New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-19


MS humble parishioners would suffer from his
declining health. Charles wesley's grave is in
the yard OF Marylebone Old Church in one of
the crowded and least attractive sections Of
LONDON; and the house where he lived and wrote
many Of his hymns is still standing Lyte's
memory has been cherished in Devonshire as
Kingsey's has been; and it is not a far cry from
Lower Brixham, where Abide with Me" was
penciled at sunset, to Clovelly. where 1.-The
Three Fishers" saddest of all songs of the sea,
was written.
Sir Charles Wyndham's bout with rioters in the
gallery was the most dramatic incident Of the
production of Mr.. Arthur Laws new comedy of
manners 1.-THE Bride and Bridegroom" The
play itself was quiet, harmless study of the
art OF managing husbands with side lights on
the conduct of elections, entertainment in coun-
try houses and Tory squire's pride in his prize
pigs. 1t was delightfully."- enacted by the COM
pany at the New Theatre, and the only ground
for complaint was that the playwright had not
given the actors enough to do. Moliere the
master OF this class of writing for the stage and
he had the slenderest plots as the framework
for playful satire on the manners Of the time. A
good many plays of this kind have been pro-
duced in London during recent years. and acting
managers ought to understand by this time that
neither stalls nor galleries classical in their
tastes. The comedy OF manners must have ac-
ton, definite motive and ingenious underplot in
order TO please London audiences and to COM
mand success. Mr. Laws play lacked these ele-
ments, and. while there were many amusing pas
sages, there was nothing to think about when
the curtain fell except Miss Mary More's beauti-
full costumes and pretty coquetry, Sir Charles
Wyndham's charming comedy style and the per-
lection with which thoroughly accomplished
artists like Mr.. Alfred Bishop. Mr.. Henry KEN
lilo Tau IL
erston. Mr.. Norwood and Mr.. Sydney Brough
had carried off their essentially minor parts
The play was clean and mtrthsome. II insipid.
and there was no justification for revolt OF the
gallery against It. There noisy little knot
In the gallery. and 1t insisted upon making
scene; and as Sir Charles Wyndham was agrees
sive and was not disposed to be hooted at with
out Furnishing the disturbers Of the peace. there
was an unexpected climax TO duh II agreeable
first night
It was an exciting struggle OF over quarter
Of an hour, from which Sir Charles Wyndham
emerged in triumph. 1t was impossible for him
TO make himself heard when the hostile dem
onstration began. and consequently he acted
with discretion in clearing his own stage by
escorting the actresses to the wings and return
ing to the footlights to face the music alone
AS he stood there, smiling grimly and with
amused curiosity and fixing his eyes upon the
rioters above him, the occupants Of the stalls
rose in a body TO give him moral support His
attitude was defiant and provocative. and the
boolng and uproar increased; but he knew that
the directors would first lose their breath and
finally give him a chance for putting them TO
the blush When they allowed him 10 speak he
did not take pains to conciliate them, but
brought on a renewal OF the outbreak by charg-
ing them with having organized a hostile move
ment against the play. He exasperated their
feelings stiu further by commenting upon their
appearance as they were booing by remarking
that they ought to go home and look at their
faces In mirror, and by making pun by pro-
nouncing "booers'' as Doors At last they de-
livered themselves into his hands by displaying
their resentment because Miss Terry-Lewts had
not been allowed 10 have the part Of the bride
He turned upon them decsively. and reproached
them for having dragged the name OF lady
into the controversy over the merits OF the play
and caused her the greatest annoyance. with
this parting shot he retired from the stage
completely victorious. for he had succeeded In
creating the impression that the rioters were
not exercising their proper functions. but were
committing an objectionable indiscretion in
taking I'D without solicitation or justification
the championship of an actress who was not In
the plav. Miss Terry-Lewis. who is the daugh-
fer ~ the once famous Miss Kate Terry, has
full reason for wishing for deliverance from the
follies of admirers IN the gallery. and Miss
sybn Carlisle who took the part OF the bride
and made everything out Of 1t that the play
wright allowed, has no cause for discomfort
Sir Charles Wyndham talks about having
blacklist Of gallery first nighters and proceed
ing against rioters in the police court, but these
are empty threats. He came out OF an ex-
tremely difficult situation with colors flying, and
was splendidly supported by the audience
I. N. F.