The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-28
&" RUY BIAS"
Victor Hugo's Masterpiece Draws
OnIY faIf a House.


Salvini appeared in this somewhat sad
but intellectual creation of the great poet
mind Of France last evening at the Bald
win to a sparseness Of attendance that
might go far as cumulative evidence of
San Francisco being a LAY" town. where
intellectual work is concerned. Evidently
the crowded irst-nights of this theater are
only fashionable episodes-Only that and
nothing more. The people prefer Dumas
To Hugo-the frippery of 1.-The Three
Guardsmen" to the solid brain work OF
"Ruy b asa work that gives occasion
for the profoundest thought.
Saiyinl has gained a mastery Of this
young Spanlard's character, whose mis-
placed love renders him the victim of any
designing diplomatiSt and schemer who
might wish TO use him as Don Salluste
did. He is picturesque. moreover, iE his
treatment of the various phases OF his
brief career at the Spanish Court-first,
the lacquey "sighing like fur
mace" for the love Of the Queen of
Snain. then the secretary to the
Marquis of Flnias. into whose trap he
falls, then in his rapidly advanced for =
tunes till he becomes Prime Minister, and
the last scene of all where the MARQUIS
don Salustie) brings him back to his
original position again by the foolish
letters he had given tin at the outset of his
career, brings him down to earth from
heaven to disgrace, aud, as Sivio did
Ernani under somewhat similar con-
ditions, to death. Salvinrs best scenes
are in the council chamber, where be
arraigns the venal State Ministers-whose
debate, by the way, was like chapter Of
the tariff wrangle in the United States
Senate at the close of the last session of
last session of Congress.
This scene was followed by an interview
- laf aOn ma No v ne f nlN1
upon hlm-a love passage of he most ex-
ouisite kind. When she parts with him for
ever in the hopelessness OF their mutual
love comes Don Salluste-the demon fol-
lowing the angel-and here Ruy Bias un-
dergoes an ordeal Of humiliation that even
to average human nature would be lnsnp-
portable In these three scores SslVini
nav be said to go through the whole
gamut of human passion and emotion
with a QuickDess and vlVldness that
shows a wonderful power OF men
tally. At the close of the act ne was
called before the curtain and speech de-
manded. The actor compiled, out WIN
hesitation, saying, in effect: Ladies ana
gentlemen: l am no speechmaker liz Is
my business to speak the speeches OF
others, rs find them in my playbo0ks.
But II / had the wit of Dumas, he power
OF u emery, the rOetTy or Hugo, 90 not
think could more earnestly express my
gratitude lot your warm welcome OF my
self and fellOw-players than by saying the
simple words, thank you; yes, thank
you from the bottom Of my heart" The
speaker then bowed and withdrew. fol-
lowed by rounds of applause.
MISS Eleanor Morretti as Marianne de
Neuoorg, Queen Of Spain, was in a diff
ierent vein from that of Anne of Austria,
but none the less Princess betrothed 10
King, IN her manner, although played
with more VOuthfnlness and vivaoitv
Augusta de Forrest, duenna to the future
Queen of Spain and exponent of the ETH
Quette Of the great court, was quite as
tedious as the part called for,
"Ruy Bias" is great play; but 1t goes
without the saying that it will never be-