The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-16

in Nathan Hale" the stirring play
to be produced at tho Academy to-Inor-
TOW night, Mr.. Clyde Fitch, the author,
has given his countrynen a pretty, ten
der version of as heroic an enterprise as
we shall find in the pages Of our history.
II Is the Sanest, sweetest lesson in pa
triotiSm we have had in a long time ana
IN these days when patriotism is hawked
about the market-place. to have MADE
81 beautiful and fine once moro is TO
have done something for ones country.
Nathan Hale" appeals equally to the
man in the gallery and to the woman
in the parquet, and no parent could COM
hine instruction and amusement for his
son or daughter in u greater degree IMAM
by taking him or her to witness TINS
beautiful play. Nathan Hale is not mere
~ a string of effective incidents. IT
brcathes throughout an undercurrent OF
love and patriotism. 1t is wholesome and
inspiring. 1t is calculated TO stir within
us all the ncble abstract qualities IN !1u-
man nature. II is an object-lesson OF the
subiimity of self-Sacrifice. But not alone
does it appeal to the heroic of our ma
ture. 1t is at the same time deHghtluiiS
divcrting in its clements of iishtsomc
comedy, and its beautiful love scenes
are IS fascinating as is the somDre pa
taos of its tragedy. The atmosphere OF
the revolutionary days is faithfully pre-
served BY atmosphere is meant mat
subtle something that makes stage TAP
leaux seem actual. that effaces the pros
cenium arch and lets in the blue OF heaE-
on. We seem to see the real people no-
ing and suffering, loving ana halls,
fighting and talking as they DO ABOUT US
in our own lives The playwright needn,
preach, but If he can stir mems souls
with noble thoughts and inspire his hear
crs to noble deeds without their realiz-
ing that he is playing upon them. sure
y he deserves well Of mankind
Such a task has Mr.. Fitch accomplished
81 Nathan Hale and the company That
will give body to his work have been
selected with especial view TO thelr
aptuess. Its calibre is apparent in the
fact that Mr.. Howard Kyle and Miss
nsunctte Comstocll play respectively the
title role and that Of Alice Adams, the
sweetheart Of the young martyr spy
whose legacy to postcrity, Il only regret
that ] have but one life TO lose for my
country.'' is familiar to every child.
FAIR ESTIMATE OF M'GONIRN-
The appearance in this city at the Acad-
envy next Wednesday in THE Bowery
After Dark" of Terry McGovern, serves
20 recall the fact that he is a phcnom-
enon From time immemoTial mankind
has manifested more than ordinary in
terest in persons who CxCelled their lei
lows in mental effort, in physical Prov
ess and i'll the heroic accomplishment.
no matter what attributes We're called
into play. a man who far eXcels his fel-
lows in his special achievement or who
so far excels them as to excite wonder,
ct the same time compels their adnira
ton, no matter what his achievements
may be.
Terry NIcGoyern, the 1.-THE, sinewy,
and Justly styled the terrible boxer, has,
by his remarkable achievements, chal-
lenged the attention of all classes OF peo-
ple including statesmen, politicians, pro-
fessional men, college professors and
medical men. who are really amazed at
the qualities OF the man which has won
for him unprecedented success III his
chosen field of action. He has quickly
reached the topmoSt round of the lad
der of fame in his chosen field of ac-
ton, and so far overtops his fellows as
10 really dazzle the vision of his admir-
erE.
Because this lad is a boxer the conclu-
sion cannot be reached that he easily
leads his fellows by the triumph of mus
Gle and so far overtops his fellows as to
really dazzle the vision of his admirers.
There are thousands of brawny boxers
whose muscles are knotted like iron tongs
who could not for a moment Withstand
this mere STRIPPING, the lightning glance
OF whose eye and the quick Steam OF
whose mentality directs the swift blow
of his hand while his duiler witted and
muddy melted adversaries are losing by
,be slower method of calculation of their
opportunity.
In fact. Terry McGovern is king of his
class. lust as Paderewski is king OF the
uiano. and as Sembrich and Cave are
queens OF song. What he has TO do he
does better and r-ore effectively than any
living man. and that is one OF the reasons
why he is iustlr entitled to be recognized
as a worlds wonder. After all, 1t IS
mind. rather than muscle, which has
placed the STRIPPING upon the pinnacle OF
fame. and thus is again demonstrated
that in feats Of physical 9ro"esS mere
muscular effort counts for little, II any
thing. unless directed by mentality. ne
mind triu!nphs over muscle always, but
mind and muscle in conjunction are pref
~ hard things to Withstand.
AT THE BIJOU.
A biu Of good vaudeville features will
liz the attraction at the BiJoG tins week
There are acts direct from successes III
IN. New York, Boston and Philadelphia
yaIl5aviIle theatres. and there is not one
mat has not been red and found not
wanting. Most CT the acts are new, in
fact there VIII not be an act on The pro-
pramme that is old, for every one of them
will contribute new stun
The Bunth and Rudd Company was i'm
ported some months ago by Keith as an
European novelty, and The efforts of the
entertainers did not disapnoint Mr., Keith
or the patronage Of his theatres. After
filling d long engagement over the Keith
circuit. the manager Of the quartette of
iigh-la.ss artists had no trouble booking
al the leading vaudeville houses md the
Biou comes in that class The act is, in
deed. one of the leading features OF vau-
de.-ile It is made up OF pantomime work,
toe dancing. magic, Juggling, illusion. and
10 present IT some mechanical figures are
used The actors are helped out by train
cd dogs.
The Meekcr-Baker Trio acknowledged
to he the very best comedy and interesting
acrnaatS on t;te American stage. are also
booked to appear. This trio has a record
second TO none. 1t Was featured at Il
broadway theatre for seven weeks and
changed its style every week. The act 10
he presented here viii he the best OF the
lot. Mr.. Meeker says. He has put all the
hest tricks together into one act. and
promises to give the hit OF the BILL
Glance to work hard