Evening star., 1901-11-09

to the theater for something and suppose
it was for displaying a 1886 pictorial ad-
vertisement; secondly. he was proven by
the whole record that he knocked the
show and was elected. So in 1886 as well
as In 1892 deadheads were ungrateful.'
1t is a curious fact, to which no apologist
for the drama has heretofore called atten-
ton. that the stage stimulates a curiosity
in an historical character more quickly and
more generally than does the library. This
fact is emphasized in the case of Monsieur
Beaucaire,' Booth Tarkington's successful
novelette,, now that Richard Mansfield has
made hit in the comedy of 'Beaucaire.''
So long as Beaucaire remained between
book covers it seems not to have occurred
to any one to ask who was this fascinating
Duke of Orleans. Now Mansfield has Illus
trated him with his dramatic arts much
interest has been generated in the cele-
brated prince.
Beaucaire is a fictitious name, and the
whole episode of the Duke of Orleans visit
to England and Bath is fictitious. He did
make visit to England, but not under the
circumstances elaborated in the delightful
comedy of "Beaucare." OF course If his
cousin, King Louis XIV, had insisted
disagreeable marriage he might have gone
out of the country, in the suite of the
Marquis de Mirepois, on the passports of
that nobleman's barber, for De Mirepois
was ambassador to England under Louis
XIV. Had he gone to Bath he would have
found Richard Nash, the great Beau Nash,
king of the social sovereignty, but his
friend, MoiyneauX, and the other beaux
and titled blades of the comedy may or
may not have been parties to the gayeties
of the watering place.
If, then, the Duke of Orleans was never
Beaucare, may we not say that Beau
eaire was Duke of Orleans? The Duke
of Orleans. the original of Mansfield's lat
est characterization, was Louis Philippe,
grandneplIew of Louis XIV and cousin Of
Louis XIV. His father was the celebrated
regent. He was born in 1928 in Paris.
When only twelve years old he was made
commander of regiment of infantry. He
was made lieutenant general when only
nineteen years old and had assisted at a
score of battles before he attained his ma
Jority. In view of this Beaucaire's eager
ness for contest with the foils, in the play,
is an amusing fiction, especially when he
Is made to say that though he has had the
finest master-at-arms to teach him and is
accounted the finest blade in Europe, he
has never had a fight in his life. But this
may be forgiven, as it brings on one of
the most amusing situations in the comedy
The nature of this prince seems to have
inclined rather to the refinements of peace
than the cruelties of war. He built a
theater at his country place at Bagnolet
and there he appeared in comedies with
his most intimate friends. He was a good
actor, 1t is said. Mansfield emphasizes this
in the third act, when Beaucaire or as
Lady Mary thinks him. the Duke of Cha
teaurien, s walking down the road in the
moonlight with the proud beauty and re-
cites some love verses by Moliere. He was,
of course, conversant with the lines of the
dramatist and probably acted many of his
heroes at Bagnolet
1t was a this dukes private theater that
Collie gave. in 1866, for the first time, the
'Partie de Chasse de Henri w. The
Beaucairp adj h
IN the reie of The Miller Michau. He pre-
ferred to play peasants or financiers
Grlmm, IN his correspondence, declaring
that he acted them with much naturaIness
and truth.
Attached to him as readers were Saurin,
Cole and Carmoutelle. The dramatic fes-
tlvities at Bagnolet became celebrated He
discovered the poetic genius of young LIE
Fevre and honored him with his prOtec-
tion: When LIE Fevre produced his tragedy
of Zuma the Duke of Orleans assigned him
, pension OF II 200. When the poet asked
under what obligations this placed him the
generous duke replied: None except to
work more and more for your own glory"
Ihough not the most conspicuous of the
many dukes of his celebrated house. he
died more regretted than any other His
| charities had been boundless, though they
were not generally suspected until he had
passed away
These are the facts. The Mansfield nor
trait Is, of course; wholly fictitious ex-
| cept that Beaucaire retains the Duke of
Orleans sense of humor his bravery ano
MS polish. his charm Of manner and innate
IOWA lotaoie aisposition. II Mansfieid's Beau
| caire is not what the Duke of Orleans was -
! says chronicler, ''he is all that great gen.
| tieman might have been and would have
been proud to be-
| Being in reminiscent mood the othe,
| evening Edward Hanlon, who is one of the
| creators of 'Superba" and who personally
| supervises its nightly production spoke ir
| a eulogistic strain Of several newspape,
| men whom it had been his privilege te
| know in the past and among them the late
| eugene Field. 1t was in Fields earle,
lays that he was connected with the Chica.
/ go Evening News, and this story serves tc
| show his humorous side-"a side that eve,
found uppermost" said Mr. Hanlon; ''his
| grave and sentimental side 1 only came in
| contact with through reading some Of his
beautiful poems. that no doubt needed the
| Inspiration of his home circle to indite.
1t was the habit at Christmas time fol
the proprietor of the paper to give each
| employe a turkey, and Field rather amused
| at the style of the gift. which reached print
| ers devil and editor alike, facetiously wrote
| few days before that 1t was incumbent
upon him to begin the new year with raj
| ment BETTING his station as political
| church and police editor of SO great a dali,
! as the News. and if the donor would kindly
| change his gift into new suit he, the SAID
/ ttid, Wodfu feef fnuCn ntteQ and also Dene
| fitted thereby. The proprietor receiving tn,
request replied in kind and also in spirit
| that his request would be granted, and OF
| Christmas eve box arrived with the suit
which the recipients of the turkeys request
| ed him to open. 1t contained, much t,
Fields chagrin, a striped suit borrowed
| from the warden of Joliet prison, and 1
| was the cause of much good-natured ban
| tering for many months after. Field hun,
| IL up In his sanctum. and one day a coun
| try editor visiting the office asked to Sc,
| Mr Field. Word was sent that the rura
scribe was on his way upstairs Fiel,
| quickly donned the striped suit, and whel
the provincial penciler came upon the seen
| Field. dressed In the striped suit, was OF
his knees busily engaged with q dustpal
and brush in gathering together the dus
around the stove. The country editor locke,
at him askance and was told on inouir,
that Field had just stepped out, but tina
he was trusty lent by the warden OF Jolie
| to Mr.. Field: that his crime had been mar
der In the hrst degree, but commuted +
imprisonment for life through influence
The editor from the country cut his yisi
| short and went home to write q four-col
| umn double leader on the intrigues OF pris
| on wardens In particular and parsimoniou
| editors In general. His articles created
stir. but not the kind that he had caiculate
| on. and when the full drift of the iole q
1 Iarp of nad nn