Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-12-22


Mrs. Lang,ry has been more severely
criticised by the press of Philadelphla
than of any other city in which she mas
appeared, not, probably, because She has
depreciated rs an actress, nor because
her personal charms have faded, but be
cause by this time the novelty of her ad-
vent has worn off, and there is nothing
left the metropolitan newspapers but to
20 at her dramatic efforts with the edi'
torial cleavor. In New York she was
a stranger, and common courtesy de-
manded for her kindly treatment IN
Boston the I.amurchere quarrel and the
Gebhardt scandal give some piquancy OF
interest to her movements, but these had
both stalled by the time she got 10 lhii-
alelphia, and after one or Two
nights of federation the newspaper critics
have turned in to pXcoriate her attempts
upon the stage. That she is greatly de-
ticien; AS an actress is not to be disputed
nor 10 he wondered at. Great actresses
are not suddenly developed, even from
prea; beauties. It takes years OF hard
study and skillful training to make
an actress, even when they are added
to natural aptitude. Mrs. Langtry has
not experienced the former and proba'
bl, : < not start with the latter. She can
ha,r claim exemption from criticism
no, ::;.rh consideration for her pro-
fes,i.l;.. failings when she sees lit TO
dis.... them by essayinS leading
roles. Had she confined herself to the
parts usually assigned to amateurs She
would have BEEN Judged as such, but
when she plumed herself for higher flights
she has no right 10 feel aggrieved that
she is Judged 10y The standard which IS
thus set up.
But all pretenso that Mrs. Langtry
is an actress or CONES here to I've seen anu
heard as such luight as well be aban-
Joned. 1t is we'll understood that she
took or was taken to the stage simply TO
be exhibited as q pretty woman, the
vulgar interest in whom was enhanced
bv the current rumors of her equivocal
relations with the Prince of Wales and
other English roues. Circus managers in
this country have recognized the value
of prize female beauties among their
attractions, and if FOrepaugh's "Lal-
lal Rookh'' on the back of an elephant
WAS more conspicuous figure than Miss
Langtry as Rosalind or Mss Hardcastle
the motives actuating the management
AMI the performers in the shows are
identical. No real ]aly, of course, with
refined instincts, would ever consent to
make such an exhibition OF herself, and
if Mrs. Langtry was born such, as is re-
ported, she has descended from that
estate. Her composure before an
audience which gives unmistakable
signs of its disgust at her pretensioEs as
I'm actress proves that she poses simply
asa professional beauty. And while
the symmetry and completeness OF heI
physical charms are stoutly disputed, it
is, of course, necessary that one who ap-
pears on the stage shall possess much
more than these to continue an object OF
attraction anywhere except in the saw
dust ring or in the ballet.
Nevertheless, the shOrt.lived and ra
pidly waning Langtry {" boom" has
been well worked. 1t is much to be
doubted whether the scandals attaching
to her of late, in connection with gild'
ed youth who lavishes his attention and
favors on her 80 publicly, nave not been
- tss,S,N #
OF her show. The publicity given 10
her movements and her lovers by the
newspapers have put money into her
pocket, and as that is what she came
after she will doubtless go home happier
than if she had been more kindly re-
ceived in the drawing room or more ia
vorably noticed in the newspapers and
the receipts at the door had been less.