New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-01

gentleman from the West temporarily in the
city writes The Tribune note about recent eX-
pericncc of his II is our correspondents first
trim 10 New-York and he has been busy for the
last three or four days in visiting things of in
tcrcst in the city, especially the theatres. he
always having taken deep interest in the stage
He writes rs in part rs follows
The other evening n few minutes before
o'clock | was proceeding from Thlrd-avc. Gle
waited station along what ! think was Fourteenth
ST, though not being acquainted with the city
| may Ice mistaken in the thoroughiarc. was
going west and the wide sidewalk was crowded
with pedestrians. just before | reached the first
corner. there was a sudden movement in the
crowd and | heard people cNclaim. " There they
20. now.r There they arc. going around 10
the stage door There they GO 10 the stage
cntranccln and similar ciacuations., while all
crowded toward the curb. 7, instantly occurred
10 me that Booth and ModcSla or Jefferson and
Florence must bc meant. but then remembered
that none Of these distinguished players were in
town then concluded that il must be Mr. and
Mrs Kcndai and having natural curiosity 10
sec them | clbowcd my way 20 the front. What
was rn- establishment 10 only yoke Of large
red oxen in charge II man wearing a battered
hat | thought ri first there must be some mis-
take. but watched and saw them 90 in at the
STAGE door | went on 10 a small park and sat
down near the statue Of large man on horse
back. whose name | did not notice. and was lost
in thought for some time
our correspondent writes at some length. and
among other things makes the ip1airy Whittier
are we drifting" We do not know, but we
believe that we mn safe in saving that wher-
ever it may be-. we appear 10 DE going nj high
rate ~ speed. We ought 20 get there before long
if We keep
Our correspondent also says that the next night
he visited the theatre where the oxen appear.
heinz anxious 10 sec them on the stage. But he
complains that his vast Of previous experience
lw:h oxen in the drama made him doubt
his own Judgment in the' matter
and he appeals ~ us for n critical estimate OF
their ability. This are pleased Ia give. II
sccu,s ,o lis that thcrr Is a vast difference in the
two oxen in question with respect I" ms'rl"nlc
ability. The right-hand OK. or. as we believe he
* technically called. the OF OK is clearly n
better PLAYER than the lcft-hand. or near OK.
The of OK is following the stage MS an art the
near OK merely as a trade The off on sinks his
individuality in his part and gives evidence Of
close and careful study-his companion has his
cvc constantly on the corn-crib and the applause
~ tho GALLERY The difference In their stage
methods must be apparent e. all. Tho OF OK Is
calm and PLAYS with easy dignity. He walks
with n firm tread and does not ovcrdo his part.
The near OK. on the other hand has disagrccahc
manncrisn which consists Of switching his tan
AGAINST the load of hay. This may tickle the
croundlngs but IL must make the Judlclous
erieyc. H. is not Art. He has also repeatedly
hccn seen TO come on the stage chewing his cud,
and in other ways he shows carcessncSs IN his
work He does not seem to understand that the
first requisite Of stock company-wc use the
form In its ordinary theatrical sense only-ls
that each member should work solely for the
general good Of the production and not strive I"
attract any more attention To his part than the
outhor intended that it should have. This near
ox is evidently impressed with the idea that ne
is thc star and so night after night goes on
hcIoboring the load of hay with his tail ana
making other meaningless gestures and SHY bids
far thc applailsc of the thoughtlcss HIS mcthods
might find favor with London mclodramatc
audience. but they can never meet the approval
If critical American playgocrs.
We trust that a little thought Will convince
our correspondent that we are right III our esti-
mate of these two players