Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-07

NOT A GREAT BEAUTY AND NOT A GREAT ACTRESS
SPLENDID FLORAL OFFERINGS
Dispatch to Phflatle;phia Times

Dispatch to Philadelphia Times.
NKw YORK, Nov. 6-well, we have seen her on
the boards and behind the footlights Now, then,
let US judge her as beauty and as an artist Is
Mrs Langtry an extremely beautiful woman, and
is she great actress? Decidedly no. She is
neither great beauty nor great artist. For all
that she had a welcome tonight that might well
crafty the self-esteem OF any human being and a
reception as / never saw awarded an actor, how
been.
Long prior to the opening OF the massive doors
OF W Attacks Theater every seat In the recently
at premium Earlv In the evening-that is, at
quarter TO o'clock-the streets in the neighbor-
hood were blocked with carriages Ihave seen
many sinasheS AMI mashes, but this discounted
the best and the worst That given the Prince OF
Wales in 1860 was beggarly show In comparison.
The japanese Embassy's reception was not
leveeS here and there, with the lying In
state at the City Hall OF Abraham Lincoln and
and a half Of the popular enthusiasm ana
the public demonstration this evening. lester
Wallack and Theodore Moss, dressed within an
inch OF their lives, met Henry E Abbey and his
corps or aids and assistants clad in regulation
toggeTy ut the door at half-pest seven, at which
hour the floral tributes began to arrive. / may
err trsfie but IL DO IL Is below the actual figure
when say that according to the florists valuation
the crosses, crowns, wreaths, ships, baskets ana
bouquets or flowers with which the lobby was
packed and crowded were worth not less than
SioVV, ana that is great deal OF money, even for
li''ilSiS an NuNelHDeI looked beautiful, ana
one could hardly refrain from the wish that some
one might actually be benefited by their frag-
rance ana charm new kind OF rose, the capu-
Gin, Kind OF hybrid, a blending OF the pink and
yellow, was the favorite. one exquisite lot OF which
cost It's liberal donor $3.50.
The house at eight O'Clock was mass OF beauty
Every box was packed and every seat was filled.
while the great space back of the parQuet and
dress circle was thrOnged with men in evening
dress ana eager for the appearance OF the Lily
from abroad. The curtain rose at a quarter past
eight and the earlier scenes passed slowly aDf
tediously enough. Mrs. Langtry, as Hester, came
on about half-past eight and was made the recp-
ent or an idiotic outhuTst of applause before she
had spoken word. She showed her pretty teeth
and smiled pleasant recognition. Her features
In repose are not Shapely, her figure is up and
down. her arms are homely and her elbows are
knobby. When she smiles She displays two rows
of perfect teeth. Her voice is low, well modulated
and very sweet She has in the first act series
OF domestic scenes and an offer OF marriage, and
at the close an opportunity for touch OF mel
dramatic pathCS so that IL was quite possible
TO estimate her artistic ability at early period
She Is decidedly not great actress, but belongs
TO the Agnes Ethel lovey-doTey school, winsome
and attractive. can cite dozen handSomer wo-
men on the stage, and in the audience there sat
nfty who need not dread comparison.
AT the end OF the first act there were repeated
calls, after one OF which an immense seven-story
Hover piece was sent to Mrs Langtry, were
others. Mr. Abbey was brought before the curtain
and received a tremendous welcome. Oscar Wilde
made hifuself conspicuous, usual, and made
melancholy mugs during the entire evening The
second act afforded Mrs. Langtry better oppor-
tunity for her specially OF womanly tenderness,
and earned decided recall after the scene with
the female villain OF the play, as well as a double
hlbltlon was continued The third act was
thoroughly enjoyable and disclosed Mrs. I.angtry
In an assumption Of worldly sheen that brought
down the house. Her delivery OF the tag was arch
and pretty, and the applause which followed 1t
genuine and hearty. Mr.. Abbey feels entirely GER
tain OF great success in the future, and his predc
ton that Langtry would be go would seem to De
well based.