The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-02-20

MortOn's ENmous Old English COM
edy, "speea the Piow."
Who does not know Mrs. Grundy?
Who does not nt some time make con
,esslons TO her? And yet who has ever
recorded seeing her? Prim, grim and
uncompromlslng, the ncorporea dame
sits MS censor on the manners and the
morals of the tine, what will Mrs.
Grundy say?" is II phrase that suggests
tremendous power and authority. but
no one has ever reported Just what
she did say. Referred To on all social
questions, the inspiration of the CON
vcntional, sung by poet and considered
by writer, no one has yet been found
bold enough to attempt her concrete
description Even the man who, con
sclous of her existence, first brought
her to public attention did not intro
duce her as n tangible figure. He
was content with theoretical per
spnality, presence. And tits as well.
If Mrs. Grundy could speak. she wonld
die as an influence, Her strength Is
That of silent censure.
Mrs. Grundy, the name, was the in
vcntion of Thomas Morton, an English
playwright born nearly century and
II half ago: 1t appears i'll his pastoral
comedy, "Speed the Plow," which ran
through many successful London sea
sons and was later presented In this
country. The play concerns the ad-
ventures OF Il handsome youth of nm
known parentage. Henry, the hero, has
been adopted by Farmer and Dame
>shfield, two. characters whose rustic
conversations supply much of the hui
NOR Of the. piece Mrs. Grundy Is pres.
cnt IN spirit only. She is supposedly
lAe wife of neighboring farmer, and
of her opinion in all matters Dame
.\shfied stands in mortal awe, greatly
Il the annoyance of her husband.
In the first few lines of the comedy
Dame Ashfell has Ucca 1ion to mention
her formidable friend with this result
Ash-Be quiet, wool yc? Always ding
Ginging Dame Grundy in my ears
" mt VIII MITE. .Nlul'l! H'N .. i'''
will Mrs. Grundy think CanSt thee he
quiet, let her aloune ana behave thyac
prltty? "'''.
Dance Certainly can. I'll tell thee,
Tummas, what she said at ciIaeh hls,
Sunday.
Ash -Canst thee tell what parson
ziil?
The couple have n handsome daugh
tor, Susan, whose love story fOrIis u
part Of the plot. At ole stage of the
development the following Dialogue
takes place: .... ..
ASH tell ye. | zec'd III gi Susan II
letter, and don't like it bit.
Damc-Nor |. If shame should come
to the poor child say. Tummas. what
would Mrs. Grundy say. then?
Ash-Dom Mrs. ,Grundy! What wD,l!,l
my poor woald heart zayi
At another place Henry il hard pres -
ed for money, and his adopted parent
plan to sell their goods to obtain II for
him. The farmer asks his dame how
many silk gowns she can dispose Of
Dame-Three, TrmmaS. ana sell
them all; and I'll go T. church in 4
stuff one and let. Mrs. Grlindy turn MP
her. nose as much as she likes.
In the final act. when everything il
comfortably settled, the simple pair
fall to preparing for the festivities.
Dame-And then. Tummas. think Of
the wedding.
Ash TeflectingD-l declare shall u
just the zame as ever. Maybe s.s.!
buy smartlsh bride or zilver backy
stopper or the likes O. that
Dame 'tapartAAnd then, when We
come out of church. Mrs. Grundy will
be standing about there
Ash (aparb-I shall shake hands
with all my friends.
Dame (apart-Then look at her in
this manner
Ash (apart)-How dost do, Peter;
All. Dick, glad to zee thee wi all me
zoul (bows toward center Of the stageD.
Dame (apartD-Then. with kind Of
half courtesy, | shall (She advances
to the center also. and their heads
meet)
Ash-What an oald fool thee bees.
dame! Come along and behave pratty.
do'ee.
From this small beginning grew the
tradition of Mrs. Grundy. 1t has been
seized upon by succeeding writers and
succeeding generations. who have felt
the existence of the alrstere critic as
keenly as did ever Dame Ashfield
Thanks are due the originator for a
term that has come to express u vital
social force more satisfactorily thGn
reams Of explanation.-New York Her.
aid.
A Crime Against Society.