Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-12-13
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES"
Mary Anderson as "Julia."

An extremely large and Fashionable
audience assembled at the Opera House,
last evening, to honor the first appear
ance. this season, of the young, beauti-
ful and talented tIagedienne, Miss Mary
Anderson. OF this audience, however,
we will have more to say hereafter: Sher-
idan Knowles play, the "Hunchoaek'
has at different times been the subject
of much criticism and greater common.
dation. The ordinary reader VIII hnd
the play entirely above criticism, ana
much To admire IN the beauties OF die
ton and simplicity OF style. "Julia" is
a voung and country girl, equally
IMMERSED in guile and the world, and no
desire beyond living forever in the
country. Her friend "Helen" visits her
and brings 70 her Imagination the pleas
nres of city life. master Walter,
"Julia's" guardian, is saved IN a
brawl by "Sir Thomas Clifford" and
taking a fancy to him, selected him as
"Julia's'' bridegroom. lie is presented
and soon leads the shy maiden through
the portals OF love. She is taken to the
civ where few weeks transforms her
from the simple country maiden to the
r,uuuering city belle, and her betrothed
"CEiIord" finds her slowly slipping from
| him. He overhears her tell Helen
| how she will queen II whan she Is
the bride of Clifford with unlimited
means and title, 4 speech in which
she betravs her want of love for her al
fanced husband and her regard for him
simply as a means to rise to wealth and
mower. In sOrrow and anger he comes
out and renounces her, leaving her IN a
| dead faint.
In bitter anger and modification she
accepts the suit of an earl she had form
| lyrrfused discovering, after she had com
/ n,itted herself, that she had lost "Clll-
| ford. butte reveal to herselftheintenslty
/ ol her love fOr him. Her guardian holds
| her 10 her promise, and they go to
/ the earl's estate for the wedding.
| I'm the meantime "Clitlord" has found
/ the yerifcation of the adage "mlsl0r-
tunes never come singly." lie had IN
herited his title and fortune upon the
/ supposed death of a cousin, who now
turns up, and Clifford is left a beggar:
| He becomes the secretary OF "Jullas
| fdRcee, and as such bears note TO her.
| After a little scene the "Old charm
| il rewOyen" aud the lovers reunite.
| At the last moment, master Walter
nroclaims himself "Julias' father and
an earl, and her hand is given to her
choice, Clifford
| Various other characters and scenes
are interviewer, principally one between
"Helen," and her cousin "Modus, Il
bashful fellow, desperately in love with
her and striving by means OF 'Ovld
/ art of love" to declare his passion. she
takes him i'm hand and gives hun
practical lesson that has the
desired effect and he speaks his love.
/ Miss Anderson, as Julia, was SIM
ply superb; never, since Janauschek
| has Wheeling seen any approach to her
euual. There are those who say that
much of her success is attributable to
her SURPRISING beauty, but this Is an
error. With her unparalleled voice and
grace OF carriage, her beauty is but a
! third accomplishment. Certainly her
powers are not fully eXerted in Julia
the part does not admit OF it. In
| the final scenes, and not until
| then is her power exhibited, and she
sways her audience at will. The scene
with the Secretary was magnificent, and
where the charges broken heart TO her
guardian. the true genius OF great ac-
/ treSs speaks.
The audience was cod and undemon-
strative, and the only recall that was
rendered was rather weak. With several
enthusiastic persons in the audience, 1t
would have been carried by storm. To
uncultivated Wheeling must this state
be attributed. -,
Miss Anderson was ably seconded 10y
her support. Mr.. Levicks Master
Walter" was a scholarly impersonatlon,
and Mr.. Iawrence's Clifford was al
mirable. Miss Creese had a perfect
conception Of "Helen," and the rest
were in full accord.
Tonight "Evadne" will be the bill,
and some phenomenal playing may be
expected.