The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-03
Synopsis Of Last Evenings
Council Meeting.
Full Report of the Whitley
Dramatic CompanY's
Work.
The Second Victim of the
Cess-Pool Poisoning.
JANE EYRE.

ley DEdHihIiC COAPo1J NouiA pun "oHF
Eyre" upon the boards. By the word
good it must be understood that both
quality aud numbers were considered aud
if the attendance shell be as good upon
each succeeding evening of the weeks en-
gagement the company will feel happy. but
it richly deserves the good fortune.
"Jane Eyre, who was Charlotte Bronte's
famous orphan, is the name of last even
ing's representation. When the curtain
started upward the first time, it revealed
James aunt, Carrie Carter,) seated at a
table meditating upon the expe
diency of sending poor Jane to
Lowood Charity school. Unfortunately,
perhaps something tickled Miss Carrie won
derfuIly as the curtain started and she was
forced TO take two or three reefs in broad
grin, quite suddenly, as it were, in order
to be fully prepared for the meeting with
old Brockelhurst
Let's begin at the beginning, however,
and proceed to lead the lovely and captivat-
ing Ida Lewis down through the wales and
beside the still waters of newspaperdom.
Possessing winning, youthful face, a
wonderfully symmetrical form, and voice
in complete harmony with her face, what
wonder that her stage presence alone is her
lines. whether in pathos or invective, her
exquisite enunciation and meditation cap
the climax, and the audience is hers.
Whether pleading with those who would
blight her young life, or matchmaking her
cruel aunt. Miss Lewis acting was alike
impressive The writer, in Aud
Lang Syne, wrote up" the
femous Maggie MI hell in the same char
acter and although comparisons may be
odious here is one at venture. If Mag
gle excelled at all, (which is not conceded.)
it was as the Young Orphan Girl in short
dresses, etc. But when it comes to the
effective and realistic portrayal of young
womanhood Ida Lewis shines in a more
brilliant constellation than Maggie.
Another thing which pleased the audience
was the exceptionally appropriate and
tasteful manner in which Miss Lewis
dressed the character. On this subject
adverse criticism is completely disarmed
NJ. w. Fl. Cooper was better Roches-
ter than ever supported Maggie. Mitchell.
From first to last, either as the apparent
cypic, or the true man,
Mr. Cooper's work was
of most excellent character IL short as
one would say of Washington Irving the
writer, 'Ehis strength lies in his natural
ness" To begin with NJ. Cooper Is man
of prepossessing face and figure-justsuch
an one as would be looked for in the ideal
Rochester and he depicted the varying
moods of the naughty Briton with
scrupulous fidelity.
Mr.. johnson made good Brockelhurst,
possessing all of the native endowments of
the sanity crowd to which he belonged.
With the additionally sanctimonious way,
the hollow sepulchral voice, the ''eyes in
fine frenzy rolling" etc, he combined the
grand heel and toe act with venge
ance. In q sentence he never omitted to
''toe in when walking. a very essential
part of the character.
Carrie Carter, sprightly and saucy, i'm
personated the cruel, imperious, domineer-
ing and scheming aunt to perfection In
each interview with Jane Eyre, as well as
in those with Rochester, she managed her
lines quite skillfully and won as much of
the popular appreciation as was possible
in such sympathy repelling part.
James, Rochester's valet, as interpreted
by Mr.. Ferguson, was fearfujly and won
derfully gotten up. ''Somethink 'orrible
is Railways going hon ere you know. Hits
'orrid." The character admits of consider
able of what the street Arab would demon
mate monkey work, which is systemat-
ically made use of.
The other characters, including that of
Adele, by Little Juno" were admirably
sustained, and If there were space to spare
each would receive the notice to which it
is clearly entitled. Take '.Jane Eyre"
throughout, as interpreted by the excel
lent Whiteley company, and one is at
loss to know what to pitch into. There
isn't stick" in the company and the star
is well worthy her excellent support.
Talking about Ida Lewis, well, there,
James, peaches and cream for two right
away kvick., Tonight she viii appear as
ssMortor,, in fha vraafs fo,1r aef comadv