The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-17
u, L,wRE>CE REIMER.

~ L\WNE>CE REtMER.
TT is hgaly probable that the play
selected 10y Winthrop Amcs and his
committee and now on view at the
Epoth Theatre really was the best
f. the sixteen hundred or more sub
m.'rcd for the prize. There were probably
f.w professional competitors IN the list,
although the money was worth the effort.
There is no reason to believe that the
many who sent in their plays had aay
more knowledge of the task they were
undertaking than Miss Brown; and 4
Is certain that none OF the others pos
sesscd her literary distinction
Mr.. Ames's production of children
O. Earth" IS on its scenic side faultless
Tho orchard scene, with its curiously
un-American episodes in connection
with a blessing Of the trees. shows an
exquisite vista Of blossomng branches
framed in the dull wood of the country
house, while the forest in the silvery
light Of misty dawn shimmered in a
beauty that suggested the painting Of
Corot Just as truthful in its repre-
seniatinn nf New England scenery was
the living room Of the first act.
Was the rest Of the play as true n
the life and the place? Is tn" blessing
of the orchards a New England institute
ton" II seems little N accord with the
spirit Of Puritansm. Miss Browns
play would never deserve criticism on
these grounds. however as there are
other too serious objections to its ac-
ceptance as a work for the stage In
the first place, her psychological prob
lem Is not suited TO solution in dramatic
form. or is the problem rather patho-
logical? Then it is still less adapted to
illustration behind the footlights
But there still seems no reason to
doubt that children Of Earth" was
after all the best of the numerous
works submitted for the Amcs prize In
spite Of the brilliant success of the
youthful Elmer Rezenstein, play
Wrshts are made, not born.
Maternity" is to be seen for another
week at the Princess Theatre. 1t ap.
pears To he possible now to gain en-
trance by the mere formality of buying
ticket with none of the ceremonies
which at first attended every effort 90
witness this weary play Maybe this
specimen of the Br!euX theatre will
survive as long here as it did in Paris.
Produced there on December J. 1903,
h.H
tons during that month and forty-nlne
during the following year. making 4
t"ial of seventy-seven performances.
THIS compares favorably with the Lon
don experience of the play. 1t was
acted there three times IN April. 1906.
by the Stage Society Antoine did the
play during his tenancy of the Odeon
ana acted the leading role.
lust how untrue to any but his own
views Of life the philosophy of the
ofamaIIst may be is shown by the long
speech of Mime. BcrHin. very well played
10y Maude Granger, in which she recites
the arduOus struggle by which she and
her husband built up their fortune. II
vas a most melancholy tale. How they
IIed sou upon sou, sacrificing all the
delights Of their life to this dali,
struggle, she tells with every evidence
OF bitter suffering in the recollection.
II may, of course, be true that such
On accumulation Of wealth is accom-
panied by all the self-denial and sacri-
nee which this bourgeOisie complains OF
hut 1t is in such case its own reward
ma It is entirely impossible that there
should have been no cakes and alC
81 all about II, The most saving anC
careful person will find pleasure in life
even with the greatest attention to thi.
process of acquisition, II there is IL
D." m any capacity for enjoyment. Life
Wi! not be wholly without the sunshin,
Just because its chief care is the ac
emulation of wealth
Yet NJ. Brleux would have MS bellcv,
from the confession of Mime. BcrHi,
'aat the life of the saving bourgeoisi,
y AT drab and drear, without light OF
contrast or beauty of any kind. Tn,
"'amatst holds her up as a type o
''. The suffering and self sacrificing
women instead Of a particular nstanc,
OF ono who d'd nothing in her life hu
grub aud save because that was jus
"hat she wanted ~ do. She could hav,