The record-union., 1891-10-10

conscious strength because of conscious
purity. For the contented, happy and
reasoning man is philosopher and must
be man of feeling.
Hosea Howe" in Mr.. Russelps hands
is New Englander of simple and rustic
tastes, but strong love for learning. His
pride does not prevent him doing even
drink deep at the fountains of knowl-
edge. He is at once a longing
scholar, natures gentleman and a
toiler who is proud of his ability to win
his way alone. He has keen sense of
humor; witty suggestion sparkles in his
eyes and runs up and down and over
the lines of his face, mingling with a
gravity that occasionally ripens into
pathos heart deep, and that makes the
audience feel choking sensation in the
throat. But in expression his humor is
dry; its very dryness is its charm. 1t is
quality that no other comedian we have
ever seen possesses in so large degree.
one laughs at his humor bat never for an
instant is respect for the humoriSt less
ened. The auditor is constantly saying
to himself "how provokingly humorous
the man and how noble the character" :"
1t is not witty to have one say when he is
told that he trembles, that ''it is true. it
runs in the family. My grandfather had
1t and my father-they were Shakers"
Russell's mouth it is humor, repartee,
scarcasm and wit, all in one, for it is the
manner of the man in delivering such a
cheap gag that makes it irresistibly
funny. So, too, in the pathetic passages,
Russell by word, a single facial turn.
one movement, makes situation speak
whole lines of feeling that the ordinary
actor might read in vain before he could
move his audience to moist eyes.
The play is not without faults; more
than once it descends to the common
place, and more than once there is resort
to old, worn and threadbare devices-as,
for instance, where the author drags in
the old-time stage trick of having the
heroine threatened with q plot to stain
her reputation by decoying her from
home to hotel where she must remain
overnight. That is the trick of the Bow
cry melodrama. But RuSsell's drollery
and feeling make these defects of minor
importance; he lifts the very common
place story of an unsophisticated coun-
| tryman, in contact with people who look
down upon him, and with fashionables
whom he does not understand at first,
into action that glows with warmth, and
life, and nobleneSS of character, and high
purpose, and love as pure as an angels.
He invests the commonest domestic oc-
currences with humor, and the cheapest
of devices of a lover to be alone with his
| riment that fairly convulse the audience
with laughter.
But with all its simplicity and its COM
mon machinery of action, Peaceful Val
| ley' is a poem of pathos, sheaf of
! sparkling witticisms, nursery of the
drollest kind of dry humor, because Sol
Smith Russell is its interpreter and
throws over the play the art of a genius.
His support is good; but it is all there to
give Russell more of opportunity to
prove how inimitable he is.
The play will be repeated tonight.
Whoever loves simple pathos, dry hui
NOR, drou action, wit and clever pun
ming, and admires consummate acting,
should go to see the clean and wholesome
| play Peaceful Valley"
The box Office for the reservation OF
seats for the ''Incog'' engagement opens
at the Metropolitan Theater this morning.