The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-27

IL might be called the old "Old Home
stead" The bill of the play announces
the visit as the nth Annual Tour. 1t has
been a rapid II years In the life OF the
planet, but the good old "old Homestead
doesn't vary. either in essentials no more
than In bits and details.
No, that Is not quite an exact state
ment. In the interest OF exaetness we
would record that since Den Thompson
and the Old Homestead began their tri-
umphal tour. a tour without any more
prospect OF an ending than that OF the
Wandering Jew himself. except with the
life OF the favorite old actor, some OF
the changes that pertain 10 the worlds
progress are reflected i'm the time honored
play.
We notice. FOR instance, that Henry
Hopkins palatial mansion I'm New York.
where Uncle Josh visits. Is now lighted
with electric lights instead Of gas, which
IL surely a concession TO the modern and
contemporary. MIR Hopkins continues 10
use bell that he slams with the palm
of his hand TO summon his servants, not
having yet had his house wired for cleo
trio bells that have come into use in our
modern palaces and even the more
humble dwelling since The Old Home
stead" first left Swansea.
We guess the furniture in Mr.. Hopkins
front parlor must be the same that was
ought 10 be OvprhHuted in the interests
of realism. Even though the dear old
play is fully justified in sticking 10 it's
original period as TO local color, Mr.. Hop
kins needs some new furniture in his
front parlor. not necessarily 20 keep UP
with the real times. but for the sake OF
real newness. We wish we had dollar
for every time Uncle Josh has sat down
onto that divan to fall over backwards
A. ip1nrpSs n
was sitting on the cat, We would cheer
fully chip IN TO buy Mr.. Hopkins a new
psrlor suite on the instslment plan.
We note, too. that while Mr.. Wanamak-
er Is still postmaster general i'm THE Old
Homestead" which IL II OF course right
that he should be the letter box I'm front
OF Grace church Is one OF the new up-to-
date aluminium painted boxes instead OF
the style OF the Wanamaker day Another
very marked concession TO up-to-dateness
Is to be noted when Cy Prime and Seth
Perkins make UP their 30-year quarrel and
the orchestra. under Mr.. T.adds efficient
direction. plays softly and with much
expression the pathetic strain Of Com
rades" which. OF course. was unheard OF
seventeen years ago although. sometimes.
Il does seem as though that time was At
least half a century old Itself
Otherwise there are no innovations
and evidently innovations are TO be adopt
cd only with the greatest caution. For
The old Homestead is an American
classic not 20 he lightly dealt with by tho
hand of the modern. lest II be profaned IN
some important particular The old apple
woman continues to suggest TO Uncle
Josh that the "Cintinnial" is over. as a
bit of fing at his bucolic ignorance, al
though the Chicago Fair would today be
no more remote than the Centennial was
AT the period OF The Old Homestead s.
starting ON It's road 20 prosperity and inn
mortality And there were people young
enough ga the audience last evening To
fail 90 see the point OF the "Cintlnnial'
reference. The party with the wart that
was IN other years. on the nose but Is
noted among the changes that time has
wrought In Swansea as having moved
round back OF the ear, ~ still recalled
Anna Maria or somebody else, continues
Go play the melodeon exceptionally we'll
considering what q bad cold she's Eot:"
and of course. Cy Prime could prove no
end of things. ~ old Bill Jones was
alive
And tho cuioIs part ~ ~ is that not
only does one enjoy hearinE and seeing
the good old play, season after season,