The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-01
AMtSEhfENIa
Mary Anderson In Ingewav.

arliet than she was year ago, because In the
interval sho has been 10 Paris aud talked with
Bernhard
There IL, however. just tho slightest poesibl-
ity that sho might have become b, tier art st "
sho had stayed at homo and not talked at all.
Doumlc+s for spiritual development and sud
den dramatic enlargement there is nothing like
lew minutes conversation with Bcrnhardt.
and even the wild Wcctern genius. who wore
her garments M II eho had been dressed in q
hurricane, has somo claim TO the consideration
OF hstc when It il known that her garments
wcro made by Worth.
At East one IL in danger of forming this shall
low opinion II he allows Miss Andcraon's talk
rather than her work TO influence him.
But, opinions aside. what are the facts
year ago Miss Anderson camo hero TO in
vito tho cultivated judgment Of tho metropolis
upon her impcrsonaton Of certain standard
rClcr. whose limits OF excellence had been
pretty well fixed in the pubic mi nd by the vary
ing efforts OF many great artists. She appeared
here M the latest and in some respects the best
exponent Of the American notion that good act
ing is matter wholly Of natural abilities, not at
all Of acquired skill
All her credentials wore from tho admired Of
youth and the hasty discoveries Of genius.
Special significance was gwen to the fact that
shc lacked experience and was only 10 years
of age. Special praise was therefore expected
for that intuition. inspiration. endowment, or
whatever II might b.. which enabled a girl TO
assume heroic and tragic roles and win public
applause for her cndeavOrs.
So nnNiously mas the playhouse public for
years been looking for the genius which play
house literature IL continually talking about;
70 thoroughly has It accepted the notion Of the
playhouse rhaIsodlsts that histrionic genius IL
above discipline and superior 10 ordinary
methods ~ culture, persistently has II seen
Booth. Jefferson, and Observation-Disclosures types
as distinct IN art as fish. flesh and fowl are in
naturc-grouped under one set Of terms and
labelled with the same adjectivcs, shat IT cane
with alacrty TO the recognition Of an actress
who. whatever else might be said Of her. had
not at least been even modified or in any way
influenced by culture.
And so eager il the popular mind 10 ACCEPT
un'ormulated power. and 10 discover some eX-
hibition ~ energy which transccnds the cassi-
hcation OF critics m as II transccnds the reason
Of the observer. that it Jumped willingly upon
this occasion. as upon all others, 10 the easy
conclusion that Miss Anderson was born an inn
mortal, and all that she did was done with the
authority OF divine right which no Unite ludg-
ncnt ought 10 question.
Once having fixed upon nm exhibitor n nm
idol 10 be worshipped in all its vagaries the
public view with something like personal ami
mostly every attempt to adjust the favorite's
! efforts To thu requirements Of will not say an
ideal. hut only--an intelligent art.
Genius" in Miss Andcrson's case Is the
gilded eNtinguishcr which is put adroity over
all her SHORTCOMINGS And SO shallow are many
! Of those who admire her most that they. being
/ unable to find any reason for much that She
does. have gladly adopted the alternative Of be-
/ lievinG that 1t il done by virtue Of power which
transccnds realism.
The fact is some Of us are so wholly ignorant
! Of the distinctions between talent and genius
that We mete out our recognition and tributes to
minstrcls mines. and melodramatic accidents
with equal prodgaity; and some Of us are 80
anxious To discover the heaven born child in the
corral Of the theatre that we impose upon our
selves.
Fortunately for those who honestly desire TO
nX the status Of Miss Anderson. the stage itself
comes to their help. Without making a parade
Of elemental laws. 1t is only necessary. in order
! TO tx the stature II this young actress in such
role as IdrN1,d, for US 10 recall the possibility
| Of the role in other hands.
This is comparison. il IL true but stature .s
always matter ~ comparison. Miss Idiomena
passes for a very tall girl in her flowing train
and couture, until Miss Helen comes in and
| stands los her aide. should have gone down
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