The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-11-11
HARRIET BEECHER STOWE.

HARRIET REECHER STOWE.
Her Criticisms Upon the Theatrical Re
productions of .'UncIe Toms Cabin"
Not long ago | visited Hartford and
was received at pretty brick house. all
gables and angles. painted Quaker
gray, while green clinging vines, over
porch and bay windows, added to this
picturesque home. A garden surrounds
the house. embracing velvety lawns and
bright f1ower-beds. just around the
Mark Twain, while the adjoining estate
is that of Charles Dudley Warner.
This was before Mrs Stoves recent
bereavement in the loss of her husband.
We sat in her cozy, old-fashioned parlor,
where the books and pictures are all
souvenirs of sweet memories. The Pro-
fessor was upstairs asleep. so she knew
he did not need her. Near her in the
pretty parlor sat her twin daughters,
Miss Eliza and Miss Harriet, clever, in
teresting ladies. The conversation fell
upon Uncle Toms Cabin" and, as |
was desirous of hearing her speak of it.
/ at last said: Everybody has read
the book. l dc not think ever met a
person who could read at all who was
not familiar with il"
perhaps you think so." said Mrs.
Stowe, but know of some who have
never read it,
'Who?" l asked, surprised at her
quaint, positive way of speaking.
''Who? Why, the actors who play
in the dramatized version. am sure
they never have, or they would have
gained some knowledge of the book and
characters. Look" she continued, s'at
the way they depict Simon Legree, for
instance"
"Let me see," said, "they make him
coarse and brutal, with a red flannel
shirt, wide leather belt, into which is
stuck knife or pistol, black beard,
and black hair"
Yes" said Mrs. Stowe, that is
exactly how they do make him look"
took up volume of Uncle Toms"
and. turning to the description of Simon
Legree, read the following: HE was
short, broad, and muscular, round
bullet head, covered with stiff. wiry,
sunburned hair; he had light gray eyes.
with shaggy, sand-colored eyebrows,
like his hair; his face and hands were
frcckled. He wore brown pantalOons
of thin. light-colored material, the worse
for wear and dust, and checked shirt,
wide open at the neck" Further on in
the book it speaks of his sandy hair and
a long linen coat and wide Panama hat
Yes" said Mrs. Stowe, Il dressed
him like SOutherner and made him
blonde. had 4 certain similar man
in my mind rs / wrote of him, but the
actors all dress him like Western
border man, with sombrero, red shirt,
and high boots, and make him of dark
complexion"
So we went through several of the
characters. ''St. Clair" she said, 81
drew as the happy, light-hearted. cult
ured Southern gentleman, with all the
elegant ease and Incidence of his class,
clothed in the extreme of fashion, but
in Southern fashion, SO different from
our Northern style of dress, particularly
so at the period the book represents.
did you have some one in your mind
when you wrote of St Clair?" said |.
Yes, she answered. Il know Just
such an elegant, easy-goIng man. l
wish | could see him upon the stage.
Just as l remember him, but St Clair
now is dressed like every man you
meet
Then she went on at length to discuss
the inaccuracies of the productions:
why. they have Haley and Tom Loker
hobnobbing with Legree; they are miles
apart in the book They seldom nova
days introduce. am told, the incident
l like best in the book"
What is that?" l asked.
"Eya's fall overheard from the Mis-
sissippi steamboat and her rescue by
Uncle Tom"
'And did you never see it well played,
Mrs. Stowe?" l asked.
Yes; in fact l never saw the play
through but once. That was years ago.
| was induced, not long ago. to attend
performance of the book, but after re-
naming short time and seeing the
many inaccuracies, [ did not care to
remain through the evening"
Then she told ME of visit she and
her husband made to Boston, where
they saw the play of "Uncle Toms Cab
i'm as it was originally produced at the
Boston Museum. As | write | have be-
fore me the old playbill. which certain
ly is full of interest Uncle Toms
Cabin" was first produced on any stage
Monday evening, Nov. Is, 1852 1t
was dramatized by Mr.. H. j. Conway.
gentleman of Boston. 1t ran for 10Y
performances-int those days a remark
ably long time. 1t was received with
the greatest enthusiasm, and from time
to time in the history Of the Boston
Museum it has reappeared, always with
success. The version given at the
museum is entirely different from others,
and is the only one indorSed by Mrs
Stowe.
There was a panorama of the Missis-
sippi River. While the steamboat had
a rocking motion, steam came out of
the huge smokestacks and everything
was as realistic as possible.
1t is not likely that Mrs. Stowe will
ever attend the theatre again. Tine re-
cent death of her husband, to whom she
was greatly attached, is great sorrew.
She is now IS years of age, but when in
the mood talks as brightly as in her
youth. She is short and slender, and
quite as good walker and as active as
many young girl.
She said in further referring to her
witnessing the play of Uncle Toms
Cabin" that they were both rare visitors
to the theatre and enjoyed the acting
and scenery to the fullest extent. the
Professor fairly clapping his hands with
joy as he saw anything particularly
forcefrh. They all live" he said. turn
ing to his wife, lust as you made
them" Then they enjoyed the COM
ments of the audience between the acts.
''One could not help but feel pleased"
said Mrs. Stowe. Il hope | was not too
proud. Those were very happy days, full
of life, and hope, and pleasure, as well as