The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-27
blance between the two young ladies, who are
about the same age, although the relationship Is
so slight O. T. II.



New YORK. June 25.-An interesting theat-
rical event to the philosopher If not to the pub
lie, was the revival here, on Monday night. OF
Miss Pauline Markham, in what is technically
called Legitimate DRAMA" but, strictly speak
ing is dime-museum diversion The event
showed how ephemeral is stage reputa-
ton when not built upon ability. Markham
was at one time the best sung, the most
widely admired and the most recklessly- fattered
woman in America. She 1t is of whom the
Shakspearean scholar, Mr.. Richard Grant White,
wrote his best rhetoric He called her voice
"vocal velvet" He said she had restored the
lost arms of the Venus of Milo Ito whom she
restored them he didn't say.l Astired only In
his English undefled. she walked the boards OF
Niblos Garden for several seasons thing OF
beauty-but, alas! as time has shown, not a JOY
forever.
l recall now. as look at her womanly skirts
trying to do the drama, how the eensuous town
went mad over her pagan magnihcence. one
well-known artist offered her enormous sum
to stand for him as Godiva. Managers saw a
fortune ia her IL she would only play 'Mazeppa"
OH horse. Wealthy roues and elegant men OF
the town stood en- queue at her hotel door, One
of our big clubs installed her as their Paphian
Venus, and worshiped her full length photo
graph. She sat in state when not exhibiting ner
superb limbs, and measured out her smiles to
swarms of admirers.
1t is difficult to get the town to look at her
now. She opened her engagement at the Third
avenue Theater in Tom Taylors "Ticket-of-
leave Man." There was very slim house or
apathetic people who probably never heard OF
her. The name in big letters. Pauline Mark
ham" had no longer a thrill in it. A matronly
woman came on and played in the most conven-
tional manner. Here and there in the parquette
were bald headed men who tried to fan the fire
of the past out of the ashes of the present, and
failed. Markham is still superb woman in the
pagan sense. Her very step is like the Roman
goddess. Her bursting figure is the affinence of
vital femininity. But she can't act. She never
could. Her vocal velvet has lost its pile. "The
lost arms" are there, and the other limbs that
were never lost. but alas! what use are they In
draped melodrama9
If the actresses Of New York had bit of moral
pluck they would rise up and call upon Mark
ham to give a professional matinee, and then
they would buy and distribute tickets among all
the young men. so that they might go ard see
for all how futile is beauty of form and sen :
suous praise to preserve awoman's success on
the stage
l once heard very beautiful woman, who
thought she could act, say to Mr.. Harry Palm
er that she intended to become a Charlotte
Cushman."
'sThen." said the remorseless manager, ''youll
have to vitriol on your face instead of rouge
This was the neatest mixture of philosophy and
compliment l ever heard. Put into plain En-
glish it means that personal beauty is a bar to
permanent success.
Dime museum theatricals are gnawing away
the best elements.o of melodrama. The reduction
of sterling plays to the cheap and nasty goes
steadily on. There is Mr.. Frederick Paulding, a
Young man of great promise, who has been asso-
ciated with some Of the best productions He is
playing in the ''Sea of Icen with a woman named
Rose Lsle. A more insufferable affection
never encountered. Mr. Paudng appears to
have sold out his ambition for Is cents. Rose
Lise was sent from Alexandria in sarcophagus
some years since. She is aromatic. and, like all
Egyptian ruins, well preserved. Her acting is
like the recitation Of Plutarch by victim of st.
Vitus's dance NYM CRINKLE.