The record-union., 1892-07-06
ADJUSTMENTS.

In the history of the stage no more ex-
quisitely tense, sustained and thrilling
dramatic effects, without exaggeration or
appeal to the prejudices, have been wit
messed in this city than those so admira-
bly, worked out by the Frohman Com
pany in Philip Hamilton and Marie
Madison's play, "The WITCH" at the
Metropolitan Theater last evening. 1t
was the more effective and artistic per-
formance because it ran counter III every
character, save three, to the best i'm
pulses, the noblest sentiments and the
truest chivalry Of every man and woman
who witnessed the presentation of this
wonderfully strong dramatic picture. 1t
has not in it a single thing TO command
the sympathy, save for a poor unfortu-
nate, prosecuted girl, a faithful Indian
and priest. 1t is not only within his
tory, but not so strong as the truth Will
justify. There were people in the audi
ence last night who laughed in
scorn, ridicule and unbelief that such
things could be. But they are ignorant
shameful exposure of their lack of in
formation concerning facts taught in COM
mon school histories, and that every we'll
informed American knows. 1t is less
than two hundred and four years ago
since woman was hanged in Boston by
IL.
1t is less than two hundred years ago that
in Salem, Mass, doctors declared chill
dren bewitched, and the clergy Joined
with them in accusing Tituba, an Indian
servant, Sarah Good and Sarah Osburn,
and all three were tried under forms that
made mockery of justice. Before the
close of September OF that year, 1852,
nineteen persons were hanged as witches.
Thirteen of them were women, and one.
man named Giles Corey, over so years
OF age, was pressed to death for refusing
10 plead. People having revenges TO
wreak, other people whose religious in
tolerance sustained them, others who
worked themselves into belief that their
ills were due to witchcralt, were hanged
or tortured. So, too, men and women:Were
punished by stocks and pillory in those
days, precisely as depicted on the stage
last night, for 'oflenses'' that are now
reckoned harmless and sometimes COM
mendable. The story of 'The Witch" is
that of young orphan girl living in the
retirement of q religious residence, who
loves and narries a Puritan youth. A
devoted and jealous Indian servant
strikes him, and on recovery months
later all memory of his marriage is gone
from him. He returns to Salem, his wife
follows him, IS seized as a witch, accused
of casting the evil eye upon him, of prick
ing people with devils pins, of prevent
ing cows from properly behaving and so
on, and is put TO trial and condemned on
false testimony, superstitious belief and
the bigotry OF her judges, and sent to the
scafOld. She refuses TO confess retusas
10 lie TO save her life, and splendidly
proves the strength Of innocence and that
the hove of truth is a tower OF defense.
Marie Hubert Frohman, the WITCH is a
comely young woman, who plays
the part with depth of feeling, a
sinking Of self. an unaffected manner and
= &c.,
commendation. Phoebe Davies would
make it more emotional, many another
actress would makeit more tragic, Maude
Granger would invest it with more of
physical pain. But it is not a case for
comparisons, though none of them could
more sink personality. Miss Frohman's
idea OF the character is an admirable one:
she is not an imitator: she is not conven-
tional; she is like no one else; she is
original, artistic and sensitive; she bu-
,InaniZes the part; gives it no exaggerated
tone; makes its intensity such that one is
conscious that Marguerite is repressine
feeling, battling ever with the desire to
rail at her accusers and curse them until
she air should burn with her wrongs and
the very heavens frown upon her tor
mentors. 1t is the repressed power. the
reserve strength she impresses one with
having at command that gives her per
formance such tragic and almost painful
interest. her support, Wlthout exception,
is good. Old Puritan days OF intolerance.
rigid churchly observance, of stiff and
sonber robes, Of severity of counten-
snce and demeanor and costume.
religious fervor. Implying, intolerant.
1nerciless doing of the will of the
Iord''; the old days of the punishment
of common scolds, of the ducking
stool. the pillory, the gallows and the
stocks-all these are viyidly brought be-
fora 11s and their history. not whit over
colored. laid bare Most court trials on
the STAGE are farces-rarely is there one
that does not provoke a smile. But the
trial of Marguerite in THE Witch is a
splendid execution; it is trial in all or
der and seriousness and solemnity, with
out hitch or flaw or defect. Messrs.
Backus and Burleigh are the very ideals