The times., 1899-11-05

critical in any way. They were instructive
neither to the Thespian nor to the theatre
soer. Ihey we're merely abusive and horsi-
iy funny. Their author frequently ignored
costly settings and fine acting in order tc
facetlously mention the most incoHsequen-
tial trifies. The reviews were the ex-
treme opposite of those inspired by adver-
Using bills and not less dishonest. So II
may be said that Miss Woods influence in
New York and even upon outside dramaties
was Of a most psrnicious order
Personally. Jessie Wood was charming
woman; brilliant cORVersaticnaist ami
a broad minded companion Her sudden
taking-on undoubtedly has caused much
sorrow in the large circle OF her friends
probably as much sorrow as it will Cause
interest outside of that circle.
And, speaking OF New York critics. re-
minds one that "the Zangwul pay
which is Children of the Ghetto
seems to have prohted little by the odd
behavior of its managers. Lieblsr & Com
pany, having failed to make an answer t.
Leander Richardson's defiance and u
name the men whom they accused OF cor
ruption, have also been obli eJ 70 hau. in
a great deal OF their fagg ng. TEus il Is
announced that, despite the advertisement
in which George Tyler stated that tie
piece would remain on Broadway unit
the end Of the season, the drama will hn-
ish its run at the Herald Square on No
vember (which date is so much earlier
than that originally set that the directors
of the theatre are still uncertain OF what
attraction viii bridge the lapse betaeen
the end of this run and the beginning OF
that booked for David Belasco's new farce
Children Of the Ghetto will be given
at the Adelphi, London, on December by
the troupe seen in Washington. Llebier
& Company probably viii urge that this
fact is responsible for the November clos
ing at the Herald Square. But neyerthe-
less, it seems improbable that II the NeE
York success had been as grtat as was ex-
pected the combination would have absn
doned that city and its road da es for an
English uncertainty. especially since the
primal determination had been TO form
second Children of the Ghetto" cast
abroad. Briefly, 'the ZangwiH pay was
a failure in New York Any chances that
it may have had in the p Oyinces' were
put out of the question by the absurd ac
tion Of the LiebIer people in assaulting
these who had reviewed their p. PRESENTATION.
One cannot help TegTetting this termiua-
ton. Children of the Ghetto undoubt-
edIy was staged in a sincere effort 70 bring
out its best pOints-staged beautifully and
expensiyely. 1t may have been move to-
ward greater realism in the drama. That
it was an iII-adyised move was a mis-
fortune and not fault. Had the Liebiers
nCt made themselves ridiculous with their
Protests" the most general sympathy
would be felt for them now.
Two letters. Of the variety termed anony-
nous. were received last week at this Of
fee. Oddly enough. both were closed with
the same nom de plume. One read:
To the Dramatic Editor:
I have often felt like trying to rebuke you
for bilious yap0riIgs and impudently unjust crit-
cisms, but thought that it would be wasted
(thanks be 90 GodD, penny liners, who space
write. and must, of course. fall back truck
TO fiji in with. The enclosed clipping would. /
should think. bring you to sense OF deceRcy,
and a knowledge Of how little critic % may
appear in the eyes Of lesser mortals- Yours,
THESPIAN.
The enclosed clipping" was an article
in which a press agent commented on the
harm that q review may work with a play.
The second letter. which, at least, is in
better English. follows:
To the Editor OF The Times:
/ do not think that you, vino seem to value
outside suggestions viii deem me impcrtiuent IL
/ ask the reason for what seems TO be the grad
ual abolition Of your Friends OF Last Week
my wife and myself have found the comment
therein most Just and interesting. Fairness in
local criticism is not usual that theatregoers
can afford to dispense with yours.
TIIESPIAN.
A newspaper probably would have some
difficulty in suiting both OF these individ-
uals.