The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-07
LITERARY TOPICS

There are few journals of the kind pub lshed that are equal to Success" and none possibly that is superior to it. As the editor specifics, it is a home journal of inspiration, progress and self-help, and it is all of these to a marked degree, for its articles are always characterized by a forcefulness and potency which make them of true and lasting value to the reader.
 Most prominent of the articles in Sus- cess this month is the one upon "The Great Actors and Actresses of the World" The cover design is a splen- did representation of Irving and Terry as Shylock and Portia, respectively. believe these are the greatest character parts of these two masterful actors. While the roles of each are innumerable, Irving and Terry, as Shylock and Portia, present a unity of work and a complete ness of presentment that is not possible to such an extent in any other produc tion. For we do not think of Irving at his truest and best without Terry, who has become his other self.
 We may catch sweeter picture of Ellen Terry as Nance Oldfeld." or a more versatile power in Irving as the "Corsican Brothers" "-favorite roles of each--but nothing to compare with their powerful and compelling conceptions of Shylock and Portia So that the es- arrangement between Irving and Terry of the past two years is to be deeply deplored. In Irving's magnificent pro- duction as well as rendition of Dante" last year, there was no character-part nd excused in this way.
 Irving is failing now and his physical infirmities are evident in his presentment of parts that require youth and yigor; but as Louis xI.' and Dante they could easily be overlooked. The play of Dante-Sardou's magnificent production Is peculiarly suited to Irving. It gives ample scope to the gorgeousness of pre- sentation which has always distinguished the plays at the Lyceum; and also con- tains a large element of the weird and uncanny that seems to appeal to pe- culiar quality possessed by Irving. The part required much dignity, tender sen- timent and strength of character. All these Irving combined with a magnetism that made his hold upon his audience as powerful as ever in days past.
 But apropos of Success" Roger Gales hore as a result of interviews with MT. Irving. contributes a splendid article en- titled Henry Irvings Fight for Fame This artist has held undisputed sway for so many years it is difficult to realize that he ever fought for fame" The article has several noteworthy ilustra- tions of MT. Irving in early parts, repro duced from drawings by Barnard. There are also two double page portraits of "The Great Actors and Actresses of the world which are most interesting.
 Then B. H. Sothern also contributes a masterly article upon "The Higher In- fuence of the Drama" He says: Act Ing, itself, given a good play, Is nothing more than a struggle for ideals. To feel so deeply the meaning and intensity O, ones lines and then to hear oneself, for all one's trying, saying the words coldly, leaving the faces in the audience un- moved! Oh, the constant failure of even the most finished actor to stir an audi ence as he is stirred. Ideals? They are about the head of every worthy actor as plainly as Is the calcium itself My point is that these ideals of acting are not alone ideals for personal success They are for the people-that the peoples hearts be stirred-stirred to imagination,