New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-10

IN
the fatuous weakness Of the average human sinner
than the ease with which he persuades himself
that any body. under any circumstances. can ever
finally escape from the consequences OF misconduct
Hetrbu,ion comes from within-not from without.
Mr. Tanqueray, impersonated by Mr.. Kendall
* an agreeable type,-by means uncommon
among gentlemen.of simple unsuspicious, confid-
ing goodness. He believes no ILL., lie does not
wish for information about secrets. He feels no
curiosity as to the past. He loves his wife, and
he trists.-as man ought TO do,-fully. absolutely
and without thought of precauton,-the woman
whom he loves and has welded. Upon that pos
ture Of circumstances the interest of the drama
IL imposed The patnos of the situation Is still
further enhanced through the husbands slow but
sure perception of the coarsencss whether radical
or acquired.--of the wfe's nature. The cruel
and affecting dilemma of the wife is made
dramatically potential by the implicit con-
0dence of the husband. The exposure that
threatens her is chiefly dangerous and dread
mi because it will enlighten him. That device.-a
very old one-was used, with kindred purpose and
effect, not long ago. in the play entitled AS In a
Looking Glass" The heroine Of that piece. rather
than face the revelation of a shameful past. swal-
lowed poison and died The heroine of this piece
escapes also through that dark portal-the sad
egress provided for much failure and mortal
misery. Mrs. Kendall notwithstanding her Hebraic
nature is not a woman of impulse, and she has
10 natural sympathy with the Mrs Tanqueray
icmperament. Her embodiment of that distressed
female was as sincere as she could make H. pnt
it did not carry conviction. IT was good theoreu-
cal painting OF distracted wretchedness: II was no
But then. the spectacle of the British Ma
iron performing as what Matilda Heron used
10 call Lost Woman. fine as 1t Is could scarcely
DO expected to touch the heart Some things
he viewed with composure. and that is one OF them
Mrs Kendall was at her best in the expression of
that peculiar form of spite that women sometimes
are believed to intend. in satirically polite or openly
impairment encounters with each other Mr.. Ken
dial relieved the malarial air by the dignity sin
certify and tenderness of his appeal to the womans
better nature and Mr.. Dodson. as kindly, cyni-
cal friend, was beam OF sunshine in dark place.
The intention of act determines its moral
quality The same sin is less heinous when com
mitted from weakness than when committed from
intention. wide opportunity is always offered
FOR the moralist to refine upon human conduct.
One fatal fact. however, remains-that sin is
sin. and that there is no possible escape from its
consequences No potentiality of sentimental plays
can ever affect the moral law that is regnant in
the human soul. And that is why those plays are
so absurd 1t does not rest with society either to
forgive or rehabilitate The stain is on the soul.
The kingdom of hell is within we'll as the
kingdom Of heaven. Religion and private phian
thror = are the tribunals to which should be re-
mitted all such questions as are raised by The
Second Mrs. Tanqueray. The stage is not the right
place for a discussion or dissection OF those dis
tressng moral problems.
The moral element Is present IN all thlngs ana
II may therefore, be left to take care of itself
\ work of art should not inculcate a moral Its
natural drift will regulate and apply It's moral
influence. The artistic sense sides with Sir Peter
TeaZle and earnestly re-echoes his admirable. II
peppery exclamation. Damn your sentiments
No bore is worse than the moral bore. NO person
Is to be so much dstrusted as the person who IS
always posing the advocate Of virtue ana
whose mouth exudes precepts. No method Oh
imposture Is so 1imsy and transparent as the
friehtfl example, ana
bids the spectator to be warned in time. good
moral may be illustrated in such a manner thal II
will do even more harm than II 1t were nau
one Some of the vilest and most corruptng plays
that exist are tagged with morals OF the most
immaculate kind. The point is that persons Of
tas.e and refnement-such as the main sup
mort Of the theatre-do not wish to have their
attention called to coarse and uncleah sun
tecs. Such persons have no interest !"
the discussion Of those extraordinary quesuo. :
which are propoundod by the modern french Gomez
or by the imitation of it, To such persons the
amatory woes and matrimonial infelicities OF IN
continent husbands and wives are not ohi9
offensive but excessively tiresome. Such fenaie
nc Camie-who has been barking and sputterine
on the stage for the last forty years-seems TO them
merely proper subject for Blackwens Island ana
cod-liver oil They do not attend the theaUe lot
the purpose of having their minds bemired win
dirty sop sickening sentiment as to rakes ana hai-
lots Life is sufficiently supplied already with trials
additional dose from the theatre. In the name Of
good-breedng and common sense. let the stage DE-
delivered from that intoerabe nuisance the brothei
who is always chasing another mans wife ana th'
erring sister who cannot take care of her ON
carriers. If cannot have art of the hishes
order. at least let us have art that Is clean. Th'
Second Mrs. Tanqueray is clever. but 1t Is bore
It is made known that Mr.. Pinero alleges thai
the painful state Of domestic circumstances Sc
forth BY him in this drama is common in LondoI
hat authority the dramdtiSt has
made that declaration the reader is left to con
lecture. In all probability such "A state OF domestic
circumstances is exceedingly uncommon, not only
in London society. but everywhere else. Men arr
sufficiently foolish when they are In love. INT
whole amatory business is one form Of lunacy
But no man Is altogether such fool that III
cannot NSee a church by daylight and the simples
Mr.. Tanaueray that ever lived is not SO simple
as to marry woman Of tainted reputation. TIT
thing that is common Is the perncious habit o
disparaging respectable people especially If the!
happen to be titled. the vague and wantoi
theory that society is corrupt precisely in pro
portion to its wealth and honorable reputc. Oh
that subject and In that direction there Is can
of vice. which Is far more mawkish and nauseou
than even the everlasting SWIVEL about virtue
But even il such state Of domesti
trouble were common. what possible good doe
Mr. Pinero. or anybody else, suppose can az
crue from the exposition of it in play. and tn
discussion of 1t by a theatrical audience? Every
body knows that certain things are wrong. Every
hody knows that no obstacle ought ever TO
thrown in the way Of repentant sinner. Ever,
body knows that charity.-especally toward wea
and suffering human beings.-is the greatest of a
virtues and the first of all duties These truth
anpear to be the lessons that Mr.. Pinero has take
so much trouble teach. SO be II. But II Nj
Pinero had nothing more important than that
communicate in Offering his melancholy examp
of matrimonial shipwreck IL Is much to be regrette
thu, no did not early close his little Sunday
prp,er and speedily seek of those bucoc retrea
in whth his dramatic intellect Is understood TO lou
isb The better and indeed the only rationa
Ground for Offering THE Second Mrs. Tanqueray
* that of dramatic effect. In that particular II
niece is meritorious, also 1t Is in its anguag
~. p,nero has handled old materials with II
IL .naster Of the craft. There ha