Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-18


The appointment of q. a. BEDFORD as
examiner of plays in succession to the late
Edward f. Smyth Pigott. is received will
derision by the dramatic profession. The
now licenser is described as nobody"
His only claim to the position seems to be
in the fact that he was Mr.. Pigott's assist
ant. Some of the leading dramatists hail
the selection of MIR. BEDFORD as being a
bad one and as likely to lead to the ablish-
ing of the office.
The suit of Hanfstengl against the man.
ayers of the Empire theater, on the ground
that they have infringed his copyright in
the production of the series of Giving
pictures" presented at the Empire, is
bringing forward much amusing testi-
mony. For instance. Alma Tadema, the
painter during the courseof his testimony,
said that he considered the design Of Mr..
j. Men. Whistlcr's picture, concerning
which there has been so much newspaper
controversy, was not altered by the erasure
of Lady Eden's face from that canvass
but Alma Tameda was of the opinion that
the living pictures of the Empire were
distinct infringementS of HafstengPs
copyright.
Earl Oh Durnahns VIEWS
Reference to the Empire theater recalls
the speech which the Earl of Durham,
formerly ambassador to Russia, made be-
fore the National Sporting league, at
Maidenhead, on Thursday. He declared
that people had perfect right to bet if
they choose to do SO, adding: 'If the
views of ultra good people We're carried
out it would put an end to sports and
pastimes in England. Mrs. Ormiston
Chant (whose crusade against the Empire
theat or will be reinembered) has forgotten
the rudiments of her own religion be-
cause the catechism commands us to keep
our tongues from evil speaking, lying and
slandering But, we must not be hard
upon the historical rantings of an angry
woman, for He'll hath no fury like a
woman scorned.'"
Two persons we'll known in the world OF
amusemonts have passed away during the
mast week. On this side of the channel,
Alfred German Reed, Corney Grains
mariner in the popular st. Georges Hall,
is dead, and from Versailles. France, the
death of Nine Felicia Bone, better
known as "Rose Pompon," one of the
lannon's dancers who were contemporaries
of the late Henri Murge, and who belong
to his "Vie de Bohemo" set, is announced.
The companions of Rose Pompon, all ia.
nous in their day, were Celeste Mogador,
Clara and Rigolboche.
The Duke of Fife, husband of Princess
Louise of Wales, and therefore son-in-law
of the Prince of Wales, is causing much
amusement in many circles. The duke
is learning bicycle riding, and in order to
do so is practicing in the secluded streets
of Brighton. But amusement is not in
this fact, but in the escort of the duke.
On one side of the duke, during his bicy-
Gle practice walks solemn-faced foot
man, and on the other side trots a page in
buttons.
A Curious Scene
was witnessed in the house of commons on
Wednesday last. The speaker, Sir Arthur
Wellesley Peel, on leaving the chair at 2
o'clock for the usual half hour interval,
named Sir John Austin, member for the
Onsrold- Cross division of Yorkshire, Lib
eral as being in possession of the house
during the speakers absence. But on re-
turning. the speaker found that Sir John
Austin was the only member present and
he was talking direct to the speaker )
empty chair
Professor John Stuart Blackie, the dis.
tinguished author and Greek and Latin
scholar. who died on March ., has left By
his will $40, 900 to his wife, and his modern
Greek library, the finest in the word, lac
leaves to Edinburg university.
Miss Hope Booths play, "That Terrible
Girl" which she produced during the
week at the Royalty thcater, under the
supervision of Kate Santley, has been Sc.
verely commented upon by the press.
It would seem that there is to be con-
tinuation of club sensations. About Il
couple OF weeks ago we had the refusal OF
the Mari borough club, the favorite club Of
the Prince of Wales, to elect to member.
ship Mr.. Belt, the South African million.
aire and partner Of Cecil Rhodes. the
premier of Cape Colony, in the De Beers
diamond mines.
Last week clubdon was startled on the
blackmailing of the Hon. Cecil Rhodes at
the Traveller club, which was followed
by the resignation of the Prince of Wales.
the Duke of Fife and Earl Grey, three OF
the most prominent members of that In
stitution, who were disguised with the re-
lection of Mr.. Rhodes. Now London has
another club sensation. The famous Carl.
ton club has refused to elect Barney Bar
nato, the johannesburg diamond king.
and on the other hand the Carlton clut
elected Mr.. Robinson, Of Rcbinson's mine,
4 rival millionaire, N-E