New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-28
MR. WILLARD.


Story" and satisfied and delighted numerous ana
brilliant assembly. The return of Mr. wizard re-
stores TO the public a most adinrapi" ac,oi' anu
the revival here of Mr.. Barries charming oomesuc
play places within the reach Of this community
benefcent Of refined pleasure. opJecuoh
against many theatrical compositions tha' reia'e
to quaint and gentle character. pastoral incdeh's
sentimental experience and the common occurrences
Of everyday life is the natural objection OF taste
and vivacity against things that are trite' ihsipd
and dull. 1t is not simplicity OF SUBJECT that so
often makes the domestic play an intoierapie DUR
den: 1t Is mawksh treatment. In Ihe froiessor
Love Story" simple theme has been treated In
manner essentially light and free-with the Vieor
of a bright mind; with deep tenderness OF feehns'
with exquisite delcacy Of taste; with keen sense
of character, piquant humor. grace OF style ana
frequent dramatic effect. Nothing VIII ever seem
Inappropriate the stage that comes accreu''eu
with virtues like those and all the more welcome
Is that sweet pure. refined and sparkling drama
because interpreted by an actor whose powers are
of the highest order. and whose me equipment
and ample experience places him in the front rank
of his profession.
Mr. Wizards most conspicuous stage trunphs' In
an earlier time. were gained In characters Una. are
evil and sinister 1t Is remarkable OF Mn" now
ever, that he has acted with equal iach'y cnarae-
tiers that repel sympathy. and characters 'ha' I'll"
chain it, He possesses. in a marked ana unusuai
degree the power of impersonation. In THE Pro-
fessor's Love Story" the character assumed by MI"
is quaint. genial and lovable The BACKGROUND Oh
the story is the rich. sweet. tranquil nome lie OF
England. The Professor. whose MIND Tor many
wears has been devoted 10 science ana scientnc
writing has passed through the period OF YOUTH
without its usual experience: and now. having
come to that maturity with which romance ana
sentiment are accounted inharmonious, ne IL suu-
denly overtaken and subdued by love Inc OBJECT
Of his passion is a beautiful girl, VINO works lot
him. as a secretary: and the theory Of the play Is
that while he is aware OF some mysterious per-
sonal derangement he does not perceive the nature
Of his trouble and does not know the cause TO
present. In state of serio-comc bewidermen'
middle aged gentleman.-refned sweet, learned &C.
centric tender. and drol-and to SHOW IN wha'
manner he ascertained the secret OF his perturpa-
tion and what result subsequently came OF IT, Is
the purpose Of the drama-a purpose. In Mr. Will
lards management of its central character, most
brilliantly and most humorously accomplished IL
IL not very likely that any man. however eccentric
could be in love without knowing X, ana without
knowing the object OF his passion Still. such
thing is not impossible. The philosopher Newton
cut a large hole In his study door for the cat. and
a smaller for the kitten; and the poet Bowies'
when dressing for dinner. could not IND MS otner
black silk stocking" because he had inadvertently
put both stockings upon one leg. Anything may
happen to an absentminded dreamer. whose
thoughts are everything except himself. Ana
very refreshing idea IL Island delightful to have
Il presented by an actor.-that there actually can be
a man in existence to whom himself Is not the
first OF all earthly considerations. Mr. willard was
especially happy In suggesting the complete I'M
selfshness of the PrOfessor.-the gentle humihy
of his disposition the docile candor of his mind the
density of his preoccupation, and that sweety rou-
bled perpIexity of the intellec. upon which the
whole fabric of character and scheme Of action de-
pend Without the element OF beautiful simplicity
not of manner alone. but Of feelIng.-hs success
be has
a whimsical theory into a lovely truth
There are certain weak places In the play. It's
representatives Of British aristocracy are drawn
with something of that exaggeration and injustice
which in the treatment Of that subject. appear
to be inseparabe from what is called the liberal
mind Weakminded. petty and futile persons no
doubt exist in all ranks Of society; but British
ladies and gentlemen no; necessarily idiots. be-
cause they happen bear titles Scorn OF the
titled classeg may. In a work OF theatrical art
be carried so far as to react upon the listener anu
seem both spiteful and nauseous. The matrimonial
conspiracy against the Professor Is more IN me
spirit Of farce than Of az nhs at h love- S
seems not quite reasonable. and not that OF per-
feet rn e% sn%
though delightful-not an essential part Of the dra
Iess deaS and little tT n talk after the
end OF the action has been reached. All defects
feeling and the incessan felicity Of art with which
Mr.. Willard has embodied the principal character
MOI since lscSPl Nditch' Hi mo DcSt hdSs' ph"y''
Sir Oswin Nortland has any performance Of this
order been seen that nearly brilliant; while
In tenderness quaint. homely grace. and uncon-
scious humor land this explains Its charm II rises
to the standard OF such poetic creations Irvngs
Primrose and Jefersons Rip For the ha
bituai observer Of the acted drama II Is
an inexpressibie relief and comfort 10 turn
away from the dark portrayal OF evil
passions and from the wearisome analysis Of moral
obliquity. and TO let the tired mind repose for a
while upon a spectacle OF gracious and urbane
character. sweet and gentle humanity. romantic
sentiment pure and tender feeling and rural
a-.v,ith oil n ia "a
ing lights eccentric humor and all It's soothing
environments Of pensve meditation and deep and
blissful peace. AS look upon Mr.. Wizards
bodnent Of the Professor and see, at last. those
happy lovers strolling away into the leafy lane
YOU seem TO stand again In one OF those dream
like villages Of pastoral England. to catch the
OF the hawthorn and TO hear the distant mellow
chimes while the cleaning slowly darkcns. and
the wind in the great elm trees seems to whisper
at once a blessing and a prayer. And when you
come away from that Performance your mind H.
ennobied. and there Is nothing but Kindness In your
heart.
Mr. Willard Is surrounded. In this drama. with
clever people, and therefore there not n dull
moment In the representation. Miss Burroughs, as
the fascinatcr Of learning, was delightful. 1t may
be doubted whether she has filled any other charac
ter 80 completely well. Her rich beauty was shown
to the greatest advantage. and her dernire manner
and her ha!f-suppressed. quzzcal humor playing
over a depth OF afectionatc feeling, were In admir-.
able harmony with the design OF the part The
two Scotch peasant suitors were perfection, as 10
character and involuntary mirth Mr.. Royace Garlic
ton obviously knows the cautious Scot.