The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-07-24
BERNHARDT IN LONDON


One of the Best of English Critics Des-
cribes Eer Lady Macbeth"
Frori the Pail Mall Gazette.
Emphatlcally an actress of the day,
she depicts for the present generation
the kind of woman in whom alone ap.
parently it is strongly interested, the
dangerous Siren-like creature by |
whose destinations men are enSlaVed. |
In depicting Lady Macbeth as a being |
of this type Nine. BarnhaCdt runs |
counter too much recent criticism, the
aim of which has been to represent
Lady Macbeth as a woman endowed
with most of the gentle and feminine
virtues, the possession of which is bal
anced by little over-anXiety for her
husband advancement. This Delilah-
like character now assigned Lady
Macbeth has, at least, the merit of be-
ing comprehensive. BY women of this
class the strongest natures have been
subJugated. 1t is very easy to under
stand that Macbeth in the tolls of such
a one should prove weak and plastic.
Anything rather than angelic or do
nestle is the being by whom he is
| stung to action. The bait is, how
| ever, sufficiently tempting to lure her
into wickednesS of the possibility Of
! which in hers;1f she had never dream
ed. In her support Of her husband at
the moment when he is most closely
beSet she gives proof of a nature not
wholly cruel or base. A Cleopatra
like seductivenesS, with queenlinesS
and grace of bearing that would ais.
befit the mistress of Antony, are hel
most remarkable gifts. In the scene
with Macbeth, when she SnatcheS thu
dagger from his nerveleSS hands, slit
rose nearest to tragic inspiration. He
support of him in the presence o
Banquo's ghost was a delightful
piece of acting, but had no Specla
! Significance. The slecp-WalkiG!
scene was treated i'll very unconyen
/ tional fashion. No attempt was mad
: to preserve the tragic solemDity hith
erto assigned it. No fierce whisper de
noted the inward struggle; light erie
Of pain and terror and palpitatin
Il restleSsness Of alright were the chic
e means of suggesting underlying emo
n ton. In place of the prolonged struggl
to drag to her couch a coWed and COZ
i science-stricken man, Mime. Berr
d hardt went off with run and SUI
e pressed Shrek. So different is TIL
4 from anything that has before bee
seen that its effect is startlin:
d Throughout the performance the 81
II perb powers of Mdme. Bernhardt al
3. seen to advantage. Her represent
ton is, however, as whole, stimula
ing and interesting rather than CO..
e vincing. 1t is at least not likely
" effect any revolution in the manner
D. which Lady Macbeth will hencefo
# ward be played.
n The Judge Has Been a Boy.
- From the New York World.
81 want hermit to gill Schneider
er tog," said a German woman at u
u ToombS yesterday.
~ did the dog bite you?" asked t
ID magistrate.
~ NO, he vos pite my boy Fritz, w
III vos blaying in de yard, and de t
ne chased him out and bit der seat fro
lg de boys bants."
ed "Then the boy wasn't bit at all ?"
ri mo, only de bants.'
"Then there's no danger of hyd
u. phobia," said the judge.
an But he behafes so funny sine
he continued the anxious mother. %
~ can't bear de sight of water and
~ Won't drink noding else but soda '
UCI, 1OOU PCCl cl1b Quill N4hSO, -
re- ice-cream und cake he eats all d
he long"
~ 81 know lots of little boys IL
va would try to become insane if tt
IT, knew that they would be fed on i
ne cream, cake and soda water" said
in judge, smilingly.
DC Maybe ven l get a doctor" said,
~ woman.
ne "Now, don't do that" said the JUG
at interrupting. 1.-THE only medicine
ill needs is taking him across the KIN
bo and giving him strapping VIII
10 ever he won't do as ne is told.''
IN "Vos you sure he vos not gray
anXiously inquired the mother.
WIS 81 am positive that he is playi
10 you for all that you are worth"
no ooh, Fritz, Fritz, Wait till 1 co
on home" said the woman as she mad
lid Decline for the door.