The morning call., 1892-03-13

The mutations OF time and the change Ia
habits, customs. studies. reading, tastes,
Tecreatons, entertainments and methods of
life Of the people Of this country are in
various ways made apparent TO those of
advanced years. The marvellous inventions
Of the period of the span of ordinary life
time. in the means of lccomOt,on and the
mediums Of daily intelligence
street railways, the telegraph aid tele-
phone, and other wonders of electricity
have wrought much of this notable change.
The people require speed and freshness,
novelty and variety in their travel and their
leisure, and the Old Worlds ways are not 10
the fancy of Young America. The books
of American authors are the chosen read
ing; the productions of American play
wrights, with native players to represent
them on the stage; and the compositions
and songs OF hOme-bred genius. are the pop
ular demand. Shakespeare alone appears
not for day, but for ali time" and almost
shelved are the noble tragedies and fiue
comedies Of eminent dramatic authors. con-
sDicu0us among whom were Ben J0ns0n.
Massinger, Beaumont and Fletcher, Ma
thanlel Lee, the Coimans, Sheridan, Gold
smith. John TobIn, Bulwer and Knowles.
Dead, though not forgotten, are the great
actors Of the century, seen in America,
Edmund kean, Cooke. Booth, Macready.
Nandenhcff. James Walaek, Charles Kean
and Ellen Tree, Fanny kemble. Hamb!in,
Forrest Placide. Blake. John Gilbert. John
Fisher, Burton. John Brougham. Lester
Nallack, Murdoch, George Nandenhoff.
Harry Edwards and Adams The plays IN
which they were famous or noted are now
rarely produced, and few are living who
can claim distinction. Edwin Booth re-
talDs the palm IN nobiest tragedy.
JOE JEFFERSON IS PINNACLED
In characters he has made his own; but it
IS in his own craft OF the Rip Van Wrinkle
Of purely American origin that be has
achieved the crown. lie presents the Bob
Acres inimitably, and besides The Rivals"
q of Sheridan lie delights lovers Of fine COM
edy with the "Heir-at-Law" Of the younger
Colman. l remember my early splendid
treat Of
THE RIVALS"
at the old Park Theater in the time of Ed
mund Simpson, with Peter RitchngS Barnes
ChipDendale. John Fisher. George An
GreNs, John POyey and wife, Mrs. Vernon,
Mrs. Abbott (whose husband died upon the
stage willie actingl, Charles Finn, Harry
Placide, Tom Biakeiy. Gentleman George"
Barrett, Charles Wheatly, Mason and
Thomas II. Barry, members of the com
pany; Miss Clara Ellis, the leading lady.
Foudly as | dwell on olden "reminiscences /
more admire the Bob Acres Of Jefferson. and
tie Mrs. Malaprup Of Mrs. Vernon Sister
CT JChn Fishei) has held Incompatible place
il memory until lately charmed with that of
HRS. John Drew.
OLD FoGIEs
OF my Questionable frame of mind, ascer-
tain from conversation with many OF those
suit fond Of the drama, retain old plays and
the memory Of tie actors who were cele-
brateG in their time, in refreshing cOntem-
piatiOa. The 'SChCol fer Scandal" Every
Man in His Humor." Speed the Plough
"A New Way TO Pay O.d Debts" The
Eunchback'' she Stops TO Conquer"
4 I.
Wife" The Honeymoon, The Jealous
wife, The Poor Gentleman" The Fol-
lies II a Night" Don Cesar de BaZan"
and other plays Of the language. more suit
our fancy than the emotional and creme or
piQuant sometimes absurd and frivolous
plays OF the day. Yet some of them are
very fine and entirely worthy.
But YOUNG AMERICA
DiSdaiRs 10 get his plays from across the big
water and VIII have home productions,
something for the occasion in accord with
tie times, something fresh and novel, even
II colcred 70 discOloration or too fresh to be
fit for good entertainment. American play
WTi9hts are already guild and have their
royalties, which support them in ease and
luxury and make them rich. / remember
when the American playwright appealed
ana begged TO nave his play accepted, even
with beggarly compensation. Poor Ban
MISTER wrote play that ran for more than
100 nights. and all he got for it was 3 benefit
on poor night. which melted him bare SIC.
Epes Sergeant was glad to get $50 for
tragedy that was pigeonholed on rehearsal.
The authors of Forests Metamoras,
''Spartacus" and The Broker of Bogota'
were not encouraged to further efforts. Even
the very clever John Brougham. surprising
In his adaptations for the drama. enjoyed no
royalties TO keep him from the hunt of
creditors and tradesmen or leave more than
name behind him at death. But enough.
No mere garrulousness. Long flourish the
stage and all upon it who are mertorious.
AL OF Us are at best or worse merely actors,
and however we have our entrances there is
jnscTutable certainty in our exits.