The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-03

tune to be at the studio when Miaco and
Morris, who had realized on the groupings
far beyond their fondest expectations. pre-
scented Mr.. Morgan with a smoking set,
in which was concealed a $500 bill. Miss
Stanton says the artists discovery Of this
substantial appreciation, when the mana
gers had left. was one of the most touch
ing scenes she has ever witnessed.
Several days ago Jerome Sykes. the star
OF the Klaw & Erlanger Opera Conn any,
received communication in verse from
young man in Baltimore. who sought a
place in the chorus of the organization.
Mr.. Sykes Immediately responded that one
as bright as the writer appeared to be
could do better for himself by writing
lyrics for other choristers to sing. Here
is part of the juggling epistle:
Who is it knows who's done decd before it's
been commtted7
Whose bullying brain has yet to be by criminals
outwitted?
Who 10 surpasses Sherlock Holmes he may be
styled killer"
Poor fooll 1t is the master mind. A duplicate
your scarcely find of Ferret Foxy CUTLER.
"Who." Foxy cries. with iyric-like look, ..pre-
to write the rhyme?
o
time?
No than he signs his name, /. deep and
subtle. CUTLER,
viii say this note was written by the ono whose
name ! here espy. All! right again; tbs
From one who would fain secure a Job
in the capable chorus which surrounds the
scintillating star and dauntless, dare-dev
il, death-defying dude detective. Foxy
Quiller-James Miller, 2106 Oak Street,
Baltimore, Mr..
1t is a peculiar fact to note that in both
literary and dramatic circles, certain
books and plays that afterward achieved
the greatest successes, were those which
in common parlance went begging from
publisher to publisher, and from manager
to manager. In the dramatic field whole
list Of plays could be named that became
the great success Of their season, and
that first made the rounds from one man.
ayers Office to another, until finally one
was found who would risk presentation.
When one realizes the immense popular
success of "Quo Vadis' Henryk STEM
kiewicz's novel. which is now called i'm
mortal" it does MOI seem possible that
as a book and play this achievement
almost shared like fate, particularly
when one considers that as a book, the
sales in this country alone amounted to
over a million copies and that as a play
as produced by Whitney Knowles,
which. by the way, will again be seen in
this city at the Columbia Theatre this
week-it has been presented for over
performances, and that over
million and a half of people are estimated
to have witnessed it,
Eut first as to the history of the story as
a novel: 1t was just about five years ago
hot ~ lfsha vaf
from jeremiah Curtain. then in South
the translation of the story of
Quo Vadis" which had been running
seriaIly in a magazine in Poland. Curtain
was the authorized translator of Sien-
kiewicz, and this firm was the natural
publishers. Quo Vadis" was sent to them,
as his previous novels of the Fire and
Sword" series had been The publishers
are frank to admit that they published no
greater an edition OF this book than they
did of SienkiewicZ's other novels. 1t
was sent to them and published by them.
as a matter of course, the same as any
other of his novels would have been. 1t
was put forward without any blare of
or the advertising that has
lately been SO much introduced by book
publishers. The great reading public,
however. decided the fate of the work.
and 1t was put through edition after edi-
ton. The book was first published in this
in the fall OF 1896. America was
the first Of any English-speaking country
in the world in which 1t appeared. and II
was published here simultaneously with
its book form in Poland.
The history of the play OF Quo Vatis'
Ia Just as interesting. 1t was just two
years ago that the business manager of
that excellent actress. Julia Arthur, con-
eeived the idea of having the book drama
tized for Miss Arthur's use and for her TO
appear in the character of Lygia This
business manager had previously known
OF the excellent work Stanislaus STANCE
could perform in dramatizing novels
through his play OF Friend Fritz" made |!
from Erckmann-Ch atrian's novel of
"LAmi Fritz" He called on Mr. STANCE /,
one day and proposed the plan to him |
STANCE had never read Quo Vadis," but !
was interested enough to do so. Imme- |
diately he entered with love and ardor
into his labor, and his library became !
fairly knee deep with Roman history. Be-
fore commencing word of the play he |
had planted firmly and correctly the his |
torical surroundings of the period. The
dramatist became so engrossed with the !
subie,s that in five days after the subject (
was first preached to him he had finished !
a complete scenario. In the mean time, I
however, Miss Arthur had considered the |
10 PLAY Lygia, and she therefore arranged /
10 produce More Than Queen"
For one year thereafter STANCE carried |
he scenario of the play about with him.
md almost every manager along Broad
way knew of it, but did not produce 1t for
me reason or another, until finally 1t
anne into the hands Of Mr.. F. C. Whit
icy. who had produced in such a lavish
manner STANCES opera of Brian Boru."
7
II staging plays. he gave to Quo Vadis'
me of the most elaborate productions ever
,iven to any play in this country, and the
enormous success il met with is now
mere matter OF stage history.
"Quo Vadis" was first produced upon |
my stage ct McVicker's Theatre Chicago.
year ago last November and it's success
vas so instantaneous that in addition 10
he regular evening performances, matt
lees had 10 be given almost every day-an
lmost unheard OF thing in theatricsls. The
'iece was first produced at the New York
theatre last May, simultaneously with its |
at the Adelphi Theatre, Lon
on. In America Mr.. Joseph Haworth.
vho will again be seen in the role OF VIM.
ius, in this city this week, was the ORR
-nal of the character. and in England Mr..
robert Taber played the part.
Few people realize the immense amount
I labor Lieutenant Santelmann has expert
need in the organization and drilling OF
he Washington Philharmonic Orchestra,
which will give its second concert this
vening at the Columbia Theatre The
uccess that attended the first concert evil
erced the splendid material of the or
hestra and the unusually large amount of
xcellent musical talent there is in this
ity.
There is no apparent reason why the