The times., 1897-07-04

De Wolf Hopper writes The Times
long letter on the Interpretation Of certain
literary passages and anent the establish
ment Of a cabinet chair OF histrionic
astronomy. Iuis not generally known that
willie is a bookworIn a $ well as a night
owl and several other metaphorcal ami
mails. The letter is reproduced not alone
on account Of its literary value and the
salient suggestion tucked away in the
pcroratiOn. but because you who find
Hopper so funny on the stage VIII read
between the lines the same glow Of humor
Tyhich exhales from his personality where
ever you find him.
He begins lis letter with a list of books
recently received from a friend in London.
Oneofthem is on astronomy; ;theastrouomy
OF the celestial firmament, and it evidently
caught his fancy, for lie takes it Us his
text for the balance Of his epistle.
"Thcre is says Hopper "a vast amount
OF literature pertaining TO the stars Of the
Observation-Disclosures and luminary; yet
in the great library at Washington, Venus
and not Miss Venus, comedienne; Mars,
and not Mr. Mars, leading man; bebus kined
and sepulchrally and amply bethroated,
have been regarded The literature Of
stage luninaues is varied and interesting
But il would seem that the poets words in
almost every case demand, like Browning S
poetry, exenplification; the GoTgOn knots
Of verse being like a itch mine not yet
pr0spected, unobseIvable On the surface
except TO the practiced eye Take this
beautiful Similc as an example:
swift is the sparkle of glanciDg
star
1T VIII be observed that the poet has
not disclosed what star he referred 10.
Nat Goodwm's glance is famous for It's
innate humoT rather than for its swift
ness Joseph Jefferson's starry eye has
sparIe-age cannot dim il; but as | have
not given particular attention to its glanc-
ing. 1 could not say that it was he whom
the poet had in his minds eye. 1t may
be, however, that all stars glance with
more swiftueSs than ordinary leading men
or ready understudles; hut l am inclined to
opine that this is a 1lagrant example OF
poetic license Here is another line that
has diScuncerted me:
The sheen OF their spears was like tn
stars on the sea-
''Is il tie Frehman- -Hayman syndicat,
that is ieTe referred TO? have been on
the sea with a company of stars, and i
this sheen or brightness was anything aliI
10 the condition of myself and companion
tlOse spears must have been exceedingly
lacklustrous. A seasick star has no sheen
he is as duIl-witted as an unsecured dish
pen- The poets Information regarding
stars on the sea- must have been gath
cred from a mighty poor source. Blu
look here. Here is line which suggest
the late election:
The silver setting of their mortal star
"This line very evidently has referenc,
20 some star who is Il great favorite il
the Silver States, and more especially
in the mining districts of Colorado. Thi
silver star has not ventured into the golC
country, else he very likely would be known
Anyway, he must not stand very high ever
fn his own territory, else he would mo-
be considered mortal. All great actors
whether stars or otherwise, are consideret
immortal in the effete East. But this othe
verse is less misleading and disconcertini
than the Others:
''He rose, faint-smiling, like STAR
''But why dwell upon the unhappy lot 0