The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-07-16

a thrill OF exquisite GiIberteAn pain TO their
perceptions.
You can pick out lot Of our PLAYER people
men and womcn-who have not only achiered
success but have managed to steer clear Of the
rocks that crown the waters through which
>hips must pass on their way home
And in the whole human garden you cannot
hnd people more intelligent truly cultured
charming, Interesting. and companionable
Ihey have none q the ape-like tricks picked
up ut dancing schools or in bathrooms, that pass
,or polish IN these days Of etiquette books and
high hand Shakes
They are not quick to express unsind
thoughts; they arc able to give their individual
opinions without conforming; their views arc
tempered by broadness which in lis charity
seems next to godliness, for it takes in not only
the unjust but the iust-who are more unforviy-
able always than the sinners
| suppose that Father Ducey in his clerical
role could not feel justified in throwing any gar
lands at the feet Of Thespis.
But | think actors Just a little better
and even when they bad, they're better
than lots of folks | know. And there's no
string to that opinion, either.
There is no definite method of deciding
whether this choice bit of fooiishness
comes from the heart or the head OF THE
Matinee GirP'-whether her boastful pow
ers were brought to bear for the sake of
an admired profession or as a matter of
tact. Though belief in the latter theory
rerews ones respect for Miss Masterdon
IL does not put the article itself in a more
favorable light. Without going to the ex-
IRENE of saying what Clement Scott said
of actors about year ago. and what Miss
Bates infers. 1t is possible to remark that
stage people are not exempt from the
greater vices OF everyday life, while no
toriously we'll stocked with the petty
faults which are more disagreeable. This
being true, the Girls" attempt 10 IDEAL
ize the votaries of Thespis can only seem
ridiculous.
The childishness. the triiing jealousy.
the egoism, the sc2nt sincerity, and, above
all, the narrowness of a generality of play
ers has too often been commented upon,
both in and out of the sacred circle, 10 be
hidden with sheet of paper and Thin
bleful of ink. The most that has ever
been claimed in extenuation OF these traits
is that their possessors are so continually
in the glare of public existence that they
are more noted than their fellow-ereatures.
That this accounts for variety of the IN
kind and ignorant things urged against
the profession, there can be no doubt
but it is true, too, that the aforesaid
glare coupled with the services of an oc-
casional press agent, also magnihes the
generosity and kindred virtues of which
its members are capable. That the univer-
sal tolerance TO which Miss Masterdon re-
fers is too often the result of need for
tolerance is perhaps due 10 the rather sin
gular conditions prevailing in stage af-
fairs. while the supericiaiity and lightness
of conversation usual in theatrical quarters
convinces one that, though highly cducat-
ed and carefully cultured actors are by no
means rarity. they are not more readily
found than their equals in other walks.
And when Miss Masterdon remarks that
they are not quick 10 express unkini
thoughts, they are able TO give their indi-
vidual opinions without condemning." and
the rest of II, she betrays her unfamiliar
ity with -the-theatre meetings, even
as she shows 4 slightly confused knowl-
edge of botany in her beautiful smile
about the rose in the mire.
It is not the intention of The Tim to
speak against the members of The pro-
fsssion," or, indeed, to interest itself in
whether that profession is what 1t ought
to be or rot. No man of common intel
ligence will be slow TO recognize that there
are fine, clever fellows, and good, able
women in the business-that the standard
of intellectually On the stage is as high
as in any other branch of labor to which
intellect is necessary. But The Times
does not think that the way TO establish
this fact is by senseless gush, and it
does not mind expressing the opinion that
tiously attempts to defy actors and ac-
tresses she comes dangerously near con-
versing through portion of her outdoor
apparel that cannot be mentioned without
descending to the use Of slang.
Daisy Siddons. local actress who has
achieved considerable success in her pro-
fession, is spending a few weeks with
her mother at their home in Georgetown.
Miss SiddonS mt in last sea son with a
well-known repertoire company, and is
now busy preparing herself for the ex-
tended range Of important parts in which
she is soon to be seen.
Among the Washington p ayers summer
ing here at present is Al Stern, the mimic.
who came from New York last week, and
will remain unit! late in August AS an
nounced in Sundays Times. the entertain
er will act as advance agent for Hurtig &
SeaMon this winter
Sol Goldsmith, one of the comedians
of the Biiou Stock Company, is just now
located at Colton's Point, Md. He will
return to this city in time for the opening
of Manager Grieves' popular little house.
by Wits outwitted," which is the nama
CT very Well-known play, would be an
admirable title for a genuine comedy ii
which William bramwell, Eugene Blair
leading man, aaL star part not long az,
Oddly enough, that particular role Was
hardly a heroic one and il ultimately
showed up the actor in light so ride
ulous that he only escaped the funmaking
of his colleagues by the expenditure of a
considerable sum of money in the contents
of the bowl which cheers and also incbFi-
ates. Incidentally the impromptu piece
proved that, despite the stories frequently
seen in the New York papsrs, all natives
of the virgin soil do not blow out the gas
and call for assistance when they are Put
in elevators. But 10 the plot
Last season Mr.. Bripweil and Miss Blair
were touring the country il a repertoire
OF excellent dramas. On the route they
followed was little town which fer cen
venience's sake may be called Evansville.
but which really bears no sUch cognomen.
| The organization took i cursory glance
about the place and then retired en- masse
to the one hotel the burg afforded. With
the exception OF Mr. Bramwell and another
member of the troupe they all went to
their rooms. the two gentlemen taking
seats in the lobby. Hardly had they lighted
their cigars when third individual aP-
preached. He was long, lank. guileless
locking party, who were cowhide boats
and a broad felt hat. The players knew
by instinct that he was also prominent
citizen and rose to greet him.
The stranger introduced himself in a
! few words He was the deacon of a near
| by church and its congregation was at
that time engaged in holding series Of
reyivals He had recognized Mr.. Bramwell
as one of the visiting combination and
feeling sure that many who attended the
performance one night would gladly go
to meeting" the next, wished to know if
| some parsonage connected with the stroll