The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-11

style of William Winter. In the par icuIsr
case under discussion, however, the most
sensible part seems to be that taken By
the Telegraph" which followed the uni
! versal attack with an editorial. in which
IT said The intelligent and respectable
men and women of this city are quite cap
able of looking after themselves. 7f
When female virtue Is so frail a thing that
1t cannot withstand witnessing portrayal
of human passion by great emotional ar
tist. il is not worth the safeguards reces-
sary 10 its protection. Chastity needs no
chaperon." Washington has seen loss
unpleasant and more powerful plays than
"Sappho." but the denizaBs OF the CAPITAL
we're not irreparably injured white deter
mining upon the fact,
George Alexander produced Rupert OF
Hentzau' in London last Monday and the
scribes of that metropolis were anything
but evasive in their expressions of disap
proyal. The arguments set forward were
precisely those used in the review printed
in The Times when the piece done
here. The condemnation of this paper cost
ii the friendship of the theatre at which
James X. Hackett was appearing. and that
of the British dailies has so affected play
seers that Mr.. Alexander will withdraw the
offering. Which is one difference in the
effect of American and English criticism,
THE business of writing about the stage
and its people is irksome and thartIess at
its best. and no man can long pursue that
vocation in an intelligent and independent
spirit without concentrating upon himself
the malignant hatred of all the fools.
ounces. liars, and blackguards in the
land. William Winter.
1t is rather a singular circumstance that.
though the year has changed its caption
since his death. no one has proposed
monument to Augustin DAILY. the mos;
prominent American theatrical scholar of
his day. In London there are memorials
to line Of actors and managers. ranging
between David GarTick and Sir Augustus
Harris, yet. much loved and much honored
as was Mr.. DAILY ON this side Of the water.
he is remembered. seven months after his
demise. chiefly by the fact that house at
which is being given John Oliver Hobbs
comedy, still Is permitted TO bear his name.
The truth that New York and Philadelphia
and Washington are without testimonials
TO disciples of Thespis constitutes rather
an incentive than a precedent by which
10 stand II New York and Philadelphia
do not want the bust or statue. MI. Days
friends should be able to m .ster sufficient
influence to get II into a certain local
building, the walls Of which speak tribute
TO representatives of every known art
save that OF the player
Mary Hampton. the decidedly capable
woman who was last seen locally in ''Shen-
andoah.'' and who has been appearing in
the West with the Frawley Company, ha.
left that organization and returned to New
York The reason assigned is that the
actress in question was constantly subordi-
mated to Mary Van Buren,. q lesser member
of the troupe Inconceivable as this may
seem to those who know of the difference
in talent notable in the two. the matter
will be understood here, where. through the
spring. theatrecoers were kept wondering
why girl neither beautiful nor efficient
should be continually thrust forward.
After Miss Van Buren, had injured a per-
Torrance of ''Trilby'' and spoiled another
of "AlI the Comforts of Home" the. man
ager was asked his purpose IN retaining
her She draws the society people was
the reply. Miss Van Buren, may be draw
ing 1.-The society people On the Pacific
Coast and that fact may account for Mr.
Frawi-y preferring her TO a fiayer more
competent Society people however do
not pay the expenses Of conducting an
amusement enterprise. and the sllillfu
Washingtonian is. showing n marvellous
shortsightedness in sacrificing his better
workers to a single protege.