The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-21

w hat is, SO far as is known, the
first dramatization of the legend Of
Minnehaha, immortalized in Longfel-
lows poem of ''HiaWatha," has been
made by Dr.. S G. Ginner, of this city,
who is gallant enough to entitle the
dramatic work with the name of the
heroine.
Dr. Ginner, beside being an NJ. D,
IS also LIZ. D. and a fellow of the
Society of Art and Letters of London.
Of his work, Rev. P. j. Ryan, who has
reviewed it, writes as follows:
The Song of Hiawatha' by Longfellow
is already too well known to need commen-
dation at our hands. In fact, everything
from the pen Of the inspired writer OF "A
Psalm of Life" is so well appreciated in
these, cur days, that an attempt to elevate
him in the estimation of the literary world
would not only be futile, but, in the opinion
OF the majority, a meaningless undertaking.
We do not, therefore, propose an analysis
Of one of his best known productions in this
article; We simply wish. to call attention to
its new form as shaped into drama under
the plastic hand Of the genial DR.. Ginner,
an American gentleman of professional at
talnments that combine in their suggestive
ness a thorough blending of medical and
literary talent second to none in this
any ether country.
Incidentally, it may be remarked that the
author of ''Minnehaha' resides in this city.
1t was a happy inspiration that the doctor
must have had when he sat down and com
posed his pleasing and attractive little
drama.
Every reader Of Longfellow is familiar
with the grand cid picturesque scenes of
wood and stream and waving forest. as
depicted in the original; OF the low murmur-
ings of the wind and the wild sweeps OF
land er which they play and sing; OF the
untutOred gospel of native belief; of the
sorrows and joys that grieve and gladden.
the natives heart; of the sunsets and sun
rises that glow and burn throughout the
entire narrative, filling in a picture OF un-
riyaled hue and richness of color.
oil DOT or haD OF
no easy task to take them up and mould
them into dramatic shape 50 that, whilst
preserving the idea Of the original nothing
of its beauty is lost
This is precisely what Dr. Ginner has
successfully done. OF course dramatic eX-
igencies have sometimes obliged him 10
draw upon other sources for the compile
ton OF an idea but. on the whole, the
elaboration of LongfellOw's ideal is thor
oughly carried out agreeably and with
marked Iointedness.
The grouping of characters. their deli
cate delineation, and the harmony of the
whole, at once suggest a cultured mind
and a dramatic hand. The Irregularities
of coincidence so palpably evident in most
of our dramas are entirely absent; whilst
the polish of the dialogue and the sweet
undercurrent of heightened Christianity
traceable in every line carry the reader
along fascinatingly, thoroughly, to the
END
Although the doctor bases his production
on "Hiawatha' it may be remarked that
three-fourths of it is entirely original com
position. The entire prose is from his
pen as well as the Introduction of the four
seasons. In this latter portion, perhaps,
he is seen at his best. The seasons are in
troduced in a winsome poetry, sweet as
summer seas when the winds are calm or
rough
List to Spring:
Beautiful Spring so fresh and green,
Natures emblem of delight;
Clothed in a SilVery, a golden sheen,
Brilliant as the stars of night!
But the poet is restless; so he goes on
in direct flight to summer, where he
seems to have an eye out for thirst re-
garding which he, ore rotundo, personifies
Archbishop Ireland in his words:
The heated rays of a summer sun
Shall dwarf thee in thy journey now
Thro' toll and suffering and distress
Beware of the red wine; touch it not
Twill thee oppress!'
And so on and so on throughout this de-
lightful little drama.
Gem on gem with its sparkling literary
light catches your eye, and weaves around
your artistic mind world of thought and
lc-a.
To appreciate it's sterling worth, one
must needs either see or read it.
Montalembert would style "Mianehaha"
un du cloitre; Louis Veuillot, I'm sermon
the production of one who seeks higher
things-of one who, with St Paul, Is can
did enough to say:
Non Erubesco Evangeliumr'
The little work is worthy of Catholic no
tice.
AS an entertaining, dramatic enjoyment
it ought to find its way into Catholic col
leges and converts. 1t is sure to win at
once universal approval in those establish
mentS; but inaSmuch as it is the product
of intellectual pleasure, copies may only be
had from the author.
Rev. p. ]. Ryan
Late Professor of English Literature at
the Catholic University of Lille, France.