The evening times., 1896-04-01
ALL SOCIETY WAS THERE
Brilliant Audience Present at Chill
dren's Hospital Matinss.
Presence of Mrs. williams at he Lou
ise Home Reyfves Memories of
Count BodiscU's Marriage.

most fashionable and appreciatiye
audience assembled at the National The
ater yesterday afternoon to witness the
matinee given for the benefit OF the Chill
drcn's Hospital. The program was a
tlireefoid one, with Il tine recitation kind
ly contributed by Mr.. Rowland Blackstone
of Mr.. f. Ii. Sothern's company. The TWO
short plays were under the mana cement of
Mr.. Percy Winter of the National school
of Acting, wLo generously gave mach time
ami attention TO the rehearstis.
The Cummciietta, "A Pair of LuuItics,'
was rendered in a spirited manner ~ Miss
Mary Sanders aud Mr.. Evcrt Jansen wcri-
dell. As Mr.. Wendell assumed the uart
upon twcnty-four hours notice i,IS F'oi
acting WAS the more rcmarka bic and proves
that he can hardly be styled an amateur.
Miss Mary Sanders. as Clara Manpers, Was
sparkling and hewitching, receiving d, cur
tain call, as well as Il beautiful haske
of daffodi!s across the footlightS.
''In Honor Bound" one-act drama. by
Sydney Grundy, had in its cast Miss Alice
Riddle of this city; Miss Alice Foster OF
Chicago; Mr Pierre Stevens, well known
here as an amateur, and Mr.. Evert Jansen
Wendell. The part OF Lady Carlyon is n
difficult one, susceptible of fine shading
and delicate acting, and Miss Riddle sue
ceeded most admirably in depicting it. Few
amateurs could have approached her in
ease, sentiment and grace: and in the scene
where Mr.. Stevens, as Philip. SO ably sup
ported her, she rose to pathos.
Miss alice Foster, as Rose nairyrnple.
was tie epitome of girliSh grace. and few
could credit that this was absolutely her
first appearance upon any stage.
In speaking of Mr.. Wendell as Sir George
CarlvOu q >Cifficut not O praise too much.
and 80 over>tcp the boundary which marks
good taste IN the critic. HIS rersCruel IS
NJ attractive. his voice so coed. and his
Stage training so fine, that one loses sight
orihe anatctr and involun,ariiy greet him
a. TO The manner born.
NJ Pierre Sj"v.pS enacted the rather
ungracious part of Philip pGrahamcxtremeIy
we'll and invested IL with an intcrc ST which
shows careful study. Mr.. blackstone. who
was suffering with n most severe cold.
mos, obligingly consented 10 rccte THE
Iffe Boat" ThiSiS Il difficult niece of e1O-
Cuiion. and TO say that Mr.. Blackstone rem
dcred IL to the satisfaction OF a critical
audience, is but just compliment to his
powers.
The matinee concluded with the prologue
OF THE Prisoner nf ZcnGa." presented
by Mr.. Sothern and his company. to whom
the spectators gave the usual enthusiastic
reception. WashinCt oniaDs fully appre-
ciate the gra cious courtesy Of Mr.. Sotbern in
thus assisting their favoritc charity. which
marks as with n white stone another of
the many kind acts for which this eminent
and popular actor is ST. widely esteemed.
The Children's Hospital will receive a
goodly sum as return for this brilliant
matinee. proving that even in the Lenten
season there are many who believe in the
broad and catholic sentiment contained in
the headline of the program. ''Al Il nankind's
concern is charity
The romance of Count Bodsco, v IIo rep
resented the Russian government IN Wash
ington during the term Of President Van
Buren, is recalled BY the annouu 's'nent
that Mrs. Williams. widow OF the late
Brooke Williams, of Georgetown. is soon
to be admitted to the Louise Home. Mrs.
Williams was Miss Caroline Bodisco, a
member of this wealthy family. She was
born in Sweden.
Count Bodisco was n widower about
fifty and lived at the Russian legation
which was in those days located in George
town. The beautiful Miss williams. n
school girl of the same neighborhoOd, won
his heart ny her Ioveiness as she passed on
her way to school.
The marriage of the two occurred at the
home of the count, which is presumably the
homestead a present of the Biount family,
"The Oaks" and was n brilliant affair
Henry Clay gave the hand of the bride in
marriage, and President Van Buren, and
Daniel Webster We're among those present.
The minister to Russia Mr.. Buchanan and
the son OF the Secretary of the NAVY. Krm
BILE Pauhling. were of the party. Bishop
Johns officiated.
Mrs. Williams is now in sir;ii.encd cir
cumstances, owing to the death Of her
husband. without leaving provision for
her support. Mr.. Brooke Williams was
among the unfortunate who speculate I'M
successfully.