, 1878-03-15
Jefferson and Grip Van Winkle.'

From delightful, homely and appre-
ciative article upon Jefferson and rip
Van Winkle," published in the last Ap-
pletonS' Magazine, we clip the following
extracts:
The only objection on moral grounds
that have ever heard made to "Trip Van
Wrinkle" is that at the end of the last act,
when Rip has been recognized by his
wife and daughter, and when the former
tells him in the exuberance of her de-
light at finding him, rip you can get
tipsy as often as you like" he does not
refuse the cup which she offers him.
Everybody who has seen the play remem-
bers how Rip accepts the cup, and re-
peats his old formula, "Well, l won't
count dat one, den; here's your good
health, and your family, and may you
live long anG prosper" and many per-
sons, undoubtedly, are sorry that he does
not refuse the cup, and assert his resolu-
ton to drink no more.
Drink has been the cause of all his
troubles. Now that his troubles seem to
be past, and new and better era to be
beginning, why does he not bid farewell
to his former habits, and determine never
again to touch another drop9 With such
an ending the play would become veri-
table temperance lecture. Many time
have committees of ladies and commit
tees of gentlemen, delegations from be-
nevolent societies and delegations from
reform societies, "waited upon" Mr.. JEFF
ferson, and urged him to make change
in the last act. "If," they have said.
earnestly and imploringly, "if, Mr.. JEFF
ferson, you would only decline the cup
that Gretchen offers, and announce your
solemn purpose never to drink any
morel" To all these entreaties the actor
has turned deaf ear.
Why4 Well, in the first place, he be-
lieves that, if the drama teaches at all
it must teach only as life teaches. 1t
holds the mirror up to nature; it is not a
moral lyceum lecture. It's influence de-
parts when it usurps the functions of the
preacher or the moralist. In the next
place, he thinks that it is unfair to trans
form the stage into platform, and to
change himself from an actor into tenn.
perance lecturer. The people who listen
to him have paid dollar and half each
to go to play, they have not paid their
money for the privilege of listening to a
sermon. And, in the last place, and
chiefly, the unity of the impersonation
requires that Rip should take the cup
and not that he should reject it.
Rip is drunkard, and bis life is an
awful warning. Even when he knows
the sorrows that his vice has produced,
he is unable to rid himself of it. The
great JOY of refnding his home and his
daughter is not his saviour. Like every
other confirmed inebriate, he naturally
falls back into his old habits. The love
OF liquor is too strong for him. 1t is be-
yond his control He hesitates moment
when the cup is handed to him-handed
to him by his own wife-and then he
does what one might say he cannot help
doing; he receives it, and drinks as he
used to drink. The thraldom of the
drunkard, that is what the play teaches,
If it teaches anything in this respect.
Kip Is one of the most lovable of men
chiefly because he himself loves every.
body, and is generous and sweet.tem.
pered and brave. Even his breeches.
wearing wife is dear to him, in spite Of
all her beatings, and seedlings, and hair.
pullings. When her cruelty comes be.
fore him most wildly he has only mer.
ry laugh. When he says, IF ever
Gretchen tumbles into the water. She,
got to shwim, do you mind thatYr there
is not taint of bitterness in the words
his dog-how ne loves the poor beast
ne would rather that Gretchen should
lick me than the dog" After Derrick
has given him the bag of gold, he hand.
tito the landlord whom he owes: ~ will
wipe oil my score, and stand treat for the
whole village"