miss Bailey
making pleasing MAUD" Mr. Armstrong an
easy "Berte,'' and Mr.. Theadore an amusing
'tStrawlers.'
If the audience was delighted with "Colonel
Chalice' it was surprised and pleased by Mr..
Reynolds civilian in the after piece "Black-
Eyed Susan" Very few of US had believed
him capable of the versatility displayed last
evening. His impersonation of the bluff
warm-haaded impetuous sailor lad was
thoroughly satisfactory and altogether tina best
ever given in Portland. 1t had been announ
ced that his Interpretation of the part would
differ from that usually seen. 1t did differ
as naturalness differs from conventionality,
as genius differs from talent. So admirable
Characterization is seldom seen. His love-
making was simply perfect.
Between the plays Mr.. Rignold was called
before the curtain, and while acknowledging
his disappointment at the small houses which
had witnessed his previous performances ex-
pressed his deep qualification at the enthusiast
tic welcome extended to him on his benefit
night which made ample amends for all neglect.
1t is matter of regret that the public of
Portland have heretofore failed to show by
their attendance at the Theatre a proper
recognition of Mr.. Reynolds merits as an
actor. The loss is far greater to them than to
him. This afternoon and evening the only
opportunities to see him will be offered. The
bill of last evening will be repeated. While
people will miss witnessing that echo of his
most famous impersonation, his representation
of "Amos Clark in the play of the name,
they have chance to see two characterizations of
perhaps superior artistic merit.
CITIZENS TEMPERANCE MEETING meet
ing opened by singing a temperance anthem
by select quartette. Albion Little, Esq. was
introduced as the president of the meeting.
Mr.. Little opened the meeting with an earnest
and affect;onate appeal for greater love and a
greater devotion to the cause of temperance.
Jere Howe, Esq. followed with brief speech,
and then ex.Gov. Perham was introduced and
received with hearty applause. Mr.. Perham
said the people in the country had deep SYM
patty with the people in the large cities who
were striving to overcome some of the power
full influences arrayed against them, and he
was glad to be present and assist in the good
work. He refuted the idea that no gain had
been made in this work. There had been rad
ical changes in the habits and in the senti-
ments of the people. Forty years ago it was
the custom Of every country store in Maine to
sell intoxicating liquors. Now not a respect.
able store in Maine sells intoxicants of any
kind. The speaker related several instances of
the ancient custom of selling and using liquor
in every community in Maine, contrasting the
sentiment today upon this subject with that of
the time of the old-fashioned musters, which
was made time of special hilarity and drink
ing. But progress has been made-and for the
last three years we have seen scores of noble
men, formerly addicted to the habit of drink,
coming forward and signing the pledge. and
enrolling themselves in this army of temper
ance workers, becoming co-workers with these
old veterans that I see upon this platform.
To those men who have recently come out and
signed the pledge be had word to say. "You
will have great struggle to overcome the old
appetite" In the old Washingtonian move
ment many fell back to their cups because
there were so many rumsellers coaxing them
away and holding out temptations. But such
is not the condition Of affairs now; we have
no open rum shops to allure them back, and he
had reason to hope that this movement would
carry the cause forward beyond anything be-
fore anticipated''or realized in New England
We cannot give anything like report Of Mr..
Perhams speech, but suffice to say it was
one of his most able and happy efforts, and
was enthusiastically received by the audience.
POLICE NoTEs.-George Facey, newsboy,
was arrested yesterday by Deputy Black,
charged with stealing money from the till in
the barber shop at the City Hotel He hss
stolen small sums from the same place several
times before, but was not detected until yester-
day. He confesses all and will go to the
Reform School.
A boy named James Deross was arrested
yesterday on the charge of defrauding shop
men by getting goods to peddle on the street
and then not paying for them.
A number of young rowdies broke number
of panes of glass in stores between Arcana
Hall and Munjoy Hill the other night. They
were discovered by the police, and yesterday
were marched up to the Captains Office, where
they settled.