The times., 1898-12-25

ion. This being true the verdict of a
critic would be valueIess, and dramatic
criticism but an injustice alike to man
ayers and amusement-loyers.
That, however the schooled observation
of professional mediator in theatrical
matters is rarely at fault. may be judged
from the fact that The Times has not
made prophecy this season that has not
been carried out. nor committed an error
in telling the worth of the new produc-
tions being seen here. Without any at
tempt to claim infallibility, it may be re-
marked that where the judgment of the
reviewer is invariably carried out by the
public, little doubt can be attached TO
his censure or praise.
During the three months that have
elapsed since the opening of the local
season Washington has had about twenty
five important attractions. Not all of
these have been new, though some eight
OF them have been premieres Of note.
over each there was considerable argu-
ment and great deal of doubt. a. NJ.
Palmer's THAT Man was the initial first
presentation of the year. The Times found
little to commend in the piece unless
many changes We're made, and phophesied
small success even then. THAT Man
was taken off the stage for alterations and
Is just now beginning late season. which
has not proven TO be anything yet, but
will probably score disastrousIy 1t was
said that Hotel Topsy Turvy." which
came next. would undoubtedly go in New
York or other large cities IL properly fitted
with vaudeville turns and special balIets.
Little hope was held out for road dates
The piece Travelled into New York. was
modelled after the criticisms published
here, had an uneventful run. was removed
and further altered, and has now closed
without anything more to It's credit than
a partial success. The Boston engag gement
has resulted similarly, notwithstanding
there in the comedy.
The Christian was next done in
Washington, and praised without reser-
vation. Hall Gaines drama is still be-
ing seen in Gotham, having made some
thing like S15G,0o0 during it's engagement
there. ION and on" which was un-
stintedly commended. Is also doing an
enormous business near Broadway. and
Will shortly celebrate its hundredth per-
formance. "A Misiit Marriage" was con-
demned, and. while it is now prospering,
underwent innumerable changes before
entering the larger cities. II is not vet
by any means a brilliant success "A
War Correspondent" was roasted and
has closed; THE Cuckoo was roasted"
and has closed, and Lost in Siberia
was numerically handled. and has been
\
it had received in New York some cour-
age Was necessary to finding virtue in
THE Charlatan." but The Times re-
view of the opera was entirely In Mr.
Hopper's favor. and shortly after Bos-
tor and Philadelphia both followed suit
enthusiastically. The same may be said
of Blanche Walsh's impersonation Of
Cleopatra, an effort happily received in
Washington, and which has just been
IN l-z in hs ,f -,
so far as the Hub is concerned.
The company producing THE Girl From
Paris was harshly treated here and has
finally closed, while James X Hacketts
organization was even more unkindly
handled in Philadelphia than locally and
the play presented. THE Tree of Kuowl-
edge, was summarily removed after the
troupe had left the Capital. "a Female
Drummer" has gone into the popular
priced houses, ''The Carpetbagger' Is do
ing small towns exclusively. THE Hon
orable John Grigsby' will probably cease
10 exist before the season is over and
THE Little Host" is said TO have been
denied bookings everywhere. All of
these were condemned in Washington
on the other hand, despite the scathing
criticisms IL has received from some
sources THE Conquerors" IS still making
money. as The Times prophesied The
fedly successful and Because She Loved
Him So.,' which was heartily received
here, is proving one of the biggest hits
of the year. The Jolly Musketeer'' has
met with partial success, "A Reign of En-
ror'' is an established winner THE Med
dler" will be continued part of next sea-
son. Going to the Races has gone into
the popular-pric houses. 'Why Smith
Left Home is not drawing well. the Roy
al Italian Opera Company Is about TO
close and "A Brace of Partridges. THE
Fortune Teller" THE Golden Horse
shoe" and "a Stranger in Strange
Land are also doing just what was ex-
pected.
This story is not an attempt at self
praise. There is no intention of deciar-
ing that The Times has been in any way
responsible for either successes or fail
ures. But a glance at the files OF the pa
per will assure the most skeptical that In
every single case the prophecies of the
reviews have come true and that the crit
icisms have proven well grounded and
wise Had this been only occasionally
the case the matter might have been laid
to coincidence. But there must be some
precise art in profession which enables
its clients TO constantlys and unerringly
pick the winner"