Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-11-12
LETTER FROM NEW YORK.
Neutrality-suspicious. ofthe Monitor.l
Nom YcnI Non @

Living, aooiolSu oy Hio LoHuOH LyCC-
um Company, at the Star Theatre, is
the great social theme this week. The
manner of his reception was re-
markable and characteristic express
sion of thorough American apprecia-
ton of Mr.. Irving's personal and
professional worth. 1t is difficult to
say in which he excels more. I had
the pleasure of being among the
number of those who first welcomed
him upon his arrival in this country.
A more charming man [ never met
so utterly different from the usual
stereotyped form of affability, which
as rule marks the manners of ssdis-
tinguished strangers" who visit these
shores. But Mr.. Irving scarcely
comes under that category. His we'll
known hospitality to Americans in
London has long ago made his name
familiar on this side. On the day /
met him he was almost boyish in his
exuberance, and although he was very
far from ''gushing,' the cause of his
great popularity was easily seen. 1t
would be difficult to explain the fas-
cinatiOn that seems to draw one in
stinctively towards him. He makes
you feel so thoroughly at home as to
almost convince you that you had
known him for years. Looking at
his face in repose there is nothing in
it that would warrant especial occa-
sion for remark, but when lighted up
with animation the wonderful express
sion of his eyes, the ever varying
form of his features, conveys Ian
guage of its own to which no descrip-
ton could do full justice.
Of Mr.. Irving as an actor there
can be no doubt that he possesses
wonderful genius. But like most
geniuses he has certain peculiarities,
which for the sake of convenience the
critics call 'mannerisms, that some
regard as faults.
In Miss Ellen Terry the British
stage has no equal. To say she is
''charming'' is comparatively an in
adequate form of conveying true
idea of her talents. She is more than
that, for she is an artist in the full
est sense of the word. / never saw
a greater difference between an actress
off and on the stage than in Miss
Terry, who as she appeared to me
more closely resembles a gushing
school girl than finished and accom-
plished woman of the world. But,
unhappily, the lady's school days are
long since past, and yet she retains
her bright, sprightly vivacity with
singular consistency. Some are in
inclined to call this freshness OF
manner affectation, but | will not be
so impolite as to give it that name
freshness is, perhaps, the better
word.
From the drama to the theatre Of
politics is an easy and natural transi
ton. The state and municipal con
test is once more revived in all it:
bitterness. Shall John Kelly and biz
Board of Aldermen continue to rul,
New York city, is the question of tn,
hour. Each party, democrat and re
publican, is bidding for the working
mans vote, the man whom of all 9th
, ers they invariably ignore when cleo
lions are over. Personal charges
attacks upon character, are revive
with bitter animosity, and it is there
, fore quite in the usual orderof things
as politics go, 10 find Senator's
] candidate accused of bigamy an
r theft, and a prospective Assembly
man held guilty of bribery and col
ruption. With reference to til
/ standing of these, the municipal car
C. didates in the field, there isn't niue
t to choose. They are mainly con
: posed of the usual order of gin-mi
e politicians. No wonder the gref
V majority of representative bushes
O men hold aloof from political aspir;
n tions, but they forget that it is onl
h through the ballot that reform mus
!. come. The Citizens Commute
l. from whom great things were expec
ed, having collapsed, there is, unto
e tunately, no immediate prospect of
n better condition Of affairs.
DR.. John P. Newman's recent Sc
J. mon delivered at the Madison Az
e nue. Congregation Church, of whit
he he is the pastor, has created a GOO
10 deal of comment of varied kin
N Last Sunday he preached upon tt
IS poisonous influence of impure liter
ture upon children. He dealt wi
the sensational story papers; dome
y tic receipts of trashy French novel
and vigorously assailed the dai
ed Press for its sensational treatment
= crime.
~ With reference to the Press, d
til Newman forgets that the record
of facts, whether good or bad, makes
y the history of the day. For Il
- goodness or badness society of o
kind or another is responsible.
lie CHASTITY murder is not pleasant, rea
u ing, but the artistic fidelity with viii
y it is described serves the purpose
- exposing the enormity of the GRIN
us But the people are not obliged to re
of it. There is enough that is instrl
If tive and entertaining in the ayera