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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 16, 1900)
16 TLTE SUNDAY OREGONIAK, PORTLAND, DECEMBER 16, 1900. 4V to VfaSMSBsEl fs Ti Kfll- A rt , f As usual, comedy prevailed during the past week In things theatrical, with an admixture of mystery and seriousness. Herrmann, the magician, mystified two good-sized audiences on Monday and Tuesday evenings at the Marquam. Palm ing and ledgerdemaln were Herrmann's long suit. Take out these tricks and a feature entirely strange to shows of the black art variety, namely, a musical turn, and the mystification was not much. Disappearing women, by means of the cabinet trick, are no novelty. However, as a sleight-of-hand performance the en tertainment was a pleasing success. The air of mystery superinduced by electrical effects and a Mephistophellan make-up that so pervaded the shows of the elder Herrmann, was entirely done away with "by the younger man. Every trick was done on a stag brilliantly lighted, which fact in Itself was a crucial test of the magician's abilities. On "Wednesday evening came the sym phony concert. The theater was dark on Thursday evening; then on Friday and Saturday evenings, with Saturday mati nee, a clever company explained "Why Smith Left Home.' At each performance the patronage was flattering both as to size and as to appreciation. Broadhurst's best efforts wore put forth to make "Why Smith Left Home" a farce comedy that would comply in every detail with modern demai I. That the play has pleased Portland audiences is attested by the plentiful box office receipts that have ruled during the engagements during the past two seasons. With all due respect to the business foresight of local amuse, ment caterers., looking back over the eeason so far advanced, there naturally arises the question as to what has become of the legitimate. Charlotte-russe and the light dainties may be very pleasant for an occasional refreshing dessert, but for a steady diet they fail to sustain and sometimes pall. Just a little more variety, with a good sterling drama oc casionally would not come amiss. At Cordray's Theater "Human Hearts," a melodrama, closed a successful week's business last night. It is a melodrama of the old school. The villain kills his man before the stage hands have fairly gotten the guy ropes of the curtain cinched. -Thrilling climaxes abound at the end of every scene, In each case the villain coming out ahead until the last act. It Is a play that has the strongest tendencies to force a stray tear down the cheek and a lump Into the throat, the purer sympathies and better part of hu man nature being constantly aroused. It is a good, clean play and teaches a moral lesson. By special request 'Hu man Hearts" will be repeated tonight. At the Metropolitan Theater, Walter Walker, in the farce comedy, "That Man," played to a rousing business. The fun Is of the hilarious order, not bois terous, but noisy because of the constant laughter. Unlike the melodrama men tioned, there is no moral lesson taught in "That Man." Gay spice, with a ten dency to verge, cropped up on several oc casions, but the play caught op with the large audiences, so there should be no serious complaints on that .score. Comlnsr Attractions. This week every evening will have its attraction at the Marquam. Frank Dan iels, who has no peer in the realm of com'c opera comedians for genuine ab surdity and ridiculous fun, will appear in h:s latest success, "The Ameer." Press criticisms arc lavish in praises of the magnificent production. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings will be devoted to "The Ameer. Primrose and Dockstad er w.ll bring their minstrels for Thurs day evening. For years these two good old minstrel performers have been before tbe public and their artistic fun-making rcer seems to wane. The last time Lew Dockstader was here his Ben Harrison Impersonations were the talk of the town, and according to reports he has another bunch of political absurdities. The olio of specialties in the second part are on a par with Primrose's previous successful efforts, in the line of surprises and spec tacular acts. Thursday evening only for the minstrels. Cordray's Theater will be dark this week, after tonight, when "Human Hearts" will be repeated by special re quest. U the Metropolitan Theater, "Under Scaled Orders," an adaptation of Kip ling's story of that name, will, beginning wl'h tonight's performance, play a week's c-g- foment. A thrilling play full of sen. f"ional incidents. Intensely dramatic and striking, and a clever plot well played 1- a capable company, judging from ad vance notices, will be an attractive enter tVimtnt. FRAXIC DAXIELS IX "THE AMEER," Victor Herbert's Latent Opera t the SInrQunm This Weelr. Frank Daniels, who bears creditably the journalistically conferred title of "the funniest man on the stage," will be at the Marquam Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings of this week no matinee. The vehicle In which he will dls; lay his talents this season is a new cornier opera, entitled "The Ameer." Last "Winter in New York, the press pro n'jnred It the comic opera hit of the reson He is reported as saying that he l'k.b the opera better than he did any of its predecessors. He ,cnacts the title role, and his interpretation is understood to be ve-y funny. Indeed. The story Is laid la Afghanistan, on the groupd of the Ameer. It Is described as decidedly original. Fred M. Ranken and Kirke La Shelle are Its authors, aad. rifht clovcrlyt if those who J MA have heard the tale can be relied upon, have they done their work. " Mr. La Shelle Is also the author of the light opera hit, "The Princess Chic" Victor Herbert Is jjju composer oi me music 01 ino Aroeer." That means of itself an even ing of fresh, delicious melody, stirring choruses and ringing finales. The locale of the opera easily lends Itself to pictur esque and splendid stage representation. And of this opportunity Manager La Shelle Is credited -with having most promptly availed himself. The production is of an elaborate char acter, and the company has been en larged until it numbers over 60 people. Moreover, the Increase in numbers Is said to be along lines -which have gained foi Frank Daniels the reputation of having the prettiest apd Psst- singing choruses on the road. Helen Redmond, over -whose beauty and singing San Franciscans raved last season. Is Frank Daniels' prima don na. Kate Uart, the superb contralto, and Norma Kopp, the nimble soubrette, are also -with him. Among the principal men of Daniels' supportare Rhvs Thomas "Will Danforth, Owen Westford and "William Cprllss. The forthcoming engagement will afford the only opportunity for see ing the Daniels company this season. Professor Gottschalk Is the musical di rector. "UXDER SEALED ORDERS." 'Drama Founded on Kipling's Story at the Metropolitan. Observing and well informed local play goers will be delighted to learn that "Un der Sealed Orders" will be given at the Metropolitan tonight and all week. This Is a play founded upon the thrilling nar rative of Rudyard Kipling, which Is suf ficient in itself to assure the public that the play is something out of the ordinary and worthy of more than passing notice. It Is a four-act melodrama, dealing with exciting pnd amusing adventures In two continents, the characters being connect ed more or less with the Secret Service. Situations follow one another in rapid succession, the action of the piece being vivid and brisk. The Incidents are so well presented that the attention of the audience is held at a high pitch through the unfolding of the plot. Every climax comes naturally and Is not forced, the story moving with harmony and smooth ness. In the play an Important part Is assigned to a renegade Frenchman, nn expert mesmerist, who avails himself of this peculiar force to perpetrate the most astonishing crimes. The herine is as clay in his hands, and this villain is such a scoundrel that by comparison the stage villains of other days appear Insignifi cant and weak. This Is a aplendld stage creation, and lends a novel aspect to the plot. Kipling's story Is followed very closely, and those familiar with the nar rative of the great author will have no fault to find with either the draraatlra tlon or the company presenting it. Jo seph Mulder's company Is composed of ac tors and actresses who were engaged for their especial fitness for the roles as signed them. To add to the comedy fea tures. Manager Muller has selected sev eral clever artists for specialties. There FRAXK DAXIELS. M. J. HURLEY, CCMEDUX, WITH "UXDER SEALED ORDERS." has been a large sale, and no doubt the theater will play to one of the largest houses of the season. EXTRA. FERFORMAXCB TOXIGHT. "Unman Heart" "Will Be Presented at Cordray's for the Last Time. So great is the demand for more of "Human Hearts," which has filled Cor dray's the past -week, that the manage ment has been Induced ts give a special extra performance tonight. Nothing ad ditional can be said of this natural drama. The crowds -which It has drawn and the satisfaction of every audience which has witnessed it. attest sufficiently to its sterling worth. rP-TO-DATE HIXSTRELSY. Primrose fc .DocUstader's "Wll Be Here for Two Xights. When experienced men like Primrose and Dockstader sit down to the work of organizing a new minstrel entertainment, the public anticipate much In the line of fun, originality, new Jokes and brilliant accessories. And this is Just what they have done this season. The favorites will appear at the Marquam Grand for two nights, December 20 and 2L with an un equalcd company of singers, comedians and special artists. This year Primrose and Dockstader decided to lay out a small fortune In scenic accessories,' with the result that there are feature that delight the people. Mr. Primrose Introduces a new act which demands rich environment. Mr. Dockstader. whose impersonations tf McKlnley, Bryan, Roosevelt, Hanna and other political leaders are side-splitting is helped by a railway station scene that Is remarkable for Its realistic beauty. He makes his speeches from the rear end of a Pullman coach. Among the comedians who keep the house In a roar are Nell O'Brien, Larry Dooley and Charley Kent. They are not only artists and funmakera. but their sinking in something especially pleasing. "The Choir Boy's Dream" la full of sentiment, with its organ loft and Walter Vaughn's sweet solo singing. The musical turn by Ed Bogert and Nell O'Brien is replete with an originality that delights and fun that tickles. The Carl Damman troupe of acrobats do things that are as startling as they are graceful and pleasing. There Is reported to be not an old .Joke or feature In the entire pro gramme everything bright, new and sur pr'slngly entertaining. THE FRAWLEYS COMING. "Will Appcnr in "The Great Rnuy" at Cordray's Xcxt Week. With his usual enterprise In providing! his patrons with the best kind of enter tainment. Manager Cordray has succeeded in securing the fine Frawlcy company for a holiday engagement, beginning next Sunday. "The Great Ruby." well known as one ol the strongest and best of mod ern melodramas, will be the attraction, and Mr. Frawley's reputation as a stage dlrctor Is sufficient guarantee that It will be given a magnificent reception. The engagement of the Frawleys at Cordray's earlier in the season was the most successful of the many they have played here, and Mr. Cordray regretted that he was unable to give them another week's time. His patrons will be glad to know that he has arranged to play them next week, and there is no doubt that the seating capacity of the house will be taxed to Its utmost while they are here. Already there has been much Inquiry concerning the engagement, and that advance sale cannot begin soon enough to suit the enthusiastic admirers of Mr. Frawlcy and his admirable com pany. BEHXHARDT'S MEMOIRS. Alan Dale Pleasantly Assists Her in "Writing Them. Mais enfin, ma chere Sarah those long promised memoirs of yours where are they? Five years ago, when, like a beau tiful zephyr, you blew In upon us, you told me of those memoirs. I repeat, where arc they? Shall we never arrive at them? says Alan Dale, in the New York Journal. Of course, I know that you are a busy lady, acting persistently, both off and on the stage. I herewith beg to offer you my services, and I'll do as many of your memoirs for you as you like. You see, I'm not busy. I pass my life In the dizzy revelry of the playhouse, wfiere I do nothing but enjoy myself. My pen such as it is, poor little pen Is at your disposal. Suppose I start with your present American tour. In a frank, chatty, affable and veracious way. Cela. vous va? Parfaltement Allons-y, New York. Nov., 1900. Well, here I am In this ugly, overgrown place, among those amiable, generous barbarians from whom I expect so much. How we laughed, ce cher Ooq and I, as we sailed in, and anticipated the arrival of those ellly little beardless boys, who ask us em barrassing questions. JVolla do la blague, par example! Still, I Confess to a feeling of fear. In London, nobody came to see me, and, oh, how your poor old Sarah chafed at that beggarly array of empty Adelphl benches! In Paris, of course, they regard me as these Americans re gard their Jefferson. But actress is not like port wines Helas! Your Sarah is nervous. Du courage toujours du cour age. With the Reporters. The "interviews" were madly successful. Ha! Ha! Your Sarah put on her very youngest wig such a beautiful Titian ar rangement, with glints in it Your Sarah donned a bizarre gown. In which Hecate herself would have made a hit. Behold me sitting in state at my hotel, carelessly- tossing cards aside. (I arranged with my secretary to bring In a card every SO seconds.) I pose as something very Imperious and ecstatically eccentric When the little boys and girls come in I proceed to flatter them. I say to one, "Ah, I remember you. How stout you have grown!" And toanother: "I am so charmed to see you. Ah, yes, I have never forgotten your last splrltuel inter view." . And I ask a third how his mother Is for he looks stupldJenough to have at least three mothers.- Je m'lnteresse a tout And they are delighted at the start and. completely disarmed. Next day I am a marvel of ybuth! Iam so young that I havo almost retrogressed to the epoch of soothing syrup! They tell their readers that I love America, and really couldn't exist without It (They have a pretty coon song here called "I Need tha Money." Ha! Ha!) They print columns about me of Invaluable advertisement. I say invaluable, because, honestly, mes chers amis, these Americans would never come to see me unless I were dinned Into their ears Why should they? Would you go to see la petite Maude Adams If she appeared In Paris In an English verr slon of your Sarah's plays? You might go for the pleasure of guying. Taken Too Seriously. They take me very seriously over here. I love a circus. They don't call me Sarah Barnum In Paris for nothing. I enjoy all this ridiculous brou-haha enormously, It is, of course, very droll, but It brings grist to the mill. The only thing lacking at the Garden Theater is ping lemonade and peanuts. C'est a se tordre! These solemn Americans with their wives pay $5 apiece to see a play of which they un derstand absolutely nothing whatever. They are there to see me, and I make myself as conspicuous as I can. They have heard that I have a "golden voice," so I chant my words very slowly, and they revel If I used Instead of the Ros tand language such phrases "The black hat of my sister Is fine," or "The horse of my uncle's lovely aunt Is white," they would enjoy it more. "Bat I dare not do this, because there are certain critics watching me. ready to puncture my ar mor and to'prove thaC Sarah Is Barnum, after all. Sometimes I have fun with my colleagues. I try to break up poor old Coquelin, and I say amusing things that disconcert my company Nobody Jn the audience at the Garden Theater under stands. Thoy take me so seriously. Oh, la, la, la, la. t , I try to furnish them-wlth topics of con versation. Alas! I cannot work that old "gag" about sleeping In myooffln. It Is played out So is the little story about going up in a bolloon. What can I do? I consult with Coquelin and with ce cher Maurice Grau. For "Wrinkles Are Xot Pretty. He tells me to mike public the fact that I have brought over a masseur with me. I say, "Ah, ca, Jamais! Tu sals!" My masseur Is a very serious proposi tion. I didn't bring him over for fun. Your Sarah needs the services of this gentleman, for wrinkles are not pretty, and It Is Impossible to acquire a taste for them, try as one will. But I succumb to argument, and they print stories about my good masseur. Ah. well, It does not matter very much. But these Americans in New York aro extraordinary. Talk of provincialism! There is an excess of It here. Of course I realize that I am not intrinsically Interesting. I know that If I called myself Jane Smith and played IL,AJglon""far better than I know how to play It they would laugh In- my face, and free tickets wouldn't Induce them to see me. But they are so young! I should be a fool to complain, for with the money I get her I can produce all sorts of nov elties in Paris next yeir. Ah. how I long for Paris! But I forget myself. Being here. I must say perpetually, "Ah, New York is so handsome! I think I shall live here forever." Ah. c'est rudement beau, ton New York! Parlous-en. They are never patriotic in New Yprk when the circus Is in town. And your Sarah Is the circus at present She suc ceeded the horseless horse show. Like that institution, she is an excuse for x travagance and an Incentive to those amusing people who write "society news " Sot mtriotlc. But, as I was saying, they are not pa triotic They have a charming little Amer ican here, called Maude Adams. In my heart of hearts I am genuinely sorry for her. They have taken a cruel delight in comparing her unfavorably with me! Ha! Ha! Ha! Think of 'Paris welcoming a foreigner at the expense of a Parisian! Picture London shelving Its Irving and its Tree for a nonEnglish-spcaklng star! They talk of patriotism during election time. Wo remember the McKlnley tariff. But the poor little Adams girl suffers from her own countrymen. They prefer me. Of course. I cost more, but between ourselves, c'est Idiot This girl naturally looks far more like the Eaglet than I do, and-between ourselves you know that the Eaglet isn't a Sarah 'part. The little AdamS cannot declaim, but she can touch the heart I like cyclonic passion. That counts for more. It Is more sensational. I give them as much as I can of It But, ciell how tired I am! Oh, for an arm chair and a milk punch' The shekels ore coming In fast thanks to the little boys ana girls who Inter viewed me. They have done it all. It Is a fatiguing ordeal, but It Is absolutely necessary. Without it I should have been lost They would have gone to see the Agoust acrobats. They would have vis ited that Mile. Irwin, and haye been fool ish enough to enjoy themsalves. Ah. your Sarah has no more Illusions. How I roared with laughter at the enthusiastic criticisms. They were droll droll. Never. In my palmy Paris days, have they said Buch insensately ludicrous things about me. If my poor Sarcey could have been alive to read them! And this, ma chere Sarah, concludes Alan Dale, is as far as I can go today. But you can rely upon me. I'll go ahead with your memoirs whenever you like, for I want to see them finished. They have dragged along for five years. Kindly cast your eye over the above. THE COMEDIE FRAXCAISE. ReopenlBgr of the "World's Moat Fa raoas Theater. At last the long-awaited and much-debated date of thcreopenlng of the Come die Francalse is approaching. Despite the pessimistic predictions of some ill natured prophets. It seems certain that December will not close without the House of Mollerc, which has sprung up from Its ashes, being banded over to its socletalres, who will have well earned their good fortune after the bothers and pilgrimages of a trying year, says the Paris correspondent of the New York Herald. The opening night Willi be a solemnity In the real sense of the- word. The new auditorium has been rebuilt exactly on the plan of the old one, but It has been embellished and Improved to the profit of both audience and actors. As the pre vailing fashion favors light tones, the new auditorium, unlike the old one, which was painted in dark red, will be of a pretty pink, restful to the eye and calcu lated to set off to advantage the cos tumes of the ladles. The heavy parti tions between the bores have been done away with, and this will give more "brio" and unity to the ensemble. The system of electric lighting-has been ingeniously changed, and last, but not least, the cell ingthat classic and rather "poncif ' cell ing, painted by Dubufe, which was de stroyed In the fire and which five or six of the most renowned painters of Paris, Carolus Duran, Besnard, Flameng and others, sought the honpr of executing has been replaced by a temporary ceil ing by the scene-painter, Jambon, who has been so successful In this improvised work that there is every reason to be lieve that the temporary celling will re main definitely. There will be lifts on every floor for the publlo, and the artists also will find one close by their foyer1 to enable them to reach their dressing-rooms, which have been restored in magnificent style. Neither Mollere, Writing "L'Avare," nor Napoleon, signing the Decree of Moscow, Mil I ' .-I t QlQ PfUniiQL TtlWb LzWUOlkSTAOER A titYJOKE. could have foreseen this display of luxu rious comfort Nor, if the latter returned to earth, would he recognize the Imperial box, which communicated with the dressing-room occupied by Talma. This dressing-room, which had been respected as a relic up to the date of the fire, has now been transformed into a little waiting room alongside the box of the President of the Republic But will M. Loubet, like his Imperial predecessor, go and ask M. Mounet-Sully for lessons In royal bear ing? M. Claretle Is very busy with this forth coming, reopening, which he hopes to see fixed for December 3L Moliere will natur ally be the chief author on the pro gramme, but the manager Is desirous or framing him with a "ceremonial." and has asked one of the best qualified poets of the'Comedie Francalsee. M. Jose de Heredla, for an epilogue in 'verse, which will be declaimed in the presence of the whole company. M. Claretle has yet another Idea which, if It can be put into effect, will delight the Parisian public, and will be for every body, those upon the stage as well as those In the auditorium, an occasion of contaaius emotion. M. Claretle Intends to ask all former socletalres who are still alive, even though they abandoned the stage years ago, to reappear once more. In company with the present members of the house, on the evening of this solemn rentree. Two of the most eminent of the former socletalres, however, will perforce be un able to respond to this appeal, as they are now In America. Hacldon Chamhers Arrives. Haddon Chambers, the English dramat ic author, arrived in New York a week ago. He has come to see something of America, and to settle with Charles Froh man upon the play which he Is 40 write for that manager. They had only a brief talk, as Mr Frohman was about to start for Washington, but they agreed that the scenes should be both English and Ameri can, the action starting and ending over there, with a middle portion In New York. "I shall make a round of the New York theaters controlled by Mr. Frohman." he said to a representative of the Sun, "part ly for pleasure, of course, but also for Baby Royal in "Unman Hearts the purpose of studying the methods of his productions, and of tho actors likely to be cast In the proposed piece." He had not been in America since his early writing, "The Idlers," was given at the Lyceum. His later and much better known work, "The Tyranny of Tears," served to make fame for him In this country. He remarked of the latter: "1 wrote that little play with the selfish Idea of simply pleasing myself, and Jt con tained no Intrigue or sensation, but was Just a plain story. The fact that your people applauded it so long at the Em pire Is the most gratifying experience 1 haye ever had In the theatrical business." Harry Corson Clarke. Harry Corson Clarke will be seen herf In his new comedy character, "What Did Tompkins Dor' at the Marquam Grand, in three performances, December 24 "and 23, Including Christmas matinee. Mr. Clarke's wonderful versatility, his widespread and well-merited popularity, are too well known to need extended com ment In the pa3t few years he has rap Idly risen to the very front rank of present-day comedians, until now he stands almost alone n his unique capacity for portraying to the life 3P old-man role one night and that of buoyant youth the next His make-up Is always distinctive and perfect of its kind, his acting Is fin ished and arUstlc In the extreme, and hjs delineation of whatever role be has c saved in the past has been. so intelligent and well rounded a whole that the pros pect of seeing him in yet another por trayal Is always full of pleasurable an ticipation. The critics wherever he has appeared so far this season are unanimous in pro nouncing his new comedy extremely7 clever, full of wholesome fun and laugh able situations a worthy successqr to "What Happened to Jones," with which the young comedian has made much fame and mora money in the past three sea sons. "What Did Tompkins Do?" was written by Randolph Hartley and George Taggart expressly for Mr. Clarke, who Is said to have surrounded himself with an exceptionally clever company of ex perienced and competent Eastern favor ites. The settings, scenery and costumes are reported as being particularly elab orate and handsome. Given such factors for an evening's entertainment the pub lic may. with reason, look forward to the too brief season here with unstinted pleasure, and the house promises to be packed. The company supporting Mr. Clarke In cludes Joseph Gallbralth. Max "Stelnle, Clement St. Martin, Theodore Kehrwald, Van Murrel. Arthur Miles, Thayer Jack son. Harriej Clavenger, Maude Truax, Anne Hathaway and Jessie Lansing. Pndere-rrslci Blander. Everybody Is agog at the announcement that Mme. Paderewskl is to manage her liege lord's business. Wherefore? This wii vppti th -Paderewskl Income Intact. and that is all that Is necessary for any YJQKE one to know. Probably the madame Is perfectly capable and can endure the strain of a business life. When It comes to questioning any further it ceases to belong to the public Were Paderewskl a poor, struggling artist whose life must npods be saddened by the impossibility of marrying and supporting the woman of his choice, her determination ta Join her fate to his, to assume the commer cial burden and help him into position and happiness would have caused still greater comment, but the comment would have been one of admiration for the pluck of a woman who stands ready to face the brunt and storm pf a business life to be near the man she loves, to shaK his .good or ill-luck, to be In truth his helpmeet iis companion, his Inspira tion. Such a woman would be contributing with lavish hand her share to art, she would be giving something of rare and beautiful value to the world. But, Indeed, after all the romance that has surround ed Paderewskl and his career, the phase of his wife aj business manager falls with a "dull and heavy thud" upon, the hero-worshipers, and in that fsil it drags down a good deal of sentiment that Is actually necessary to keep Paderewskl where he belongs. It makes his love seem coldly commercial, and It makes his art Icy to a Klondike degree. It Is repulsive to hear the clink of the dollars between the movements of the "Appasionata So nata." Emilie Frances Bauer In Music Trade Review. A Reversal of Custom. .Mr. E. S. WHIard, the English actor who is now playing in this country, has just presented in Boston for the first time on any stage. Elwyn A. Barron's play, "Punchinello." This, It is believed, will be the first Instance of an English actor coming to this country to produce an American play, whereas It is not at all uncommon fof American actors to bring over English pieces and stage them here, says the Philadelphia Press. Mr. Barron was formerly dramatic critic of a Chicago newspaper, and Is now In Lon don acting as an American correspond ent The action of "Punchinello" occurs In It aly, arid the principal character (to be presented by Mr. Willard) Is a strolling player of that nation. Mr. Barron and Mr. Willard spent the greater part of last Summer In Italy studying the coun try and Its people, and If they have not succeeded In imparting local color to the work it is not for lack of opportunities for observation. The scenery for the pro duction has been painted by American artists and the costumes and stage ac cessories have all been made here. There Is a brilliant series of stage pictures, as the first act takes place during the carni val at Verona, the second at the booth of the strolling player on a hillside near Florence, and the third in the Pa'azza della Signoria, at Florence, with the world-famous Loggia forming the back ground. Hoyt's Relatives Rebel. , When Charles H. Hoyt. the playwright, died, it will be remembered he left all his property to Frank McKee, his part ner, the Lambs' Club and the Actors' Fund. He had no surviving relatives near er than cousins, and to them he left no bequests. At first Jt was announced that the will would not be contested. But a week ago, according to the Times-Herald, of Chi cago, a son and daughter of Hoyt's fath er's brother began a contest of the. will, and now four first cousins of Hoyt's moth er nave taken a similar step. In tnis last quartet is included Mrs. Harriett Barstow Brainerd. of Chicago. She has retained Herman Holt, of Clare mont, as her lawyer, and he has made application in the Probate Court for Sul livan County, New Hampshire, for aa ministratlon of the estate. The Erringr Staee Heroine. Apropos the statement made the other day by a woman playwright to a large body of club women, to the effect that good women are "never interesting, and that the popular stage heroine of today is the "woman with a past,' the New York Sun says: Women who are. or have been wicked fall to attract on the stage, chiefly be cause thefr own sex takes little Interest In them. Women -who.go to theaters sym pathize much more with one of their sisters In distress when that distress is not Jhe result of her own wickedness or weakness, than when she has delib erately "Drought trouble on herself through her own actions. The theaters In America depend on the support of women. -The plays must for that rea son, rather glorify women than otherwise, and when the end comes it must be the woman that triumphs. It would bo ab surd to say that the -women of this coun try desire to see an unworthy woman made a heroine. Most of the women who go to the theaters are honest "wives, sweethearts or mothers, and their Inter ests are not In Impure persons or things. The plays with heroines of Immoral life have been popular in spite of this cir cumstance and not on account of It Somo human element in the play, apart from this quality, has won favor for them, and not the circumstance that the hero ine was sinful. One great instance of the vitality of the erring heroine Is "Camille." The wonderful vitality of that famous drama has led many persons to cite It as an Instance of the vogue possible to an Im moral play, and Dumas drama is Im moral, if ever one was, because it glories In a sinful life. But not this feature of the play made its great popularity. Its love story appeals strongly to the senti ments of women who particularly enjoy such episodes. "Camille" made ib pop ularity not on account of Its heroine, but In splt.e of it. Hamlet in Italian. Apropos of the fashion that has been adopted by Americans of listening with enthusiasm to a foreign language spoken or sung to them across the footlights, the following may prove Interesting. It Is Hamlet's soliloquy as Salvini used to give it in Italian: Is It or not? That's it. To lament the annoyances Of life and put up with tho Many misfortunes, or to Oppose and have them not. Then to die and say they End. To think It is a sleep. The Henschel"!'' Tonr. Mr. and Mrs. George Henschel, the cele brated vocalists, are expected to arrive in New Y'ork about the end of the month for their farewell recital tour in this country. Their tour will open In Brook lyn on January 2, and will continue until the early part of April. Henry Wolfsohn, who Is their American manager, has com pletely filled every date in January. In February they will visit the Pacific Coast, opening in San Francisco on the 5th and remaining there until March 10. During the balance of the month they will sing in the East for the last time. Xew York Runs. Several New .York runs are coming rapidly to their end. The day of de parture Is not far away for "Arizona," at the Herald Square: John Drew In "Richard Carvel," at the Empire; James O'Neill in "Monte 'Cristo." at the Acad emy; Peter F. Dailey, In "Hodge, Podge & Co.," at the Madison Square; "Foxy QuIUer," at the Broadway, and "Lost River" at the Foilrteenth-Street Theater. All these plays, though, still seem to be attractive ta the crowds. Frohman'i Stars. Manager Charges Frohman has three stars who are well off as far as time al lotment is concerned. Maud Adams in "L'AIgion." at the Knickerbocker; An nie Russell in "A Royal Family." at the Lyceum, and William H. Crane In "Da vid Harum," at the Garrick, may be ex pected to stay In town for a considerable time. PROPHETIC FRENCH CAT. Foretold Old Woman's Death, and Sow Other "Women "Want It Killed. In a neat little villa at Gentllly, near Paris, France, there has lived for several years a widow named Mme. Richard, whose sole companion Is a splendid An gora cat. Alone the two lived In the comfortable house, ana very rarely did either go far away from home. A short time ago, hoTj-ever, the lady felt very lonesome, and so she decided to Invite a few of her neighbors to dinner. They came, and after dinner the cat en tered the room, and on account of its beauty, at once attracted general atten tion. The guests petted It fondly: and finally one of them, an elderly spinster, took it up in her arms and asked it a curious question. "Tell me, pussy," she said, "which of us who are now in the room will die first?" Straightway the cast leaped from her arms, and, with tail erect and loud purrs, went straight to an old lady who sat at the other end of the room. Not being superstitious, the entire company Durst out laughing, and the hostess was con gratulated on possessing such a wonder ful cat A few days later, however, the old lady who bad been selected by the cat as death's next victim actually died, and then the storm arose. Some persons In sisted that Mme. Richard was a sorceress and that her cat was an evil spirit, while others maintained that the cat alone was to blame, and ought to be promptly killed. The clamor at last became so loud that six of the ladies who had been Mme. Richard's guests on the eventful evening decided to take definite action, and so they laid a formal compalnt before the police authorities. In which they urged that the offending cat, whose eyes they described as "supernatural and diabol ical," should be killed without delay. What action, If any, the police have taken, says the New York Herald, which tells the story, s not yet known. The Return of the QnlU Jennie Betts Hartswlck in the Century. "William Dean Howells, instead of eolns forward to the typewriter, has cone "back to the old-fashioned quill pen." Literary Life. Back in the dim-lit ages When literary sages Inscribed their classic pases Tjith quaint, methodic skill. Their cumbrous tomes gigantic, Their treatises pedantic, And e'en their works romantic were written with a quilt For poets dead and gon it Freed many a soarins sonnet A pen with feathers on it. sure, should help a rhyme ascend. But shadows thick environ The quill-writ verse of Byron. And nibs of tenured Iron now their aid to poets lend. In times remote and olden (Some say the age was golden) An author'-was beholden only to the hurobla coose; But modern rules are tighter1 Each present-day Indlter A late improved typewriter needs to make Ms work of use. Tet here's a man, of letters With few. if any. betters From whom Dame Custom's fetters have loosed their cunning hold; He's darlnrly decided To use. by genius guided. The pearly pep that glided o'er vellum leaves of old. No more his hand prehensile Shall clasp a pen or pencil; He's chosen his utensil? and he'll wield it as he will. In spite of malediction He'll cling to his conviction And manufacturfe fiction with a good, old fashioned quill. This notable example fay prove a reason ample For other folk to cample the pen of long ago, That, in their -varied phases, Portrayed Clarjnda's praises. And winged the flowing phrases of Bunyaa and Defoe. r The peaceful quill's arrival May herald the revival Of tales which shall outrival the works we've read of late; The romance realistic. The- novel pessimistic. The hero atheistic, may soon bo out of dato-