The Washington herald., 1913-12-21
CAPITAL THEATERS 52 YEARS AGO.

ence had few equals and hardly a SUI
perior. and his handsome and accom-
plished wife, with her songs and dances,
divided the applause OF delighted audi
ences with him. The Irish Boy and the
Yankee Girl were prime favorites with
everybody and drawing cards for the box
office.
The Washington lTheater billed Adah
Isaacs Menken. she of 'Mazeppa' or the
wild Horse of Tartary' fame. whose
sensational bareback ride, dashed to the
fiery steed of Tartary is stfll well remem-
bered by those who witnessed that thrill
ing spectacle. and which could only be
given on a stage of ample size like that
of the old Front Street Theater, in Balti-
more, where IL always drew an overflow
ing house. She appeared upon this occa-
sion as the Widow CHEEKY in the 'SoI-
dier's Daughter" and as most CT the
performances at that time concluded with
a farce she took the character Of Polly
Crisp in the Unprotected Female"
which afforded full scope for her skill In
a very amusing role. Her versatile ac-
complishment included. among others,
life-like impersonations cf distinguished
actors. both men and women. in which
she greatly excelled and always pleased.
She was said to be of Jewish extraction,
but Of this am not certain. She was a
beautiful woman and a distinguished
actress.
Ford's Theater had that deseryedly
popular favorite, Maggie Mitchell, in her
greatest production, ''Fahchon, the
Cricket" OF which il may be truthfully
said that she played to as many people
as the houses would conveniently hold,
and sent her audiences away with that
feeling Of perfect satisfaction which a
good story well told always gives when
presented by an actress Of acknowledged
ability. Her T..shadow dance and the
May pole dance Of the village with her
ripping musical songs and dances which
wereOR part of the play and to which she
alone could give such a mingled charm
OF melody and manner yet lives in my
recollection, and doubtless also in that
OF the thousands OF old boys and girls
who sat with their-s~eethearts in those
happy days and feasted their souls as
they beheld the gates OF a lovers Para
disc opening to their enraptured vision
while the tender scenes Of youthful life
with which the play abounded were thus
dramatically brought to view.
Maggie Mitchell deserves to be remem-
bered. by all who saw and heard her as
the most delightful instructress that ever
sought to present and interpret the sweet
and gentle passion which so rules the
human breast. She was the idol OF the
youthful generation and the halting
doubts and hesitation Of many a timid
swain were doubtless resolved and
brought to a happy issue by the melt
ing moods Of sympathetic interest which
this accomplished actress so well knew
how to invoke for the benefit Of her en-
thusiastic admirers.
Lucille Westerns genius, the inimitable
humor of Stuart Robson, the scholarly
interpretations of Edwin Booth, and the
heroic portrayals Of John Mccullough,
belong also to the almost forgotten past.
II the critic of today. moved by generous
impulse, would seek to lessen the dis
tance that separates, the question that in
terests must still remain for those to an
swer whose span of life bridges this
chasm and thus permits the answering
verdict.