Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1902-02-15

The best Of all medicines for ali humors.


Klaw aud Erlanger's original rrodu-
ton of ben Hur," with cast, scenery,
equipment, horses and camels, begins a
limited engagement al the Academy OF
Music, Baltimore. Monday. February
cath. This imposing spectacle is a ser
mon in varied speech, illustrated by art
and music. Its trend of suggestion is for
ward and upward. The curtain rises on
the tableau of the Three Wise Men in
the Desert and the flaming Star of Beth
lehehem, the mems hands raises in awe
and reverence as they group about their
camels. The dreamy waste OF aridity is
wonderfully impressive. Then comes
the brilliantly coored pictures of the
house tops of Jerusalem, the terrace Of
the Palace of Hur. Next is one of the
great scenes of the play--the dim inter
Tor of the Roman galley ship-the mus
cular, grim visaged slaves tugging in
rythmic motion at the oars, then the
wreck, Ben Hur and his captain stTug-
Cling in the waves. The scene changes
to the home of Simonides, a moment lat
er comes the vision Of the sunlit Grove
of Daytime with the Superb temple, rear
ed to the God Apollo; Roman maidens
dance joyously, but the central figure is
Ben Hur, the soldier, stern and unre-
lenting.
Again the scene changes, and we are
at the Fountain of Caitalia "a lake dane
ing in the pale moonlight, with gliding
boats and fiowery shores in the cool gray
shadows-with Irass. the Egyptian try
ing the wiles OF a Cleopatra on Ben Hur.
After this is the chariot race, probab'
ly the most wildly thrilling moving pic
ture that the stage has ever known; A
rumble is heard in the back ground, the
hurrying CHATTER of horses feet Two
chariots, each drawn by four horses,
from the centre of the picture. The
animals with far stretched necks and
dilated nostrils, run like mad, urged on
by the whips of the characters, Ben Hur
and his deadly enemy, Messiah. The
wheels of the chariots rumble and sway.
Now Hur is ahead, now MESSIAH, then
Hur again, and the race is won.
The last scene is fitting climax to the
brilliant stage pictures. represents the
Vale of Hinnom, which becomes trans
parent, revealing the Mount of Olives
and the City of Jerusalem. Great null
titudes come out to greet the Nazarene,
singing hymns of parise and alteration.
The miracle of the cleansing OF the lep-
ers is performed, but the Chrst's person
atty is not represented His presence is
indicated by great shaft Of white light,
which tradition says was reflected from
His person. Ben Hur, his mother and
sistsr are united amid great chorus Of
Thanksgiving, swelling out from the hill
sides all around, as the final curtain falls.
The music, which Edgar Stillman KEEL
ley has composed for the production, has
much TO do with the success OF rBen
Hur." 1t is scholarly and credilable
alike for its dignity and serious purpose.
To present the remarkable play no less
than $50 people are required. In the
chariot race there are twelve horses con-
testing, but four more trained animals
are always kept close by in case of acct
dent.
Patrons Of this fine dramatic spectacle
are earnestly requested to be in their seats
promptly at eight o'clock in the evening
and two o'clock in the afternoon. The
spectacle of the appearance of the Star of
Bethlehem requires the entire auditorium
to be darkened, and it will be impossible
to seat anyone until after the prelude is
over.
"Ben Hur" will remain at the Acad-
envy of Music, Baltimore, for limited
engagement only. The management will
fill ordes for seats for any of the perfor-
mances, If accompanied by check or
money order, in the order of their receipt
after the opening of sale. The box Office
sale of tickets opens Tuesday, February
Is. The engagement begins Monday,
February "a.