The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-07-27

COnfiscatfon Dean Farrar's Darkness
and Dawn" to be Dramatized-Sale o
Relics of '.Prince Charlie"-Paris Stirred
up Over q Remarkable Duel just Fought
London, July PA pessimistic view
is taken by The Spectator, Of the con-
ditions likely to develop under the new
American tariff. 1t says:
Never before has the complete DOM
ination Of the trusts over the republi-
can party been made so palpable to the
average man. Congress has been Or
dered to protect the trusts and has
obeyed. We find protection stripped of
its old pretensions and excuses. 1t is
reduced to a bare mercenary aspect.
1t means the enabling Of wealthy cor
porations to levy tribute upon the
masses and to use the powers Of the
government to enhance piles that are
already enormous.
1--WE believe that with a just cause
behind them the United States might
safely defy all the Vaccinations of hos
tile Europe; but in an aggressive pol
icy, dictated by selfish pecuniary in
terests, it must be said plainly that the
United States runs serious risk Of col
Ision; and how fatal that might be to
all the highest interests Of mankind is
abundantly clear. We trust that all
wise ad right minded Americans will
sound warning against this bill. If
the alternatives for the republic are to
be on the one hand policy Of jingo-
ism and on the other policy Of crude
confiscation, then a very serious crisis
for order freedom and rational self
government will have arrived"
During the week there has been a
sale Of relics of "Bonny Prince Charlie"
at the old castle of Colloden. 1t has
excited widespread interest. The high
est price paid for a single lot was 975O,
given by Mr.. J. L. Johnson, Of Chica-
GO The bedstead which the prince
used three nights before the battle, Of
massive mahogany frame and carved
pillars, with the original hangings, and
the walking stick which the prince left
leaning against the bed the night be-
fore the battle, were purchased by the
queen for 916O, her majesty's action
through her representative, being
loudly cheered.
American admirers of Dean Farrar
may be surprised to learn that his
name is blaZoned on the bill boards
next season. He has given to Chilleng
ham Hunt the sole right to dramatize
his book Darkness and Dawn" which
deals with the rise and fall Of Nero and
particularly his persecution of Chris
tians. This enterprise is inspired by
the success Of Wilson Barrett's script
ural plt ''The Sign Of the Cross" If
the book proves suitable for dramatic
treatment, the reverend gentleman will
begin to reap his royalties from the
stage next autumn.
"The Eve Of Waterloo" immortalized
by Thackary and Byron in literature,
and often successfully attempted for
the stage, is finally to be turned into
dramatic account by Haddon Cham
bers and Comyns Carr in play in
which M. Torriss is to figure as an
officer of the Grenadier Guards. Should
the fever of military enthusiasm kind
led by the jubilee be still burning in
the fall the piece should appeal strong
Iy to Londoners.
All Paris is discussing the duel that
was fought on Tuesday between Catulle
Mendas, the poet, and Lugne Poe, the
actor and manager of the OeuVre
theatre, arising out Of a literary quar-
rel 1t was the first time Poe had
fought, while Mendas was an ex-
perienced duellist. The fight was long
drawn out and the fate Of the French
duelling system is involved, because the
question is raised whether an adversa-
ry may indefinitely run away from the
point Of his opponents sword distinctly
leveled for the encounter. Poe adopted
retreating tactics until his adversary
flung down his sword, saying that he
was ready to die from exhaustion il
necessary but not from fatigue from
running after a poltroon. Mendas then
challenged his adversary's seconds.
who declined to oblige him; but several
duels are expected to be the outcome
of the insults mutually offered.