The Washington herald., 1906-11-22
MARY MANNERING AS
GLORIOUS BETTY" "

II the Secretary OF the Navy returns
10 Washington for the opening night Of
Mary Mannering's new play, Glorious
Betty and accepts the invitation Of the
management TO make use Of two lower
boxes at the National Theater. he will wit
ness a novel event IN the reincarnation OF
his beautiful grandmother
In this day Of historical novels and
plays, personages are resurrected without
so much as a by your leave" to the liv-
ing descendants. It is seldom, however
that 50 noteworthy a heroine Of actual
romance furnishes as fascinating a
theme for hislrionic development as the
famous Baltimore belle. Elizabeth Pat
terson, who captured the heart Of Je-
rome Bonaparte, younger brother Of Ma
poleon, Emperor of the French.
The courtship, marriage and subse-
quent reputation Of the latter by the
emperor furnishes one Of the strangest
and most interesting stories Of inter
national alliance in the social history Of
America.
In presenting this play Of Rida Johnson
Youngs in Washington Miss Mannering
could not have selected a social center
better calculated 70 respond 10 the per
sonal note sounded In Glorious Betty
Baltimore itself Is not mere eager 70 wit
ness a revival Of the UnfOTgOtten Incl
dents associated with the name Of Pat
teVsOn. for since Charles Joseph Bona
parties entrance into the Cabinet In 1915.
Washington has stolen some Of Balt!-
mores social thunder in absorbing
the little CorporaIs'' granddaughter and
his family. for the official season, al
least
Many elderly beaux III this city dis
tinctly remember Secretary Bonaparte's
charming grandmother, and incidents in
her early career are being revived at
the clubs. Especially have the beauty :
triumphs at the old Virginia Sweet
Springs been recalled. Il was 70 this re-
sort that Jerome BOnaparte followed
Elizabeth Patterson 10 urge his suit. dis
tanclng In the young girls favor the
many other suitOTs that crowded about
her.
II this setting is introduced in Miss
Mannering's play. several elderly hearts
Will beat 20 the tune OF remembrance III
viewing once more the scenes Of early
Southern l!fe, that reflects the fashions
and fOibles OF the times
ne very name OF Deity mas come 10
stand for wit and madcap witchery, such
as distinguish the typical American giTl
Of to-day Il is rumored that, 10 win a
wager. the Betty Of the play appears ID
the first act walking barefoot with an
admireT Whether or not the Betty OF
real life performed this feet-beg par
don. feat--is a point upon which the
Secretary Of the Navy may be able 70
shed light.
Hearts have bled and romantists have
sighed over Elizabeth Patterson's & love
story that ended in a woman's tragedy
when, after an idealc cOurtship. and
marriage. the French Emperor insisted
that his brother. Jerome Bonaparte de-
sert his American wife and prOgeny-ex-
actly as he Napoleon, sacrificed Jose
ph!ne-and for reasons of state take "a
wife the Princess OF Wurtemberg and be
come King Of Westphalia.
Il is a tale Of love versus ambition
and not one Of the great Napoleon S
American kinsmen is ready 10 say wheth-
er the sacrifice exacted Of Secretary
Bonaparte's grandmother was in the in
terest OF France, Napoleon, or jerome
( Bonaparte. II is a question that may
be answered in the play
Mary Mannering comes to Washing
ton this time without the social pres
tige OF her husband, James X. Hackett
and the latter's mother, both Of whom
have numerous friends in this city.
Instead, the actress IS accompanied by
her twO-year-old baby who absorbs It's
mothers time and attention when she is
not rehearsing or acting. Miss Manner
ing Will stop at the Shoreham during
her Washington engagement
The Alibi, Cosmos and Chevy Chase
Clubs have frequently been the scenes
Of hospitality extended TO the Hackett
family by such prominent clubman as
DR.. Loring. who is a recognized patron
Of the stage and numbers among his
close friends, the foremost stars Of the
theatrical profession.
In view Of who and what, the play is
about, il is likely TO be a social as well
as theatrical event. and Miss Manner
ing is confronted with the task of max
ing a member Of President Roosevelt s
Cabinet proud Of his reincarnated
l s~~a