The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-20
Recent and improved Editions of
"Cyrano de Bergerac."
"A CAVALRY GIRL" INTERESTING
Mrs. Elizabeth Hartman, Who mas
Relatives in Virginia, Writes
Charming Story-"Phases oil an
Inferior Planet Again

most romantic ana interesting, iDi "i'
toe plot OF what is thought by many 10
be "the greatest play OF the Gay
The scene Is laid in Paris in the seven
,eenth century. IL tells the love tragedy
in The life OF "a most unique character,
a naa poet and dramatst, dueiist ana
soldier. who was cursed with an enoF-
nous development OF nose, almost
amounting TO responsiveness which even
his nearest friend conceded the nose
OF a false face"
IL is also the story OF man OF none
mind, great learning, marvellous W.T.
whose life. ruined by this physical pecu-
liarity IS set apart from the rest Ok man
kind.
There is revealed IN his every act the
presence Of q lifelong bitterness be-
cause OF that monstrous feature. ana
passion for Independence and combat.
AT times ne acts the bully and reck-
less "swashbuck.cr." but Ike ROBIN
Hood. he singles out the tyrants. hypo-
crits and towards, and brushes or SHOWS
them up.
lie first comes on the scene in his dou-
bic character Of bully and critic ne
stops the performance Of IN actor whom
he dislikes. because he Is a ridiculous
actor. and has dared TO ogle from me
stage Roxane. the cousin whom he
(Cyrano) has madlv lovcd from child
hood. but dared not tell her of his love
because he is so hidcous.
Both have come TO Paris from their
I,onguedoc. he. the most valiant, feared
and witty member Of the corps or Gas
cony cadets: she beauty and precious
lady" who INDUCES I'm the strange senu-
mental jargon Of the day, and despises
plain prose.
In Paris they do not meet each 'other
until Roxane falls IN love. at sight with
a handsome Northerner who has recently
Joined the Gascony Cadets; there she re
calls Cyrano. makes an appointment with
him. in order 20 put her lover under
his powerful protection.
At first Cyrano imaglnes that She may
be Interested IN him (Cyrano), and his
whole soul is filled with ecstacy as he
goes to meet herr but when I'm describ-
ing her lover she calls him Handsome
Cvrano realizes the truth. and. although
his soul is filled with sorrow he promises
30 protect his rival. This situation gives
n chance for great conflict in Cyrano's
soul: but It IS only the beginning Of his
tragedy.
Having promised 10 guard Baron Chris
tian, the lover. he finds himself writing
for him love letters TO RoXane as the
Younger man cannot even imagine Ills
is the bitter-sweet of pouring out his
soul to the woman he adores. knowing
that she will never suspect him as the
author.
The first meeting between Roxane and
Christian IS unlucky, as the clumsy lover
IS unable TO talk as beautifully as his
letters warrant: so Cyrano takes him 10
her balcony at night an6 speaks as Well
as writes for him. The balcony scene
s. one OF the brightest and boldest bits
Of the entire play.
Darkness and conversation held I'm
whisper favor the deception, Cyrano
pleads passionately the love that Chris
tian cannot utter, and, indeed, can hard
~ feel, and when the moment comes 20
ascend the balcony and take the kiss that
has been won by flights of great poetic
beauty, Cyrano pushes Christian for
ward and we'll expresses the bitterness
of his own heart in the lines:
'Strange pain that wrings my heart!
The kiss. loves feast so near:
j. Lazarus, lie at the gate IN darkness
yet 10 me
Falls still a cTumb or two from the rich
mans table.
Ayl IT'S my heart receives thee, Roxane
mine
For on the lips you press your kiss as
well.
The words I spoke Just now: Ny words
My words!'
Finally Christian IS killed in the war
after a hurried marriage with R0Xane
but Cyrano prevents him from making
"A death bed confession OF the trick play
cd by whispering TO him that RoXane
knows all and Is content.
Roxane enters a nunncry, where she
thinks and dreams OF her dead and Tor
fourteen years Cyran0 visits her without
revealing his love The secret sh- her
self discovers the very day that Cyrano
who has been treacherously assaulted
from behind By some enemy. crawls out
to make a last visit 10 her ana to de M
her presence. That death scene is IN
keeping with the rest OF the play-torci-
bic and striking.
The dying champion sees visions or the
foes he has an his life assaulted-compro-
mise. prejudice cowardice. folly ana
ilcs-and In dying staggers to his feet
draws his swords, and, denouncing' sldDs
these airy phantoms Of his brain.
The play s. strong and bright breath
Ing the spirit OF chiyalry in lis every
line.
Each scene IS filled 20 overlooking with
animation. movement ana color and
Il can be truly said Of IL that IT strikes
the chords Of sacrifice and altruism' ana
in the hands of such masters or the pres
ent age as NJ Coouelin and Mr.. Mans
field this play must be pronounced by
all the greatest play or the day
"Rodcn's Corner
Mr.. Henry seaton Merriman's very
clever new story, "ROdcn's Corner,
causes one TO conjecture how much there
NAV be in "a tide. one Is puzzled as 10
lust what "Rodcn's Corner emoodys ana
one IS equally surprised when II develops
as a big and fraudulent monopoly IN the
manufacture OF malgamite. htheIto
unknown and unrevealed quantity 10 the
mass OF humanity at large. NOW, inc
malgamites have been brought as pfomi-
nently before the public, as were Il GER
lain class Of English DOminies on the
publication of Nicholas NicReby.'
In the doing of all this Mt. Merrman
has a charm of manner which IS pecu-
liarly his own. In these days OF pur-
posiye novel making his variety OF scene
and incident and his loveliness or mar
ration must always render him prime
favorite with the intelligent aud discrin.-
mating reading community.
In the work under consideration. he oN-
hibits his usual mastery portraiture IA
me deuneatiOn OF his characters. Won
lolzen. the impassive deus eN machna,"
Roden. the unscrupulops hnancier, Tony
Cornish. the In de steele gentleman,
Marguerite. the girl OF the period and |
the impervious major, an impress them |
selves upon Us with their several indi- |
vidualities as living breathing realities. |
For the time being we seem 10 be IN their |
midst. TO see them move and hear them
sneak: we are troubled by all that con-
Germs them and we are rid of their pres
ence. only, when We come unawares. and
with a shock upon the word. fms"