The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1904-03-16
"Ponpeii."

hapes) become living, breathing reaii-
les, is so exquisite pleasure that we
reeds must gaze again and again to con-
'ince ourselves that II is not the work
ngs of our Imagination. Pompeii.
of Sir Bulwer Lytton's |
sast days of Pompeii. by Mr.. Palmer,
leals with the prosecutions of the early |
Christians. The sensual and luxurious
of Roman life. the bar
'arir nature so predominant, and last
tut not least, the realistic Destruction
ii the Arena, subsequent to the erup-
ION OF Mt. Vesuvius. Never have
So beautiful yet terrible
Gene. Gaucns, the Athenian, has
)een sentenced to the lions mercy for
, murder committed by Arbaces, the
Egy ptian. A crowd of Romans are
seated in the arena, waiting patiently
Tor the word that would be Glaucus's
loom and their pleasure. The word is
gwen, Let forth the lion, and Clan
C Is, the AtheRian," when lOl Calenus
a priest, who hal witnessed the muir
der, proclaims the Athenian innoceri
and Arbaces the murderer. The multi
tude, now wrought up to frenzy by
their thirst to See blood split shout ex-
To the lion with Arbaces
The Aedile gives the w"r1. The air
seems sufling, the lion bounds forward
to claim its vicun. when a sudden ter
FOR seems TO overcome him, the pOpu-
lace hold their breath. for slowly the
lion creeps back TO Its cage The pro-
pie crv, "A miracle" Arbaces simply
>aved himself by the knowledge
nYpnOtism. We have not recovered
rom the wonderment of what we have
just witnessed when a more startling
Gene transpires. There is sudden
ry, all turn IN I behold Vesuvius in
eruption. Whatever the effects used
hey we're startling. We beheld before
us a volcano giving out mountains OF
fire and burning lava. Houses aflame
and in ruins, men the climax is reach
I'd there is deafening noise, and the
arena falls to pieces. Boxes, walls, pill
lars tumble aboui promiscuOuSly,w while
adding to the realism of the scene the
shrieks of the pleasure seekers sent
chills to our hearts. The curtain drops,
we wander slowly home, congratulate
ing the dramaiist aud actor for this
historical treat.
Let us now take a glimpse at this
character that predOmiuates In the
2lav, and about whom all other char
acters are drawn. Arbaces, the Egyp-
ian a man who is scholar and philos-
lpher; yet man who filled his palaces
with women and reveled in their sOci-
ETY.. Evidently he cleaned wisdom,
like Wise King Solomon, from their
companionship We follow Arbaces'
career carefully. First we see him as a
deluder, one who stoops to all means
To further his ends, making himself
master of all who comes within his
circle. Wealth becomes his. men be-
come slaves to his will, he feels him
SELF omnipOtent. Then the character,
lone, the beautiful NeapOlitOn, that
awakens IN his sombre nature a feeling
of love-a feeling that here is his goal ;
here the resting place where he could
satisfy that endless craving that found
no s0lace in power or study From his
meeting with her we date his downfall
and feeling akin to pity possesses us
where before we felt terror and fear
lone will not be loved by this "Egyp-
tian Napoleon" will have nought to do
with him.
Then, through the feeling that he
must possess her to satisfy the man in
hin, and from feeling that like Napo-
leon, he could not brook opposition,
the struggle in the character for good
or evil commences. 1 mentioned before
that Arbaces had the ''gitt of the evil
eye" or what is more modernly known
as the power of hvpnotism. This also
failed to conquer lone. Arbaces be-
thought himself; where was the power
that be had built up for countless
wears that woman, mere creature OF
flesh and blood. should oppose him.
So through love for woman his down
fall comes, for he even stops not al
murder.
Mr.. Palmer gave to the part all that
could be desired. Crafty and treacher-
GUS he was at all times, but worked his
points with so light touch that one
could not despise the character drawn,
nay, even had to reverence the man
who ruled all with bloody word COW
cred with garlauds of flowers. His lines
were fautlessly read; he showed at all
times a reserve force that was magnifi-
cent. His climaxes Were reached with
out that theatrical and STACEY effort
With which W. have lately become so
familiar; his voice, though at all times
strong and iorceful, was filled with mu-
sic We beheld Arbaces before us no.
in fancy. hut in person, as Bulwer drew
him. Mr.. Palmer has been treated
most kindly by nature, a splendid
physique and classic countenance are
his gifts And these he can use ia
splendid advantage in his wonderful
play. Too much cannot be said when
We consider that not only to this artist
do we owe the delineation of Arbac+ S,
but the pIav itself, for from his pen
flowed the words that We're uttered
from his mouth. We predict for this
actor-dramatist more than brilliant
future. We feel in his presence that
once more We are back in the days of
Booth, Barrett and Keene.-Ellan Alb
bolt Wrighi in The Review.
AT Grand Opera House. Monday,
March 81
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