The times., 1898-01-07
An American Actor.

The stage as a profession and a ca
reer is constantly furnishing forth eN-
arnples in proof of general PROPOSE
tions which concern students OF human
nature. individually and unitedly one
of the most striking facts which is
found repeatedly confirmed in the eX-
pressions of popular feelings thus enc
ited is the impermanence OF the nh-
worthy and the endurance OF what pos
sesses merit. The trumpeter who blasts
loudest may attract the largest crowd,
but. coming too near. the crowd mes
from the deafening noise. The bright
est colors may be seen farthest away,
but those they attract strike them
down for their gsrishness and lack OF
harmony. Sensation may send one Ze-
nithward. but its impetus has the vigor
of an explosive and no more sustain
ment-
The careers of actors show that it is
not the one who makes the most noise,
or parades himself most elaborately,
or that eomet-like. is suddenly
athwart the theatrical armament, who
as heard and seen in permanency. The
bays of fame are for the quietly per-
sistent; for those who rise by the log
ical slow leverage Of artistic growth.
After watching him for years in the
gradual maturing of positive artistic
gifts. and after Witnessing their ripe
expression in his current production OF
"A Virginia Corrtship,'' 1t is just to
aWsrI; to William II. Crane one OF the
very highest places in the roster of
American players. With not more than
two other actors, he is entitled to con-
sideration in the question of success
sion to the deanship of our stage. Mr..
Crane has risen gradually from ap-
premiership to pre-eminence- His en-
deayor has always been marked by
honesty of purpose, artistic integrity,
patriotic devotion and encourage
ment for native authors, and natural
gift for the expression of native char
acters and types. Ambition, praise
worthy enough. has led other actors TO
essays in a different field, but unity
of design has made Mr.. Cranes attain
ments notably interesting and praise
worthy. After a few preliminary
skirmishes in light opera and broad
comedy he gave his first portrait
of recognizable American type in the
broker in THE Henrietta" From that
time he has outlined and given concrete
expression to a creditable variety of
American types in THE Pacific Mall
Brother john" AN American Minis
ter" THE Senator" My Wife's Fa-
ther.'' THE Governor of Kentucky
and "A Fool of Fortune" In his last
and present character he has achieved
the interesting dual feat of remaining
loyal to his national standard, yet
stepping into the ambitious plane of
classic comedy. With how facile an
art he accomplishes this is surprise
to many. a prophecy fulfilled for many,
but a pleasurable matter of congratu-
lation to all.
actor. Perhaps he is more conscious
than anyone else of the degree to which
he is possessed of the limitations which |
have in a measure entered into the
makeup of every artist who has STEP
ped on the stage. But he is an artist. |
an actor who has the love as well as
the admiration of large proportion of |
his compatriots. He has been always g /
patron of native art and he has ade-
ouately and dignifiedly expressed ma
tive types. For all this he is deserving |
of the high place he holds, sympathet-
ically and critically, in popular appre- /
ciation