New-York tribune., 1907-03-19
AZ TO mPREIunlcE."

..q-,. sn,ipreeld Republican Is in distress-this
tIrns about what Il pIeases TO designate as 'Ihe
Tribune critics prejudice. That ancient parsonage
apuesrs 10 cause much anguish IN many journal
Istio bosoms other than that or the dramatic
writer for THE Springfield Republican" This time
the anguish the result or article called The
Foreign Actor Fad" published here on February 1.
Referring to the subject What William Winter
Felt called Upon To Write When lie Heard OF
Noveligs Coming" the amabls Republican" says:
In contrast TO the enthusiastic reception that
sEnor NoveIli IS receiving from the american critics
bTrebnbiy n5 be William winters characterzaton OF
him when he reaches New York. II Is seldom that
critic feels called upon TO adversely GriuGise an
in advance OF his appearance zee aS MI %in5ef Ie
ne viii not look upon Noyelh's work lsic-he means
actngl with favor. This being the case, II is rs
5ot be 20 able 10 The Trbune critics preu
dice no matter how we'll ne may do.
How dreadful. how unspeakaby terrible-If IL
were only true!
But truth Is IN a WELL and the Springfield writer
evidently does not draw from that well. The as
sumption that Mr.. Winter" has implied that ho
will not look upon Novellis WOyk with favor" or
that Mr.. Winter has any prejudice" against Sgnor
Noven against anybody ese is entirely gra-
tultous: Il Is noted with due appreciation Of the
sweet spirit in which It is made. The intention OF
the Republican writer was 20 introduce the article
from The Tribune (which he copied in fulD in such
n way TO mislead the casual reader. Aside from
mentioning the coming of Signor Novelli and aside
far of his coming shines" On alluson 20 the
activity OF the press -agenD. the only reference
made to the Italian actor in these words: sig
Nove IS, probably. a capable performer In
italian plays and II IS 90 be hoped that he will
adhere 10 them" That Is an opinion perfectly
proper to be entertained and to be expressed as
20 person who has not yet appeared and prao-
ticay is unknown here Signor Noveln no doubt
Is a capable performer in Italian plays. else he
1 would not have received favor in italy.
Ag fO subject Of the article THE Foreign
Actor Fad"-that subject being the question as TO
tho respective characteristics OF the AnglO-saxon
and the Continental European methods OF acting
there IS wait for the appearance Of any
actor before expressing a judgment upon 1t, even
though that judgment should not happen 20 please
THE Springfield Republican" IL there is for
elgn actor who approximate, in the great
Shakespearian characters to the excellence OF the
elder Booth. Murdock Wallack. Edwin Forrest
Brooke Macready Edwin Booth. John Mccullough.
J. H. Hackett Henry Irving Lawrence Barrett
etc etc. It would be a revelation as well as de-
light to sea him He should not be allowed 70 es-
cape unframed. This writer, however. has not YET
such a foreign actOr-and he has seen thein
ALL from the time OF Dawson that OF Sonnentha'
{ Mounet- -Sully. Bernhardt and Duse
II is neither Signior Novell justice, nor act
ing. ror criticism that is vexing the soul OF The
Springfield Republican" 1t is the desire to say
something offensive about the present writer To
that pleasure the brother is welcome. Meanwhile
the wonder s that with much good Will 70 the
purpose the Springfield writer. and others like
him, cannot say something with some point TO it
Il have, in my time" said Frankn, received far
more of both and praise than deserve,
and I ca-e not at all about either" II the genial
writer who performs on the theatrical harp In
'Ihs Springfield Republican is dissatisfied With