New-York tribune., 1904-09-19
LONDON NOTES.
The Beck Inquiry-Aatunsn PIau,-
Nrs. CrGigie'S Art.
London. September u

.fnal law He was twice convicted OF the o.
fence Of defrauding women under false urs-
tences when he was entirely innocent. Aua h,
would have served a second term Of inprisor-
ment for a crime committed by another ma,
Il the real offender had not been accidentayv
recognized by a detective. There was a Aasrant
miscarriage OF justice. and the newspaper4
were justified in making energetic eTor-s
to secure adequate reparatiOn for him ana
also in demanding a thorough investigation -
the two convictions. The Home Once has an
pointed a commission Of high character. and ~.
inquiry is likely to end IN a unanimous recon-
mendatlon for a system Of appeal in criminal
cases While there has beer much inpassiones
writing over the wrongs and sufrerings Of this
unfortunate foreigner. there is evidencs
that either the metropolitan police or the
prosecuting authorities were plotting against
him. Ten women testified against him In tha
first instance. and he was positively identified
by them. With the circumstantiaI evidence
heavily against him. he was convicted IN open
court. and his proteStatiOrS OF innocence were
disregarded when he offered proof that he was
in Lima when previous crimes attributed to him
were committed. What rendered this extraordi-
nary case OF mistaken identity possible was
the direct testimony OF the women The Home
Office. when the case was brought TO its atten-
ton. dropped the allegation that he was serving
a second term. but could not be convinced that
so many witnesses had made a mistake and
taken him for another offender. Some Of the
commentators on this case have contended that
the Home Secretary has the power OF reviewing
magisterial sentences in a judicial capacity.
Usage does not sanction this view He Is
not an appellate magistrate armed with au-
| thority 70 supervise criminal prosecutions and
TO decide whether Issues Of fact or OF law have
been improperly presented It Is simply as the
adviser Of the Crown IN the exercise OF mercy
that he interferes in the cases OF convicted Of
tenders. The Home Office In the Beck case. al
IN the Maybrick case. assumed that the regular
tribunals had acted within the limits OF their
discretion and with entire good faith. and that
they were not to be hastily discrsdited? More
hexibility is evidently required in dealing with
exceptional cases.
Something has been done TO raise the level OF
musical comedy. 'The Catch Of the Season."
produced by Mr. Seymour Hicks and Mr.
Cosmo Hamilton at the Vaudeville. Is the
fairy tale OF Cinderella provided with a
modern society setting and scored for mu-
sic Consistency Is impaired to the plot
and the medley OF frolic. dancing and sing
ing Is not without special character and
| charm The Cinderella Is Miss Zena Dare. who
Is banished by . stepmother to the nursery IN
Berkeley Square. and the prince Is Mr. Seymour
Hicks. masquerading as the young Duke Of St.
Aubyn; and Miss Rosina Filippi Is the wonder
ful sOdmother, who carries the neglected girl
of to the ball after the two highly favored sis
ters have passed on in their pride and eonse-
quence. It Is the old story retoId faithfully m
detail and eliminating IN one Of the prettiest
OF weddings; and there are modern improve
msnts. such chorus Of Gibson girls and
several unexpected variations. Lord Dun
dreaFy, stammering as badly as was bis habit
forty years ago. but melIower and less Iacka-
daisicaI has been brought back 20 life In the
person of Mr.. Sam Sothern; and device IS
borrowed without ceremony from Mr.. Barrle's
Quality Street. when Cinderella assumes an
Irish accent and passes herself OF as the CO.
/ quettish Molly OHalloran. from County Clars.
| thereby completing the conquest OF the fairy
| prince. The experiment Is daring one. bur the
old story Is retOld with piquancy. to the sztis-
| faction OF the audience. and q new style Is sss
1 for musical comedy.
4 Theatre managers are continuing with varying
| results their quest for romance and nirth. Mr.
George Alexander. at the St. James's. has pro-
\ duced romantic drama with a pretty name.
| '.rhe Garden OF Lies" and he acts with old
time vigor and charm in the lovemaking scenes.
Mr. Sydney Grundy has adapted the play from
the story Of Mr.. Justus Miles Forman. and has
done his work with skill and intelligence The
| play suggests The Prisoner OF Zenda," although
pains have been taken 20 conceal ths FeUsrs-
| blance. but thorOUghgolng, robust villain -
| lacking. and psychology and absnths take the
| place Of adventure. The curtain rises upon
medical problem. which is explained by three
| men IN q Partisan cafe. \ younger son OF the
| royal house OF Novodnia has fallen IN love with
mIllionaire's daughter in New-Yovk and has
/ married her. but on the way home from the
4 church the horses have run away and the bride
has received blow on the head which leaves
her unconscious and deprives her OF memory OF
\ her acquaintance with her husband. He Is sud
/ denly called to the throne OF NovOdnia and sRs
/ Is placed under the care OF Scotch doctor. Who
/ decides that she Will go raving mad unless q
substitute for her husband can be provided
drunken poet and war correspondent Is induced
| 70 become an understUdy for Prince Carol but
| not until the cOnfedeTates have lied to him and
assured him that there has not been a weddinG
/ and that her royal lover is creature OF her
/ imagination The substitute makes love TO the
princess In TIE mornings. when be is SOBER ana
she Is in r1ptureS of delight. but he is tortured
/ with remOr=e when he hears that the true prince
I is living and has married the princess. The plot
thickenS when the prince arrives at the garden
| and the princess finds IL necessary to haze the
only man whom she can ever love. and 1t s
finally unravelled when there has been dHei
between the rival lovers and timely revolution
| In NovOdnia, With the assassination Of ths
prince and the reformation OF the drunkard the
curtain falls upon the recOncied lovers. There
is no lack OF romantic action in this play. but r
IS an artificial fairy tale that chillS the audi
ence Instead OF moving 1t. Miss BraithWaite
Is handsome and graceful. but her impersonatloH
OF the heroine is without realism and fire.
In Marguerite" NIr. Michael NIOrtOns ad-