Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-19

extreme In some OF their no.;,,o,. -,
views goas without wing: but fheg ,,' go
AZ least, generally content that ths 49,,
ones should direct and control NJ.
sheIe were many hobbies attaching TO this
ciuo--as was very nssurai---for WIN sha,,,a
y haye existed, or how could n hsv ono ,s.i
sisted otherwise Though h n,sst he "a
United that there were ALWAYS soma c,, !. -.
Two uennquent IN their enthus;asm
Whatever the subject under considerasioni,
acung, therefore, like a balance unan ~
o .n.. too easily revolyed wheel Of
one OF the brightest, wittiest most NOM
iM, y superietiyes may be allowed II, con.
No. ilevaaoh WIN TINS choice company, was a
n v~nv ~ oith, l believe, and young
how we, all crowded about S; u,,
sne night after his appointment
and drank 10 the health Of He-r
Doctor, now become Herr Professor and
nc, as betting Norseman transnIsnted
20 more southern, but hardly warmer
cline, was an extreme admirer OF the dra-
matte art OF his countryman. Henrik Shsan
ms admiration was shared by two OF nus
!rIehos' the one, Journalist. who was critic
70 leading daily newspapers Of She citv.
ana the other, afayorably-known magazine
writer. The Ibsen excitement had been
really precipitated about two years before
oy supper given in the authors honor AZ
one OF the leading hotels. One of the most
smaller stages--the Residence Theatre
always eager to present novelties to
Lne puOilc, offered as experiments The
Wid Duck, RoSDiersholna, and Ghosts
~ the form Of Sunday matinees.
Inc Journalist, in his capacity as theatrical
critic, grew even enthusiastic. and the mag
sElhe-Wflter wrote biographical sketch
OF the 0famQffQf In, 4. r
aole comments upon the PLAYS themselves.
Inc SUBJECT once introduced to the Knefpe.
was taken up with accustomed interest.
discussed IN every aspect, the plays were
READ and studied with care and attention.
ana the younger members with their usual
intensity aud thorough-golng sincerity.
becoming more and more interested. there
soon developed among them a most viru-
lent type OF Ibsen fever. In short while
one OF their number had translated into
GERMAN losen's Caesar and Gaiiiean, and
stlll Others were contemplating similar
efforts.
IL was about this time that the last play.
me Lady from he Sea, had lust appeared
IN Copenhagen and had met with, while
not warm, still a favorable reception. Ii
was at once translated into German, and
nad been accepted by the Royal Playh
what honor for foreign author and the
report soon spread that the dramatist him
sell would be present at the first represen-
tation. The idea of the great Ibsen being
among them threw at once the little circle
into fiutter of excitement. OF course
the entire coteiie of enthusiasts would be
present-indeed,. they prided themselves
on that very pardonable weakness that. il
sufficiently interested, they attended the
Iren'ere--or not at all. In farther honor
OF the distinguished dramatist, the news
papers reported, the Residence Thea
tire would give "a special exhibition
of The HNd Duck on the evening
following the first representation OF
The Lady from NJ Sea and the evening
after that, the new Leasing Iheatre-but
few months opened and devoted exclusive
ly TO plays by living authors in honor Of
the great apostle of newness, freshness,
originality, independence, Leasing
present Nora or, The Doll House. No slight
honor for dramatic writer in foreign
tongue TO see represented in the capital
city Of great nation three different plays
III three different theatres on three sue
cesslYe evenings. Very naturally many of
us were present at all three representations,
for however yariously influenced by inter-
est or mere curiosity, we were all DESTROYS
of seeing the man himself, of watching his
reception by the public and of comparing
works by the same author of such differ
ent character and interest. The Wid Duck
and Nora had been acted before anu both
were known to be successful and creditable
interpretations: and of all the plays Nora
was the great fayorite. This presentation
fully confirmed the popular verdict. The
author himself, 1T was SAID, thought this,
too, and complimented highly the graceful
actress who with such combined childish
ness and dignity impersonated the mistress
of the Doll House. And1f one might Judge
from the applause when Nora" appeared
HppEa1 for tho nyanino hall a IN m hon
player, she seemed as bewitching to the
enthusiastic audience as to her husband
himself.
But what of The Lady from The Sea
That was known to lack the movement and
action of the others-to be more of soul
drama-setting forth the inward struggles
of fascinated absorbed superstitious wo-