The Portland daily press., 1896-01-21
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Too Much johnson.

Too Much johnson.
Portland theatre was not only crowded
last night but many were turned away
unable to procure seats, and for two and
one haif hours it was constant laughter
and applause. ''Too Much Johnson is
farce in three acts, and Its reputation
of being exceedingly funny is well de-
served. But there is really such thing
as too much johnson. One gets surfelted
before the play is over. Mr. Gillette, as
Mr.. Billings, is admirable He is the
prince of liars, and he does his lying with
such perfect sang froid that we all admire
him. The people in the play are all ex-
cellent, Miss Kate Meek and Miss Has
lam being especially good, and we'll
known to our theatre goers. Tho curtain
was called at the end of each act.
Stod dard on Naples.
lecture on Napoleon last evening and not
forget all the faults and criticisms Of the
great conqueror and feel only the thrill
of enthusiasm for his unriyalled genius
and achievements and a pang of sympa-
thy and sorrow for the terrible misery
and contrast of his closing years?
Mr.. Stoddard is always enthusiastic,
but about Napoleon his enthusiasm is
irresistible; he is always eloquent, but
about Napoleon his eloquence is inspir-
ing.
From Corsica to ST Helena, the lecture
one grand euology, so admirably sup
ported by the marshaling of the great
facts of that wonderful life that the hear
er has no inclination to call halt in
the fiooo of praise and agrees with the
lecturer, that the facts are sufficient evil
dence of Napoleon's greatness, and his
faults are but as the tinge blemishes in
the foundation of the column of Vendome.
The illustrations last evening were par
ticularly fine, especially the portraits
and the conflagration effect in the Pic
ture of burning Moscow.
just enough of each phase of Napol-
cons career and character was touched
upon. There was not too much of wars,
nor too little of personalities, Napoleon
as a soldier, statesman, son, brother,
husband, father and patriot, were separ-
ately presented 1t was highly oolored
picture. perhaps, butswhere is there an
other man in this world so worthy OF
high coloring, if facts of history and
result, of today mean anything?
In speaking of England's criticisms,
Mr.. Stoddard denounced Enlgand's pol
Icy with telling power. For 100 years.
when has she sought battle with a great
power alone? When has she ever refused
the opportunity to seize the territory of
other people, weaker than herselfs
We hear so much of highlands fair
play, but where has she ever shown fair
play, since the days of our own revolu-
tion, through all her acts of this century,
down even to the contest for supremacy
in yachting?
The arraignment of Enlgand was loud
iy appiauded.
The closing portion of the lecture, the
description of Nspoleons exile and the
cruelties OF Sir Hudson Lowe, was espec-
tally pathetic and powerful.
The cruel, shallow face of Lowe and
the calm, powerful beauty of Napoleon's
features We're oontrasted. Who could fail
TO execrate the one and pay homage to
the other? Certainly no one of John L.
Stoddard's audience last evening.
Stockbridge Course.
The next entertainment in the Stock
bridge course will be given By the great
violinist Ondricek, assisted by distin-
guished talent. Reginald De Koven, the
author of robin Hood'' says of him in
the New York World: 'There is virility,
a force, an authority and intensity about
Ondricek, which, combined with an i'm
placable and brilliant technique, makes
bis art and playing both convincing and
attractive. 1t is both manly and sincere
His tone is penetrating, vivid, and domi-
hating rather than .suave and velyety. it
commands rather than it caresses. But
the style and finish are at all times that
Of a master of the instrument" Tickets
at Stockbridge's.