The morning call., 1894-10-14

Miss Eleanor Calhoun. who began her pro-
fessonal career in this city at the Grand Opera
mouse several years ago. has been here for
some weeks on visit. She came TO meet her
relatives and repose for a while in their society
from The eXactions of an aIduous work abroad.
During an introductory conversation with the
young lady morning or two ago opportunity
was afforded 10 note how much The melo wing
and improving hand OF time has done for her
as regards her physical appearance during her
absence-hOw much study has enlarged a
natural aptitude for the histrionic career. Her
hne eyes, where the eager expectancy of ambi
ton once shown, have now satisfied express
sion in their bright look. and. together with a
hrmer cas- in the lines of her handsome face,
tell as plainly as could words OF difficulties met
and overcome, and of a still fixed purpose TO
reach all attainable heights in ner noble pro-
fession.
Miss Calhoun talks easily and well and with
an accent that makes her utterances musical.
Her experiences in England and France were
most interesting. especially The light, agreeable
way in which she sketched the people she had
met, and the consideration and courtesy with
which she had been treated by the leaders of
the social literary, political commercial. jour
naliStlc and other circles in London and Paris.
1t is, of course, matter OF the worlds dram
attic history that Miss Calhoun appeared at The
Odeon III Paris, and is the first foreigner TO
metropolis, excepting one, a Russi u actress,
who failed in The ATTEMPT and committed SUI
eide through the despair OF it. Poor woman!
Miss Calhoun likes the English people, evil
IDENTIFY, for she dwell with The accent OF per-
sonal appreciation en- their reception OF her,
both socially and professionally. She was in
vlted To the hOspilable country mansions OF the
arstocracy down amid the wide parks and
green lanes OF Midland England. where life has
It's Nil of enjoyment. Among other places Wis
tied was Fonlhil known as the place where
William Becktord, who wrote the rich and re.
markable oriental story called ''pathek."
reared the magnificent but unsubstantial
Gothic structure FOnthill Abbey at a cost of
hundreds of thousands of pounds. He was the
richest literary man known, with an income of
"Chide Haroid"-
There thou, too. vathek! England's wealthiest
son,
Once formed thy paradise.
The circumstances attending Beckford's life
and its experiences were sufficiently dramatic
TO enlist Miss Calhoun's attention. In them
there seems to be materia! for a grand play,
with incidental hints borrowed from his won.
derful Work OF fiction.
AT THE UNIVERSITY.
On Sunday last Miss Calhoun visited Palo
Alto. and in the evening gave reading in the
university chapel before nearly 1000 people,
counting the crowded hall windows and every
ayaild bic corner, and those on The outside 10
whom the windows were as private boxes. The
play read was RaciEe's "Andromaque" in the
original. Professor Brun, master OF that Ian
euase at the university, began by an explana-
u
dents were already familiar with the text, hay.
ing dealt with 1t in their studies OF The classical
French. Professor Bruins little lecture was
charming In itself.
Then Miss Calhoun enacted-that is spoke.
but without gesture-the role of Hermione ia
the two last acts. This was tire role The lady
played IN Parts with the most distinguished
actors OF the Coincide Franchise and the Odeon
In the other characters. She wore, when
reading Hermione, the chas:ely beautiful
classical garment designed in Paris under the
counsel of M. HeuseZ, he Archaeological. After
giving these two acts In tile French language
Miss Calhoun read three scenes from Mac
betn"-the one where the Iane's wife incites
her husband TO the murder OF Duncan; the one
IN the ante-chamber at the hour of the murder
and Hecate's madly rytnmed speech so full of
demonacal joy over the fall or mortal, begin
ming. Have | not reason, beldames. as you
are" Then the lady enacted he sieep-walking
scene and ended The entertainment with read
lngs from the Rosalind scenes in "As You Like
It."
The gifted actress frankly confessed that she
never had "A more interesting audience than on
this occasion nor more charming personal
experience. That night the university boys
serenaded Miss Calhoun with music made by
stringed Instruments and flutes, together with
songs, and so competed. TO her mind, the
full enchantment OF that poetic place.
Miss Calhoun Will probably leave for the
East some time during this week, Ell route Tor
London, where she Will shortly enter upon an
important engagement at the Haymarket.