The Washington times., 1894-04-12
AS THE CROWDS CONE OUT.

In "The Stranger which Mr.. Wilson Bar
rett played at the matinee yesterday, he has
large amount OF false sentiment and arti-
fciality to contend with, and in several in
stances he succumbs to it, or maybe
he IS impressed with 1t. He plays
the part Of "The Stranger" in quota
tions, a mysterious misanthrope. who hates
all the world intensely, dramatically. but es-
pecially women. 1.-The Stranger strides with
folded arms across the stage and says there
is naught but falseness anywhere and that he
doesn't love anyone. and one looks at him
and agrees, as Tar as he and some OF the other
characters are concerned. Certainly to an
actor like Mr.. Barrett who is strong and
robust rather thar Keen analyst,
such part has unfortunate diff
culties. 1t seems to me that it would
be almost impossible for anyone to make
q strong credible character out OF it. / said
that he was convincing Virginius; that he
made the part real. II 1.-The Stranger really
exists, Mr.. Barrett rather strengthens our
doubt than our belief
And yet the things which make him admir-
able always are even more apparent in the
part than in some of the many others that he
does. And the scenery is again beautiful.
His Jack Saxton' is an utter contrast to
"The Stranger" We get back TO the good
old realities of love and faith and duty and
the bad old realities of viliainy again. The
play is modern melodrama with large
amount Of welcome humorous humor. The
central figure is Jack Saxton. a bluff. crusty.
old Yorsshireman with a delightful York
shire twist in his tongue and q delightful
Yorkshire twist in his wit, who says harsh
words and does hard things and repents them.
Mr.. Barretts unique sketch OF the character
is enj )yable in the extreme. 1t is his own
PLAY, presumably written for himself. and
perhaps 1t shows that he thinks he is hest in
character sketches. had not imagined he
thought SO before. The company is almost /
to a member excellent in this play; there are |
at least six strong sketches drawn. Miss Bel |
more. as the daughter OF Jack Saxton, is en- /
tirely sprightly and charming.
Not long ago Mr. Barrett was with some
twenty other gentlemen prominent in art and
literature, asked by the editor OF a leading
New York paper to state in what way or ways,
in his opinion, was the world improving. His
response was:
By its crater regard for the sanctity Of hu.
man life as shown in the growing desire among
the nations TO settle by arbitration disputes
which in the past would have been settled by the
sword.
By its increasing sympathy with the suffering
OF others and its care Of the sick: in is number
By the steady improvement in the making of
its laws, and the trend of these laws TO equality
of justice for rich and poor alike.
By its determination TO spread and even
force education among the hitherto uneducated
and uncared for classes
By its growing liberation for religious beliefs
and scruples OF all sects ald denominations.
By its elevation Of woman
By its better understanding and appreciation
Of the higher and nobIer efforts in art and
literature
BY its advancing civilization. before which
Ignorance. superstition. and cruelty must step
by step retreat
By lis great care OF the poor and needy and
ifs recognition Of the truth, which is eternal
and everlastng-the foundation OF all true
religions, the very hearts bleed, the breath. the
life, the soul. the Alpha and the Omega Of all
real irnprovemenr-that all men Should do as
they would be done by, and love their neighbors
es themselves"
One OF those rarely clever plays that appeal
TO all classes in ell countries. Jane" viii be
presented at the Academy April 1G. 'Jane"
has been success in three countries. France.
England and America. 1t has been PLAYED
in New York three seasons. and has delighted
audiences in Boston. Washington, and Phila-
delphia.
Ii is full of bright dialogue. ludicrous situ-
atiOns. and clear-cut. well-eut. well-con-
structed story. From the rise OF the curtain
on the first act until the finish there is sue
and also neatly handled. Miss Jennie Yea
mans comes Us Jane"
Miss Rose Coghlan, supported by en- un-
usually strong dramatic company. comes for
a weeks engagement at the National. COM
mencing Monday night, when she will appear
here for the first time in Oscar Wilde's
clever social satire. "A Woman of No In
portance." As Mrs. Arbuthnot in this play
Mss Coghlan has Won II dramatic triumph.
The part Is wholly unlike anything she has
heretofore attempted on the American stage.
Among the ladies in her company are the
Misses Ada Dyas. Efie Shannon. Dion Bouci-
cauit, Kate Denim Wilson, and Winona Shan
non. all OF whom Will appear in prominent
parts. Diplomacy is under for the Wednes-
day matinee. which will be played at popular
prices. ''Forget-me-not' is announced for
evening only.
Senators Who Smoke