The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-05
MORRISON'S FAREWELL
VETERAN ACTOR IN FAUST AT
 MONTGOMERY THEATRE.
He Made His Last Appearance Mem orable by Giving a Splendid ProdrStion-The Com
 pany Is Good.

The years pass lightly over Lewis Morrison. After a dozen years or more of devotion to the last time. it is said. with no weakening of power apparent, but with the attainment of . riper perfection. a more finely consummated art than ever shown before.
 Last afternoon and evening. with a company that was ell that could be desired. in a finished performance of Goethe's Faust" Montgomery saw the last of Lewis Morrison. and perhaps the last of Faust for long time: for hard ly another living actor will attempt the role he dares and so successfully does. His fare- well last eveEing of the sort that. while leaving a tinge ef regret for loss, yet in a manner reconciles and leaves something to memory. It is hoped, hut it is not probable. that Lewis Morrison will be seen again.
 It Is most refreshing in these days of clap trap comedy. when more than half the plays than worthless novels thst the press of the land is vomiting forth ad nauseum, to sn- counter occasionally something 30 genuinely good as Morrisons Faust" Morrison has cone every year for long time past and his coming has been as touchngly beautiful in- teriude in everlasting play of puerilities and nonsensicalitics. He has been welcomed as few of the players have been. and his re- tirement at the acme of his powers, is greatly to be regretted.
 A fair houSe greeted the company at the afternoon and evening performances. The
 
 role being carried in a manner seldom seen in troupes Of any kind.
 It is probably safe to say that actress has done Marguerite as does Miss White house. while de Cordova in Faustus played a part for which other is better fitted. Nor rison's support was everywhere admirable.
 Of the character of the play there is no oc- ca asion for speech. It is permissible to speak of Morrison's Faust of Morriscns presenta- tion of the dramatic version of the old German aF NG~r Ak~fA ha alaffa activities; but of Goeths's ''Faust.' the origi- nal. of which last nights version was but an abridgement. though excellent one noth- ing should here be said. As well point out that sunshine is a blessed thing or discuss the benedcence Of God. In contemplating this masterpiece of German genius m attitude or silent reverence is best becoming.
 It Is perhaps regrettable that Faust should have been altered as 1t has been for the stage; that some of the high seriousness should have been ''cut out" in the language of the street; but this American taste required. The public demands the injection of a little comedy to ieayen even the portrayal of the terrible While the comedy element is not altogether wanting in the original, 1t is here presented in a rather aggravated form. but that in view or modern demands is parGonable.
 Perhaps it is a slightly sad commentary on human nature to say that we have come to love Lewis Morrison because he plays the devil so well: for iu the face Of our disclaimers ana our protestations. there ever rises to reoukc our insincerities the proclamation that sin wears a sort of aureole. and evil is alluring.
 But passing over this, we love Lewis Morri- son. not only because he has done the devil so we'll but because in doing 90 ne mas aohe a higher and holler thing-sbown us that evil is transitory and only the good enduring. and demonstrated the truth of the closing lines or Goethe's masterpiece: Tine ever womanly draws us above"
 Effle Elisier in When Knishthood was in rloysr'' comes to the Theatre this evening.