New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-24

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n1no' 1t only is so because it shows how sadly d
clever man misuse his talents under the mis-
taken notion that he is showing Intellectual power
ana ema nc1patins the stage from the letters OF
convention when he disdans the restraints OF
artistic propriety and defes the laws of taste
laws which prescribe not suea mishness not tinid-
tty, not hypocrisy cowardice, but dignity, re-
nnement and decent reticence. in treating the
paser passions of mankind. It is useless, however
10 discuss this subject any further. 'Ephraim Is
welded to his idols" and welded he Will remain
Persons who think that the private life and pain
ful experience of a demrep Gor that is the true
name for it, putting all Sophistry asidel' coh
stitute fit subject be set forth in work OF
art and considered and canvassed by a theatrlcai
audience, will accept and commend MI f1heIo :
play. On the other hand there extant re"
believers in something better few who think thdI
the province of art Is the ministrstion or beauty
that the first principle Of art is seIectioh' 'id
Nature is not synonymous with garbage; ana
that the need of society. at every turn, Is pros
pect of loveliness that cheers of happiness 'hal
delights, of goodness that encourages, OF sweet
ness that renes and of the nobility to be en1udte
rather than the depravity TO be Stunned PS '+io
believers-''poor remains of friends. IT'S VIII
be condemned it ought to be; for 1t IS a as
credit to its able author, disgrace 10 goo" III
erature. and blight upon the stage
For hstrionic purposes Iris is a good part.-oeins
that Of ardent, mpetuous, nervous, capricloi'
volatile woman, living exclusively in the senses,
everywhere and nowhere. by al sorts OF cohhicl-
ing impulses and emotio IS. In the scenes nc
have been adroitly provided for her display '"
is abundant opportunity for her to vtbrate between
antagonistic feelings; to vacillate between rI'ai
lovers to treube in commissions of passion: ana TO
dissolve in floods of woe. Miss Virginia Harneo
an actress Of conventional method, and apparehlls
Of somewhat splenetic temperament, appearing III
the character of Iris, made measuraoly e1ectiNe
use of this opportunity, displaying the person.
alfty without inpressing It; making it known
without making 1t felt. This often happens WHEN
the emotion the part exceeds that OF the pldSet-
Iris is all tremor; never Intellectual never
never sensible; a something that hovers between
sentiment and MYSTERIES framed to bring trouole on
herself and everybody else Acted at the pest shs
might be ptiable Miss Harmed. VINO Is afS'H
but tremor can be credited with having Hiao0 III
moderately interesting. 1t might perhaps DC oue-
gested however. that excitement Is not pasS4oA'
that vehennence is not abandonment: that
&c NOT no1,er- and that rasping tones and violent
gestures are detrimental to pathos. 1t was onlS
necessary to observe the shallow dfIliiCI"i Ut
rneanor of the actress. in the love scenes Vi az
one and in the parting scene OF ACT LII &C, -
know that the part. vehicle lot leeliiis a ~,
pathy is beyond her reach she was DesI -.
her gentle level speaking and in her expression u
abject despair. .,,
There is nothfne remarkable in the acting OF MI
Oscar Ashe as Nationwide. The part presents "
difficulties being merely that Of a senSual VI
whose aspect and manners are thlniy Ne"eoto ~ :,
superficial polish and who lives for peasuit. IN,
animal is frequently encountered In actual ne. ~
he has long been familiar figure on ile
The i'll employment upon which the dralnd'iS' no
set him is the seduction OF a weak, frlFoous' Ut,
principled helpless woman, crime coneeIlidl VIZ"
his propensitfes and readily perpetrateu' ne -
has to be burIy. jocund. aggressive CRAFTY s'
sual common, mean, and furious llS 49, -,
ia straight. and 1t ends IN
.,5 roIs, expIosion Anybody can play MaidohaHo
who can play anything. Mr.. Ashe plaYed 1t vi
we'll especially in the moments OF le"dhssS '
craft and in the crash of the final caIdS'toln-
strcss is laid upon the momentous TACT that '''S
actor was imported for the sake OF TINS 'icnIe,
r,ent II seems A pity that any respec'doIe SEN
man should be constrained to make hiIhse'A l'
~ oiious and II is he hoped that MI 1NS"7'
n,bo meantime. has thoroughly funliea ms Pto
fessionaI duty-will have occasion 10 manifest mo
talents in something above the level o' d s"l'',
Miss IIilda SporE has part that Is un"oi ',iS
her ability but even in this sketch she comps
al the other women of the play In disthc'ioh anu
j., sneech Other feeders are presented oy WI
ttorbert Ross and Miss Louisa Drew Inc hoNS7
was crowded The play, Of course. VIII nav d
car,er for experience has amply proved that thisS
Of This bad kind are popular and that theie i ~
,,,b1,c oninion in America to restrain OF even !"
pubic 'I -. 90 tbe stage W. W.