Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-25

was divided between the aristocrats the
wealthy families and teachers, and the
plebeians, to which latter class Ibsen' s
father-being a observation-disclosures
although, through marriage connec-
tons, he had the entree In higher
circles. 1t was the failure of his faith
er's business that drove Ibsen to accept
the position of clerk In drug store.
with the view OF becoming a physician;
and when, In the great revolutionary
year of 1S4S, he was electrified by the
cause or freedom, he gave vent to his
feelings by writing "Catllena." his first
drama. His fellow-citdzens were aroused
\ from their wonted lethargy by his
poems and speeches, and the whole
was not daunted, and with biting
sarcasms and scathing caricatures, he
defended himself. OF "Catilena" only
30 copies were sold.
4 Even in his earlier dramas said Miss
Wallberg, Ibsen tries to penetrate the
depths Of the characters he shows us.
The keynote Of all his dramas is mans
faithfulness to his aim On life, the aim
that nearest corresponds with his nat
ure, and which Tbsen calls the voice of
God. Be faithful to yourself. If you
believe In the truth OF your mission,
others will believe IN you. When people
~ " eSO 4pSCll II is nUL TO see
! furniture, scenery or Miss So and So.
but to listen to the words of a great
master. His influence is all-dominating.
In this respect Ibsen's plays are unique.
| They are not amusements, pure and
simple, nor sermons on the stage; but
subtle psychological studies, tragedies
OF the human emotions. Continuing,
Miss Wallberg maintained that Ibsen
does not pose as a teacher, al
though unconsciously he is one Of the
great teachers of our age and genera
ton; and 1t Is through his influence that
dramatic stage is becoming what it
should be-lot a noisy vaudeville but q
true picture Of human nature.
| In 1850, the year Of the publication of
''Catilena," Ibsen entered the Univer-
| sity of Kristiania, among his fellow
students being Bjoernstjerne Bjoernson.
| Discarding his original idea Of becom-
Ing physician. Ibsen now devoted him
self to literature; and as he received no
support from home, times were often
hard with him. His literary talent at
| tracted attention, however, and in 1851
| he was called to assume the manage
ment of Ole Bulls theatre, In Bergen,
where he stayed six years, bringing
out a new original play on the end of
each January.
In 1857 Ibsen took charge of the Kris
tiania theatre, but 1t failed and had to
be closed In the following year he
married, and now to narrowed circun-
stances was added disappointment at
| the lack of appreciation, for none of
1bsen's works had as yet been put up
on the stage in Kristania.
The years between 1S64-'6S were spent
! by the Ibsens In Rome, a pension from
the government and the income from
| ''The Pretenders" enabling them to go
| abroad.
OF Brand" "Peer Gynt" and 'srhe
Villars of Society,"" Miss Wanberg
| spoke enthusiastically. The first edi-
ton of Peer Gynt" was exhausted
within few days after publication. In
1868 Ibsen was made honorary doctor at
the University of Upsala.
Eleven years afterward appeared
'%The Dolls House." SURPRISING in tech
nique the most celebrated French dra-
mas. 1t has attracted more attention
in northern Europe than any other work
Of fiction, and so fierce and so general
was the controversy aroused by its
publication that it was found necessary
In Stockholm to write on cards of In
vitations to dinners, dances, etc, '"You
cuss The Dolls House."
''Ghost" aroused more antagonism
than any previous play. Ibsen had been
prepared for a storm, but the tempest
that broke surpassed his expectations.
The play was pronounced immoral and
1t was some time before 1t was repre-
scented on the stage.
In 1876 Ibsen visited Norway and was
/
which he made after one Of his orations
| he spoke words which, in the lecturers
| opinion, give the clue to all his writ
| ings "a great work is before us before
we can attain true liberty. / am afraid
that the democrats Of today will not be
able to solve the questions We must
have an element of aristocracy in our
political life and our press. /, of
course, do not mean hereditary aristoc-
racy. of that of purse, culture or even
talents, but of character. Only that
can make us Free and It will come
through our women and our workmen
I hope for it, l wait for it and / will
work for it all my life and with all my
strength"
Miss Wallberg closed with reading
Of her own translation of Brand
The lecture was repeated to another
audience in the evening.
Friday evening the pupils of Mr.. Ev-
erett ]. Harrington give the first of two
pianoforte recitals in Dewey Hall, 311
Main street. Mr. Harrington is to be
| assisted by MIR. Walter S, Knowles, the
well know tenor Modern as wen as
classical composers are represented on
the program. The second recital will
take place late in the spring
Miss Dodge and Miss Hyman of Miss
Kimbalrs schools for girls gave a cerise
tea in their room Saturday afternoon.
Miss Kimball and Mr.. William A. Helm
rich We're the only guests beside the
other students.
| Mr.. Edwin NJ. Overholser Of wellesley
! Hills, formerly Of Worcester, has been
elected member OF the board Of trus-
/ tees OF the New England Baptist Hos
pital Of Boston.
There will be a meeting of the board
Of managers Of the Children's Friend
Society. preparatory to the annual meet
ing, at the residence of Mrs. F. "A
Knowles, $40 Main street, Thursday at
O'clock.
I The annual meeting will take place
Cyaf NFnsen o -