The Saint Paul globe., 1900-05-01

nature, the human nature that is con-
ceived and born in the gutter, raised on
the streets, starved, oppressed and then
suddenly endowed with supreme power,
and eager to use that power remorse-
lessly. Robespierre Is the man that has
aroused that awful passion. He has let
loose the wild beast, and, for while, ap-
parently, has tanned 1t. But he is al
ways Robespierre, the keeper. One eye
on the erouening, fawning thing. The
other on the whip. Such poor, power
less whip, when the beast is at length
aroused, only his more dominant mind,
that Is after all only a shade stronger
than that Of the thing he would SUBJ
1ugate.
The entire play is climatic horror, as
1t were. The scene In the forest Of Mont
morency commences 1t. Robespierre's lit
tie fete that he has arranged for his
landlord and friends in the foreground; +;
In the background the screams Of his
wife and niece. who are being arrested
for being royalists. The next is IN the
court yard Of the Prison Port Libre.
where noble men and women whose only
crime Is their high lineage, show the world
that though they are ladies and gentle
men they can die like men and women.
so this one sacrifices himself for the
friend who bears the same name as HIM
. self; this one gaIlantly pauses before he
or some fair lady; this one pauses a min
ute to make last move in a game of
CARDS. And among them all there IS but
one coward. Robespierre's wife and niece
are among the prisoners, he unconscious
or their identity. The next scene, the
Place de la Revolution, Paris en- fete. the
tr1eolors everywhere and the notes of La
Marselllalse" stirring every ones blood.
1t is probably the best scene that has
CT
Historically correct and full Of stirring
life! Robespierre more than ever the
demagogue, Is there, and here his son de-
nounces him, and, ignorant of their re-
lauonsh1p, the dictator sends him to his
DOOM Then comes the sitting room IN
DupIay's house. Such neat bit of irony
1t Is, too. The homely interior. the light.
warmth and fawning friends. Outside
theories Of the mob, and, fainter, the wall
OF the condemned. Robespierre's son Is
Drought In, and one of the most tragic
scenes In the play is enacted 1t ends in
IrV1ng,s recognizing his son and a swiftly
executed plan to save him at all costs.
AGAIN the scene changes. Mother and
niece nave been released and brought to
place OF safety. There they are Joined
by Robespferre. The son has been ar
rested, and where he Is even Rebespferre
Is unable to say. Upon a sad meeting Of
mother there break the howIs of the
mob. The condemned are being hurried
to the place of execution. The trembling
covering man, the heartbroken mother
: stand before the window, fearing every
minute that they may see their son
among the numbered. The mother pleads
passionately for Robiespierre to declare
before the people that the young man Is
his son and must be saved, but though
h, u,
the coward. ''You are their idol. You
can save him They will do anything for
you, she entreats- YES" he answers
bitterly; but France has had other idols
Where are they?''
Then comes the scene in the prison of
the Conciergerte The son was not among.
the condemned. and the terror-stricken
father comes seeking him in the prison
The Jailer leaves him to continue the
search IN the cells and Robespierre is left
alone. For while he indulges in sad
soliloquy that grows maudIin and then
weird creatures begin to people the dusky
prison, the victims of the guillotine whom
the wTetched man had sent to their death
When the jailer returns he finds a maniac
The end is very near. Already his former
companions are plotting against the des-
pot, and finally he IS brought to bay In
the hail of the committee of public safety
son Hes in wait ready to shoot him II he
is acquitted Of a trumped up charge, and
the historian, more true to art than his
tory, has the wretched victim Of his own
blind ambition end # all with pistol
The curtain goes down on the waving ee
the trf-celors, the shouts of the mob and
the notes of La Marsefllainse."
There were repeated recalls for Mr.. Irv-
ing and Miss Terry and the latter made
a he
their courtesy.
They are supported by an excellent
company, and it would be invfdIous to
select any single one for praise. OF the
stars themselves the criticism might be
made of Irving. Aside from the peculiar
ity of his accent his voice shows his age
Its carrying power is poor.
Tonight, Nance Oldfield'' and "Fhe
Bells
"A CoEtented Woman" VIII be the at
traction at the Metropolitan next Thurs
day evening, and from present Indications
the engagement will be a record breaker.
GRAND.
In view of the very intense interest in
the present city election the Grand man
agement, with a view of catering to the
comfort and convenience Of the many
who desire to know the outcome as early
as possible, will have the returns read
from the stage between the acts. The
regular performance of Hello Bill'' will
be given, and, In addition thereto, there
will be provided vaudeville programme
of considerable interest. 1t Will be made
up by appearances of different members
of the company in vaudeville numbers
other than those they contribute to the
regular programme, also q clever casting
act by the Heroes brothers, and the ap-
pearance Of the well known musical ar
lists. Wolfe and Barrett. of this city. In
addition thereto Alex Heroes, the local
wrestler, will appear In an exhibition
contest with an unknown.
Next week at the Grand will be seen
George w. Monroe IN his latest comedy
success, Mrs. B. o 'Shaughnessy."