The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-12-14

The mighty dollar is, if our satirists may sbe
believed, the NJ. P. T., most potent attraction,
which can be offered to Americans This GER
tainly is true of Portland for"a large majority
to make use of Judge Slote's fecitous adap-
tation of parliamentary language to the affairs
of common life, of the theatre-goers of the city
were present at the production of Woofes
| long-drawn-out farce of "The Mighty Dollar
| by the Florences at Fanny Marsh's Theatre
last evening.
1t is fortunate for the author that this tire
some play, so commonplace in language and
rude in construction, has fallen into the hands
OF accomplished comedians like Mr.. and Mrs.
Florence. They have successfully achieved the
task which the captive Hebrews failed to ac-
complisb, of making bricks without straw. In
play trivial 10 motive, crude in execution, and
poverty-stricken in language they have found
two characters which they have shaped into inn
PRESENTATIONS that not only strike the popular
fancy but possess great and positive merit.
The characterzations are caricatures it is true,
but they are good carcatures, and we perceive
familiar features through all their exaggeration.
In real life the Hon. Bardwell Slote and Mrs.
Gen. Gllfory are not anywhere to be found;
but the suggestions Of them are unfortunately
so common that an American audience readily
recognizes through all the distortion the essen
tial truth of the representation, and with the
national taste for exaggeration in humor as in
everything else, is far more delighted than it
would be with finer and sharper satire. There
is certainly nothing fannier to be found on the
stage than the mercenary Congressman and the
delightfully."- absurd widow of 1.-THE Mighty
Dollar"
AS dramatic creation "the Honorable Bard
we'll Slote" is open to the objection that it vic
lates the unities. That species of Congress-
men belongs to the ante-war period, and like
another noxious plant, can only flourish in
darkness. When Mr.. Woolfe's journalist came
the representative who had grown on Indian
and other jobs disappeared from Congress and
was seen no more except in corner groceries
There he can be found to this day, lamenting
over the corruption and degeneracy of the
times. But this congressman and the Jour-
nast never grew in the same soil.
However If we overlook this inconsistency and
judge the Honorable Bardwell Slote by his
day, considering him as one of the extinct
species in which he SO strenuousiy objects to
being classed, the dodo, we must concede that
Mr.. Florence's representation is legitimate
In whatever light we view it the characterize
ton is eminently mirth-provoking, and a nota-
bly, fine comedy-creation. The assumption is
quiet and natural, and foil of unctuous humor;
the absurdties are confined to the situations
Almost the only adverse criticism that can be
passed is that in the opening scenes Mr.. Flor.
ence occasionally forgets himself, rises above
his theme, and, Inadvertently, speaks in the
tone of gentleman.
The Mrs. General Gilfory of Mrs. Florence
is a delightful exaggeration. The confusion of
memory, hazness of thought, and indscretion
OF tongue are charmingly presented, and the
fohdness of the travelled widow for French
phrases is an amusing bit of absurdity. Mrs.
Fiorence's grace of manner forces US to forget
the essential vulgarity Of the conception, and
we find ourselves sym pathizng with Mrs. Gill
fory from the start. The evident enjoyment
by the actress of her impersonation, the hearth
ness and vigor with which she enters into the
spirit of her part, measureably contribute to
the pleasure of the audience.
Of the support there ia not much to be said.
1t was fair. But one may be pardoned for
doubling if there is to be found so ranting
journalist anywhere-that is anywhere this side
of the Penobscot-as the one portrayed 5y Mr.
Carroll.
The mighty Dollar is to be repeated this
and tomorrow evenings To doubt that there
will be crowded houses would be reflection
upon the dramatic taste of Portland.