The times., 1899-11-05

brain for a single evidence of insanity in
his friend, remembered that "Trilby' and
its promoter had remained here two weeks
some seasons since. Thomas E. Shea fatty
contradicted the allegation that he was
wrapped in wet sheets after playing Or.
Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde" though not until
the prescriber of the treatment had sug
gested that he pose in a disOrdered mind
and dampened bed linen for the bensfit Of
a delegation of Indianapolis reporters.
But, after all, these anecdotes are harm
less bits of imagination that contribute
greatly TO the gaiety of nations without
injuring anyone. They are not near.y. so
deplorable as that class of matter used for
the exploitation of persons who have no
business to be exploited. When James K.
Hackett decided upon leaving a meteor
track across the heavens and the week
stands he found himself obliged TO procure
leading woman His wife Mary Man
neringss was .unayailahe5 and N ram Nes-
bitt. who had been with him in 'tThe Tree
of knowledge" had given the critics
boundless opportunities for hitting at the
aforesaid Tree, George Washington like.
with their little hatchets. Confronted with
this state of affairs, Mr. Hackatt became
frank. He introduced to the public an
actress nanied-pronOuRce loosely-Jobyna
Rowland. He practically said: Il Lave
engaged Miss Rowland for the 70 e of the
Princess FlaYia in Rupert of Hentzau.
She cannot play the role of the Princess
Flavia. Candidly, l do not believe that
she can play at all. But Charles Dana Glib
son used Miss Rowland for his model in
drawing illustrations for the book. She
looks the part So the reviewers, con-
scious of Miss Howland's histrionic limi
tations. took Mr. Hacketts word and told
how much the hedgIlng resembled the
lady of Zen5la. The star was correct in
his estimate OF his Cpposites abb ity. She
couldn't act and she didn't learn. But she
was accepted as the right and p. opet per-
son for the Princess because she had posed.
And fortnight ago Mr.. Gibson, who must
have suffered an evening OF Rupert,
made a statement in which he denied that
Miss HoWiand had ever been the original
Of his work. Which removes the last yes
tige OF excuse that individual ever had for
being on the stage.
Other examples Of this sort are not want
ing. but they are not so many as are those
of the actors who are their own press
agents. Absolutely unrivaIed in this spe
cialty is Richard Mansfield, whose genius
as an advertiser has been the wonder and
admiration of countless thousands. Mr..
Mansfeld's Feasibility, his eccentricity, and
his many pecuIiarities have been worth
fortune to him. Without them he might
never have been known, save as a very
clever character man. For a dozen years
Mr. Mansfields varied insanities were
thought to be warranted simon pure, guar
anteed genuine and all limitations spuri-
Gus" Then came the sad awakening Peo-
pie who would have expected any but
Saturday night performance of DIR. Jekyll
and Mr. Hyde" to be followed by the stars
lapsing into gibbering idiocy, beheld Mr..
Mansfield in those parts on Wednesday
Thursday -Friday-any evening that was
convenient Several took up their newspa-
pers the mornings after with a shuddering
premonition of such headlines as Mans
field in a Padded Cell or Mansfield Nov
ed to Madness" but were invariably dis
appointed The ''Jekyll and Hyde" cell
was spelled with an IS" Next the divine
Richard was so improved in strength that
with great courage and resolution, he was
enabled to take curtain calls after the
play without leaning on a valet. and fin
ally even his gasping was forgotten. So
are all things possible with the aid OF
master minds.
For every person who awhile ago left
the National with the remark that Mrs,
Leslie Carter was superb in the fourth act
Of 'Zaza," ten had something to say about
her appearance Wneu she bowed her dc
acknowledgement for the subsequent applause.
Her portrayal was judged because of its
apparent effect, just as weewalkers be-
come more admirable as the wire is ele-
waited. Mrs. Carter certainly looked worn
out. when, painting and sobbing. she re-
sponded nightly to the calls of the Cudi-
ence. And yet there is a strong probhbllf-
ty that David Belasco was responsible for
a great deal of his protege's uncomfortable
grief. Wilton Lackaye used to be subject
- the same attacks in "Dr. Belgraff," g" and
even e. s. Willard was not ayerse to oc-
casional palpitatiou of the heart. Sir Hen
~ Irving's mannerisms Joseph Jeffer-
sons deauship, Mrs. Kendars matronli-
ness. Louis Mann's ambition, May Irwin's
real estate. Aaude Adams weakness, and
Viola Aliens dislike for short skirts have
all served their purpose. Nor does it seem
to have mattered either that Mr. Mann's
press agent was The first to laugh at his
stars "big -headedness'' or that Miss AL
lens own tour so effectuaIly initiated her
modesty that in The Christian" she ac-
cepted the very abbreviated garments
which she refused in "Phroso"
In the vaudeville houses managers do
not attempt to conceal their manipula-
ton OF audiences. When a performer has