The New York herald., 1877-11-04

yet must do t. am engaged for life 10 the Rus
sian government, and Il is spccinsd In my contract
that am to forfeit 10000 roubios when leave tho
service Of the government
HOME AND MR.. soTHERN.
PARK THEATRE. NEW YoRK. Nov. .. 1871
To THE EDITOR HERALD:-
Having been interviewed by HERALD reporter some
weeks ago casually mentioned that had written
the 'love scene' in Tom Roberson's comedy entitled
"Home." The interview was copied by the London
Era and elected the following somewhat offensive
reply from Mr.. 7. w. S. Robertson, the lato Tom
Robertson's SOM
To THE EDITOR THE ERA (LoyDox):-
Sik-ln Mr. Sotnern's word of mouth biography or
himself which appeared In last weeks edition OF the
Era, he states that he the love In "Home"
at the request of Mr. Tom Robertson. To this asser-
tlon Deg 10 give the most unqualified denial Is
II likely that Mr. Tom Robertson would have al
lowed any man to write the ove scone" of all scenes,
In piece oil hisf ME Sothern's imagination has been
known TO carry him away at times and in this case
considerably. Ii would not be Just to my iather's
memory TO allow Mr.. Sothern's remark TO pass un-
noticed All that he claim for his owu regards
"Home," 10 m unlimited and unnecessary number Of
gags" Apolog'zing Tor troubling you. nm, yours
sTASpARD THEATRE. BIsHorsaArE. WEDNESDAY,, oct
2, 1871
In response to the foregoing remarkable letter
have only to add that my original statement en-
phaucaly true. Mr. Robertson never was satisfied
appealed to to make such alterations ana improve
ments might be suggested. did SO, and the .Iove
scene, in the second act with the exception Of few
lines, is the result That likewise proved success
Is nttesed by the commentator which ii has every
where received when played Tho part which act In
"Hone" requires no 'gags," and would not admit Of
them Hence the reference to tho term by Mr. T. W. s.
Robertson Is uncaled for and offensive. l have
too large an admiration Tor the memory OF tho dead
author TO say word that could be construed a ro-
nection on his memory, but justice to myself requires
that should contradict the misstatements and cor
rect the ignorance OF hts son. Tue following
licted note from my friend, Mr. Lester Wallack. Will
doubtless SGT the matter at rest-
WALLAcg's THEATRE, Oct 30, 1877
MY DEAR SorHERN-Permit me to bear testimony
to the truth OF your statement with regard TO the
scene' IN the second act was conceived and written
ny you This Mr.. Robertson told me himself. And
comedy your scene was inserted In the MSS, aud a
LESTER wALLAcK
have only to add that Mr.. Tom Robertson not un-
frequently fell short OF his own ideal In his work.
His play of "David Garrick, be proved by Mr..
j. b. Bucksrone the manager of the Theatre Royal,
Haymarkct London, was literally unsuitable for rep
rcsentation until he and rewrote a considerable
part OF It, and now am from time to time on
gagged in making further improvement The manner
OF Mr.. T. W. $. Robertson in addressing the public
demands explanation, aud until It is made he cannot
worthy wear tho title OF gentleman. l am, sir,
yours obodicntly, f. A. SOTHERN.
HAS THE SUCCESS OF MR. JEFFERsoN's RIP
VAN wINKLE BEEN GAIN TO ART or A
LOSS?
To THR EDITOR or THE HERALD.-
Tho act that Jefferson is immensely successful In
|
the original Juror croaod by that single part
at each engagement, may be good enough practical
worldly and busiLessllke for his not play
Ing any other; but art claims on a great actor
which no ought to satisfy " any cost IL makes true
lovers Of perfect theatrical portralure almost despair
to think that but one Of Jenersons unequailed
pieces can bo seen by this generation, and alter
| generation, bc seen no more-we who live In the
same days with this grand deneaIor this painter OF
nature. who Is at once Rembrandt ana Messonier,
grandly impressive and exquls,tely Anished-that VIC
cannot enjoy his genius the full feast on al
his works. What, after ALL should 1t matter to him
and his manager II the experiment Of presenting Jci
ferson In somo OF his other parts be attended
| with anapcal risk while "Rip Van WinkIe" II
sure OF It's 81, 900 night! have known Mr.. Daily &c
take all risks Tor the sake OF art Shakespeare
rs u costly poet TO set on the stage, but 'rwslfth
Night, ""Merry Wives Of Windsor, AS You Like IT. y
"Love's Labors Lost" "Cymbellne," "Much Ado
gusline age VI the drama IN New York attest the
young managers iondness tor what is oce
further, and in Yorlck and Vssta gave spe-
cimens OF tho modern spanish and French
tragic school, revived Goldsmith's 'Good Natured
Man." Cen,i,vre's "Busybody," 'srne Inconstant,
"Wivcs They Werc." and many another gem Of pure
ray heretofore hidden In the cavern OF antiquity ail
to the glory aud profit 0l art II filing his
treasury. II Is 10 such manager when he presents
Jefferson to that We may look Tor the OF
artistic desire. on a OF the good old pieces
wnicn live In tho memories oi those wno Je rson
IN them, as Jenerson's own Twenty years ago, when
he was fresh sage fortunes OF Laura
Keene theatre by his contribution o delicious droery
and then for brief season rradatcd the Winter Gar
den Theatre. How his Doctor Pangloss in the "Hcir
atLawp stops into our remcmbraIce with his buckles,
| queue and cane! VINO is SO happy as 10 have seen
his Dlgkory in the "Spectre Bridegroom" and can
forget The hat that seemed raised upon his snening
hairs al the bare suggestion that the party who died
afore got there" had been flesh walk
supposed ghost entered al dead q night ho. DSgorys
convusive contortions ended by dropping hs head
the punch bowis What = jacques Strop he wasi
| What u miraculousy small cap and prodigious and
| volumnous overcoat he had How his knavery ana
cowardice were ou. broad fun and jollity over tho
water he gave our cousins Goighty IN 'Lend Me Fvo
shillings,h ana they were enraptured that they
had 10 telegraph US, per ocean cable, along
was But dom. believe ne gave them the auack doc.
tor. That performance might have avered tho war.
| know that two enemies could not see II, | saw
him 40 It, without instantly making up 70 onjoy
IL together. How Jefferson Introduces strangers to
each other every nighIl Two 10y, reservod respect
each other. They relax, they unbend they sudden y
find themselves laughing aloud-iun must have
company they turn 10 each other Capital eh -
'snlenddl" and they arc bowing acquainiances ever
after lie does this In GRIP Van Winkle," aud know
he do II anything. Give us his Tobias shortcut
IN 'sfhe Spitire \" ana look for revival of trade.
All these are so many lovely pictures by master
hid away 10 some jealous connoisseur's storeroom.
Bring them out and set than In good light. Critics
and amateurs have praised them They more
doubtful uncertain of favor than glorious Rip
is Mr. Boucicault won't want a definition oil
comedy whom he sees them, but viii enjoy his fellow
actors great triumph as we'll us The least OF by
the way, have you noticed how tho subtle spirit
anlmales Rip Van winkle makes the shaugh-
raunf Is not the latter an Irish Rip? Why should
Bouocault bothor himself about critics when he so
great an actorf As TO his authorshpwcl, he writes
comedisS and also wros reviews proving the decline
OF Lan raa, and as no himself the largest contribu
tor to the modern stage suppose he knows wnat he
| is giving us
i No fear OF a decline o. the drama while Jefferson
treads securely his elevated plane while MS hearty,
pure and Innocent mirth attracts larger audiences
| than naughty French pieces It's pleasure to look
| at the vast theatre filled with people enjoy ing
"Trip Van Winklcu and 10 know that not one OF that
great ihrong Tut Is tho better for being there. Yet
| we might have RIP" and have something else not