The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-12
DR.. F. WILSON
RAISES "ERMINIE"
COmicOpera classic" Comes
to Life Again.
MUCH THE SAME AS OF OLD
Ah-Star Cast Gives Wilson
Makes Characteristic Speech-wn
Soon Enter Comedy.

The comic opera "Erminie"-which
'ome one once called a classic rs a
loke-was resuscitated last night at the
columbia Theater a corps of operate
surgeons of more than ordinary repu-
taton consulted over the case and to
ward the end Of the evening the patient
was able TO smrk ard MARBLE quite
natural so that the old friends and
young students who braved the snow
storm were able 90 recognize the suf-
terer If only as a shadow of his former
self frhe credit rests with DR.. Francis
Wilson and his aides. however; there
Is precious little life left in the ma
tient.
All the medico-dramatic journalism
which number The Times is glad &c,
count itself one-have announced that
this case OF "Ermiuie" is TO be the last
Or Wilson viii treat before he enters
or an entirely different practice That
is now easy 10 believe. No surgeon
but past master OF his profession
would have undertaken so desperate a
case and no case could be a more tit
ting valedictory to the surgeons nro-
fcssion. In other words-if DIT Wilson
can save "Erminie'' he ought to retire
or none of our graveyards will be safe
The Same Old Treatment.
Elaborate preparations had been
made for the clinic. The Columbia.
transformed for the occasion into "A
theatrical hospital put on it's most
hospitable air though to defy the
whirling snow and clinging slush The
operating platform was brightly lit and
gayly decorated. albeit the decorations
seemed strangely familiar. Messrs.
Nixon and Zimmerman, distinguished
patrons of the profession. were repre-
scented by suitable deputies. And the
lecture hail was well filled.
DR.. Wilson worked like a Trojan He
first hypnotized the patient with "A series
of the gyrati1ns and contortions which
have served him well as "A hypnotist
these many years. Then he sang TO the
creature and danced before it All this
was very much as il used TO be The
genuflecuons and grimaces Of comic
opera. Ike the songs and dances. do not
change with years. on the contrary
they ripen with age until. being given
the patients symptoms, the average
theatergoer can forecast the treatment
&c a nicely. II was a visit from our old
friend. the family doctor, and it ought
10 be said to his credit he cured all
those in the lecture hall who showed
tongues coated with melancholy. Every
one will hope he carries this same skill
pathy OF pure comedy.
A Longing, Lingering Look Behind.
The assistants included William Brod-
erick William C.. Weeden Jessie Bart
lett Davis. Marguerite sylvia. and Madge
Leasing. All these did the best they
could: but they were not needed in the
first place: and they got in the way. in
the second. this latter difficulty being
particularly manifest when the inelos-
ure was crowded with medical students
and trained nurses in appropriate cos
tunes
There were three stages Of treatment.
At the close Of the second stage signs of
life were manifest TO everyone. and Dr.
Wilson was rewarded with plaudits loud
and long. In response he permitted the
subject of his skill 10 gasp little while
he made a speech. n speech worth the
price Of admission alone. II began with
what theatrical attaches term a local
gag.
Ladies and Gentlemen. and People Of
GEORGETOWN said Dr. Wilson. Then he
went on to explain that before leaving
New York he and his associates hac
done everything In their power 10 make
''Isrmnie" entirely moral. lie hoped
they had reduced il TO the harmlessness
of patent infant food. He had two wore
words 20 say-the most Important words
OF his speech-"Good night" Thereupon
his trusty legs carried him speedily on
the stage.
Good night 10 "Erminie" dear old
"Erminle," the comic opera classic. with
the old threadbare lullaby, Ten years
ago we said good-by. But that was only
October. the time Of that good-by, and
not the dead Of the year. Could Nhic
tier have foresecn this experience when
be wrote.
On Autumns gray and mouruful grave the snow
hung it, white wreaths. with s,iied voice and
tow
The river crcpt, hy one vast bridge DER crossed
Built by the hoar-l0cked artisan # Frost
II so. whom did he meas by the
hoar-lOCked artisan OF FTostT- Surely
not DR.. Francis Wilson. whose speciality
seems TO be shoveung on snow Tor the
trust a. -. 4.