The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-07
sway of the woridv at Engli.h's.


One of Clyde Fitchis several plays de-
scriptive of a prosperous and frivolous
class OF society in Gew York city was
acted last evening az English's by Miss
Elsie De Wolfe and cher company. 1.-THE
Way of the World" Alike the other pieces
of Mr.. Fitch's series, consists in number
of episodes carefully designed to impress
the spectator with THAR fidelity to the de-
tails of the completely of the daily life
of the persons that constitute the smart
set of the metropolis of this country. Last
evenings assembly ir:. the theater was so
impressed. 1t gave Evidence of lively in
terest in spectacles OF sautomobiling in Cen
trail Park. of tea seIred on a table con-
structed like a cripples 5 wheeled chair, of
woman expertly mixslg a cocktail for a
man visitor, of an fvening musicale at
which the singers voice is half smothered
by the chattering Of the inattentive audi
ence. of the elaborate servility of func-
tionaries announcing guests and helping
them with their WRAPS, of the christening
of a baby born with a silver spoon in its
mouth by a bishop In s'estments and finally
OF flashing rockets Iartfng against the
black background OF Eight These proceed
ings are typical of what Mr.. Fitch and
those who produce hissplays regard as dra-
matte art. and, to be sure. such scenes be-
speak for their auth'.rs close observation
and patient reproduction.
Mr. Fitchs conception of the way of the
world Is shallow aT:i immature as is the
mind OF the commoIser that views with
envy from afar the activity of the silly
men and women thas spend their after
Moons and nights in tremendously foOling
away their time in drawing rooms. The
dramatist presents fortthe sympathy of his
audience reckless end weak woman.
Mrs. Croydon. that hsrts with brainless
cad and brings a great deal of trouble on
herself and her 1d, who is peculiarly
CfF nj haIn % Of fVer ell
OF the attachment btssween his wife and
the intruder. determines to go into poll
tics" a course that IL has been only de-
batting before he is given TO understand
that his wife Is looking elsewhere for anna
tory amusement. Going into politics ap-
pears through the plas as sort of spider
fascinating web. A Safeguarding news
paper. a political opponent OF Croyden's,
prints gossip that he sis not the father of
the child 10 which his swife has given birth
paign. The man that has been pursuing
Mrs Croydon and has slt last been repulsed
9y her confirms for veageful purpose Croy,
denS suspicion, whic& has been aroused
by the defamatory article. Whereupon
Croydon gets into bs5istly state of drunk
enness. stays out all night and in the morn
Ing bursts into the room in which his child
Is about to be christsned with his name.
The father shouts that this shall not be
and orders the guests cut OF the house. He
himself is taken away by friend. and
after having been so erred up he returns
70 his wife. falls on has knees and there Is
mutual forgiveness, Willie outside the street
crowd shouts that he l,as been elected Gov
ernOr OF the State OF New York.
Besides. there is CHEAT deal OF scandal
mongering by the vaS-ious personages OF
the play. and a mans and woman that
ioOiishly have been DIVORCED after having,
apparently. been fSolishly married. are
brought together agais by the noble Mrs.
Croydon. None of thA characters reveals
at any time the POSSESSION OF good sense
and they all are readyfto fly ut any time 10
the utmost extremityt OF recklessness on
the least hint of whs$ they consider in
ndeiity" No doubt f1ere is society OF
This sort in America sAs well as IN other
civilized portions of tthe globe. but the
nen and women COMPOSING IL are of very
little influence and arr hardly worth con-
sidering. The part tlsy play on earth Is
trayed on he stage should be in con-
trast to the strong ar.i true natures that.
however clumsily. are directing and work
ing out the destiny sof humanity. The
purposes and acts ois sound men and
women; the miseries into which they are
ZINES are rewarded, "a. when treated by
cr4matist OF intelligence and artistic will.
make dramas that inspire the auditor 10
oetter aims; the wea. 1ings whose affairs
e sir; Fitch has offered sln play-form inspire
ae'is amusement amfng the groundnngs
a1d disgust among ths sensible.
whether or not Mrt and Mrs. Coryden
ahu their married associates are true 70
matrimonial VOWS IL ! of no consequence
Nnateyer. for none of. them has the least
Ssaeeption or what tie best meaning Oh
sie Is. and their martial good or bad luck
u triviality, their oatffs taken at the altar
.. ne church disgrace 10 the intelligence
=, americans and ma fkind I'm general: IL
VII have further experience and that his
.1in4 viii be deve1ou.td 40 that he shall