The Portland daily press., 1881-04-05
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.



Mr.. Lawrence Barrett as Cardinal Richelieu
in Bulwer's famous drama of that name, was
welcomed at New Portland Theatre last even
ing by an audience completely filling the
house, composed of our most fashionable cltl-
zens Mr.. Barrett, in our opinion, appeared
to much better advantage last evening than
on his visit here one year ago, and in this
grand old tragedy which is considered the
best in his repertoire, full scope was given to
his great dramatic powers at times almost en-
trancing his audience.
1t is Mr.. Barrett's careful study of this
drama in every detail, the thorough sinking OF
his own individuality in that of the character;
his wonderful stimulation of weakness and age
and his expression of an intense determination
and will which make his PRESERVATION so effec-
tive. In the trying scenes where the cardinal
implores the king to grant the request OF MS
ward that the life of her lover Mauprat may
be spared; also when he unfods to the King
the story of the treachery OF his minister, the
Count de Baradas, the audience, as IL were,
hung upon his lips. The curtain was rung up
after this scene by repeated applause.
The support of the actor, with one or Two
exceptions, is very strong. Mr.. Book, as the
Count de Baradas, is apt at times to rather
certain passages where it was uncalled for;
Mr.. Louis James as Adrian de Mauprat thor
oughly comprehended this peculiar character,
and gave to the part quiet grace and dignity
most acceptable. AS Julie de Mortimer. Miss
Marie Wainwright was very pleasing, as was
also Miss Story as Marion de Lorme. The
other parts were acceptably rendered.
Tonight the company will appear in Yor-
ck's Love, in which Mr.. Barrett is very fine.
WEBER CLUB. E
The concert complimentary to Mr.. FL. W
Pratt, to take place at City Hall tomorrow
evening, will prove one of the most at
tractive entertainments of the season. Mrs.
Halves, as finished soprano vocalist, has no
superior in the city, while Miss Bryant is
equally situated as a mezzo-soprano. Mr..
John Morgans tenor is well-known, and the
Weber Club have attained an enviable notori-
ETY. for the excellence of their singing. There
should be large sale of seats.
lockwood FOLKS.
The Nes York Tribune, speaking of Sol
Smith Russell and his new play of Edge
wood Folks,' to be produced at Portland The
atre, Friday and Saturday, says:
The Park Theatre opened last night and
was densely crowded. Mr.. Sol Smith Russell
and his theatrical company came forward on
this occasion in piece entitled, "Edgewood
Folks" written by Mr. J. e. Brown, of Bos-
ton, a journalist, and the author of many
sketches. "Edgewood" is the name OF New
England village, and the Folks are some OF
its inhabitants. The action of the play con.
Germs itself with the experience OF young
clergyman settled in Edgewood, whom certain
wicked schemers endeavor to despoil of mag
niicent inheritance, and whose fortunes are
defended and saved through the counter-plots
of devoted friend-the latter character being
assumed by Mr.. Sol Smith Russell, who takes
on several DISCUSSES and exhibits ingenuity and
zeal, together with clever talent for eccen-
trio impersonation. The qualities that i'm
press and attract in this gentleman's acting
are sincerity, amiability, tenderness, and
playful humor. He has repose, also, and be
finished his embodiments with smoothness and
bold effect He moves nimbly through the
play and lights it up, and was received and re-
warded with abundant and emphatic public
approval. The tone of the comedy is cheer
full, wholesome and light, and as treated by
Mr.. Russell will evidently be made the medi-
UNI of diffusing pleasure among large audi
ences throughout the entire country.
lo tusa a NOTES
Next week, the Messenger from Jarvis
Section" at Portland Theatre. ss II
Boucicault, at the Boston Museum, Satur-
day, suggested that the ladies leave their
white gloves and fril!s at home and have a
good time when they came to the theatre.
Theatre goers were pleased to welcome upon
the boards of our threatre once more Mr. Il. p.
DarIOu, WHO now appears HcTo Ill ME. OtcVouS
company, in the support to Mr.. Barrett.
Railroad News.
Arrangements are about completed for the
widening of the New Brunswick Railway to
the standard gauge and the extension of one
of its branches to Presque Isle in Aroostook.
This railroad begins at Gibson, on the east
bank of the st. John river and directly oppo-
cit Fra1 N r. md pytQpdS Ed
munston, near the Quebec boundary. 1t has
a branch line to Woodstock, where it makes
connection with the Continental railway sys-
tenn, and another branch to Caribou, on the
Aroostook. With its branches it is 100 miles
long 1t was built with gauge of feet 6
inches by an association of New Brunswick
capitalists, the chief of whom was Alexander
Gibson, wealthy lumberman Last fall a
syndicate, at the head of which were George
Stephen and Donald A. Smith, who are the
leading spirits in the Canadian Pacific Com
pany, purchased the road, which they intend
this summer to widen and and equip in first
class manner. They have also obtained a
charter to build an extension to 1.-THE st. Law
renee, distance of about so miles, and will
begin operations on that line at an early day.
The object of the company is to provide the
shortest possible route over anadian territory
from Montreal to the sea. . $50
AS consequence of the new life which is
being infused into the Ogdensburg & Lake
Champlain road, It's among the possibilities
that bridge may be built across the st. Law
renee to connect with the Canadian railroad
system at Prescott, opposite Ogdensburg. 1t
has long since been demonstrated that bridge
at this point was practicable. From the Og-
densburg shore shoal extends out 1900 feet
to the navigable channel of the st. Lawrence,
the average depth of water over which is but
Al feet. The remaining distance to the Cana
da shore is but $500 feet. This would involve
the construction of a draw bridge, very Sc
rious thing no doubt in rapid water, but with
the slow current here prevailing, it need be no
impeachment to navigation. In 1872 the Parli-
ament of Canada passed an act chartering a
company for the construction of such bridge
and the State of New York put similar act
upon their statute book. Both have expired,
but could be revived, no doubt, if the time has
come for the bridge to be built From esti-
mates made in 1872, it was claimed that the
cost of the bridge thus projected wonld not ex-