davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19
Last of the Victorians
Goes in Grundy Death

ion." produced In 1883, was a successful
attempt at an original English comedy.
at time when original English dramat-
lists were rare. In 1885. II rained and
hailed adaptations. At the Globe, where
''The Glass of Fashion" was produced.
IL had been preceded by Robert Buch-
anan's translation OF lie Maitre de
Forges." entitled Lady Clare" At the
Haymsrket. Herman Merivale's version
OF Fedora" was drawing the town; to
be followed by Pinero's Lords and Com
MONS" which owed something. at least,
to foreign source. At the Olympic in
that year Mr.. Grundy. himself. had two
adaptations done-one. Rachel" taken
from La Yoleuse d'Enfants." and q
version OF Scribe's La Verre d'Eau."
called The Queens Favorite;' and at
the St. James. Impulse" an adapta-
tiOn of La Maison du MARI was played.
II needed no small desire for fame as
opposed to gain to induce a clever young
man. in 1888. to scorn the easy and profit
able task of adaptation, and sit down to
write an original English comedy satiriz-
ing a contemporary foible. 1t is unfortu-
nate, however. for his final record that
his most successful piece a Pair of
Spectacles," was an adaptation from the
French.
His published accounts Of his days as
a dramatic critic are piquant.
Whatever else I was or failed to be
as critic" he writes, Il was inyeter-
ately. inordinately. superfiuously. IDIOT
ically honest. l would have Iauded my
enemy to the skies or slaughtered my
best friend. Not without effort, but I
should have done ii. With no fewer
than three of the young ladies' whom II
was frequently my business to criticise
Adelaide Nelson. Rose CoghIan, and
Nelly hoOre-I was hOpelessly in love.
In strict accuracy. think I ought TO
add Louisa Moore; but three young
ladies are enough TO go on with. II
will be observed that had one quaIifi-
cation for a dramatic critic-excellent
taste. But, upon my honor. my three
(or four separate and consuming pas
sions interfered neither with one an
other nor with the faithful discharge OF
what CONCEIVED TO be my duty.
My criticism OF one Of the perform.
ances OF the late Mr.. SOthern took the
form of a burlesque. He called at the
Cffice with a big oaken stick, and trucu-
lently demanded to see the editor Nat
urally the editor was out. Then said
Sothern. breaking into his sunniest
smile. will you please convey to him
my compliments. and send 100 copies OF
your amusing paper to Edward Askew
Sothern. at the Palatine Hotel?'
Years later he sent me a line from
New York: Lost your Ms. Revenged at
last"
In recent years Grundy has had active
connection with the stage either as
author or critic. He was entirely out OF
sympathy with the new tendencies and
found the times out Of joint.
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19

In the death Of Sydney Grundy the
week before last In London. there was
taken away almost the last Of the dra-
matte reactionarles from the English
stage. Grundy was Of the old school. n
stalwart Robertsonian. one Of that/satis-
fed Victorian band who saw with horror
the first Of the Ibsen plays In London.
who reviled Shaw and damned Gals
worthy. Remembered chilly for his adap-
lions from the French-"A Pair Of Spec
tacles'' and Sowing the Wind are his
best known pieces-he was never able 10
reconcile himself to the new order.
He retained. however, his biting abil-
ity as a critic to the end and almost his
last published comment was a tearing
attack on the new school writers. In
that he said:
ct am not ashamed Of my generation.
justify the past; I indiet the present.
It would not have been possible without
US; II has entered into our labors: where
we sowed II reaps: and II Is undoing our
1 life's work. II is living on the capital
It has inherited. II is alternating the
public BY the next generation the work
OF the last will have TO be done all over
again"
''oh. for one generous sentiment. one
touch of nature. one breath Of Gods
air. one draught of cold water. I'm the
arid Sahara Of Shaw! Is there anything
under the sun so tiresome. so nerve
racIling, so souI-destroying. as cleverness
that is always clever and never anythiQs
else?
Yes, Mr. Shaw is done. His star is on
the wane: his candle only sputters In its
socket: his beauty IL passe. his wheezes
are chestnuts. his sleights-of-hand trans
parent his humors rheum. He Is run
ming a race with time and gave himself
a twenty years start. and time Is beat
ing him to a fraZZle. Yes, Mr.. Shaw Is
done: his works are the British Mu-
seum's. and his efiigy Tussaud's."
Grundy recently got into a contro-
versy with John Palmer. critical success
sor Of Bernard Shaw and the ever de-
IightfuI Max BeerbOhn in the Saturday
Review.
Opposing PaImers defense Of the mod
Crns. Grundy wrote:
The consummate craftsmanship Of a
Sardou will be recovered and invested
with vitality: there will be restored to
the famished playgoer the symmetrical
condolences OF the theater, so lament
ably lopsided in life. which. pregnant as
II is with dramatic situations and sur
prises. never yet presented one homo
genous play: the footlights will resume
their pride Of place. and the public priv
ileged TO enjoy now and again that most
refreshing Of all intellectual recreations.
the purely artificial drama-evening with
great gulf fixed betwiXt actors and
audience-the gulf Of mystery-a drama
like nothing in nature, like nothing in
life. but their distilled essence"
Grundys piece. The Glass Of Fash
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19
Played In "The Only Son.
On Wager Nth Tom Ross

porter's typewriter had written aught of
praise. Needless to comment that the
critics assurance of the public that
young Ross gave promise of a notable
career as a comedian stirred emotions Of
gratitude in the young actors heart, and
began a friendship which has existed
from that day to this.
Frequently IL has so happened that Mr..
Brainard has been called by business to
some city in which Mr.. Ross has since
been playing an engagement. which hap
pened when Ross was heading the West
ern company playing The Only Son.
Mr.. Brainard first saw the play in st.
Louis and expressed his opinion to its
star that too many people were carried
In the cast. claiming that any business
man could play several of the roles with
but meager rehearsal.
why" said Mr.. Brainard, IT could
do it,
81 dare you" challenged Ross. Where
upon the wager was decided upon and
Mr.. Brainard accepted the challenge.
The evening of Mr.. Brainard's stage
debut Mr.. Frank Condor, manager of the
Liederkranz Orchestra, in st. Louis; Mr..
Homer Bassford, business manager OF
the st. Louis Times Cboth OF whom are
intimate friends OF Mr.. Brainard's), were
in the audience witnessing THE Only
Son." When the owner Of the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate made his appear
ance, Mr.. Bassford turned to his COM
panion and said:
why. that looks like Clinton Brain
ard"
Talks like him. too" answered Con-
don.
Just shows you what ones imagina-
ton can do declared Mr.. Bassford
Here We were talking about Brainard
and because We were talking and thinking
Of him we imagine that a man on the
stage looks like him. Why" went on Mr.
Bassford. conclusively, "the subject Of
our tam Is IN New York. / saw him there
just few days ago"
The following day when Mr. Brainard
met his friends Of the audience, and they
told him Of the idea they had conceived
in the theater the previous night. the
man who had won his wager had a hearty
laugh at their expense.
In connection with this story II Is rath-
er an odd coincident that there are three
members Of the cast OF The Only Son"
bearing the name Of Brainard.
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19
81 OF SEASONS PLAYS
BY AMERICAN WRITERS

Despite the inroads Of the movies there
was one more production in the New
York theaters the season Just closing
than in the winter OF 1928. While this
is not a healthy growth, it is more en-
couraging than some croakers would
have one believe. 1t is expected that
there will be as many real good pro-
ductions next winter as ever. although
the number Of poor and mediocre efforts
may decline.
Last winter saw 151 new productions.
besides 36 revivals, 19 adaptations, and
dramatizations, making a total Of 17f
plays offered the theatergoIng public here.
The New York Dramatic Mirror statis-
tician says that Of the entire number 70
were melodramas, 80 comedies, IS dramas.
IA farces, % musical and 10 tragedies, a
spectacies, vaudeviIles. and 25 playIets.
OF the whole number 113 appeared before
New Years Day.
The foreign authors lead the native
born. Eighty-four were, American writ
ten and 80 penned abroad.
From the previous season were in
herited Peg o. Ny Heart and within
the Law" the former closing after 604
performances and the latter one less.
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19
It's to Be Found This Week in Washington Theater and Parks
VAN BURENS TO BE
HERE ALL SUMMER

A. n. Van Buren, and Dorothy Bernard
will remain with the Columbia Players
until the close Of the summer season As
this organization invariably continues its
season until the road attractions begin
to demand time IL Is apparent that the
admirers of the Columbia's leading man
and woman win be entertained by them
until early in September. When the
Van Burens returned to Washington at
the close Of their extended season In Win
nepeg they planned to remain only four
weeks, or six weeks at the longest. after
which they had intended TO take a short
vacation abroad. The warmth Of ths
welcome they received and the ever
growing demonstrations that greet them
at every performance has had its effect
upon them and they have finally con-
sented to forego their own personal COM
fort and remain in the city for the re-
mainder Of the summer season
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19
r CHANDLER MANZ.

q. -. CHANDLER MANI.
p Apropns az The Only Son." Winchen
Smiths four-act play which will have its
initial washington stock presentation al
the hands of the Poll Players this week,
Mr.. Clinton 7. Brainard. president ano
editor of The Washington Herald ano
proprietor Of the Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate, tells a most interesting ana
humorous story of his appearance in the
niece during its presentation in st. Louis
that he might win a wager with Thomas
Ross appearing at the head Of the West
ern company playing the piece sinful
taneously with its successful New York
run.
Mr.. Brainard's friendship for Tommy
Ross antedates the appearance OF the
gifted comedian in The Only Son" haV-
ing begun under circumstances OF the
most humorous nature.
Somewhere back in 1895, when MT.
Brainard had just begun his newspaper
career, he was a young reporter on the
Denver Times. 1t was at this time that
the noted Denver stock company, which
numbered Harry Carson Clark, Madge
Carr Cooke, and Thomas Ross in its per-
sonnel, was launched. and Mr.. Brainard
was assigned by the Times to review the
first production, after the reporter had
given ample assurance to his editor of
his capabilities and knowledge in the
matter of things dramatic. He was au-
thorized to give the opening generous
space, and it was the realization that he
had before him a great chance to prove
his ability as a dramatic critic that got
into the young mans blood, and sent him
forth with the self-assurance born OF
youth and inexperience.
The following morning when I'm COL
umn and a half OF scathing "panning
a criticism In which Mr.. Brainard de-
clared the play presented to be an insult
10 public intelligence, and scored the act
ing in vitriolic language-appeared upon
the streets something Of a panic was
created, for (unkHown TO Mr.. BrainarO
the proprietor of the Times was the
financial power behind the stock COM
pany, which his own paper had scored in
no halfway measures.
The one ray of sunshine in Mr.. Brain
ards day after his mad plunge into the
arena of dramatic criticism was his meet
ing with Thomas Ross, the one member
of the stock company of whom the re-
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19
Weeks Amusements.
PoIi's-"The Only SON."

A new play from the pen of the man
who wrote The Fortune Hunter" will
be offered by Polls Theater this week
The play is The Only Son." a drama
in four acts, by Winchell Smith. II
was produced originally at the Gayety
Theater in New York by a cast that
included Wallace Eddinger Claude
Gillingwater, Louis Randolph, and
Olive Wyndham. and ran for a season
and a half in the house that was
opened by The Fortune Hunter" Mr..
Smiths newer play possesses many of
the comedy elements that made his
earlier stage story a success. But il
is the human interest in the story,
rather than it's humorous qualities that
has given it an Irresistible appeal to
all theatergoers. 1t is in some re-
Bpects a discussion of the sins of So
ciety. The story of the play is based
on a sons fight to protect his mothers
good name. The investigation of a
murder has put into the possession of
detectives letters written by the
young mans mother which give her
husband grounds for divorce. The
sympathy of an audience is aroused
by the impassioned efforts of the CEN
tral figure of the story to save fool
1sh and unfortunate woman from pub
lie shame. Mr.. Buhler will be seen this
week as the son, the role created in
New York by Wallace Eddinger and in
Chicago by Thomas W. Ross. Miss
Jewel will be seen as the girl who
furnishes the inspiration for the young
mans determined fight Other roles
will be played by William D. Corbett.
Frank Shannon, Stanley James, Cecil
Rowser, Russell Fillmore, Robert
Wayne, and Louise Kent.
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19
All, MGR. REBOUX, STOP
ZEE Cruel WOIDS!
French Writer Calls Americans Hum,
bugs and Hypocrites. Drinkers
and Promoters of Vice"
U. S. WOMEN LIKE TO KISS

Special CabIe to The Washington Herah.
Paris, July ls-''Humbugs and hypo-
critics. are the epithets applied to Amer
leans by Paul Reboux. the welI-known
journalist, who has just completed a tour
of the United States. in an article pub
lished in Gil Bias as a reply to the i'm
preston he says prevails among Ameri-
cans generally that the French are vain
braggarts. reeking with vice. Here are
extracts from Reboux's Indictment:
1t is time the French nation rose up
against the accusation of immortality
from people whose vice is notorious.
Montmartre. which used to be the home
OF gay-spirited and clever Bohemians.
has been converted into a disreputable
haunt OF gay living for the sole benefit
Of American tourists.
Montmartre restaurant men have made
champagne buying compulsory: they
have expelled painters. cingers actors.
and writer's and have filed their supper
halls with Paris beauties Just to please
the gold-toothed Yankees on a spree.
Any Frenchman who goes to Mont
martre feels he is quite out of place. yet
the Americans. for whom this night life
is provided. reproach us with it. The
mistake We made was to stretch our hos
pitality to tolerance.
We let the Americans amuse themselves
among US as they like. BY a little
hypocrisy We could easily gain their
esteem.
GAY living and even drinking is Cloaked
in the United States and has given rise TO
monumental humbug and hypocrisy.
Love making is strictly regulated. and
II a Young American behaved as the
young Frenchman does openly, mothers
would be inexpressibly shocked The re-
suit is daring fiirtations which everyone
tolerates in the United States.
American women shut their eyes to the
dangers OF kissing so as to retain their
liberty and freely indulge in il. The same
spirit Of hypocrisy leads to lightning
weddings and equally rapid divorces.
II is also the cause of frequent weddings
OF old men and girls OF fourteen who be
come widows before they have finished
their education.
Yes, nature wears a very thick veil in
America. Another point Is the gross
Yankee pleasantries at our abundance OF
titles and decorations. and are not justi-
fed when the simple-minded, puerile taste
Of Americans for distinctions is borne in
mind.
Every Haytian is a major general, but
every American also is a colonel.
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19
Glen Echo Park.

AS an added attractio for those who
elect to visit Glen Echo Park during the
hours Of daylight, the management an
nounces that this week, starting tomor-
row. free rides on the carrousel will be
added to the free features Of the resort.
With the numerous Sunday School pic
mics scheduled each week at the park
and the basket parties every day, the
daytime attendance is not far behind
that of the evenings.
With all of the half hundred amuse-
ment devices running and the big dance
pavilion where Charles o. Mills and his
orchestra hold forth on week nights
adding its share Of pleasure, Glen Echo
offers many Inducements to those seek
ing a pleasant outing and an escape
from the heat OF the city.
As the added attraction for Sunday visi-
tors there will be a series Of concerts
this afternoon and tonight by the Sol
diers' Home Military Band and in the
evening the motion pictures, two new
films, will be shown free in the open air.
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19
ALEXANDRIA TO HAVE
STOCK COMPANY

Alexandria, Va, is soon to have a per-
manent stock company that promises 10
captivate the Virginia town. With Ber-
tina Matthews. a Washington girl. head
ing her own company. the first offering
in the Alexandria Opera House will be
The Morning After" in three acts.
The theater has been completely re-
furnished for the opening performances
next Monday night. Miss Matthews,
who is the star and manager Of the ag-
gregation. intends to introduce a series
Of comedies, and later will offer musical
comedy.
Miss Matthews is said to have a charm
ing voice, and with her ability to inter-
pret a wide range of roles, II Is pre-
dicted that she will have but little diff
Guilty in making a success Of her Alex
andria venture.
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19
COMING ATTRACTIONS.
"why Jones Left Home"

That bright and CHEEKY farce, why
Smith Left Home" is announced for pro-
duCtion by the Columbia Players for the
first week in August. 1t is in three acts.
by George H. Broadhurst. and attained
its New York eminence during its run
at Hoyt's Theater-then the home Of light
comedies Of this character. Maclyn Ar
buckle then played the leading role and
Annie Yeamans that OF the secretary of
the Cooks Union, a part that has been
unalterably associated with the dis
tinguished actress ever since. The farce
''ripples merrily on from start to finish
like one long peal Of laughter in the
opinion Of one prominent reviewer.
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19
0The WOIf.v

Eugene Walters drama Of life in the
Hudson Bay country, The Wolf" will
be the attraction at Polrs Theater next
week. This play from the pen of the
man who wrote Paid in Full and The
Easiest Way tells a story of primitive
life in the wilderness. The story really
begins some years before the time of the
play, when a half-sister OF Jules Deau-
bien has been led astray by an American
adventurer. The man afterward depart
ed with the woman, and all trace of
them was lost. The disgrace brought
upon Jules father weighs upon him, and
on his death bed he exacts a promise
from Jules to find his step-sister, An
nette, and care for her. On this begin
ming the author has unfolded a narrative
that depicts the unbridled passions of
the man who lived close to nature in the
Canadian north.
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19
PRESIDENTS COUSIN GOLF FAN.

London. July 1S.-John Wilson. a cousin
of President Wilson, who Is staying at
the Metropole Hotel. expects to sail for
New York August 15, taking with him
set of golf clubs made by the famous
professional James Braid. and presented
TO the President by the American Lunch
con Club of London.
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19
Co1umbin-..MIce and Men"

Madeleine Lucette Ryley's romantic
costume comedy in four acts Mice and
Men" will be presented this week by the
Columbia Players Seen here but a few
months ago with Johnston Forbes-Rob-
ertson in the role OF Mark Embury, the
elderly bachelor philosopher whose
scheme of adopting the founding maid
and educating her to be his wife gives
further proof to the prophecy OF Bobby
Burns concerning the best laid plans of
mice and men. Mr.. Van Buren will be
seen in the role of Embury, a part for
which he is admirably fitted. OF equal
importance is the role OF Peggy, or Lit
tie Britain" as she was called at the
asylum, in which Annie Russell was first
seen in this country, and in which Ger
trude Elliot made so pronounced a hit
when the piece was last seen here
Dorothy Bernard has been cast for the
part in the Columbia production. The
cast will also include George W. Bar
bier as Roger Goodlake, Embury's friend
and neighbor; Everett Butterfield, as the
nephew, Capt George Lowell; David
Chase, as Sir Harry Trimblestone; George
Darrell, as Kit Barniger; Willard Robert
son as Peter; Jessie Glendenning, as
Joanna, Goodlake's wife; Julia Blanc, as
Mrs. De Borah, Embury's housekeeper;
Bessie Maxwell. as Molly; Carrie Thatch-
er, as the matron. and John NJ. Kline as
the beadle Of the founding hospital
Special care has been exercised by Scenic
Artist Charles Squires in designing the
scenery for the production, the first act
Of which takes place in Embury's study,
the second in his housekeeper's apart
ments two years later, the third at the
masquerade ball at Belsize House, and
the last act six weeks later in the garden
Of South Cottage. Hampstead. The period
is about 17S6.
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19
ABoRN LOOKS EN- OVER.

OPera Producer VIII Engage Euro
pean singers for L. 8.
Berlin, July 1S-Milton Aborn, Of the
Century Opera Company. Of New York,
has Just returned from Vienna where he
secured the American rights to future
operatic productions by Wolf Ferrari and
also to Ferrari's "Donne Curiose'' and
"L'Amore Medico."
He expects to engage some European
singers before returning on the Water
land, July q
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19
NO TITLE YET FOR
DITRICHSTEIN PLAY

David Belasco has not yet decided upon
a title for the new play which Leo.
Ditrichstein is adapting from the Hun
garian. for his own use as a starring
medium when he opens at the Belasco
Theater. New York, in the fall.
Mr.. Ditrichstein is now the guest of
William II. Thompson and Mrs. Thomp-
son Isabel IrvinE) at their summer
home. Siasconset. Mass. where he eN-
poets to finish the play in order to de-
liver IT into Mr.. Pelasco's hands by
August J.
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19

produce this comedy by Max Marein in
September.
London will soon see The Dummy.
which Is probably American enough to
make as great a hit there as II has at
the Hudson Theater. New York. 1t is
unfortunate that Ernest Truck cannot
play the young hero there. as such a
youthful aspect combined with such skill
in his profession is rare Then the cool
villa!ny Of Edward Ellis ought to be a
part Of every performance OF the play.
William A Brady has arranged with
Sir Charles wyndham to produce in Lon
don Too Many Cooks" which is still
such a success at the Thirty-ninth Street
Theater. In all probability Frank Craven
will act the same part he did here. Five
companies will play the farce in this
country next season.
kitty Mackaye" IL still to be seen at
the Comedy Theater, and will in all prob
ability continue TO be given there during
the early winter months The first ap-
pearance of the second company will
take place on July % in the Northwest.
derstood to be in connection. among other
things. with his proposed production of
Diplomacy in the French capital next
spring with William Gillette, Blanche
Bates, and Marie Doro.
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19
WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT TT

well. who would have thought It!
Sir ]. NJ. Barrie wrote a play for Gaby
Deslys! But. unfortunately for the fair
Gaby, when the play was finished II
proved too lengthy for the Palace The
ater, where ii was to have been produced.
1t is this play that has been intrusted
to Granville Barker for production in
London, and to Charles Frohman for
production in New York.
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19

Tschaikowsky's Song Without Words. -
In addition to the orchestral program
the closing attractions OF last weeks bill
with new specialties will furnish a gilt
edged entertainment
The Washington herald., 1914-07-19

Willie d. James, Of Bethlehem, KY,
owns a plow which has been handed
down from his great-grandfather. 1t has
been all the time on one of the farms
now owned by Mr.. James-at least Us
years.