St. Paul daily globe., 1886-11-21
GOSSIP OF GOTHAMITES
Society and the Newspapers Still Discuss
ing the Future of Mrs. James Brown
Potter,
Who Has no Excuse for Going on the
Stage Except Her Yearning for The
atrical Life.
Violet Cameron Proves a Dismal
Failure, and Sails to Liverpool in
aFew Days.
Curtis Success in ''Caueht in a Cor
ner''--Speculations on Theatri-
cal Advertising.

Curtis Success in ssCauoht in a Cor
ner''--Speculatfonso on Theatri-
cal Advertising.
Special Correspondence of the Globe.
NEW YORK. Nov. 1S.-The readers of
Eastern newspapers must believe, Ike the
devoted sailor in the Pirates of Penzance"
as TO his Eliza, that 1.-THE world goes round,
all on account Of Mrs. James Brown Pot
ter. This lady recently sailed for Europe,
but the tongues of society are still wagging
about her, and what they say is promptly
reflected in the press The question which
now thunders down Fifth avenue and
Broadway, and finally brings up with
crash against the newspaper offices in Park
Row, is this: Has Mrs. Potter signed a
contract to go upon the dramatic stage un-
der the management of Henry E. Abbey,
preparatory to shooting out as star next
season? Mr.. Abbey's principal representa-
tive in this country is Marcus Mayer, VIII o
is almost as well known to the theatrical
critics of the country as ''Taffy" Morrissey,
and who is almost as ''slick." Mr. Mayer
has several times denied with great unc
ton the statement that Mrs. Potter was to
take to the stage under Mr.. Abbeys man
agement. On one occasion he felt called
upon to give a fat, though polite. contradic-
ton to the statement of a lady of position
and quality, who declared that the contract
had been made, as she knew from letters
she had received from people who must
have known. 1t is painful matter to be
obliged to record the blistering fact that
Mr.. Mayors word doesn't seem to have been
taken as conclusive in the premises After a
cd n.
years in advance of theatric and musical
entertainments his word is of no more ac-
count than that of weather prOgnOsticator
or a stump speech two nights before Ihe
election.
The burden of evidence and philosophy,
however. rather tends to support Mr.. Mayer.
The strong probability is that the lady is
not fit for the stage, and cannot be fortified
for a conquest of the people. 1t would be
an extremely humiliatng thing for lady
so we'll known in society as Mrs. Potter to
go upon the boards and fail, or even TO turn
out to be only mediocre, as she probably
would. She has played in amateur theatri-
Gals, and has received a good deal OF ap-
pause from the friZzIed and curled darlingS
of society for her recitatiOns. That doesn't
go for much, though. Amateur perform
ances are regarded by the professionals as
about the worst possible preparation for the
legitimate stage, and any society" lady
who has the nerve to rise in company and
speak a piece is sure to ''bring down the
house" even if her performance IS dire bad.
1t must be rather painful to Mrs. Potter 10
reflect on the fact that she was never no.
ticed for her reading and recitatIons outside
of the narrow circle in which she was ac-
eepted as the fashion. until she recited
'"Ostler Joe" poem which, though the
language is proper. deals with subject
that is usually not discussed above whiS-
per in polite conversation. 1t was not so
much the question of the ladys ability as
reader as tile question as to the prOpriety
Of the topic.
By the way, who is Mrs. James Brown
Potter, any how? She is a lady. a little
under 80 years of age-the daughter of
David Urquhart, who used to be a very
wealthy citizen of New Orleans. but lost
his fortune during the civil war. He is still
living, and is said to be violently opposed to
his daughter going upon the stage. Her
husband, who is also set down as opposed
to the theater enterprise. is near relative
of Clarkson n. Potter and has large
wealth. He is companlonable gentleman,
popular in the circles in which he moves
and altogether too good man to be known
merely as the husband of an actress. His
wife has no excuse for going on the stage.
She has wealth. position and homage as
she is, and the restraint of her hlstrionic
tendencies would probably not be serious
loss to the world. She is doubtless anxious
to shine behind the foOtlightS. but if her
husband and father together cannot prop
erly pursuade her, they ought to seek posi-
tions in the faculty of some college or uni
VerSity, where no common Serse or dlSc-
pline are expected, and where the boys
Shave each others heads and tie cows tails
to the clapper of the college bell in the
dead hour of the night. They would do
well to put their heads together and manage
Mrs Potter. and not give out the job to
even so accomplished gentleman as Mr..
Abbey.
~
Violet Cameron said farewell to the New
York Casino last Saturday night. and is
this week disporting herself in red tights on
the stage of Brooklyn theater, AS she is
but an ordinary ''buleSquer" and Overdid
the scandal business by the impertinent i'm
portation of her paramour as her manager
she has proved failure. and most of her
engagements outside Of the metropolis have
been cancelled. At the close of her week
in BROOKLYN she will ship for Liverpool,
and will probably never be seen again under
Cegis of the American eagle. Lord Ions
dale GOT tired of the ''blawSted country
three or four weeks ago. but his escape did
not mend the falling fortunes of his star
David De Bensaude her husband. is sick in
a New York hospital. 1t is even yet not
known whether he came here TO advertise
his wife by his queer performances, or ex-
hibited genuine Indignation at the manner
in which L0nsdale uSurped the affections
which had been prOmi sed De BenSaude at
the altar.
The comic opera company, which played
ttErmanie' at the Casino for so many
has returned and succeeded Cameron months
at that establishment. The piece has had
amarvelous draught and will, no doubt hold
the boards for another long run. Yet the
only thing of striking note in it is the repro
ductiOn of the main features of the old
drama of Robert Macaire. . The appropria-
tiOn of this intensely funny old play is so
plaIn that the author of the librettO was
obliged to substantially admit it in fhiS
descriptive programme. There are pretty
chorus girls, but not much striking music.
The most ambitious role in the musical
line is in the hands of Pauline Hail. the
daughter of a Cincinnati blacksmith. with
an unpronOuncabie German name. Miss
Hall has a tinkling voice. and rather
blase stage presence, but she has managed
10 make herself rather popular in the me-
fropolis The main bulwark of the opera,
however. is in the eXcruciatngly funny
performance of Robert Macaire and Jaynes
Strop. who used to delight our grand
~
great deal of the modern drama is the
cid matter worked over Nat Goodwin is