Morning journal and courier., 1889-12-31
Entertainments.
HANDS ACROSS THE SEA.


Undoubtedly the 6nest melodrama which
has been seen here this season is Henry Pet-
tits Glands Across the Sea-" which was
Witnessed by large audience at Proctor's
last evening. The circumstances which lead
to the many effective situations in the plot
are grossly Improbable, as those of all spec
tacular melodramas of necessity are. The
plot itself is conventional and time-worn.
Jack Dudley, the hero, marries the daughter
of Dick Melford, alias King Of Australia.
Robert Stillwood, the villain and gambler,
wished also to wed Lillian Melford. Fooled
in this, he connives to throw the young wife
into the Eower of Count Paul du Renal, q
gay Partisan, who seeks to betray her. The
husband happens to return home in time to
promptly show the Partisan to the door. He
follows soon after and falls upon the count
in gambling den just as he is Boosting that
he is the paramour of Dudley's wife. Dudley
knocks the slanderer down. The scene
changes to a dark courtyard without. Robert
Stillwood, closely mufd1ed in his cloak, APP
pears and conceals himself. The count rushes
out. Stillwood, intent on robbery, assaults
him and in the struggle the count ia stabbed
to death and Stillwood fees. Dudley, the
wronged husband, rushes out in pursuit. of
the count and stumbles upon his dead body.
The gems d'armes appear and arrest him as
after series of thrilling episodes escapes
just as he is brought to the guillotine. Ro-
mantle and melodramatic adventures follow
in quick succession. The hero is at last ex-
onerated and again clasps his wife to his
heart, the villain is arrested for the murder
and the play ends happily. William q. Beach
as Jack Dudley, Henry Pierson as Robert
Stillwood and J. R. Furlong as Count Paul
du Renal were equally praiseworthy, although
Eyxso
been made of their roles. Edna Carey as
Lillian Melford was sweet and pathetic az
the sorrowing yet faithful wife in the latter
half, but her acting before this, when she
endeavors to assume the role of an unsus-
pecting wife exposed to the intrigues of Q
villain, leads one to think she does not i'm
prove with age. Her signs aud protestations
against the counts advances reminded one of
Ia grippe. John Blackstone as Tom Bassett
made many laugh, but is rather fat. The
scenic effects were unusually fine. The piece
will be repeated this and tomorrow evenings
with New Years matinee.
THE sToDDARD LECTURES.
Mr.. Stoddard will give the fourth lecture
in his admirable series at the Hyperion on
Thursday evening.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
There was no performance at the Grand
last night. The DEVILS Mine company,
which was to have appeared, was unavoid.
ably detained in Buffalo. The company will
appear at an extra matinee this afternoon,
and will give the usual performances this
evening and to morrow afternoon and eve
ming.
THE TWELVE TEMPTATIONS.
This elaborate aggregation will be the at
traction at the Hyperion on the first half of
next week.
The grand spectacular She will hold the
boards at the Grand during the last half of
the week.
THE FAT MEMS CLUB.
Of this funny piece, which will be played
at Proctor's on the last half of this week, the
New York Herald says: ~. G. Stewart, the
Professor and William e. Murray, his
wayward brother who took the parts of the
two 'Jumbos,' soon gained favor with the
audience and brought down the house in the
Fat Mems Ballet The ballet scene' is the
best in the play. The piece pleased the su-
dience and was grand success.
For the ChiIdren's Ward at the Hospi-
tai.
The society of Little Workers nested $22
from their sale given Dec. 81, and that
amount has been forwarded to the board of
visitors of the hospital The sale was for
the benefit of the children's ward of the hos.
pital The fund will be used for the pur-
chase of rolling chair and warm UNDER
clothing. The members of the society are:
President, Bessie 9. Beers; vice president,
Katie Beers; treasurer, Bessie e.. Burgess;
secretary, Louis Woodbury. Burgess; mem
bers. Julia B. Mallory, Gertrude Wheeler,
Carrie May Clegg, Katie Mallory, Bessie Per-
kins, Nellie North, Edith Barnett, Minnie
johnson.