New-York tribune., 1906-03-27
CAST OF THE SCARLET LETTER"
LINCOLN ON THE STAGE.
Liberty Theatre

A piece called Lincoln was produced last night
at the Liberty Theatre. and MI BENJAMIN Chaplin.
the author OF IT, presented himself in its central
character, that OF the Martyr President. Other
historical characters were assumed by Mr. Chapins
professional associates. and an earnest endeavor
made 20 illustrate familiar aspects OF life at
the White House and in official Washington, IN the
dread time OF the Civil War. Mr Chaplin was vel
coined with kindness and observed and heard with
patient attention His play proved 70 be a sketch,
made up OF incident and colloQuy; his perform
aDce that OF a cOpyist Mr.. Chapin does not inl-
personate and therefore he IS not vet actor.
He may know how part ought to be acted but
he does not display the faculty Of acting. He Is
reader; poser; an amateur He makes up his
face and person 10 look like Abraham Lincoln, and
the makeup is good: the aspect OF Lincoln Is cor
rectly copied: but there the endeavor ends. Mr.
Chapin does assume LincoIn's Identity.
dos he, by impersOnation, give any clearer idea
Of LinC0ln's uature.-of the inside OF that
rugged and homely eXterior.-than would be com
municared by a wooden image. The performance
conveys but little indication Of natural aptitude
for dramatic expression. and. probably, the per
former has adopted the vocation OF the actor too
late IN life. Mr.. Chapin's assumption os Lincoln
reminds the observer OF national leader, patriot.
benefactor. a remarkable man, in period Of ter
rible national trial. and 70 that extent it is inter
esting, meritoriOus and comnendable. Miss NIaude
Granger, popular long ago at the Union Square
Theatre, reappeared this occasion, and was
greeted with kindness.
The expression OF Lincolns simplicity (Which, in
fact, was OF the kind that covers astute wisdom
IS so artificial as 70 be coIoress and insiped The
assumption of strength, in the shape OF bland
acquiescence, produces only the effect OF radical
weakness. There is suggestion OF anything
adamaEtine and formidable in the man Innate
greatness cannot be put on by little persons, nor
by the OF paint brush Repose, self control,
Mr.. Chapin pOssesses-au the more that MS tenn
perament is apparently of the geld order. He
takes time for ell his points and he makes them
well. Numerous old jokes attributed 70 Ian
coIn-stories which the moss has long
been growinE-are incorporated into Mr.. Chaplin 8
text, and there is thin vein OF love story
In the fabric-zbout a young wrongfully
thought 10 be a Confederate SPY resident in the
North. who gets into trouble but is befriended by
the ever-rnerctfuI President The dreadful sus-
pense Of those cruel days is suggested IN this
piece but the suggestion also glides into mind
that II would be wise and good for the theatre TO
let the Civil War and all its horrors and heart
bUruings alone
The best performance Of the night was that Of
stanton by Francis NIcGinn-v-ho afforded q truth
fu and dramatically effective expression OF Stan
tons masterful character, irritable temper, i'm
petuous behavior. and often violent speech. Miss
Daisy Lowering gave an earnest, sincere, pleasing
performance Of a sweet and gentle girl-not much
10 do but well done The house full.