The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-11-09
she now occupies p Her work last night
was that Of u clever amateur subjected 10 a
brief- course Of intelligent professional
training. She did all that bright WOMAN

was that Of clever amateur subjected 10 q
briel course Of intelligent professional
training. She did all that q bright woman
could do under similar circumstance,
without the aid oil original genius: and oI
original dranaticgeuius she as vet shows
no trace whatever When the truth has 10
be told II Is best 10 be told without circu,n.
sntion,and without attempting to lessen its
sting by wrappingitup In speclous phrases.
1he mcdicine may be bitter, but Il Ia whole.
some, and II Is no sign OF unfriendliness to
adiplnister it'whcn needed. There can be
no doubt that,Alrs. Laugtry's performance
last night was disappointment 10 the au.
dtcnce, md II is scarcely too much to. add
that the spirits OF her most ardent frienda
were somewhat dashed. Their mistake
In thinking It wis possible for any woman
TO mount at once 10 the top Of the ladder
'witlou. availlng herself Of any OF the inter
mediate rungs. - ln,r .''f- ~
Not that the performance was devoid IL
charm or even OF Il certain amount OF skill.
With perseverance, and practice there Is no
reason Why Arss Iangsry should mot make
u legitimate mark upon tho history OF the
stage. She is II woman OF most winning
presence, witfla most charming and ex-
pressive lace. most rare refinement Of
manner, an exqulsi!,sly graceful cartilage,
splendid health, and 'buoyant splrits.; She
iias, ,'Moreoyer anR evident aptitude for
learningF 'sheSbetrays fittteS of the hesi-
fancy or timidity OF the novice-her SELF
possession indeedMfter the tirst few minutes
was remarkabler-and her every move.
mems shows al diligont 4 study ,oi the
mectianical processes OF acting. Uniortu-
nately she has not yet learned the art Of
concealing art, und her gestures and
poses-many Of them excellent in them
selves 7are SC, dearly the result of, design
asE ito rohtY def hinpersoliation Of
q, the vital Quality u sPontaneity.
The character OF Hester Gra.ebroot,
in "Anl Unequaled Match, :" in which
she appeared, is probably us welt suited 10
her present capacity ~ any that could haze
been selected. She made delightful pic.
ture 4s the country, girl although she was
100 much the town ladylin masquerade
anu played itwith II freshness which was
very p!eas'ng but it was only the smiling
surface which she was able to represent.
The deeper currents Of strong emotion were
beyond her power. Tho strong scene In
the second uct--;wtlen the Young wife finds
lhersel !, as che ibelieses, betrayed and de-
sersed-iailed Of It's effect, owing to her in
abl!i'y TO express any passion stronger
than that .oi tender melancholy, I'm the
tinat act. IN which, having to play the wo.
man oftfashion. she might natnrally'beex..
pected to be especially successful she
missed her opportunity, by substituting for
the tIautcur which she could undoubtedly
assume. an mir Of scA,inischievous frivol.
ny, which WAS far less impressive.
Her performance, in ntword, from an
artistic point Of view, was not deserving of
serious consideration; although interesting,
and even praiseworthy, as the achievement
OF comparatiycSnovice It's charm = was
purely personal, and this, although power
iui, is outside the limits Of criticism. 1t
will certainly suffice to please the public
Tor time, but Mrs. L,ngtry must labor in.
cessant!yiil sle'would remain on the pin
nacle TO which she las been elevated. ilcr
grace and beauty will aid her. .rcatly, and
she is certain ly2 their aid-to win large
sharc o! public iavor; but it will be a bad
Jay ior thcatrioal art when these fqualities
are held 70 be, sufficient compensation lfor
,thesiackiofst sterling merit 3e "a" / Oat