New-York tribune., 1905-05-14
LONDON NOTES.
Mr.. Choate's Fare1ceU-4merican
PIayS-Mrs. Ward and Mss Terry.

bassadors fine speech at the maHslol I1'u0e
night which possibly have escaped notice IN tne
cabled summaries. One was his reference TO
American history as it is taught in the common
schools. He cited Professor Goldwin Smith as
hts authority for the statement that American
children are not taught in the schools to cherish
resentment for what happened a century ago.
and that the textbooks in use give fair ana just
accounts Of the causes and results OF the ReVo-
luton and the wars with England. This passage
of Mr. Choate's speech was perhaps as uselul d
contribution as he could have made to the cause
OF international amity. which has been constant
" IN his mind during his protracted and highly
successful term OF Office. The relations between
England and America have been steadily I'M
,,-oying sinne the dinner at the Mansion House
eight wears ago when Mr.. Bayard was the guest
of honor and the late Lord Salisbury bore tes-
tinaonv TO his public services as a peacemaKer'
and II is hardly possible to exaggerate the goou
feeling and cordial fellowship which now pre-
vail Yet every American who knows EhgI'sn-
men we'll and meets them constantly Is aware
that they have a suspicious feeling that the chill
dren in the schools Of the United states are
Taught 70 execrate the memory Of George III
and his Ministers and generals. and that tnel'
minds are colored and distorted by early preJu-
dice. based upon unfair. partisan textbooks II
Is an idea deep down in an Englishmar's mino'
and often as IT has been contradicted and re-
fp-ed il is tenaciously retained as grievance
against America On this account MI. ChoaIe
was justified IN going out Of his way IN mis- eio-
ouent speech TO answer the charge ana 10 assert
that Professor Goodwin Smith had taken the
trouble TO examine the histories in genera! use
in American schools and that he had found them
just and accurate.
Another characteristic passage Of the A1npas-
sador's speech was his frank admission that'
happy as had been his experiences IN Englanu'
and unmeasured as had been the hospitality
and kindness which he had received ne was
glad TO go back to his own country ana 10 De
once more at home His sincerity and patriotic
feeling pleased the most thoroughly representa-
tive audience which I have ever seen IN Eng
land and he was heartily applauded even when
he was expressing a strong preference TOT ms
own nation and for what was to MIN the olo
lone and the only for him. HornesicknesS
was a Characteristic American touch ana tne
sturdiest and most uncompromising Enshshrnan
listening to him honored him the more and liked
him the better for saying IT. It was also an un-
premeditated explanation OF his own success
and popularity in England. While he has been
bere he has been sincere and consistent AIneri-
ran and no Englishman has ever doubted 1t
If he has not waved the flag obtrusiYely nor
faunted It in anybody's face Il has been in his
heart. and all men have known that 1t was
there. Yet. now that his work here has been
done he is overjoyed with the thought that ne
Is going home, and inpatently awaits the sail
ing day His last public appearance Will be at
ST. Saviour's Southwark, on the both or "a OF
May. when the Harvard memorial window is to
be unveiled: and then he Will be homeward
bound with happy heart and contented mind
OF the three American plays produced within
a week IN London Leah Kleschna' is the most
successful. After four acts Of breathless, IN
tense 1neIodrarna the final scene in the Austrian
lettuce fields had the effect OF anticlinax, and
representative critics were offended by the un-
necessary concession Of marriage a happy
ending for the reformed thief The epilogue
alone excited criticism as a fantastic applica-
ton Of Tolstoys reversiou to the soil as an
agency of regeneration. and Paul Sylvaines ad-
vanced views on the redemption rather than
punishment Of criminals not made more
acceptable to playgoers here by the dnaI sug
gestion of marriage with the woman whom he
caught IN the act OF robbing his safe. Other
wise Air. McLeIlan's play has been generally
regarded by the professional critics the best
American work IN construction, motive and lit
erary style which has been produced in Eng
land for a long period tt is melodrama without
stage mechanism or puppets; and the interest Of
the situations depends upon the relations OF well
drawn, sharply contrasted characters rather
than theatrical incidents. At the New Theatre
II Is enacted with sound Judgment and brilliant
stagecraft by a powerful company Of English
players. Miss Lena Ashwell as Leah plays with
an intensity and subtIety such as she has
never before shown: and she increases emo
tiona effects by self-restraint and reticence and
in her most strenuous moments lowers instead
Of raising her voice. Brilliant as is her imper-
sonetion. it is rivalled by Mr. Charles Warmers
work as Kleschna-a really notable contribution
10 stage art Mr. Herbert Waring who has
not been seen to advantage for long time Is
again thoroughly good actor in the part Of
haoul Berton: and MT. William Devereux as
Schram plays with effective realism Mr. Leon
ard Boyne Paul Sylvaine speaks SLOWLY and
lacks fire. but he succeeds perfectly in revealing
the depth OF noble character A PLAYWRIGHT
who offers opportunities for such acting as is
10 be seen at the New Theatre is little less than
public benefactor.
MI Richard Harding Davis is not a popuIar
parsonage in London, owing TO his sympathies
with the Boer cause and his outspoken strict
ures on the conduct of British on5cers ,,-h,,. =.
was IN South Africa: but his play, The Dicta
tor at the Comedy Theatre has been received
on It's merits and has been accepted by audi
eices ana critics alike a brilliant farce in
sehlously constructed and written with vivacity
ana genuine humor- Even without this display
OF magnanimity and fair play, the play would
nave commanded a favorable reception bv the
c4eNerhess and roliicl1ing drollery of Mr. William,
CoiIler' Mr. Abeles Mr.. John Barrymore and the
o'HeI american actors The success of the com
Pahy Is as complete as that Of Miss Maxine Fl,
H".' American company in Her Own Way"
and the two performances have broueb+ -.
characteristic merits in the style of comedy .ct
i"g now practised in the United States. One oe
these wei marked features is the rapid;ty y,,+t,