New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-05
THE DRAMA.
AGAIN THE TANeuERAY SCANDAL

Inc great moral perceptor OF the hour, Miss Olga
Nethersole last night. at the Herald Square The
atre continued her ministrations again presenting
her intimate friend the torrid Mrs. Tanqueray and
thus another opportunity is afforded for public
examination of the possible results of marriage
between blackguard and a courtesan. The public
interest in that subject is of course great and the
qualification provided by Miss Nethersole Is
prodigious- In doing this service Miss Nethersole
doubtless is actuated by a deep conviction that the
young men OF the city should appreciate the peril
Gus consequences of choosing notorious courtesan
for a wife That choice so many of them are IN
danger OF makingl Sane young men so often seek
their wives among the den1i-monde, and con-
tinualIy attend the theatre for guidance in this
momentous crissl The fact that fat witted sensu-
alsts like Mr.. Tanqueray, who live for the gratih-
cation of their appetites, and that only never, Dy
any chance. could be induced TO ponder "a PROB
len1." con "a lesson OF this kind. does not
weaken 1.-The moral" purpose of this actress or re-
tard her crusade for the rectifcation of youth
The story of this play, long since made known
here, through the charitable endeavors of Mr.. and
Mrs. Kendall Mrs. P. Campbell and other theatrl-
cal saints, Is truly sweet and touching one and
doubtless It has done colossal amount Of good
Mr.. TanQueray, widower, with a grown-up. con-
vent bred daughter. had been married to woman
who 'cold," and. finding himself. by her death
at liberty more to enter the state OF matrt-
rnonial bliss. he determined to select a successor
who should be warm" After mature considera-
ton his choice fell upon vile, tlI-tempered, i'll
bred, unprincipled ternagant, for matrimony, by
keeping house" for several OF his male acquaint-
ances and he married her. Thereafter the couple
attended by Afr. Tanqueray's daughter, withdrew
to a country house. and lived for tine in Sc
clusion and discomfort At last one OF the second
Mrs. TanQuerays early paramount turned up as a
sutton for the hand of the daughter and Mrs.
TanQueray simplifed the consequent domestic tam
gle by committing the crime Of suicide.
The catastrophe that threatens not only callow
youth but old "rounders'' has been perceived by
Miss Netherso1e and she is therefore diligent in
settlement work. The poor old FOUNDER (help
less. pitiable creatureD might up the Ebenezer
Of his rest in a wrong place. If Miss Nethersole
had not graciously guided him in making a matri-
monial choice and how grateful he ought to be
for the salvation that has thus been provided
The prejudIced old carper, who would like to
leave the theatre cheered and comforted by
memory Of noble endeavor and achievement is. of
course not to be considered and when of
that hopelessly lost general public as TO which
Mr.. H. A. Jones has become much distressed, he
suggests that certain writer's (such Mr.. Pinero
and Mr.. Shaw and certain actresses (such Miss
Nethersoe and Mrs P. CampbeID. having failed
to win remunerative recognition by means of
clearly plays, willing to succeed by plays that
are tainted, he IS only reactionary7-a fogey and
frost.
Miss NethersoIe is an actress of experience and
some talent-never rising above medocrity. She
sometimes pleases-as an old stager can always do
In an expertIy constructed play She is forcible
without being brilliant: energetic, without author
ity. and convincing only when concerned in scenes
Of animal propensity and coarse significance. The
manner in which The Second Mrs. Tanqueray"
is acted is not, however public importance. But
It is important that such plays are disgrace and
an affront to decency and ought to be stopped. If
the public will not exercise censorship then that of
the police is welcome; It long ago noticed,
by Sir Walter Scott. that though the lattice Of a
window be filthy. yet the light passing through Il
remained clean. The police are better than moth
ing. And. reinforced by the fire department, they
ought to prove effective. W. W.