Los Angeles herald., 1892-02-21
ADJUSTMENTS. A

Mr.. Jefferson is seen at his best as
DR.. Pangloss in the Heir at Law. The
role is simply charming and charmingly
simple throughout. He depicts the old
scholar, with an avarice created by an
ungenerous fortune, with his ready cru
dition, and the gentlehood begat of
learning, and withal a sweetness of
nature and a kindly wit that produces a
feeling of aflectionate regard on the part
of the spectator. The actor creates a
warm liking for the character portrayed
that is extended unconsciously but
forcibly to the player himself.
There is one feature OF Mr.. Jeffereon's
art in this role which is indeecribably
fascinating, and that is his smile ); it is
nothing of grimace, being fine and
heeting, but it is instinct with humor and
persuades an instant response from the
face of each beholder.
In last evenings performance Mr..
James played the part of the Derbyshire
yeoman, Ezekiel Homespun; the role is
purely character part, and the senti-
ment of the lines is adapted particularly
to excite the admiration of the gods.
The part is one which could readily be
made simply low comedy, and yet be
effective. Mr.. James, however, gives it
distinctly high artistic value. His
dialect is perfect, his action natural.
his conception of the character excel
lent, and his rendition is marked by ac.
curacy and earnestness.
Another charming feature of the per-
formance was the Cicely Homespun of
Viola Allen. This unaffected, but pru-
dent little country lass, was by Miss
Allen pictured most accurately. 1t is a
pretty part and was prettily played
throughout.
Mr.. Barnes was not happy as Dick
Dowla@. He rarely divested himself of a
pronounced selt-consciousness and his
person with difficulty adapted itself to
the party OF young fellow.
From the point of view of the box Of
ice critic, the engagement was an un-
qualified success. The matinee yester-
day was attended by the largest audi.
ence ever in the opera house for an after
noon performance. The price OF admis-
sion, ~, was large, yet at no time dur
ing the engagement was desirable seat
unoccupied. This emphasizes the fact
the HERALD has so persistently held 70
that a manager wastes his time in
bringing meretricious company here.
while the patronage for the best will be
inexhaustible,
x*x
George W. Cable, the eminent novel
ist and lecturer, appeared last night at
the Los Angeles theater before select
and appreciative audience. An hour
and half was never more quickly and
pleasantly spent; the little man soon
became en- rapport with his audience.
and the lecture was intensely interest
ing.
Mr.. Gable opened his entertainment
by relating the adventures of the gro
tesque giant, the venerable Parson Jones
of West Florida, who had came to New
Orleans during this period of which he
spoke, seventy-fv years ago, with roll
of $500 of the money of his village church
with which he had been entrusted to
make purchases for the church.
The parson, accompanied by his mig
ger" Colossus of Rhodes, fell in with
Monsieur Jean Armaud, French aris-
tocrat, whose high living had freed him
of all his money, yet had left him still
in the possession of free spirits.
Monsieur Jean, reduced to a pinch,
resolved to try his hand on confidence
game and relieve some one from the
country of whatever cash be might have
in hand, if he could. A dinner at a
cafe was followed by the eparson yielding
to the entreaties of Jean to retire with
him to the house of friend
where he might obtain some French
coffee, since be could not drink the viii
lainous stuff Of the cafe. The house OF
the friend proved to be a low gaming
house, where the person was robbed OF
bis church money. There he was also
drugged, and the late morning found
this mighty farmer and pious man drunk