The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-09-20

Miss Harmed is a great lover OF flowers
"a characteristic Of all women She
takes great pride in cultivating them.
and If she owned a farm. the chances
are she would utilize the entire acreage
for this purpose alone, not for profit.
but as a eradication OF desire.
As Mr.. Sothern has selected the poet
ical title for his play from one OF
Thomas Moores most beautiful poems,
it may be we'll TO theorize that there
is more or less of the poetic in Mr..
sothern's play. That. of course. is to
be determined on the night of it's presen-
tation. as little has yet been learned
from the few who have read the manu-
script II is presumed. at least. that
the part created by Mr.. Sothern for Miss
Harmed should be OF a poetic nature
Enough is known to indicate that Mr.
Sothern's heroine is made to imperson-
Rosalind.
A Constant Reader of Poetry.
when I was a young GIRL said Miss
Harmed, Il became so fond of reading
compelled TO hide the books away from
me. would read night and day-some-
times until my eyes were so panied that
l could scarcely see the lines. My
father and mother we're as anxious as
that l should be fond of books. es
pecialIy those written by the great
poets. but they were more thoughtful of
my physical care. Unlike so many
childish fancies this early love for
poetry has never departed. In fact, if
anything. read more poetry today
than l have ever read in my life-that
is. when you take into consideration
the little time I have away from the
theater.
Poetry inspires the mind and soul
to higher achievements. / sometimes
have thought that it was my great love
for poetry which generated my youthful
ambition 10 go upon the stage. There
Is indeed something poetic in stage work.
yet one is not always associated with
parts that appear poetical. or are in
tended to be such.
Shakespeare may well be regarded as
the father OF the playhouse. One who
has poetry in his soul cannot we'll read
Shakespeare without possessing histrion-
ic ambition. Poetry is so elevating- IL
there is gentleness in ones nature
poetry will do more than anything else
to develop IT, Poetry is sweet, gentle.
loving. story told in poetry never
leaves wounds II is the uplifting Of
that that is good in the human heart
81 have sometimes thought that IL
our playwrights would incorporate more
poetry into their plays-that is, of
course, into their plays Of digniied and
elevating nature-it might be instru-
mental in minimizing the harshness of
criticism against the theater- But. after
all. this feature is gradually disappear
ing and will in time, no doubt, be com
pletely eliminated. Advance in ciyiiiza-
ton will accomplish this.
A Widespread Influence.
Il have often noticed, as I supposed
others have. in plays where a piece Of
beautiful poetry is recited the house
becomes absolutely noiseless except for
the speakers voice.
IF were to start out TO civilize the
barbarian | have an idea / would first
teach him the beauty of poetry. II
would probably take longer 10 do il in
this way. but it would be more lasting
aud better for mankind In general than
TO civilize him at the mouth of the can
non. as We have attempted to civiliZe
the Indian, and in this way have almost
exterminated him
Poetry is the pulse of the soul; poetry
builds up. il doesn't tear down: 1T makes
the world seem brighter. the hours hap
pier.
"As an illustration OF the effect OF
poetry in plays. when Du Maurier was
writing Trilby. he Glanced to find
volume of Thomas Dunn English's
poems. nearly all of which had long
since been forgotten. He was particu-
Iarly attracted by the beauty of Ben
Bolt, and made IL a part of his book
and it was afterward set to music and
was a great feature in the dramatiza-
ton. 1t was not long until the English
speaking world began singing Ben
Belt"
1T was beautiful play. and this his