New-York tribune., 1902-10-28
THE STAGE.
MORE REcoLLEcTIoNs BY CLARA
MORRIS.

STAGE coNFTDENcEs. TALKS ABOUT Ia1.,. RLAX-
i2mo pp. sl6. Lothrop Publishing Company
This is a book without ceremony. one does
not look in vain for some formal plan. because
one does not look for il at all. one chapter Is
as good as another for beginning. They are
short and detached, memories Of old perform
ances or tales comic and pathetic or actors
whose names are in some cases well known ana
sn others unknown even TO the author The
most deliberate part Of the book is group of
six chapters on the life Of an actress where the
stage is discussed as an occupation for women.
the epil Of extravagant costuming is held up 10
reproof the troublesome "masher" is declared
q nuisance. though harmless. and various other
phases of the life the stage displayed In
this part bf the book Miss Morris writes in A
way that rather counterbalanoes the warning to
''stagesruck' girls to remain at home. with
which she begins. But here she is defending
her calling from the misconceptions and preju-
dioes which seem destined never TO lose their
mold on many good people; and her enthusiasm,
never stilted. and discursive at every chance
Vhin. makes the reading of her pages more like
listening to the views and recolections of an
engaging talker She classifes the many ques-
lions put her about the conditions of life in the
theatre and the chances and dangers therein,
eral, she finds the fears and doubts Of the
''mammas and aunties" of young actresses i'll
founded. but she would not have any one adopt
the work except under the compulsion Of the
strongest devotion 10 the art
Some OF the most interesting passages in the
book are devoted to recounting the effects of
Miss Morris's acting, in important emotional
scenes, upon individual members of her audi
ences. On American audiences in the mass she
has this 10 say:
The characteristics they all share in common
intelligence and fairness-otherwise they vary
widely, have as many marked pecularities, as
would so many individuals. New-York and Bos
ton are the authorities this side of the Great
Divide while San Francisco sits in Judgment
by the blue Pacific.
Apostle. but often dsconcerting. iuterrup-
tions from the gallery make the sort Of anec-
dote of which she seems particularly fond. next
20 that which goes straight to the heart IN its
appeal. OF the humorous sort is the one about
Mr.. Parks. Of Dalys company. who was cast,
much 10 his disgust, in uncongenial part in
the play mo Name" A. one point he had TO
be found seated notionless at a table unheed-
sng the questions of his housekeepeI, who would
then lzneel al his side. lift his hand. and let
ting It fall heavily. exclaim in awed tones. He
IS dead" Miss Morris continues:
Now, there is no use denying that, clever
actor as ne was, ne was very, very bad IN thdI
part, and on the third night, when the house
keeper let his hand fall and said, He Is dead"
In clear and hearty response from the gallery
came the surprising words Thank Cod!
The laughter that followed not only long
continued, hut il broke out again and again.
There are. naturally. several glimpses of the
late Mr.. DAILY scattered through the book II
seems a matter Of course that he should COM
mand" star" who i'll 10 play a Satur-
day performance, on the ground that if the work
made her worse the physician would have all
day Sunday TO treat her in. His system Of for
feits for maintaining discipline elaborate.
Every one who signed with him subscribed to
AN astounding list of rules printed in fine type
all over the backs of his contracts There
were forfeits for being late. for stage wait and
for gossiping. and for the more psychological Of
fence or wounding a oompanion's feelings ''
There was forfeit for the worst offence of all
swing information to outsiders When reporters
We're pestering the company to break this r,,le
ana diVuige the significance of the title ,Arti.
cie - w. j. Lemoyne turned his manager
Ioloie TO account by explaining with some show
OF seriousness that the new play was a five ac,
ofanatzation Of the forty-seventh rule of DaIv,s
contract" my