The morning call., 1894-10-21

our playgoers and seemingly served 10 cement
the bond of friendly interest which had made
Itself ndisputabiy manifest between them and
our people. On the occasion of these former
visits the Aendals gave series of plays and
were seen in line of characters with which
their names had long been identified and the
enacting of which secured for them the histri-
onic standing they have so many years en-
joyed in the world of the drama. Their stage
productions were artistic TO a remarkable de-
gree. There was an atmosphere about all of
the Kendall productions that peculiar to
themselves-they were unique and in meas
uTe unknown up to that time TO theatric pres.
entat0ns in San Francisco
ANALYSIS OF THE PLAY.
1.-THE Second Mrs. Tsnqueray" may be de-
scrIbed as play directly in The line of the
movement that has made itself felt Of late and
which undertakes to present the complications
OF modern society. which, without Offering any
solution of the difficulties, gives US tragedy,
homely and possible 10 any man or woman who
has the courage 10 take stand against the
prejudice Of social canons. Aubrey Tanqueray
himself Is very good study OF a man of high
social position, whose antecedents have been
all that the proprietles call for Heis a man of
the world, fond Of his club. good citZen-in
short, gentleman. He has reached an age
when he does not like TO have his agreeable re-
latiOns with the world disturbed His first wife
was person of aScetic principles, and at her
request made on her deathbed he has placed
the daughter of that marriage in convent for
a religious training. Eighteen years have
passed, and these are the conditions that he
has 10 r. exon With when be c0ntemplates Sec
ond marriage 1anQueray finds in a Mrs.
Jarman person whose graces are the requ-
sites of the high-bred women of his station in
life, and added TO these essentials he finds that
e0ngenialty that was lacking in his first mar
riage. He is fully aware of the facI that the
Woman's life, half known 10 him, is open TO
comment; but his reasoning Is that she de.
serves all the security and comfort Inat he can
give her with home.
Tanqueray, at "a dinner in his rooms, an
nounces TO his friends his approaching mar
riage, without giving the Eame of the ladv An
intimate friend remains after the departure of
the others and to him he reveals her name,
i his friend at once sees the mistake that Tan
queray is about 10 commit, but determines to
help him make his stand against society. Dur
ing the conversation between the TWO men a
servant announces the arrival OF a visitor.
TanQueTay dismisses his friend and receives
Paula, mis- betrothed, who is unconventional al
enough to come to his rooms al that late hour
of the night. Her motive Is to give him let
ter in which she makes confession Of passages
IN her ltIe that are not known 10 MIN. TaDQue
ray believes that marriage will make good the
mistake OF both OF them and he declares his
frmness of purpose by burning the letter with
out opening ii. a letter from bis religiously
trained daughter announces her wish 10 join
him.
The second act shows these three living In
the country home, where passed the years of
the first marriages; the second Mrs. Tanqueray
misses the excitement of the city life TO which
she is accustomed; the daughter finds no con-
mother, and Is instinctVely diStrustful of her.
Tanqueray Is fond Of his wife, and she is fon1
OF he daughter. No trouble from without is
apparent. The wife longs for the love OF the
girl and for all the marks of social honor, aud
Is panied when the stepdaughter is permitted
TO make visit to Paris IN company of certain
friends. II her pique she invites TO the house
titled friend and wife whom she knew in the
old days. The incidents of the stay at the
house OF this couple are CT lively character,
the wife not showing desire, it is true to
return 10 her OLD life of unconyentiOn-
ality, but manifesting a nature that is wholly
unpromising for that domestic tranquility Of
which the husband had dreamed.
In the meanwhile the daughter had received
an eligible offer in Paris. She returns home,
and touch Of pathos is given in the scene OF
the meeting between stepmother and daughter,
the one radiant In her young dream and conse-
quentiy full of love for everything, the other
feeling the consolation of being participant
in the JOY and purity of young heart. The
accepted lover OF the daughter IL is soon dis.
covered. is man TO whom the burnt letter re-
lated. The sequel is The suicide of the second
Mrs. Tanqueray. 1t Will be IeadtlY seen that
there are moments OF dramatic power in the
piece but IL is in the treatment OF the details
both by Pinero the author, and by MIR. and Mrs.
kendall, that the principal interest lies.