Morning journal and courier., 1889-11-23
TOM MASO SALvlNI.

An Account or Ds Astess Play, in Which she Great Tragedian Appears TO.Night-Signor salvinIs Former Appearances in This city.
 The Hyperion Theater ought to be filled this evening when Signor Salvini makes his farewell appearance in this city. He is with out doubt the greatest living trsgedian, and D. Asts's play of "Samson" is one of his greatest roles. and perhaps the most enjoya- ble of all, because familiarity of the plot overcomes the single objection to Salvini's acting-the fact that he speaks in the Italian language. All the members of the company except the star speak English, using the graceful translation of the play recently made by MT. W. D. Howells, the novelist. The plot is essentially the same as the story of Samsons life given in chapters xiii to xvi of the Book of Judges.
 The action ot the play takes place at time when the Jews were lsnguishiDg under the rule of the Philistines. The first act opens with sacrifice by Manoah and other pious Hebrews, who bewsil the distresses of their people. His compatriots express their dis appointment in Samson, who was to have been their regeneration and deliverer, but Manoah justiRes his son and naYrates the miraculous circumstances of his birth. Sam son appears, rebukes his detractors and tells how he had been engaged to marry Philistine woman; how on the way he had been assailed by lion, which, unsrmed, he had fought and killed; how he had at his wedding feast proposed a riddle, with heavy wager, how his wife had wheedled him out of the an- swer and told 1t to his companions. He de- slares his inteption to go to Ashkelon and there take his wager by force from other Philistines.
 It transpires that Samson subseq uently carried out his threat, and in SC doing killed several Philistines and thus excited public indignation. Delilah is arrested, having been found in his company, but she is re- leased by Lamech, Philistine, who directs the crowd against Samson's house. Present. ly Samson appears and announces that he has paid his wager and when the Philistines, not daring to attack him, siege his father, Sam- son reseues the old man and retires with threats of vengeance.
 The third act takes place in Delilah's house, where Lamech persuades her to make use of her influence with Samson and to find ont the secret of his great strength. She admits her duty to her country, but pleads her love for Samson and refuses. In the meantime news is brought of Samson's terri ble slaughter of the Philistines with the jaw- bone of an ass. Finally, after Lamech has solemnly promised her that no harm is in- tended against Samson's life. Delilah reluc- tantly consents to act with her countrymen and deliver him into captivity. Melca, @ slave woman whose son had been one of the victims at Ashkelon, is introduced into De- hlah's house as a spy on both her and Sam. son. Samson is given drugeed wine, and in his drunkenness he tells Delilah that his strength lies in his hair. Delilah would withhold the secret, but Melca betrays it to the exulting Philistines.
 Whau Qoua so, ovaIaa ahor, at ,co, <.e | .n hair and his strength, he is set upon by the Philistines and cast into prison. Delilah abandons herself to passionate grief, rejects the homage of her people, and reyiles La- mech for his perfdy. The last act takes place in front of the temple of Dagon. Or dered to exhibit himself at the games, Sam. son submits. He prsys for Divine help and becomes conscious that his strength has been miraculously restored to him. Having been placed between two of the outer pillars of the temple, he tries his strength on these supports and at length brings down the whole structure, burying both himself and his enemies in the ruins. "So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life"
 This is probably the last time that signor Sslvini will appear here. His first appearance in this city was on the evening of December 6, 1873, when he was advertised to play "Othello," but owing to . delay in the arrival of the costumes for that play the comedy of "Sullivan" was substituted. He appeared here again few months later, playing "Ths Gladiator" on April 27, 1874, and ''Samson" on April 30, 1874. All of these performances were given by an Italian company, among the members of which were Signor A. Salvini and Signora Piamonti, two exceptionally fine artists. Salvini's last appearance here was ct Carll's Opera House on the evening of December 31, 1880. when "Othello" was given with an English-spesking company. The probabilities are that the audience to- night will be large and brilliant one.