National Republican., 1883-01-02
ADJUSTMENTS.

could not have acCOmm modated larger audiences
than those of yesterday afternoon and evening.
That the enthusiasm and large heartiness Of
the reception given her were much less ont
erowths Of the general geniality of New
Year day than the direct evidence Of the
admiration in which Miss Anderson is held
was at once palpable and pleasant 1t is not
to be disputed that, without reference to the
estimate which the constituted judges Of such
matters place upon her powers, she ia much
esteemed of the people-more, perhaps, than
any other woman now UPON the boards Of the
American theater.
The play presented last evening was In
gomar, the Barbarian" Miss Anderson, of
course, acted Parthenia. This has from the
outset Of her career been one Of her most
favored performances aud in all her list she
has none of which it can be said that she
acts IL better. 1t is well considered piece OF
work, finely wrought and fitted to the lines
Of the author with careful intelligence and
"A deft conformity to all the authors modula-
tion Of thought and feeling that can be much
more easily admired than described. More
than any other character in her errcportory does
IL call for lightness as well as the power Of
tears. II Is serious enough, but its serious
ness is heightened in, value by an abundant
relief Of the finest and purest comedy II Is
in the adequate expression Of this quality that
Miss Andersons growth as an artist is first
and most distinctly brought TO notice That
she has vastly changed and for the better, is
one Of the first impression borne In
upon tho notice of those who have
known her in former seasons. Miss
Anderson's faults were heaviness aud
straining after false theatric effects; n
monotonously bad use of good voice; cru
dity of thought; and a most annoying disre-
gard Of those details which are as much and
in their way as important a part of any true
work rs its salient strokes are. These, so far
as her Parthenia may be taken rs evidence, are
faults she has almost put aside. Statuesque
she was, from the first Of her acting days
with tall and shapely frame, from which
drapery depends Of itself in correct lines and
folds. She had, moreover, poses and sudden
movements that were manifestly unconscious,
yet strikingly pictorial; and her voice,
though full and deep for woman, had
tones in it gentle and low, and very musical.
Her work was like that which might have
been looked for in an artist of strong instincts
but unskilled hand, who wrought with fine
materials but without advisement, and was
content with occasional strong CLEANS of color
and form. This has been less and less her case
from year to year. Patiently, and with perse-
veranco that cannot be too highly commended
she has striven for her own improvement, and
so well that it is no longer safe to doubt her
ultimate arrival at the distinguished excel
lence that was injduiciously claimed for her
at the outset. Her youth(ulness argues
against stagnation and if this argument be
carried out by the fact.-if she goes on as she
has thus far gono-the climax Of her powers,
when 1t is reached, will show an artist the
greatest, within limits, this generation has
known or is like to know.
Within limits is written adviscdly, for
there are characters among those she essays
which Miss Anderson shows little fitness
for. Tho performance of Juliet yester-
dpy afternoon, as compared with that of
Parthenia last evening, viii show
the force of this. Miss Anderson's
Juliet was, and continues to be, respectable !;
but it is barely good, and in some places mar
rowly escapes being bad. 1t evidences no
tragedy queening that weighted it down at
first are there yet, and not ameliorated. But
in Parthenia there was n new and pleas
ing sweetness and light, as well as
better and finer feeling of strength
than ever before. The first act
was played with temperate dignity that
conveyed consciousness of reserved force
which was far more effective than any indul-
gcnce in explanatory excesses could possibly
have been. The second act which is
the crucial one for Parthenia, was not
only read, but acted, with exquisite
skill. The long scene with Ingomar-
a scene in itself remarkable for the high sim
plicity of its method and the clear vigor of its
illustration of feminine power over the mere
brute attributes Of man--was pictured with
such delicacy and sustained fneness as Miss
Anderson has never before brought to any OF
her work. And the whole remainder OF
the drama was held up to the mark
these two acts set for it. 1t was an honest
performance from beginning to end, and a
very welcome surprise to even those who had
looked for better things than Miss Anderson
had been doing.
ID WIN Ju6 COInUdIy
is welcomed, because the company is UNI
usually good. There was an even sustain
ment of all the characters, which promises
well for the plays that are to come later in
the week. A very noticeable feature
was the Ingomar of Mr. J, b. Stud
ley, in whose hands the character was
held to place required forasymmehicalr rep
resentation Of theplay Mr.. Studley is a we'll
seasoned actor Of that elder sort Of whom each
year secs fewer. In his way there are few
men his equals.
GEORGE ADAMS AT FoRD's.
Manager Ford has shown good Judgment in
presenting for the holidays a pantomimic en-
tertainment of tho good old sort, without
which no holiday season used TO be con.
sidered complete Mr.. George IL. Adams
and his company are quite up tc
the best mark in their peculiar department oil
stage work. Mr.. Adams is not unfamiliar
here. He has clowned it in this city before
successfully, and is remembered with favor
The entertainment very well worth going Ia
see.
Petition OF the Petersburg BOurbons.
PETERSBURG, VA. Jan, 1.-The city officers
elected by the bourbon democratic council on
the 2sth, Goth, and 30th of June last who
have been declared by the Virginia court Of
appeals to have been illegally elected to office
presented their petition to the council at il.