The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-06-08
No One Thinks Of Placing Them
in Hall of Fame.
DOES NOT UNDERSTAND
In Foreign Countries They Are
Welcomed In Society.
Gossip of Interest About Actors
and Their Work.

In this country there is not much
social or official encourag cement for folk
connected with the stage
Actors earn a good living, a few o.
then wealth-Lotta, the two Josephs.
Jefferson and Murphy-nothing more.
Mr.. Irving ana Mr. Bancroft We're
knighted by Queen Victoria. Doubtless
when his new seat on the throne be-
comes easy King Edward Will lay his
sword over the heads Of other players
George Alexander, Reerbohm Tree
maybe even the Princes old friend
John L TCOle.
IN France Edmond Rostand has
been elected to the Academic. partly
by his own merits, partly by the efforts
of Sarah Bernhard. What one or our
dramatists IS an immortal2 What In
huence would an actress exert in his
canvass for election
AS DR.. Depew said. in his address the
other day that our new Hall Of Fane
contained the names Of men who dis
tinguished them selves in all the walks
of life-eXcepr one. Actors might. with
propriety, be included among the ranks
of artists, educators, preachers or in
ventors, but no recognition is given TO
them in our American Academy Of I'M
mortals.
Yet no man or woman in this country
came into more fame than was earned
by Edwin Booth and Charlotte Cush-
man. These players had more influence
divines or the most graceful poets.
They had a celebrity not confined to
their own land, but extended to Europe
If it were a n ere question of fame,
the Booths, Wallacks. Hackett and
Cushman should have panels in the
Hall.
Instead Of honorable renown, our
actors must be content with often UNI
enNfable notoriety.
Here is Edna Wallace Hopper, for ex-
ample A lovely and modest young per
son this with graces of mind equal to
her charms OF person She has upllfteu
into celebrity not only her own name.
but that of her late husband. In racing
beauty, dramatic and musical circles
she has won reputation. Yet she cannot
buy out a matinee for q beneficent pur-
pose of giving her comrades a holiday
without somebody doubling the authen-
ticity of the affair and setting it down
to advertising
Players regard themselves with I'M
common gravity Even Nat Goodwin
reaches from the depths of farce into
dram attic literature, believing that all
the world wonders over his Shylock. It
does. but not in the way that Mr. Good
win anticipated.
Even sword swallowers consider
themselves professional men. There is
esprit du corps among freaks
Pride in their profession rules all our
performers. From Jean de Reszke down
to Sam Bernard entertainers think we'll
of their separate methods of expression
and maintain that the public should
consider them as seriously a. it does
doctors. lawyers, soldiers, painters and
nOvelists.
But it doesn't In this country we
regard every one of them as in some
sense a curiosity. Their lives. their
loves, their aspirations and their adven-
lures, their marriages and achieve
ments are amusing to us
One day last winter a Metropolitan
prima donna came to The Press man
with tears in her eyes over a somewhat
fr-a~H ,-ar
had appeared.
Why do you smile2" she cried indig-
nantly.
Because that's nothing"
Nothing to make fun Of art2''
1T is not art, it is the artist. In Amer
lea we regard the arr seriously, but the
artist seldom. if ever
Bar barOusi" said she.
TRUE enough" said he. This coun-
try is bubbling over with good humor-
We are a working people and cannot
avoid being amused by folk who come
upon the stage to amuse US. We like
you first rate. We pay you handsomely,
and we are much diverted by you That
IS the end Of the matter No public per
former has ever succeeded in making a
deep impression in the heart Of the
American people
1T is a brute Of a country said she.
TT gives big salaries said he I'VE
pay for our wr'stle.''
Last week the inhabitants Of a Long
Island village held an informal mass
Of certain OF their cottages to stage peo-
pie A prima donna Of music comedy,
one Of the Tell Afe-Pretty- AIaidens of
'Florodora" and leading actresses in
tend to pass their vacation in that ham
folk.
Instead OF Directing to the visit Of
talent and beauty this village ought to
get out the local band and make ora
tons upon the green in welcome to these
fair performers
The prinla donna is famous for her
eomeAnesss the chorus girl is popular
on account of her yivacious tempera-
ment. the star actress is celebrated for
skill and good looks.
Even the malicious and unbridled
tongue Of SANDER never has uttered a
whisper against the personal character
ct any Of these young women. There IS
no harm in them. There is much whole
someness in them. and wit and learn
ing. music and anna bilfty.
a country village is a duh place Why
then, does this Long Island hamlet OBJ
leet 70 be enlivened and enlightened
made beautiful and graceful by these
performers
One summer this writer spent his holt
day on Cape Cod. The hotel was high
priced and exclusive Boston folk filed
IT, Ali went we'll until Jennie O'NeiI
Potter came down to give a benefit per
formance in aid Of some local charity.
Thereafter Back Bay freezing. The
maids and nlatr0ns remained in speech
less Indignation at the intrusion Of the
humorist into their charmed circle. A
leper could not have been more rigorous
~ oStracized. Yet Jennie was worthy |
little woman. who did much good in the |
world
Richard Mansfield. it is said. had a /
similar experience in the CaEskflis So /
clally we have nothing TO do with either 1
the highest or lowest of entertainers.
This is an error. Actors are interest /
ing people to study. and no i'll comes /
from their company. II the readers OF /
the Press get an opportunity to become I
acquainted with d reputable player this
summer they viii find his conversation i
agreeable and his conduct decorous