New-York tribune., 1907-12-24
THE DRAMA.
John GLAYDE's HONOUR"
DkIy'S THEATRE.

,, !, is depiorsble that the stage in even single
Instance should be devoted 10 exposition of of
.be most offensive and painful subjects that be
,,+-u5ed upon atteuticn.-the subject namely, of
,,tserv in the state of marriage consequent upon
,or..inn Of vows the sacred that human be-
,nrs make. and which the entire fabric of so
,s,v 5epends The play called John Cilayde's
,Iono1r" produced last night at Daly's Theatre.
- .rr James X. Hackett- tells shocking story
- 7-au1au's duplicity and,-possiby without mis-
renresert alton of human nature.-depicts woman
., an aspect little less than hdeous The ethical
,,rrose-1lpon whcf. it would be agreeable in this
case and n all similar cases. not to pause-is
stated with such emphasis that il cannot be ig
,ored Mr.. Alfred Sutro, who wrote this piece. is.
snparenrly. of the opinion and desirous of its
adoption by his audience that infdelity and treach-
CIV in the married state justihable. at least
excusable, when sequent on the neglect of either
party TO the contract of marriage If his play
does not convey that meaning. it would be difficult
# not impossible 10 divine what meaning it does
cnnvev or whether it is intended to any,
thing. The subject Of honor might well have
been left out Of the argument. It is truism
that neither party TO the contract affect the
honor OF the other by the commission of crime.
The perpesrator Of the offence is the only person
whose honor is sullied. John Glayde. upon dis
covering that his wife is adulteress and liar.
instead Of yielding TO the impulse 10 vindcate his
honor by committing homicide, delivers her into
the hands OF her lover seeming by implication. TO
censure himself for not having been more atten-
tive 10 her. and enjoins that person to assume
the Of her and keep her from further sin and
deceit. Four acts of loquacious play are occu-
pied in reaching that result, and, the boy in
Dickens says about learning the alphabet il Is not
worth going through much 10 get so little.
The play consists of many incidents and much
dialogue. the latter being often terse and
bright. The action begins at apartment in
Paris that Mrs GIayde has Just hired and fur
nished for her abode a dinner has been given. to
celebrate her occupancy of that residence. Lerode
Collingham, Branley, and the Princess de Cas-
tagnary guests Intimation is given of the re-
istions between Lerode and Muriel. Mrs Glayde
Lady Lerode and Dora Longman. John Glayde's
niece. return from the opera Lady Lerode is de-
srous OF erecting marriage between her son.
Trevor Lerode. and girl. Miss Hamblen. who does
appear. Lady Lerode has perceived the attach
r1ent and Mrs. Glayde; indeed. it is sig
nihed that the intimacy is widely known in Paris;
ard Lady Lerode has sent a cable dispatch to John
Gaye, in America, telling him to TO Paris at
This he does; and. having by means of his
secretary, Shumur, discovered the abode of his wife
the address of which she has withheld from him.
he calls at her apartment. Mrs. Glayde is greatly
embarrassed Glayde is favorably impressed by
Mr.. Collingham. and invites him TO call, the next
morning Collingharn, being in love with Dora
Longman and wishing to speak with Glayde on
that subject. promises TO do The arrival Of
C1layde disperses Mrs. Glayde's party, and her
guests withdraw. after an instructive distrust of
a
responding dislike for Gfayde has been shown by
Lerode. Mr.. and Mrs. Glayde left alone. The
wife signifies that he has paid too much attention
to his business and little attention to her He
expresses regret, snd says that he has come to
rectify that error He cannot be accommodated at
his Hife's apartment, but he has already engaged
rooms at a hotel. Mrs. Glayde. perceiving her
husbands jealousy, reproaches him, in bantering
manner, in order her annoyance at
mis- arrival. she is afraid OF him. The is
de5 bxh he-u leax-f i'm cir
The second. act occurs at Glaydes Mr..
collingham arrives. and Glayde. in confidential
conversation with him. asks and receives inforna
ton to fashionable public opinion concerning
the relations Of Mrs. Glayde and Mr.. Lerode.
Mr.. Collinghan departs. Mr.. Lerode, In response
10 request from Glayde next appears. and
Gleyde forbids him to Mrs Glayde again
Lerode resents the prohibition. Glayde is called
away for a moment. by message from the Ameri-
can stock exchange. Mrs. Glayde has come to see
her husband, and Rhe now has a talk with Lerode.
who tells her of 4es Injunction The wife be
seeches him to 4 I. warning him that. other
wise, be viii be $50 Glayde. whom he does
not know and pf4113sing that if he will do
she asks she will eXee with him. at the first op-
portunty- To this Ierode agrees 1t is intimated
that they have already made visit to country
place. and have committed adultery Mrs. Glayde
departs and Mr. Glayde returns. Lerode promises
not 10 see Mrs. GIayde again. and retires- Glayde
is relieved Shurnur, supposed TO be possessed Of
extraordinary powers of dvination. then confers
with his employer and makes known TO him the
whole bitter truth.
The Third Act reverts to Mrs. Glayde's abode.
Giayde there. prevent her elopement with
Berode- She persuades him that she must go to
reception,-telling him that she is overjoyed be-
cause at last he has come back to her. and that
all will now be well. She wheedles and finally
kisses him. departs. for the purpose keep
ing her promise her seducer. That IS the princ-
PAL scene of the play, and very shocking and dis
gsting il is in its exhibition Of female depravity
Shurnur arrives. and tells Glayde Of his wife's
actual purpose and the act ends with Glayde's
departure in pursuit of her
The last act occurs at Lerode's studio He is
packing TO depart. Branley is trying TO persuade
him 10 give up his purpose of eopement Mrs
Lerode arrives. in. anxiety about the rupture of
negotiations TO the marriage of her with
the invisible girl aforementioned. Lerode dis
misses his mother. Mrs Glayde arrives. does
the Princess De Castagnary, who purposes 70 lend
her automobile to this sweet pair. for the purpose
OF their flight. Glayde however. appears. and. of
course causes great CONSERVATION. John has come
with apparently, the intention OF Staying Lerode
and perhaps. the wife: but suddenly he appears TO
be overwhelmed with perception that il is his
neglect Of his wife that has caused her to leave
the fair mountain of Glayde and batten the
of Iero6e: and he solennly informs that black
guard that Mrs. Glayde has made all the sacrifices
that a woman can make for and adjures
him to take her away and help her 10 sin and lie
more.
That is the substance of the play. There are
various external and internal hourishes about
:t The purpose of act first is TO create suspense
and that purpose is well accomplished Giayde is
indicated as ? formidable dangerous person. whose
snnroach is portentous The denotement is that
when he gets into motion things viii happen When
he does get into molten nothing happens except
talk and he fades away. like toy balloon in con-
tact sith a sharp Neede. The woman, Muriel
Gisyde. is a thoroughly shallow, disgusting person.
s-d rArode is q scamp who has taken advantage