National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-11
AMUSEAfENTS.
Miss Anderson Is "Meg Merrilies."

1hAS An0orSon Is "meS hcrTlue6s
We last evening witnessed metamorphosis
almost phenomenal. We had seen Miss Ander-
in Juliet, in Epsdns, in Lady Macbeth and in
other characters where her freshness, her youth,
her beauty were displayed to the best advantage.
We must confess We were somewhat curious to BE-
present at the transition from the fair, lovesick
daughter Of the Cspulsts to the old, deerepid,
hsggard and terrible Gypsey queen. The memo
ries of Charlotte Cushman's grand and superb
impersonation Of this peculiar character was still
fresh in our recollections. We had seen the old
actress perform it at Booths theatre on the occa-
sion of her farewell to the metropolitan stage
We had been spectators Of the enthusiastic
scene that followed when an overjoyed popu-
lace withdrew the horses from her carriage
and dragged 1t themselves from the theatre
to the hotel. 1t was the character which
the veteran and gray-haired actress
selected above all others to terminate her long,
brilliant and honorable career upon the mimic
stage-a career which has but few equals in the
history Of the profession which she ennobled.
And it was character which was eminently fitted
to Miss Cushnan's age, physique and histrionic
powers, and which she regarded as among her
best With the image of Miss Cushman's Meg
MerTilies in our minds eye, we could hardly sub
due our impatienoe to see q young girl not yet
eighteen years of age essay the same role. Had
we not witnessed Miss Ahderson's wonderful de-
unedtlOu Vi 1C0uUS ING evening pEeNlOus, We
would have deemed her too venturesome, nay, too
rash, to risk such an attempt. But the flashes Of
tragic power displayed by Miss Anderson in
Eradne buoyed Us with the strongest hopes of her
success. And we believe that we bespeak the
sentiment Of the fashionable and intelligent au-
dience gathered at the play last night when we
assert that Miss Anderson's Meg MerriIies was
grand and unique performance. Had Charlotte
Cushman been present, she would have
49, L.AE l.
her encomiums. Miss Anderson's disguise was
complete. As she rushed out Of her tent and
stood confronting the halEintoxeated Dandie
Dinmonf, 1t would have been difficult indeed to
recognize in thewerd, shriveled, dreadful appari-
ton before US the youthful and lovely vision Of
the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet. But we
have time, at this late hour, to enter into such
details as We would desire. 1t suffices to
say that We have not seen Miss An
derson in any role in which we like
her better, or In which We. like her so much.
Meg MerriIies, however, is not, in our opinion Q
very great character. There is not enough Of 1t.
1t has never reached . high place in popular
estimation, and PROBABLY never will; and but for
the circumstance that Miss Cushman made 50
much Of. the part 1t is doubtful whether 'Guy
Mannering" would not have become obsolete
long ago. Al dramatic work ''Guy Mannering''
cannot be considered q great success, despite the
duNuntdko II NM VI pcluk LILO CIedtuEe. NJ
least TO some extent, of Sir Walter
Scott. 1t cannot be strictly termed play, as 1t
partakes Of the character Of an opera fully as
much as it does of the dramatic. Indeed, IL is
more than probable that "Guy Mannsrlng" was
dramatized more with the object Of incorporating
into it Sir Henry Bishops beautiful music than
with the expectation that its author or authors,
ever intended it to occupy leading position in
dramatic literature The musical portion of the
~1or L. 1,.o aof
Miss Annie Montague, whose Lucy Berfrsm was
excellent.
Mrs. Blanche Ford a. Julia Manneriag, al
though . volunteer, sung very sweetly Mr..
Stetson a. Henry Berfrdm was we'll rendered,
his singing being . pleasing feature Of the per-
Torrance. The character Of Dominfe Sampsonwas,
as usual, butchered in . brutal and inhuman
manner. Instead of q learned gentleman, with
an Unsuitable thirst for knowledge, but afflicted
with few grotesque eccentricities, Mr.. Marble
would transfer this delicate creation Of Sir Walter
Soott's into clown and fool. In the hands Of
. conscientious actor, not . low comedian,
Dominic Sampson can be made one Of the most
effective and attractive of the dramatis persona.
Miss Anderson will enact Neg Nerrilies again
this evening, and We urge those who would see
our rising tragedenne in one of her strongest and
best characters to be present. Tomorrow even
ing Miss Anderson appears In Berthe, the daugh-
ter of Roland. '''-
. EMERsoN's MINsTRELs.-Ths reception that
has been given this excellent minstrel Organise
tion during the week, at Ford's opera house, by
the public, .estifes to their worth as superior
performers, and shows that their claim as artists
liability is based on good grounds. An evening
cannot be more satisfactorily passed by persons
searching for pleasure, and the visitors will feel
repaid for going by the amusement .proffered for
their enjoyment They will remain only two
more nights, and those who have not seen them
should take advantage Of the remaining evenings
to attend the performance.