National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-02-12
ADJUSTMENTS.
THE NArroNAL-"vrRa1Nrus.'

ltob ulRuI Whb uuc nO lboS 10 the nBrlb OF his
acting than to his personal popularity with
the audience The play was "virginius." This
tragedy retains its hold upon popular ap.
proval, although utterly undeserving. 1t Is
pompous, turgid, aud artificial. 1t was mod.
oled upon the style of the Kombles, than
which nothing could possibly be worse
Its characters are not Roman, except in name.
1t was not 70 be expected that Sheridan
Knowles would understand the Roman char
acter, and in the age in which no lived far
bettor man might DO pardoned for tho same
want of comprehension. Given Latin name,
an imitation toga, and a strong voice. and the
age of Knowles recognized the portrait at
once as one of the old world conquerors
whom we are but just beginning to meas
ure according to their true value. The
Roman of Knowles's drama--the Roman
indeed, Of Knowles's age-was an impossible
modern, imbued with few sonorous catch
phrases. but which conveyed no idea whatever
of the grand and singular race he repre-
sented. The false and vicious methods of
the Kembles, moreover, had fastened them
selves upon Knowles, who, at his best, was
but an echo Of Sheridan and the latter stole
everything be did and mutilated the booty
in the theft.
Therefore Mr.. Mccullough is not to be
judged by severe classic standard when he
plays Virginius with the highest fidelity to
the conception of the dramatist If he de-
parts from the idea Of the author he violates
q rule of art. Yet the further he departs
therefrom the truer, the more natural, is his
acting, and consequently the more artistic.
This must be said of him last night. He
played Virginius with less of the turgid and
tho artificial than he has hitherto shown.
There is more repose in his manner, more
dignity Of style, which befts the char
acter of tho olden Roman. At times he
rose to heights of sublimity, his manner, his
gesture, his facial play leaving nothing to be
desired; and with artistic skill he gradually
assembled from the quiet planes of the open
ing scenes to the fiery heights of tho closing
acts with a power and magnetism that
carried the audience in tumultuous applause.
Mr.. Mccullough has undoubtedly lost physi-
cal power since his last visit to Washington,
but he as surely has gained in excellence Of
method, in true dramatic intensity. in thor
oughly artistic acting, and with such q play
as julius Caesar he should more than justify
the claims of his friends. -
His support was fair, very fair, with one
exception. That exception, the Virginia Of
Miss Viola Allen, was not fair-it was superb.
Miss Allen has singular advantages Of person
and voice, and with thorough taste, with UNI
usual skill, with high and correct emotional
perception, she presented the audience with
an ideal Virginia. 1t was not the character
of the lines, but the sweet and gentle
maiden Of the legend that she rem
dered with such exquisite art. From
her appearance upon the stage till
the end there was not flaw in her por-
traiture.
Mr. Joseph Haworth. the Icilius Of the
play, is certainly q good actor, but lover
totally unworthy of the finished personation
that Miss Allen gives. Mr.. II. A. Langdon
was q decidedly good Dentatus, and richly
merited the applause that he received.
Tonight MT. Mccullough appears in
Julius Caesar"
| "GIRoFLE-GIRoFLA"
The second presentation of LIE Cocq's comic
opera by the Ideals ut Fords last night was
perfect in nearly every respect and served
admirably to demonstrate the artistic versa,
tility Of the substituted principals, Miss
Marie Stone and Mr.. Karl. While
the characters were by no means identi.
cal, the differences afforded the
audience an opportunity to admire several
other portions of the opera. In the waltz
song Of the first act, the tipsy scene in the
second, and tho breakfast duet in the last act
Miss Stone was most chsrmingly brilliant
both in voice and action, and in the quarrel
scene with Don Bolero gave her audience az
insight into her powers rs an actress
Mr.. Karl made most acceptable
Marasquin, while Mr. Whitney wa
grand Mourzourk, and dressed the part Ia
perfection. His solo in the last act, ~
Travellers Lot" afforded tho only opportun
ity to display his marvellous voice, and th,
energy with which a repetition was de
manded was only equaled by the good nature'
promptness with which Mr.. Whitney &C
knowledged the compliment.
Miss Phillips and Mr.. Barnabee As Auror
and Don Bolero the eccentric parents Of tn
much mixed up twins, created more than tn
usual amount Of fun, and Miss Phillips
interpolated solo, oh, These Men," made
fitting finale to the scene where her hen
pecked husband yields the palm t
her feminine wit. The ohoruse
were especially good, that of tn
"Pirates" being much better than at the pre-
vious rendition, while the song of Moui
zourk's band OF Moors, "see Our shinin
Cimeters," and its accompanying drill i
quick time brought down the house. TIL
costumes and mountings Of the operas pre-
scented by the Ideal company deserve specit
commendation and add much to the effectiy,
ness of everything they undertake.
This evening will be presented ia Ma
cotte," with Miss Ulmar. Miss Burton. M
Macdonald, Mr.. Barnabee, and Mr.. Frothinl
, ham in the cast.
: 1t is sincerely hoped by many admirers {
the Ideals that Miss ODER will rsarrange I'll
repertoire for the week and substitute "Tt
Musketeers" for that somewhat venerabl
I opera, FRA DiaVolo," on Friday evenir
s next.
y ITALIAN OPERA,
Monday evening, February 25, will cor
mence four.days engagement of graz
Italian opera at the National, from NJ
o Henry Abboy's Metropolitan opera hous
!. The following operas will DO presenter