The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-03-23
LITERATURE AND THE DRAMA.
Two Famous Authors Who Have Failed al
PIaywriters.


Especial Correspondence
NEW YORK, March 19-There happened
in this city recently an opportunity to test
the capacity of two men who have won dis
tinotion-one as the most famous of Ameri-
can novelists, the other as the editor of the
oldest and probably the most important of
American reviews-as writers Of plays for
production upon the stage. There was
much public interest in these productions,
happening, as they did, upon the same day.
although without any arrangement of that
kind between the authors. That was
mere coincidence
Mr.. William Dean Howells had written
q one act comedy which he called Bride
Roses" and had written it not solely with
a view to publication, as he has written so
many other amusing little farces and COM
edies, but with the purpose of stage produc-
ton. The idea in the trifling plot was sim
pie and yet had dramatic value. 1t repre-
scented three different persons entering a
florists shop at the same time to purchase
flowers for the same young woman although
each of these persons was unknown to the
others, and the motives which induced
them to buy these floral offerings were diff
ferent in each case.
Competent actors were engaged for the
production of this little piece, and it was
mounted appropriately. Nevertheless the
little play did not succeed and is not likely
again to be heard, although it furnished
the same gentle interest to those who read
it when it was published in magazine that
all of Mr. Howells little comedies have oc-
casioned.
Mr.. Frank Stockton, whose hunor many
persons have thought adapted to stage rep
resentation, wrote one play, but when that
was examined by a professional playwright
il was discovered that very great altera-
lions were necessary if it was to be pro-
duced at ALL and Mr.. Stockton said, with
humor all his own, II found that if 1 was
going on the stage l should have to have .
driver with me"
Mr. Thomas Bailey Aldrich and Mr.
George Parsons Lathrop have written plays
admirable in literary quality, but not COM
handing the approval of the public.
On the same day that Mr.. Howells'
bride Roses" was presented a play writ
ten by General Lloyd Bryce was produced
at one of the fashionable theaters of New
York. 1t was melodramatic in its purpose
1t was given by company of trained &C
tors. The announcement of the production
of this play caused a great deal of interest
in several circles in New York city with
which General Bryce has been associated.
In society he and his family are in close
touch with that element which for want of
better name is called the Four Hundred,
an element which contains many who are
interested in literary work and some who
have done good work.
With another circle General Bryce is of
influence, due to the fact that he is editor
and proprietor of The North American Re
view which aims to be the vehicle of the
best thought upon great public and social
questions. With still another element Gen
eral Bryce is in close touch, he having been
actively engaged in the politics of New
York city, having once served as member
of congress, and, the politicians say, being
likely again to be sent to the house of repre-
sentatives.
OF course. with such wide acquaintance
and of such influential relations with social,
political and literary elements in the COM
munity, there was bound to be the keenest
interest in this venture of General Bryce
into the field of dramatic composition. He
took collaboration, a man familiar with
the mechanism of the stage, so that it was
presumed that part of the work would be
well done.
There seems to have been s common YER
dict about this work OF General Bryce's IL
satisfied none of his friends, and IL furnished
another indication that the man who is
skillful with tue pen, and who as a writer
commands the public attention, may be ut
terly lacking in the peculiar talent, which
Is entirely apart from the literary talent,
necessary 10 produce an acting play. The
production OF these two plays upon the
same day is one Of the most significant in
dications of the disposition OF American
writers to produce plays.
On the same evening another play was
produced which met with success. The
author Is man who had been trained in
journalism. He had served for many years
as reporter and correspondent for one OF
the greater newspapers of New York state
He had been brought by that experience
into actual and not theoretical contact
with life. He had written one novel. which,
though 1t had gained no great literary re-
pute, had won popularity. That was called
The Diamond Button He had far less
literary fame than the other two. and Vet
his play was popular success. ar the same
time teaching 3 strong lesson. and il is a
singular fact that every one Of the young
American dramatists whose plays have sue
cseded has been trained in the hard school
of American jouru aliSn.