Evening Star Newspaper, December 5, 1896, Page 24

24 THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1896-2: PAGES. While the “Mandarin” was in Buffalo Mr. Reginald De Koven, the composer of the music, and Harry B. Siaith, author of the libretto, were cntertained by the Buffalo Country Club, which is well knowr throughout the courtry because of the suc- ees which its golf playing members have attaired in winning the championship games during the past season. De Koven is himself a crank on the subject of go!’ and while he was there an entertainment s given him, during which he was pre- ed with seventeen carefully selected ser golf sticks, all of which were mounted in silver, ergraved with his name and bore the escutchzon of the club. Mr. De Koven never travels about the country without carrying with him a full array of golf sticks, and he never loses an opportunity to indulge in the sport, which he loves so dearly. At his home in New York, where he last Sunday entertained many of his local friend: at the “Mandarin” party, these particular golf sticks were artistically arranged round the walls and attracted more attention than any other decoration of the evening. Incidentally, it may be said that in con- nection with the fondness wiich the com- porer has for this attractive game, he has also during the past year indulged rather extensively in polo and has played with such well-known experts as Vernon Booth, Harry Hamlin, Dr. Carey, Harry Davi: Mavrice Duval, Elliott Evan ans, Paul Vingut and other: He says that it is during the hours when he is engaged in the exciting exercise of golf ard polo that he can think out the best airs for the music which he ¢ and that the favorite air in the rin” was compesed and written during the storm which almost threatened the d struction of the vessel upon which he was & passenger in cressing the Pacitle ocean fiom China to this country. Of Mr. Smith {it may be said that, in counection with his many works, ali of which are successful, and three of which have been preduced tn the city of Wash- ingten within the last three weeks, he rarely considers what he will attempt to do until the moment comes for It to be done. For example, he has no fixed hours for work, and he was never known to sit down atid endeavor to woo inspiration. On the contrary, he always carries with him a book, and mvech of the best work that he has produced was accomplished while riding upon street cars, in carriages and while sitting in the smoking apartments of Pullman cars. When the, “Mandarin” was first suggest- «a to him by Mr. De Koven, after the composer's return from his trip to China, Mr. Smith confessed that he felt himself inadequate to supply the proper verbiage for the piece. but, after listening to the careful description which was given him by De Koven, and after viewing the pho- tozraphs that had been taken while the compeser wes among the celestials, he an- reunced that he would think it over. The result was that on the following evening he called upon De Koven with a thorough- ¥ constructed senario for the play. That srario is the opera of today. It is the Mandarin.” It has not been departed in any particular, and, while some wnges have been made, it practically ex- ists today in precisely the shape in which De Koven and Smith mapped it out in the beginnirg. Miss Maud Powell, the violinist, and Miss Lotta Mills, the pianist, two young women in whom Washington people entertain a peculiar interest, had quite an adventure in New York about a week ago. They are great friends, and both live in New York city, except when they are filling concert tgements. Miss Powell was calling up- Mills, and they were playing piano violin duets in great shape, when the ll of smoke interrupted their work, and ran to an adjoining room, occupied by mutual friend, but who happened to be at the time, and found that the drapery on the dressing table, the portieres and the carpet were in flames. Both girls, instead of screaming, went to rk in earnest, and Miss Powell, by her pIness and vigorous action, soon’ stopped er the spread of the fire, and even before as- sistance reached them the two young wo- men had put the fire out. When their anger was entirely over Miss Mills, with true feminine delicacy, fainted, but Miss Powell, being of more heroic mold, simply went to work putting things to rights in the room where the fire took place, just as if she had not been doing the part of a heroine. Miss Powell is now in this city, visiting her father, Superintendent W. B. Powell. She will be here professionally at one of the Metropolitan concerts, and if the pianist Rosenthal does not’ recover frem his illness, she may be the central ! figure in the first concert. Miss Mills re- | turned to New York Monday, and it is not expected that her engagements will allow her to again visit Washington this winter. Miss Eugenia Blair, or as she Is known in private life, Mrs. Robert Downing, will Ko out on a starring tour in “East nne.” The late Lucille Western made a rat reputation and a fortune with that *, and with Miss Blair's beauty and otional power, she should command the ention of the play-going public in the val part of Lady Isabel and Madame Vine. My the v Mr. James Mead, who was le Western's husband, was telling a story not long ago of when Miss Western Wa= at the height of her fame in “East | Lynne.” She came here to the National ‘Theater, and at once made a big hit. The | wa ment wanted to extend the engage- | ment, but Mr. Mead, who was her mana- ker, insisted upon a bigger percentage be- fore he would renew. To this the theater er demurred, and kept putting off Ee € arrangement until Mr. Mead ught he would teach him a lesson. “I down to the Washington Theater,” aid Mr. Mead, “which, you know, had been known as Carusi’s saloon, and is now Kernan’s Lyceum Theater, and which had been in rather hard luck, and told the man- ager, whom I knew very weil, that I would i him out of his hole by playing Lu- cille there the following week. He jump- ed at the offer, and proposed a percentage sreater than I had asked the National people. I wouldn't take that, but we came to a good understanding, and then I went beck to the National. This, remember, was on Friday, and the National manager had been all the week trying to make up his mind. He then said he would split the dif- ference between what I was then getting and what I wanted. I told him I guessed net; that I would close with him Saturday night. Then he came to the terms I had asked, and I told him it was too late; that I had agreed to play Lucille at the other house the following week. I took her down there a played her for three weeks to great business, while the National, of course, suffered. Francis Wilson's business offices In New York are in the Knickerbocker Theater building. A large number of theatrical agers are tenants of that place, and m of them patronize a certain barber shop in the neighborhood. One day, about two weeks ago, he received from his Paris gent the manuscript of a French comic ‘a just produced in Paris, and which he need over theroughly enough to discover t it was not only acceptaole, but a posi- tive novelty, just adapted to his purposes. He would take it home, he thought, and give it careful consideration in seclusion. He went into the barber shop to get shaved. He hung up his overcoat and sat down to await his turn, reading the opera. When a chair was vacant he handed the manu- seript to an attendant and told him to put it in his overcoat pocket. The shave fin- ished he arose, donned the overcoat and went to the Grand Central station, and took his train for New Rochelle, his home. Later he discovered that the manuscript was missing. Then began a search. A_ tele- phone message was sent to Manager Canby to inquire at the barber shop. The attend- ant was positive he placed it in the over- coat pocket. At the Grand Central station no such thing had been found. At Port Chester, where the train had ended its urhey, the cleaners could not find it. hat was to be done? How could the |seph Sheehan’ and Samuel French authors (naturally over-suspicious ef American managers, anyhow) be con- vinced that the book had really been lost? ‘They would be certain to think Wilson had appropriated their successful opera, and would use it in disguise and thereby cheat. them of their rights. These considerations annoyed Wilson and Canby for days, and finally the lost book became a subject too painful to be mentioned. A week ago Wil- son was in New York, and while sitting in his office had a call from Nat Childs, the business representative of Sir Henry Irv- ing in the United States. “I’ve got some- thing tn your line, Frank,” sald Childs, en- thusiastically. “It came to me in a pe- culiar way. It’s a comic opera in French, and after reading it I at once thought how admirably it would suit you. It is not printed, and may be a protected piece, but anyhow you can look that up. It certainly doesn’t belong to me.” And he laid the missing book before Wilson. With a yell of delight the comedian grabbed it. A look at Chiids’ spring overcoat explained the whole matter. It was exactly like Wil- son's. That book ts now in the Lincoln fe Deposit vault, and a cable message '$ gone to Paris accepting it for produc- tion. National Theater.—Francis Wilson will appear here at New National Theater next week, with a new comic opeta, “Half a King,” words by Harry B. Smith, and music by Ludwig Englander, who have revised ard rewritten it from’ the French of Letterrier and Vanloo. The story of “Half a King” is said to be full of active scenes and continual movement. The Duke de Chateau Margaux being heavily in debt wishes to marry his son, Honore, to Lu- cinde, daughter of the wealthy Duke de la Roche-Trumeau. The contracting parties arrange to meet at a pleasure resort where not only the wealthy congregate, but also mountehanks and bohemlans. The leader of the mountebanks. Tereschappe, is there with his adopted daughter, Pierette, her would-be lover, Mistigris, and a band of followers. Honore Is in love with Picrette, who saves him from assault and robbery by the mountebanks. Tereschappe and his followers then capture the Duke de la Roche-Trumeau, his secretary and daugh- ter, and diszuising themselves as their can- tives, proceed to the house of the Duke de Chatvau Margaux. Pierette, who imper- sona'es Luc:nde, 1s about to be married to Honore, when Lucinde, who has managed to escape, appears and induces Pierette to renounce her plan. ‘ereschappe and Pier- ette resume their mountebank costum and return to their old life. The girl about to wed her old lover. Mistigris, when the party is arrested for kidnaping the Duke de la Roche-Trumeau. Explanations follow, and it is learned that Pierette is the daughter of the kidnaped duke by an early alliance. The identification is brought about through half a playing card, the king of diamonds, which was attached to Pierette’s clothing when Terreschappe found her. The duke produces the other half of the card. Honore and Pierette are betrothed and everything ends happily. Lafayette Square Opera House.—In “Mrs. Ponderbury’s Past,” the play which Stuart Robson will produce, in conjunction with Madam Janauschek, the well-known tra- gedienne, at the Lafayette Square Opera House next Monday evening, Matthew Poh- derbury is the character assumed by Mr. Robson, and Mrs. Ponderbury, by Madam Janauschek. Mrs. Ponderbury is one of these strong-willed, domineering women, who rules home with an iron rod. Matthew Pcnderbury is two things not easy to recon- cile, a thorough scapegrace in heart and the most abject coward in will. But into the neighborhood comes a disturber of Mat- thew’s equanimity, and later that of his suspicious and somewhat jealous wife—a pretty woman, a widow of uncertain ante- cedents, whose beauty provokes the too susceptible Matthew to measures stronger than he has hitherto attempted, and he challenges the sprightly fair one to a noc- turnal rendezvous at the studio of an art- ist. When Matthew discovers it is time to be getting home to avoid his wife's sus- ricions, he finds the door locked and him- self a prisoner. His outcries attract the attention of people in the street, who come to his rescue, and among them Is his wife. In his desperation he feigns somnambulism. It is here that the mirth-provoking quali- ties of the play reach their acme, and no audience that has witnessed it but have to view this scene with shouts of laughter. In connection with this comedy Mr. Robson has introduced a one-act play as a sort of preface to the longer one, which is hardly adequate in time for an’ American enter- tainment. This introductory is a revision of one of Buckstone’s quaint efforts, and is @ great mirth-provoker. It {s entitled “Mr. Gilman's Wedding,” and presents the humorcus side of an all but humorous situ- ation for the young husband, who Is about to be arrested on the charge of bigamy, just as he ts beginning his first honeymoon. Fol!owing Robson comes “The Geisha.” Columbia Theater.—Reginald DeKoven and Harry B. Smith's latest opera, The Mandarin, will be presented to the patrons of the Columbia Theater for their judg- ment next week, and each performance will be under the personal direction of the au- thors. In their work they will be assisted by Signor Antonio de Novellis as musical director and Max Freeman as stage man- ager. The company ts one of the largest ever used in opera comique, and includes Bertha Waltzinger. Adele Ritchie, Alice Barnette. Helen Redmond, Henry Norman, | George Heney, George C. Bontface, jr., Jo- Marion. The chorus fs exceptionally strong vocally, and the female portion of it is said to be un- usually beautiful. When it is known that Charles E. Evans and W. D. Mann, the most lavish producers in the country, are | the proprietors and managers of the com- pany nothing need be said as to the ele- gance of the costuming and scenic environ- nent, or as to the completeness of the pro- duction in every detail. The story of the opera is exceedingly interesting, and has for its central idea the complications re- sulting from the resemblance of two men. The scene of the opera Is laid in China. A mandarin who is the newly appointed gov- ernor of Foo Chow Is very susceptible to feminine loveliness, and is ever secking a kindred soul. He comes to a certain por- tion of his city for the purpose of seeing Jesso, a beauty, who is the wife of a vaga- bond Wamed Fan Tan. The mandarin learning that he closely resembles Fan Tan, and that the latter is away from kcme, obtains the dress of a workingman and appears before Jesso as her husband. She is decetved, and the mandarin is re- Joicing at the success of his ruse, when the officers of the law appear and arrest the supposed Fan Tan for misdemeanors com- mitted by the real Fan Tan. In the second act Fan Tan is brovght to the palace, where he finds himself the possessor of a number of wives and a large family of small children. He is under the control of a chaperon, Sing Loo, who is madly in love with him, and is a most despotic governess. The numerous complications that ensue are exceedingly amusing. and the entire three acts are divided between sidesplitting complications and entrancing music. Grand Opera House.—Black Patti, who is recognized the world over as the greatest singer of her race, enjoys the further dis- tinction of being the stellar feature with “Black Patti's Troubadours,” said to be the grandest company of its id ever organ- ized, and which Is to be next week's attrac- tion at the Grand Opera House. There are fifty people in the company, which includes at least a score of specialty performers, who are leaders in their respective lines. Notable among these are Mr. and Mrs. Hen , the prince and princess of comedy: Bob Coles and Stella Wiley, Delsartean dancers; Billy Johnson, descriptive vocalist; Goggin and Davis, knock-about acrobats; Kingsbury and Cousins, instrumentalists: De Wolfe Sisters, duettists; May Bohee, the Creole nightingale; Lyodd Gibbs, the phe- nomenal tenor; C. W. Moore, baritone, and Mme. Cravatt Simpson, the accomplished contralto. In addition to these famous stars there is a large and well-trained chorus of thirty voices and a march and dancing force of twenty. The operatic kaleidoscope which occupies the final half hour of the performance serves to intro- duce “Black Patti” and the operatic forces in one of the most attractive stage schemes ever conceived. The operatic selections are refreshing and arranged with excellent taste, and are taken from the following standard operas: “Faus ‘Carmen,” “Rigoletto,” “Luccia,” ‘Trovatore, hemian Girl,” “Grand Duchess,” “Mari- tana” and the “Daughter of the. Regi- ments.”” Academy of Music.—There has not been a more acceptable southern drama put forth in many years than “Down in Dixie,” Thomas H. Davis and William T. Keogh Picturesque comedy drama, which comes to oe A oeeae next week. As a drama it is mC! eresting, amusing and exciting. It appeals from both the melodramatic and the comic points of view.” It is also some- thing notable in a pictorial. way. One of the views is of a southern landscape, with a creek in which alligators abide, a high embankment, a picturesque bridge, and a darkey cabin. Another is of the outside of an old Carolina homestead, with the coun- try round about. Then there is the famous cotton warehouse scene, with a huge cot- ton compress that is used with such thrill- ing effect at the climax of the third ect. The play is a fascinating picture of south- ern life as well as a stirring drama of se7- sational incidents. It tells a love story that 1s diversified by events of the most exciting character. Each act ends with a heart-quickening situation. A large ele- ment of rollicking gayety is imparted by a band of real pickaninnies, who not only play instruments in concert, but also give dancing exhibitions and engage in sports common to the light-hearted darkey boys of the south. “The Geisha.”—“The Geisha,” which will shortly be produced at the Lafayette Opera House, is the latest and mosi successful musical opera known in this country. Written by Mr. Owen Hall, with lyrics by Mr. Harry Greenbank, and ‘set to music by Mr. Sidney Jones, the quality of the work is undoubted. These gentlemen created a xood impression when they produced “A Gaiety Girl,” and did better still In an “Ar- tist’s Model,” but their best achievement has certainly been “The Geisha.” Its well- written dialogue is humorous and clever: the lyrics are of the best, and the music 1s as sparkling and melodious as one could desire. The time is the present, and the action of the play takes place in Japan, outside the treaty limits. A party of En- glish naval officers dizcover “The Gelsha, who afford them much amusement. Then a party of English ladies appear upon the scene. The “Chief of the Getsha” attracts the governor of the province, who wishes to marry her, and when he hears her sing- ing to an Englishman he deprives the pro- prietor of the tea house of his license, and sells at public auction all his gocds and chattels, including the singing and dancing girls. The governor desires to buy one, and the one he intends especially to buy is herght by an English lady, who outbids him. One of the foreigners, by disguising herself as a Geisha, is @ctually sold to the governor instead. This considerably mixes matters, but eventually there Is a general disentanglement, and of course everything ends satisfactorily. A most important fea- ture of the entertainment 1s the delightful scenery and the beautiful dresses. In the production of this play Mr. Daly has asso- ed himself with a capital company. The chorus effects are particularly good, and the singing is of the highest class. A “O Mimosa San,” the chicf Geisha, } Dorothy Morton sings, dances and acis brilfantly. Her songs, “The Amorous Gold Fish,’ “The Jewel of Asia,” a nong her best, and the “Kissing Duet.” with Reg- irald Fairfax, impersonated by Mr. Van Rensselaer Wheeler, is sweetly rendered. Miss Violet Lloyd as Molly Seamore can searcely be excelled. She has an exquisite votce. acts In a piquant and willing man- ner, and dances gracefully. The balance of the company has been carefully selected by Mr. Daly himself, which 1s a suffictent guarantee of their ability. The people are the same who have made this piece such a success In New York. Written orders seats will receive prompt attention unt! Thursday ges 2 next, when the regular advance sale begins. There will be no in- crease in the regular prices. “Shore Acres.”"—James A. Herne begins a week's engagement at the New National Theater on Monday evening, December 14, when he will appear in his successful play “Shore Acres.” This Js the fifth year of Mr. Herne’s play, and its success continues unabated. There is a strong possibility of Mr. Herne’s presenting “Shore Acres” in London in April next, and if he goes abroad he will take over his entire American com- pany. Offers have been received from the Lyceum, Lyric, Shaftesbury, Haymarket and Adelphi, but up to the present time no decision has been arrived at. As here- tofore, Mr. Herne is supported by an excel- lent dramatic organization and carries all his own scenery. Boston Symphony Orchestra.—A matinee performance by the Boston Symphony Or- chestra will be a not unwelcome exception to the general rule, and the next perform- ance by this organization in this city at the new Columbia Theater is announced for Tuesday afternoon, December 8, at 4:15 o'clock, owing to a long standing ¢ ment of the theater for that eveni: Th program is an unusually attractive one, and includes Goldmark’s Overture “Sakuntala. Beethoven's Cencerto for Violin, Berlio: Overture “The Roman Carnival" and Men- delssohn’s talian Symphony.’ The solo- ists will be Mr. Carl Halir, the celebrated German virtuoso and teacher, who is re- garded as the legitimate successor of Jo- achim, to whose fosition as the leading violin teacher at the Berlin Conservatory he has practically succeeded. Mr. Halir wade his first appearance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in the second concert of their series in Providence, R. I., last Wednesday evening, and the Provide: Jqurnal of the following morning ve: Pertinently says: “He do not belong to the long-haired fraternity, who thrust their own personalities upon us to such an ex- tent that elucidation of the composer's idea becomes an apparently secondary consid- eration.” Kernan’s Lyceum Theater.—The Russell Brothers’ refined company of comedians and vaudeville stars will be Manager Ker- nan’s attraction for next week at the Ly- ceum. The Russell Bros. have frequently been seen here in their inimitable imper- sonations of the Irish servant girls, and this season they have added a new edition to their sketch which is described as being exceptionally funny and a gem of Celtic wit. A feature of the entertainment will be the first appearance in this city in vaude- ville of Miss Jennie Yeamans. She was the original “June” in Jos. Arthur's play Blue Jeans, which role was considered one of the most difficult ever impersonated on the legitimate stage. Last season Miss Yea- mans was seen in farce comedy, being a prominent member of Peter F. Dailey's company. Her entrance into vaudeville has been marked with pronounced success from the very beginning. Other names appear- ing on the program are McAvi nd May, the comedy duo; Drummond Staley and Belle Birbeck, the original musical black- smiths; Johnnie Carroll, character si and comedian; the brothers Ross’ tesque eccentriques; Myer Cohen, th fornia baritone, and Mazuz and Mazze: the tramp and the brakeman. There ve matinees Tuesday, Thursday and Satur- day. Bijou Theater.—“Grimes’ Cellar company, with Mr. James B. 1 unrivaled comedian, as a star, will he the attraction at the Bijou Family Theater next week. To those who have seen Mr. Mackie there is nothing to be told, for once being seen, he speaks for nims=lf, and those who have enjoyed his perfo ance wili only be too anxious to witr it again. To those who are still strange he extends a particular invitation to come and smile with him. Mr. Maclte has the wonderful faculty of making his audi- ences happy. He has selected only first- class artists for his clever company. Pret Miss Sanford is irresisiible as Pandora, and raises the very mischief with B: Grimes. Lovely music, graceful dancing and fun, are supplied by the Gotham quar- tet, the Trilby dancers and others. There will be matinees daily, commencing Mon- day afternoon. Damrosch Opera Season.—A season of grand opera in German and French will be given by Mr. Walter Damrosch at the “La- fayette Square Theater, consisting of four performances, on January 14, 15 and 16. The performances in German will be given by Mr. Damrosch’s own company, and for that in French Mr. Damrosch has the as- sistance of Mme Melba or Calve, by spe- cial arrangement with Messrs. Abbey, Schoeffel and Grau. The operas will be si lected from the following _ repertoir “Alda,” Verdi; ‘‘Carmen,” Bizet; “Don Giovanni,” Mozart; “Fidelio,” Beethoven; “Frieschutz,"" Weber; “Flying Dutchman,” Wagner; “Faust,” Gounod; “Les Hugue- nots,” Meyerbeer; “‘Hamiet,” Thomas; “The Jewess,” Halevy; “Lohengrin,” Wagnei 'Africaine,” Meyerbeer; “Meistersinger, agner; “Marriage of Figaro,” Mozar “Scarlet Letter,” Damrosch; ““Tannhauser, Wagner; “Trovatore,” Verdi ure,” Wagner; “Siegfried,” Wagner; terdamerung,' Wagner; “Tristan Isolde,” Wagner. Mr. Door” ckie, the und Damrosch’'s com- pany numbers nearly two hundred mem- bers, including the New York Symphony Orchestra. The singers are well known as the foremost exponents of Wagner's mu- sic today, The complete list is as follow: Sopranos and mezzo-sopranos—Cecilie Mo- hor-Ravénstein, Johanna Gadski, Augusta Vollmar, Riza Eibenschuets, Alma Powell, Marie Mattfeld; tenors—Ernst, Krauss, Paul Lange, Fritz Ernst and Paul Kalisc! 5 baritones. and basses—Carl Somer, Wilhelm Mertens, Gerhard Stehmann, Heinrich Hob- |- bing, Fritz Derschuck and Emil Fischer, Musical and Dramatic Entertainment.—a musical and dramatic entertainment in aid ‘of Holy Trinity Church will take place on the evening of the 16th in Linthicum Hall, West Washington. The best local talent will appear, while a chorus of 200 voices will render selections under the direction of Prof. Scanlan of Boston. The glee and banjo clubs connected with Georgetown University, Mrs. Margaret Blaine Croes- AMUSEMENTS. AMUSEMENTS. COLUMBIA THEATER. NIXON & ZIMMERMAN, Directors. METZEROTT & LYCKETT, Managers. |Week « of December GREATEST COMIC REGINALD be KOVEN HARRY SMITHS OPERA UCCESS, =IHE MAND ARINE _ Direct from the Herald Square Theater, with Signor Antonio de Novellis Musical Director and THE ALL STAR CAST, Under the- Personal Direction of The Author & The Composer. Geo. C. man, Mr. Will Moore, the tenor; Mr. Frank Rebstock and Mr, John Nolan, the bass singers; Miss nner, the leading £0- prano of the Visitation Academy; Miss Evans of the Georgetown Convent, Mr. Ed- ward Walsh, the reader; Prof. Gumphrect, the organist, and Messrs. McLaughlin, Green and Kain of Georgetown University “in readings will all participate in the pro- gram. Masonic Temple.—The Methodist Protes- tant bazaar which will begin a run of five nights at Masonic Temple, corner of 9th and F streets northwest, Monday evening 1s being looked forward to with a great deal of interest by all who have been in any way connected with the work. The various committees in charge of booths, decora- tions and like details have been’ hard at work for some days past preparing for the falr and by Monday evening everything will be in readiness for the coining of mon- ey. The decorations will be made a feature, and hosts of pretty young ladies will be in attendance at the Various stands and booths to gee that no one goes away without emp- tying his pockets of all spare cash. A nom- inal admission fee will be charged at the door and all articles offered for sale will have a moderate price tag affixed to them. «The Nancy Hanks.—“The Nancy Hanks” is the title of a new farce comedy which will be seen at the Academy week of De- cemhber 14. The company includes such clever people as Igmaelo Martinett!, Frank Jennehill, jr., Thos. HH. Burns, Anna Boyd, Carrie Radcliffe and Louise Muldener. People’s Lecture Coyrse.—The last lec- ture of the rst series this season of this popular course will be given Monday even- ing by Rev. Dr. Rogers, in the Church of Our Father, 13th and L streets. It is en- titled “Among the Romantic Scenery of the English Lakes, With Memoirs of the Lake Poets,” and will be superbly illustrated with lantern slides. The course has proven @ pronounced success, and has drawn large audiences. The lecturer {s peculiarly fitted to speak on this subject, having been fa- miliar from boyhood with the region he describes. The Ice Palace.—Now that winter seems to have come in earnest a number of the people of this city are apending a good deal of their time in trying to master the art of ice skating. For the benefit of those who have not yet tried the sport a few words of advice are given. A good deal of atten- tion must be paid to shoes and skates. The former should be heavy and sold. while the latter should be of the best steel, with as little “rock” as possible. When the first attempt 1s made on the ice the first effort shouid be to try to walk. This strengthens the angles and gains confidence, the most necessary of all characteristics in ice skat- ing. Next a few strokes are taken ind then a slide in the direction the feet are wont to lead, at the same time making a vigorous attempt to keep the ankles from turning. Of course there are a great mary difficulties to be encountered, but there is no short road to the mastery of the art, and the one who attempts to learn should expect falls and laughter without cessa- tion. In this connection it should be re- membered that the instructors at the Ice Palace at Convention Hall are placed there especially for the help they give to begin- ners, They are a polite, attentive and will- ing lot of men and the method by which they teach is probably the best to be found anywhere. Beginners are always welcomed at tne rink, and they will find much en- couragement and help to be gained trom this nattily uniformed corps. Dr. Stafford on ‘Macbeth.”—Rey. Dr. D. J. Stafford will deliver one of his interest- ing and powerful lectures at the Columbia Theater Monday evening, December 14. His subject will be in his strongest line—that of Shakespeare—and he will give a compre- hensive and intelligent dissertation on the theme of “Macbeth.” There is no need to call attention to Dr. Stafford'’s capabilities as a public speaker and lecturer, and all who are familiar with his lectures, as well as those who have merely made his ac- quaintance through his reputation, will undoubtedly make an effort to hear him at his next appearance. “The play’s the thing a A Doleful Ditty. From the Chicago Record. ‘The north tind doth blow And we shail Imve snow, And what will the rebia‘do then, ‘poor thing? On her hatrhe:will stick, For bis feathers are thick, And he'll blot out the stage with his wing, poor thin; = The Same @ld Price. From the Detroit Tribune. “Eternal vigilance,” shouted the orator, “4s the price of liberty?” The women electors exchanged glances. “That is the same price as last year, they remarked, and shrugged their shoul- ders. * ——_2e2—____ He Fixed Them. Frem the Indianapolls Journal, Calmly erising, as befitted a rising young attorney, the eloquent advocate fixed the jury with his magnetic eye. And yet he lost the case. For, indeed, an eye js a poor thing to fix a jury with. fanchester ‘What do you think of my wife?” “I think she’s a poem; yes, sir, “Um! A magazine poem, I guess. I can’t understand her!” ———_-+<. Where It Pinches, yen the New York Weekly. ely, Daughter—“Why do you so objeat to Mr. De Poor? Is it not better to live in @ cottage with one you love than to dwell in a palace with one you.hate?” Practical Father—“Yes, my dear, - very much better; but he hasn’t the cottage.” 25; Including Bertha Waltzinger, Adele Ritchie, Alice Barnette, Boniface, jr., Henry Norman, Jos. Sheehan, Geo. Honey, And Others. The Complete And Elaborate Production. 50, 75, $1.00, $1.50. ————— Y AMUSEMENTS. New National Theater “Tis pot in mortals to command success, ‘Sempronius, we'll deserve Te -Ads wai as Saturday Matinee. One Week Only, Beginning NEXT MONDAY NIGHT, Francis Wilson AND COMPANY’S LATEST AND GREATEST COMIC OPERATIC SUCCESS. nA LEA NG, Adapted from the French by Harry B. Smith. Music by Ludwig Englander. Presented in precisely the same elaborate manner as in the Knickerbocker Theater, New York. MANAGETSIENT OF A. H. CANBY. a whole success. * * * The tire of anything half as good as ew York Herald. we fact that there Is a stor substance, sequence and signiiicance, to this Intest of Amer” fean comic operas is such @ novelty that it is proper to lay siress upon it. It Is one of the fac- tors in the genuine success achieved at the Knick- eriocker Theater last evening. A capital produc- tion in beauty of secncry and costumes, in € jence of secondary artiste, in th chorus of clever peopl jotable one.—New. York Mr, “Wilson ts, to. te tla vault Ik as good as the recept ant night Indieuted it to be. He lnvishes hie fealities until his admirers, who only cease laugli ing when the fall of the curtain gives them an o portunity, “vote that he is one of the most amusl of all the fun-makers on the stage. New Yor Tribune. Dec. 14th, “Half a King” public will neve “Half a King. It may be said that he started Inst night on @ Season which will doubtless be more laughable, and therefore more remunerative, than ite prede- cexsore.-New York Sun. its ‘frst performance was unmistakably succee- ful. New York Times. “Half a King” scored an emphatic bit. It will prove a worthy successor to “Erminie.”’—New York Advertiser. “Half a King” was greeted enthustastically.— Evening Telegram. A decidedly clever work, and Hurry B. Smith and Lodwig Englander are to be congratulated. It places Mr. Englander in the front rank of our too few American composers.—Evening Recorder. “Half a King” is « success from start to finish.— Evening Sun. Why did T lke “Half a King?" * ° © There are others who also liked it, and will do their little all to add a new metropolitan success to Mr. Wilson's list.—Evening World. JAMES A. HERNE tm SHORE AGRES. | Washington Saengerbund. First Grand Concert SUNDAY E 5 AT THE NEW COLU! (formerly Mr. OTTO And the Entire Chorus of the Soctet; Admission for non-members. It DEC, 6, 1898, MBIA THEATER Metzerott’s). ORCHESTRA OF THIRTY ™ Mrs. KITTY THOMPSO: Mr. HERRMA’ Mr. CHARLE USICTANS, BERR’ a -50 cents UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, FRIDAY, DEC. 11, Washington String Orchestra, Ernest Lent... SOLOISTS Mrs. H. Clay SOPRANO, Conductor. Browning, AND * Mrs. Ernest Lent, PIANIST. Reserved seats. 14 Subscription for the season. dled -6t At Ellis’ Muri Oe. and 75e. $1.00 jc Store, 987 Pa. ave. BIJOU. THE FAVORITE JAMES B. (Grimesey, me boy.) MATINEES DAILY. MONDAY DEC, 7. COMBEDIAD MAC KE IN THE GREATEST OF ALL COMEDIES, CRIMES’ CELLAR DOOR In a Great Cast, JAMES B. SS , Including MACKIE, LOUISE SANDFORD, CLAFFLIN SISTERS, THE TROCADERO COMEDY FOUR AND SIXTEEN New Medleys. Sew Songs. Catchy OTHERS. Pretty Girls, Music. New Dances. Bicycles Checked Free. a Concerts. Metropolitan 15 | Rosenthal. SAT. EVE, JANUARY 16 | Nordica-Linde. ing. Dee. 3. . way Plano used. assisted 1 Lee Slade, ¥. and the Misa ME’ mission ds. cents. Single 1 Sale of season tickets opens at Columbia Theater Thursday morn- n030-81* ES AT A Is ees 16th and O Sts. An EveningWith Browning ByPres.B.L. Whitman,D.D. MONDAY, DEC, 7, Course Tiekets, $1, AT 7:30 P.M. ickets, 25 Cents. Church, MON- said church, D'st. bet. mn to any part of the 1t* COLUMBIA THEATER. LECTURE Rev. D. J. Sta SUBJEC MONDAY EVENING, DEC. 14, BY fford, D. D. T: Macbeth. BENEFIT OF CARROLL INSTITUTE. Admission, 50c. Reserved Boxes, $8.00 and $10.00. seats, 7c. and $1.90. Sale begins at Metzerott’s Music Store Monday morning, Dec. 7, at 9 o'clock. de2-9t CADEM Prices, : Wed. ard Sat. Mats., HARRY WILLIAMS’ Grind , 50, Te. and $1.00. 25 and 50c. Reserved. Scenic Novelty of Life in New York, A BOWERY GIRL, FLORRIE. WEST AND A GREAT CAST, Nest Week—DOWN IN DIXIE. Seats tomorrow. az CALIFORD ‘Australia, Special rates fo: freight routes; private cars to rent th . 49 So. 3d st . Philad A, MEXICO, TEXAS, CHINA, JAPAN Hawailan ‘Islands, free maps and pamphlets. Central "America. r passage; choice of Special tourist _par- R. J. SMITH, lelphia. my2-s&w,lyr They Had Guessed Well. From the New York Herald. They had often read and they had met for t “Do you know, Miss said, “that I always th tall, gauht woman with each other's bocks he first time. Geewhilikins,” he jought of you as a corkscrew ringleis, angular fextures and a most unpleasant voice?” “Indeed,” rejoined ‘England authoress. ed, Mr. Pickle, to learn distinguished New ‘ou will be surpris- that I always im- agined that you were an ill-tempered, dys- peptic, round-shouldered, red-bearded, zog- gle-eyed sort of a person who was so con- ceited that he saw nothing good, except in that which he wrote himself.” Note by the editor: And their previous ideas of each other were correct in every particular, GrandOpera House KERNAN & RIFE, Managers. WEDNESDAY -MATINI ATURDAY. aan DECEMBER 7. COMM BLACK PATTI’S FIFTY TROUBADOURS. THE GREATEST COLORED SHOW ON EARTi. Presenting an Incomparable Kaleidoscope of COMEDY, BURLESQUE, VAUDEVILLE AND OPERA. THREE HOURS OF MIRTH AND MELODY With the OF THE SUNNY SOUTH N COMEDIANS. Popular Prices Maintained. 15, 25, 50 and 75c. All seats couponed. Box office open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. NOTE—A good seat on ‘first floor for 25 cents. Seats in box, $1. Next attraction—Fitz & Webster's “A BREEZY ‘TIME.”” it NCING RAND OPEKA HOUSE. Kernan & Rife, Managers. Wednesday -MATINEES--Saturday Week Commencing November 80. A Production Celebrated Throughout the Entire English Speaking World. Morrison's Original Monster Production of ALL NEW THIS SEAS! Populur Prices Maint: All seats couponed. — Box office open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m, NOTE—A good seat on first foor for 25e. Seats im box, $1. Neat Attraction—BLACK PATTI TROUBADOURS. 1020 ‘THe Caraverre... = Charles Frohman’s Empire Theater Company, From the Empire Theater, New York. “SOWING THE WIND.’ Tonight (Double Bil “MARRIAGE” By Brandon Thomas, Author of “Charley's Aunt.” Preceded by the one-act comed, “LADY BETTY'S HIGHWAYMAN, Next Week—STUART ROBSON, accompanied by Mme. Janauschek, in “Mrs. PONDERBURY'S PAST.” * Seats now on sal Tue Laraverre, Week Beginning 3 Matinees Wednesd: It gives the managereat great the engagement George Elwardes’ Japanese Musical Comedy, THE GEISHA, The greatest musical comedy success known to New York and London. COMPAN JRIGINAL PRODUCTION. THE CRIGINAL ORCHESTRA. Most Elaborate Ort-ntal Scenery and Costumes. Cast includes Such favorites as ‘Violet Lloyd, Van Ransellear Wheeler, Charles Swain, Doro- thy Morton, Mark Smith, &., & The entire production ix under the direction of AUGUSTIN DALY. Written orders for seats will reccive prompt. at- on until Thursday, December 10, ox office will Wil! he no raise Cow MBIA THEATER Last Appearance Here of GUNTER'S FUNNY PLAY, A FLORIDA Next_Week—DE KOVEN & SMITH’S THE MANDARIN. Seats now on sale. at Ice Palace. CONVENTION HALL, 5TH AND L STS. N.W. Real Ice Skating. Instruction Free! Ice Palace Orchestra, Grand Orchestrion, plenti- ful supply of skates, competent corps of instructors. Every Afternoon at 2. Every Evening at 7:30. ADMISSION Books containing 1 clal morning classes, 1 -- TONIGHT. leasure to announce Spe- tf 24 thing of beauty anda joy forever _ WILL BE “The Methodist Protestant Bazaar,” To be held from DEC. 7 TO DEC. 11 at the Masonic Temple, 9th & F Sts. N. W. Best in beauty, best in variety, best in enter- tainment,| bject of any baz: _ Tickets We, ‘AT. THEATER. vening and Saturday Matince, Mark Twain’s PUDD'NREAD WILSON, Dramatized by FRANK MAYO. Direction of Mayo & Jefferson, Next Week— FRANCIS WILSON IN HALF A KING. at SEATS SELLING. Bee FaMILY THEATER. Matinees Daily. ALLTHIS vere” Agnes Wallace Viila IN . The World Against Her. Evening—10c., 20c., 30. or SOc, Prices: ngs : Next Week—James B. CELLAR DOOR.” PIANO MUSIC FOR RECEPTIONS. AT TOMES. and other social eccasions. Piano ieseons, $1. per 5 Mrs. JONAS, Hopkins st., near 20th and P uw. an 1406 ‘no24-tu,th, ag Nerfoik & Steamboat Co. Every day in the year tor Kurtress Monroe, Newport News and ail poiuts south the ‘superl) pywerfui sicel pulace steamers COLUMBIA BOSTON | SYMPHONY | ORCHESTRA THEATER. 8, AT 4:15, PROG Goldmark, Overture, " Beethor: © for Violin: ‘Berliog, Overture, “Carnaval Issobn, Symphony No. 4, in & COLUFIBIA THEATER FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, John Fox, Jr. ESDAY, JANUARY 5, Mr. W. D. Howells. TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, Mme. Emma Juch, SOPRANO. Mr. Ffrangcon-Davies, BARYTONE. Miss Lillian Littlehales, ‘CELLIST. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, Miss [Mary French Field. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, Cupid in California. Subscriptions “now being” foseived nel TO 8 APITAL AMUSEMENT BUREAU, éel5t* 1216 F st. nw. JKEBSaN's Lycet THEATER, All Thix W ¥ THE BEST. 1@ SHOW Composed of High-clas# American and European 9—NOVELTY CIALTY ACTS —9 Next Week -RUSSELL BROS.” COMEDIANS, n030-6t CAPITAL CYCLING PARK, 1406-8 N. ¥. AVE. Oldest cycle resort in ped Now is the best time of the year to learn to le; good clay track; com- petent instructors; electric lighted; complimen- tary lesnons to ladies. Open every day and even. ing except Sunda; Bri our Is. eck? ALL CAN LEARN WHO TRY tbe eyeling 1 An 7 COLUMBIA AGAVE raze One of the sichts of Weehington. Cycling taught oa © 12,000-ft. floor Competent instrictors, Charges small. Muste every evening. 22d end P streets. J. HART WUITTAIX, Mer. wbd-Stt ‘Take F street cars. LECTURES. I. BRYANT WILL. DELIVER A lips Brooks, under the auspices of the Epworth League, at St. Paal’s Church, 18th and Mass. eve. ow, Monday, Dy _cember 7, at 8 p.m. A silver offering at the do. THE PHOPLE'S LECTURE C REV. STOWEL lecture on Our Father, 13th and 1 xts.n.w A . MONDAY EWG, IsWA, lecture by Ker. Rogers, DD. ROMANTIC RY OF THE WITH MEMOIRS OF THB ly Mustrated with lantern, cents, eh -2t EXCURSIONS, ETC. A Trip to Jamaica, THE QUEEN OF WEST INDIAN ISLANDS, Admission, BY THE Atlas Li tlas Line wl rt 1 advantages to ersons from New York te made in 17 Pim, Forward & Kellock, General Agents, 24 State st., New York. 1028-1u,th,#,52¢ EGY P DE POYTER’S FIRST-CLASS EXCURMUAS TO THE MED- ITERRANEAN, EGYPT, FALESTINE, GKLECE, ITALY, FRANCE, etc. in January and Fesruary. Also to JAPAN, ©. YRNIA, ete, ve cost. Un- waled advantages. Programs FREE. " Also SPRING AND SUMMER TOURS. STEAMSHIP AND CIRCULAR RAILWAY TICKETS. 1879. A. DE POTTER, JAP N NEV YORK. A nol4-tu,thasim -To- MOUNT VERNON, Tomb of Washington, At 10 a.m., returuing reach the Gly at 2:30 p.m FAKE, ROUND TKI, Boer . ELEGANT CAFE ON THE STEAMER. Tickets, with Mount Vernon aduission coupon, 1466 BROADWAY, Steamer [iacalester Dally (except Sunday), Admission to grounds, 25 for sale at wharf and at hotels. Will also muke river landings as far stopping for freight and parsengers For charters. et ester. ocl-tf voth ways, apply at obive of steamer Macul- LL. BLAKE, Caprain. W4shington — Nork — “Newport News,” “Norfolk” “and — ton,” on the following schedule: ‘Southbound. Lr. Washington, 7:00 p.m. Ly. 1 Ly. Aleaandria..7:30 p.m. Lv. Ar. Ft. Monroe.6:30 a.m, Lv Ar. Norfolk. Ar. Portsmoi Visitors ‘2 new Fiygela,” ard Virginia Beac! the most attractive route, fortalile night's rest. Large and lururious rooms heated by steam and fitted thi it with electric Nghte, Dining room service is a ia carte, and ts sup: Giles, from the best ihtt the “warkets of ‘ashington Norfolk aff ‘Tickets press office, 817 1421 Pennsyl- Bishet on application ‘undersigned at the ‘2 wharf. foot of 7th st.. Wash See ‘Telenhone Xo. 750. 718-04 JNO. CALLAHAN. General Manager.