Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1885-01-29
F" AMERICAN COUNTESS" )"
MIR. HOWARD CARROLL,S NEW
PLAY.
sSBob Vance, of North Carolina"-Dis-
trfct Dcmocrats-Moody the Reviv-
aIist Etc. Etc. - 49,

f ssBob Vance, of North Carolina''-Dis-
trfct Democrats-Moodyt the Reviv-
alist, Etc, Etc
Special Correspondence of TIC Sentinel.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan 25.-New
Y ork has long monopolized the first
production of new plays. So long has
this monopoly existed, that the play
succeeding in New York, is endorsed
and warmly received everywhere.
There are, of course, exceptions, plays
Il failing in Now York have succeeded
elsewhere. These exceptions do not,
however, often occur. Managers who
produce play to empty seats in New
4 York, seldom seek additional expert
ence. The managers of Miss Marie
Prescott's new play undertook to ig-
more New York failure, but We're soon
compelled to succumb, in spite of that
actress ability and talent. Almost
every one will accept New York en-
dorsemcnt as final, under favorable
circumstances, and in the absence of
envious and venomous critics. In
some cases, perhaps, the latter gentle
men, together with shrewd and lavish
managers, succeed in persuading the
attending public that play is q play,
when in reality it Is little more thau
miserable scratch of an ignorant pen,
intelligently represented by able ac-
tors. Society, influence, and wealth
have often outweighed merit in the
acceptance and production of plays in
New York "Victor Durand," the
maiden effort of the author, is award
ed success in face of the confession that
the plot and situations are old and fee
BILE, and the dialogue and characters
frequently inconsistent, if not bung-
ling. The success of the play precipi-
tated the marriage of the young au-
thor, who recently spent part OF the
honeymoon at Washington. New
York endorsed his play. Enough
But the monopoly which New York
enjoys, is being gradually broken.
Among the cities which have under
taken to share the sweet privilege
which New York has SO long exclu-
siyely enjoyed, is Washington. She
n can already number several plays
which greeted their first audience in
her theatres. Aiming the latest is
THE AMERICAN COUNTESS,
a drama, in four acts, by Mr.. Howard
Carroll, produced here last week at
the National. The name, which is
sometimes more important than the
play itself, is one that will attract.
Coupled with this fact is the name of
the author. Mr.. Carroll may be re-
1nembered rs the representative of the
New York Times, who, on several oc-
casions, imagined various Southern
outrages, and gave his journal the full
benefit of his Imagination. Indeed, it
was reported that his startling letters
from various cities Of, the South were
written In New York. New Workers
know Mr.. Carroll as the young man
who undertook to defeat Gen. Slocum,
in the Congressional contest. An EN-
pire City photographer knows Mr..
Carroll as the customer who refused
to pay for campaign Autographs on
the ground that they were imperfect
likenesses, and contributed towards
his failure as candidate. 1t will be
seen that Mr.. Carroll is somewhat
known. This should be well consid
cred, as the name of the author plays
an important part in the fate of plays
SO far, then, the play was subjected to
the fundamental principles of theatri
cal success. But another step wa,
even taken. The greatest French dra
matte actress, Mile. Rhea, was engag
ed to play the leading character. Ii
is only fair to say that the name o1
Mile. Rhea is greater, especially ii
Washington, than either play or au
thor. However much we are opposed
to supporting foreign talent, while
American actors and actresses suffer
it must be confessed that Mile. Rhes
is mistress of her art Under these
favorable circumstances, "the Ameri
caI Counties" was warmly received
the President and other distinguished
gentlemen being present, among whom
was Mr. Carroll's political opponent
ten. Slocum. The plot Of the play i
old, but the construction, if not alto
,gether original, is admirable. The di
a:togue displays an able pen, and keel
. mind. The play is Carroll's. His in
dividaality marks every act. Asid
from defects, which the experience,
dramatic critic only may note, eth
American Countess" is credit to it
author. No small defect can rob hfr
Carroll of the great credit due him
The character Of Hortsnse, the count
eas, is one in which Mile Rhea glories
however difficult, aud In which sh
most admirably interprets the par
which the author created.
In many instances, members of ou
national legislature, deluded by In
portance of self, forget, not only the
constituents elected them, but the
earth is pe,pled. Many Senators an
Representatives appear to eRtertai
visions of nobility rather than democ
racy. We have seen rural constitr
.ents Familiarity slap pompous men
bers, whom men, more familiar wit
the ways of the world, would hav
scarcely dared to approach. There ar
some members too important to spea
10 any one. Brt the rural constituen
is blissfuIIy ignorant of = utter il
accessibility of his memt T, and az
proaches rs fsmiliarly rs before elet
ffon. The rural constituent is mo n
spector Of persons !" he measures tn
man-liot the nsm,, AsSenator froI
4 Northern Stste, ON being eleetet
and coming to Was lington, grew wor
derful1y importsnt. Before the exp
ration Of his tc. m. his importance g