New-York tribune., 1906-04-18
THE DRAMA.
A CRITERION INCIDENT.
Mr.. Wilson in Earnest.

Mr.. Francis Wilson has custonariy presented
himself In fun: Last night he presented himself IN
earnest-appearing, by way of serious prelude to
the sportive Mountain Climber" in n grave sketch.
called The Little Father Of the wilderness The
character he assumed is that OF Il French priest,
VINO is understood TO have done much service TO
civilization and religion I'm the wilos Of Canada In
the time of Louis XIV of France I7lo-177A, and
VINO has repaired TO the court of that monarch in
response TO an official summons expectant to meet
win royal recognition of his abors but whose rea-
sohaole expectations are, time, bitterly dis
: appointed He is a missionary-a devoted servant
oi tne Church-meek, gentle patient aged, VEN
eraole person. who has endeared himself to deni-
1ehs OF the wilderness. and has become known as
ny AAtue rather. Arrived at the gay COURT
"in0h' OF course. Is elegant. frivolous, prohisate,
and corrupt-he is astonished. dismayed. and hurt
TO ascertain that he has been summoned only 70
settle dispute to the altitude of the great
cataract OF Niagara. His circumstances are at
once picturesque and painful His spirit is wound
ed, but he proves to be not deficient of fortitude
and OF the lovely spirit of submission, becoming
10 his priestly character. The avowaI Of a French
military commander. General Frontenac eventually
makes known his exceptional merits. and he then
receives the homage of the court and also ecclesi
astical preferment to the rank of archbishop.
Mr. Francis Wilson, naturally willing to show
himself as something better than clown. made
an earnest effort to impersonate that excellent
minister OF religion; but Natures barriers sol
idly constructed and they cannot easily be
come a grotesque aspect, a rustic personality, a
oocular temperament, unsympathetic voice, a
demeanor devoid of dignity-those attributes
not accordant with the right ideal of The Little
father OF the Wilderness; and Mr.. Wilson'S en-
deavor served only to furnish another. and sig
nal, eXempfcation of the wisdom OF the old
adage relative to the cobbler and his last Such
an actor as James H. Stoddart in his prime might
have made the priesty figure pathetic and lovely.
MI Wilson narrowly escaped the disaster of max
Ing 1t ridiculous. In appearance the comedian sug-
sested nothing much General Washington
IN petticoats. In vocalisTn he seemed to be old
George l. Fox. when made up for Hamlet, and
talking about the weather. For meekness he sub
sututed servility; and, by way of being simple. he
became vacuous and foolish A man of Pere Mar
4otte's alleged character and achievement would
know how to behave, in anybodys presence
whether king or peasant. At the last, when the
priest should predominant and hold the scene, the
actor huddled himself into bunch and covered his
face, bottng out every semblance of effect. II
was. in short, wooden performance, monotonous,
nsipid, feeble. having variety and completely
missing the climax rather sklfuy prepared for It
by the authors Of the sketch, Messrs. Austin
Strong and Lloyd Osbourne. The set is pretty and
the costumes are rich. Mr.. Levers cannot have
read much about Louis Ky. if he supposes him to
have been the dapper dandy whom he embodied as
that monarch Mr. Harrison Armstrong seemed
not TO know that soldier is not synonymous with
Bowery bully. The Court ladies very pretty
and Henriette was neatly and sweetly acted.