The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-06

Reflections on . Public Character.
We feel not the slightest trace Of
remorse or regret as We contemplate
the course Of conduct which has
brought to US the subjoined intrinsi.
cally reproachful letter:
ITO THE EprroR OF THE svx-Sv: I
notice that on seveli occasions THE
suN gave much space to the doings Of
MIR. CHARLES CHAPLIN.
Does THE SuN believe Il a treat ad.
~vancenient In public taste for amuse.
ment that a fellow like that can earn
$4,000 q year for doing a few clownish
stunts: A. BoRRAsAcH.
"NEw YORK. March s."
II our friend applies the word "fel.
low" to the golden comedian Of the
screen with disparaging intent. we
must respectfully rebuke him. BY all
accounts Mr.. CHAPLIN Is a we'll be-
haved young man In private life. not
less puzzled than others over the din.
culties encountered in filling out an
income tax return. abstaining In his
non.professional moments from those
eccentricities that have amused and
startled so many thousands Of his
fellow citizens. and COMFORTING him
self with mOdesty In the presence Of
persons less gifted than himself. Our
correspondent might eat luncheon be-
side Mr.. CHAPLIN without running the
slightest risk Of having n cream puff
smashed IN his head MIR. CHAPLIN
when not professionally engaged de-
sends stairs In the ordinary
ner; and he does not. except when
the e~xigencies of the scenario and the
instructions OF the director require II,
immense himself In mud puddles or
entnngle his legs in clothes lines.
We confess that we should he puz-
zled II We were required to bring for.
ward evidence that Mr.. CHAPLrN has
contributed notably 10 the advance
ment Of public good taste; but that
he has done anything TO harm 1t We
do not believe. Mr.. CHAPLIN Is not
vulgar in the sense Of resorting to
suggestive methods to elicit laughter.
lie depends on an uncommon agility.
a highly developed sense Of the gro
tesquc. an amazing capacity for sur
vivtng tumbles. bumps. kicks and
thumps. md on an acute perception OF
the public's infinite capacity to enjoy
the misfortunes OF mock gentility.
We know OF nobody more diCnified
than Mr.. CHAPLIN; wallowing In a
tub OF dough he wears the air of
n gentleman Of the old school taking
the mir; II It he counted I'm accom-
plishment 10 strut sitting down."
how shall we describe that gift which
enables a man TO he pompous when
precipitated into n cistcrn:
What Mr.. CHAPLIN has done Is TO
adjust his genius to n public which
for generations has laughed immoder-
ately over the slapstick and the blad-
der, n public not composed Of bad or
ignorant or utterly illitcrate individ.
uals. He has recognized that when n
mans hat Is blown from his head
in Broadway more passersby grin at
the not essentially humorous incident
than disregard It; he has taken adj.
vantage Of the weakness Of human
nature that brings a smile, not Of
sympathy. to the onlooker's face when
Il gentleman falls fnt on the side
walk he has not been unobservnnt OF
the enlightening fact that II the acct.
dent befalls 0ne laden with bundles
that smile becomes Il laugh. Mr..
CHAPLIN has accepted public tnste as
he found II. He has done nothing to
lower It he has merely acknowledged
It In a philosophic spirit, and turned
its infirmities to good account.
And he has given good value for
all he has received. The merriment.
the relaxation. the honest laughter
he has inspired are chenply bought.
They are worth more In retrospect
and In prospect than the gold he has
received for them. The knowledge Of
this must compensate him for some
Of the trials he undergoes; II may
even salve the bruises and render less
irksome the black and blue spots he
accumnlstes In the course Of his