New-York tribune., 1899-12-19
CAST OF THE DEVILS DISCIPLE" "
VIRGINIA. CALHOUN'S RECITAL

The advent Of Miss Virginia Calhoun, Of London,
which was made yesterday afternoon al Sherry 3
HALL In a recital Of the East Indian dramatic poem
a, "sakuntala" can be recorded courageous
and creditable: courageous. because boldly and
srmly made before an audience composed mostly
Of women.-always more severely critical OF
female than of a male.-and creditable because.
under exceptionally trying circumstances. this
young girls performance displayed somewhat
exceptional faculty Of memory, an acute inteAi-
renee sincere enthusiasm, innate refinement ana
senslhIlity considerable expertness In the utter
snce Of colloquy. and the self-control and enour-
snce that appertain to earnest mind and
strong character.
The poeun OF "Sakuntala."-a composition which
" properly applied might have brought Jobs pro-
family 10 an early climax,-may. in It's Original
form possess many and irresistible beauties In the
mercituly condersed translation OF IT which was
recited by Miss =, Choun It proved TO be remarkable
only for saccn.rfne inspidity. sentimental pati-
tude tumid commonplace, and 'prunes and
prisus" text OF the most affective character Miss
Calhoun's elocutlon,-which naturally. could not
escape from the vapidity of her theme flowed
gently for two pensive hours, in dropping. die
away cadences and the ripping accents OF infanue
pattle. In occasional moments Of authorita-
sys assertion, and in one moment or
something remotely like eccentric humor,-
When a policeman had smet the odor OF
fish upon a ring-it became lambently piquant:
and at these points in spite OF trepidation. and
notwithstanding a deplorabe makeup the intrepid
performer revealed dramatic talent that. prob
ably would be effective, in ngenue character. on
the regular stage. Miss Calhoun. It was evident,
could be arch demure. and playful. as well as sor-
rowfully sweet. Her chief disability as speaker
Is a certain tame infiexibility. She evnced. like
wise the common propensity of speakers-which Is
10 clip words The word presence" became
"presunce" and the word bridal became "bri-
die" This sort Of imperfection however. is not
very strange, for. in 2ths period, scarcely any
actor male or female. pronounces correctly: few
players for instance. seem TO know that the WORD
won't" should be pronounced "wunt."
For the purposes of a public entertainment
"sakuntala" is distinctly impractcable. and 1t
would be cruelty and not kindness. TO counsel Miss
Calhoun 10 continue her recitals OF It before the
miscellaneous audiences Of America The heroine
Is more plaintive than the April rain and meeker
than sheep Woman. in art like woman In life,
must conquer II she conquers at ALL by the opulent
beauty that enchants the senses at the same time
that IL thrills the soul. Her weakness is one
source OF her power, but her weakness must not
dy,ndle 10 inanity The Daughters Of the Revo-
luton received Miss Calhoun with serious attention
and thoughtful kindness. Demonstrative ardor
would moi appear 10 be one OF their many virtues,
but their display of hat plumes was at once
copous and cheerful The hall was fun; the incl
dental music played by Mr.. Henry Holden Huss.
was delicious: and Miss Calhoun merited ana re-
ceived much congratulaton on her resolute per
~ dff1cLlt W. W.