New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-16
THE DRAMA.
A NEW TARTAN PLAY.
Mary Mannering.


Versiied testimony was borne by the poet Burns
TO his deep conviction that nothing could resist his
Nancy; and If. in actual Hfe that charmer.-Mrs.
Agnes McLehese. of Edinburgh.-was woman as
earnest, fervent spirited gentle and sweet as the
lassie occasionally Scotch, but generally Englsh.
that Miss Mary Mannering presented last night at
the Criterion Theatre the apparently extravasant
avowal of the bard justified Miss Mannering'-
happily resuming her professional career after a
period Of retirement-made her re-entrance in the
character Of Nancy Stair, in play bearing that
name, which has been devised from contemporary
novel very remotely relative to the "Clarinda'
episode in the troubled life of Robert Burns, and
from various other novels. including "The Heart
Of Midlothian" In fact, the play is a cento of
many old scenes and stage-pictures, put together
with pitch-fork rather than pen; but IT makes
an entertainment with Scotch songs and uniforms.
and it affords Miss Mannering few good mo-
Tnents, and So perhaps 1t WILL like Falstaffs regi-
ment, serve to fill pit.
AS parenthesis. and only because the Clarinda
episode in Burnss life has been mentioned it ought
to be said that, while there nothing dishOnora
bic in the relations that existed between the young
poet and the young matron, 1t is, yet pity that
their private letters TO each other making known
this affair, published-for Sylvander's
pous effervescence and Clarinda's mawkish prudery
are about equally absurd, and the correspondence
makes both the writers somewhat ridiculous. II
wish saw you happily married. exclaims the in
fatuated dame; you are SO formed you cannot be
happy without tender attachment.-heaven direct
you!" you have heart gloriously formed for all
the refined luxuries of love- cried the tumultuous
poet: shall We not meet in yet unknown state
of being, where the chill north wind Of Prudence
shall never blow the dowery fields Of Enjoy
mentI It was a fine exchange of hysterical nom
sense; and yet it is to Clarinda's inspiration
literature owes four of the expressive lines in
our language. Burns wrote them at Christmas
1871, and sent them to Mrs McLehose Sir Walter
Scott said. and said truly that they contain the
essence OF a thousand love tales"
sa We never Lived : sac 5 5asy
We had ne er been bro bfoka RpFSsG
These lines are printed the play-bill Of Nancy
STAR but they have no relevance to the play,
nor does the play contain anything except her
poetic name about the woman who Inspired them
Burns thought that he loved Mrs. McI1ehose and
his name for her. when he wrote verses was
Nancy. The poet, in this theatrical fabric appears
as Nancy's lover (whom she does rot love) as a
boon companion of various festive youths girls
who dance and sing, messenger-who is sup
posed to ride TO London and back. on horseback
IN a week,-and as a witness at a remarkable trial.
in which the proceedings of Judge Jeffreys are IL
Illustrated in the High Court OF Edinburgh. The
part amounts to nothing, and Mr.. Frawley could
do nothing with it. The story by the novelist
E1nor Lane, is a coarse fiction, and it has not
acquired refinement in passing into Mr.. Paul NJ
Potter's play. Miss Mannering's acting-ever since
that bright occasion when Sadie in her paint"
first swan into view.-while it has never dominated
by power. has invariably allured by charm; and,
as Is always true of essential womanlike lowell
ness, the charm is mysterious and elusive as
the watt of birds wing or the scent of a rose
A fine figure, an expressive countenance a de-
mure look. and fond. caressing manner,
and the aspect and seTnblance of earnest feeling
these attributes combine in Miss Mannerings per-
sonaltty, and they naturally please. The situations
provided for Nancy Stair not momentous. In
one Of them she is left alone with the corpse OF a
whom her secret female enemy has muir
dered. and she has to forge letter by him: it did
not cause tremor. In another she has to assev-
crate blind fidelity to whom she believes tc
be q murderer. and. when he repels and leaves
her. she has to express despairng frenzy. 1t is in
the level scenes that Miss Mannering exerts her
fascination. She is for comedy and sentiment;
not for powerful passion or tragic force Among the
subsidiary performers those worthy of commenda-
ton are Mr.. Stanley Dark Hugh Pitcairn and
notably, Mr. Frank Losee Lord President Carew-
the latter giving an iupersonation clear and def
mite in ideal, careful and exact in execution and
animated throughout with a spirit of naaIevoeut
and turbulent cruelty. w w