New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-22

/ ineHectiNe preaching was never done In a
comedy.
CONTRAST ~ COMEDIES
had some Of these thoughts in mind on the
following night when 7 witnessed a ane per
formance Of The Tanning Of the Shrew" by Mr.
Days company at tho Grand Theatre Islng
/ ton, and could not help contrasting the hon
/ est wholesome laughter which I heard there
with the idle, hollow amusement at the Cri.
/ terion. Miss Rehan was the Katherine. and
need not tell Newyork readers how she filled
the stage with her presence and how complete
was the representation: nor is it necessary TO
enlarge upon the excellence of the support re
ceived from the company. among whom OBJ
served with keen pleasure Mr.. Jefferson Winter.
acting with youthful fire and fine spirit. and Civ
| Ing promise Of brilliant career on the stage
rarely have ! seen audience either more
enthusiastic or merrier. and there VAS no un-
dertone Of cynicism in the mirth.
The Tanning ~ the Shrew' is not an example
of Shakespeare's poetic comedy ~ pure imagi-
nation but II illustrates what he might have
done If ne had lived al later day and At
tempted what is known comedy Of current
manners. 1t Is sufused with the true comic
| spirit. and s luminous with good sense and
reason. Moralizing there is none. unless the
| epilogue nc distorted into substitute for
/
play. and excies laughter which Is not thought
less. hut tends Ia onliven and stimulate the
mind The effect is unlike that produced by
modern comedy Of manners which is usually
broadly farcical and anything but instructive.
elaborate as may he the moral hung M in the
closing scene.
The playwright may produce a bright. enter
tanning play. Mr.. Henry Arthur Jones mas
done and as NJ. w s. Gilbert apparently de
spars Of doing again. for cha grined hy the IN
favors bic reception Of The Fortune Hunter IN
the provinces, he Ia threatening 10 write no more
dramas hut 10 relapse into serious literary
work Rut il remains true that the resources or
comedy sre inadeouately developed when the
theatres are filled with idle laushers. who have
q bad taste in their mouths an hour sfterward
and wonder why they were amused by farcical
effects and p false and unreal presentation OF
current manners For comedy. after all is. as
Mr. George Meredith we'll says. "the fountain of
sound sense: not the less perfectly sound on
account Of the sparkle
ANTHONY HOPE OFF FOR AMERICA.
Mr. Anthony Hope Hawkins. who is sailing
to-day to fulfil his American engagements for
course of readings from his works. IS In the
prime OF manhood and one ~ the most popular
figures In literary London. Rorn In lS6'. inc
son Of clergyman, the Rev. F.. G. Hawkins
who is n NV the vicar ~ the beautiful Cd Church
Of st BRIDES. near Fleot-st.. he was educated
al oxford where he took high h"n"rs and was
president Of the University Society. lie studied
law AZ the Middle Temple and became harris
fer in 1851 remaining In practice about seven
wears until his success man NJ letters en-
abled him to abandon less congen'al profess
sion His first hook was published IN 'N'"' ana
his literary reputation made with amazing
rapiditv after the publication Of The PRISONER
~ Zenda He contested a seat for Parliament
as \ Liberal IN 1892 hut vas unsuccessful
This was perhaps. stroke Of good fortune
since II left him free to devote his energies "F
clusively to Literature"
Mr. Hawkins ha. bachelor quarters in Buck
inehan1. st off the Strand hut he IL rrom-
nent member Of the Reform Club. where he IA
constantly seen. and great favorit" In society,
where he is liked FOR his dignity modesty and
genial qualities Ecu men Of letters have a
better social standing IN London or are held In
higher esteem. He Is fond Of the theatre. and
is one Of the most enthusiastic "hrst-nishters'
He IL also q good after dinner speaker. whose
services arc frequently i'm demand. Indeed. he
is one 81 the few literary men in London VINO
can speak fuently In clear. resonant voice
Mr. hawkins gave last spring reading from
his own works al one Of the great houses. for
a charitable purpose and delighted fashiona-
hle audience He speaks with shyness and mis-
siv,nps Of his exp sriment In America bur hls
lack Of confidence Is not shared by his friends.
who are convinced that ne will offer his an'l-
ences there rare entertainment
The death If Sir John Gilbert, whose burial
occurs TODAY leaves vacancy in the Royal
Academy for which there VIII he many csnd'-
dates and an empty chair in the presidency or
the ROYAL Society Of Painters In Water Colors
which cannot readily ne filed. He was an old
school draughtsman Of high pictorial excellence
with A talent for composition rather than co.or'
and with an industry which was amazing be-
SHINING life as a poor clerk in Blackheath.
where he died he was a self-taught artist, win
a STYLE which acquired ntultiNeiy WITH
out training In any school. painter IN water
colors and oils. he was indefatgaple as an
illustrator drawing with equal facility on paper.
wood copuer or stone Indeed he may he SAID
to have had a universal talent Cor art, Tor ne
could paint. draw ctch. or engraVe on copper
and he could work with wax, clay or marble.
He acoured great wealth and became n munh-
cent patron of arr. enriching four English cities
with his gifts Of his own finest paintings ana
drawings.
As a PAINTER Sir John Gilbert will be remem
bered for his skill in handling armor. costumes
and draperv and An illustrator for the vivid
ness with which his drawings told their stories:
Indeed il vas az illustrator that he achieved
greatest distinction. one half OF his long pro-
fessionsl life being occupied with this class or
work His industry was phenomenal, for his
drawings for books and illustrated journals are
estimated TO have been nearer iW'o' than
,OO00 This IL a branch Of art which has been
declining in England. where such work is easily
! eycelled hv thai Of French and American rivals.
For that reason, perhaps his death has beeh
! recorded by the English press as the passing
| ~ a veteran Of the old school 1t was certainly
! 81 school where teaseless, interchangeable labor
, "ss The rule J. y. r.
Was '"' ''''' -----~---
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