Evening Star Newspaper, December 12, 1896, Page 26

THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY,. DECEMBER 12, 1896-21 PAGES. It Is strange, but true, that many of the most successful plays produced in this coun- try are th in which theatrical managers had Httle faith. Among the most note- worthy examples are Augustus Thomas’ “Alabama’ and James A. Herne’s “Shore Acres." Mr. M. Palmer bought “‘Ala- bama,” but had so little faith in its draw- ing powers that he withérew it from re- hearsals three different times. Not having eny ether available play he was at last forced to produce It, and its success was @ < Acres” was hawked about all cver the United States, and every v.ell-known manager was approached with the mafuseript. Mr. J. H. MeVicker, lacking rial for his stock company, agreed to e it, but the changes he made in the bus scenes interfered with its success. R. M. Field of the Boston Museum instantaneous. “Store Mr. agreed to present ‘t the following season, but even during its rehearsal expressed fears of its success, and put another work in rehearsal, which was to replace “Shore Acres” In case of failure. A run of 114 nights cid not serve to convince Mr. Field of its value, and he sold out his interests to Henry C. Miner for a mere bagatelle. This was four years ago, and Mr. Miner jointly with Mr. Herne have made a fortune h this charming idyl of New England life. Another instance may be cited in “My Friend From India.” This play was written eight years ago, but no one could be in- duced ‘to produce it. Its present owners “ill grow rich on its profits, as its weekly expenses are trifling. a good story about who appears in “The From the first day it was the company was going out in the play, Mr. Martinett! began to have trouble, and is having it yet. The news of the company’s approaching season earcely in type when a ring came one morning at the comedian’s door. Who's there?” he demanded. mething very important.” About what About ‘Nancy Hanks.’ ” Imagining all sorts of things, Mr. Mar- tinetti let the man into his parlor and hur- riedly dressed to see him. “Well, what's happened?" he asked, as he st in the room. othirg,” said the strange visitor; “but | it's what's lkely to happen. Now, you're going to take ‘Nancy Hanks’ on the road this winter, aren't you?” nounced that was t Then, it's lucky you saw me, for I've got the daisiest, warmest cough and cold preventing horse blanket you ever saw. “Horse blanket!” cried Martinetti. “What for? _ minutes to convince the man > Hanks" was not to be in the y. and then he went away muttering: “Well, It's a cuckoo horse play that ain't got any horse in it. After that there was ring after ring at Martinetti's door bell. Men had horse salve, blinders, everything for the horse, and sixteen men made application for the position of groom. Martinett! was nearly Finuliy, he went to the door for is it?” he asked the man who anything for horses, sir? I Bang! and the dcor was shut. And that is the wey it has gone on ever e, “Whatever experience I may have had in King attractions, and while in arrang- ing Buzenie Blair's tour there has been no « whatever, yet in ail my expe- as I have just remarked, I have had so many funny things happen,” Albert Riddle yesterday. “Both Mr. ng and myself have been very much i. We needed a night between here mond, and needed it badly. So we t@ letter to Alexandria, and in a few days the answer came, stating that the night was gone, and that ‘it was just as Well, as “East Lynne” wouldn't go in Alex- tla anyway.’ The writer sald we might play Accotink or Fairfax Court House. “Well, you know, ‘East Lynne’ isn’t the only thing that wouldn’t go in Alexandria. I got another letter from a man in Opi- delka, Miss., saying: ‘Better not play “Fast ne” here again, as Lady Isabel was ered in this town last week, and the returned a verdict of justiNable homi- Needless to say, we do not play in Opidelka this season. ugenie Blair and her own company will be the Christmas attraction at the Acad- emy of Music, and will undoubtedly give a strong and complete production of “East Lynne.” Mr. Wm. H. Crane tells a good story of his early experience at Ottumwa years ago, when the orchestra of the company | nt on strike, and the local brass band | engaged to furnish music for the per- | ance and to play three selections in| of the théater before the perform- | in return for free admission to the “The band showed up on time, car- S part of the contract, and went theater,” said Mr. Crane. “I was door that night, and, by the by, 1 uck by the fact that the Ottumwa and must be one of the most re- ble musical organizations in the Every minute <¢ iy ome up to the door with a brass r his arm, wave it at me and sail | ter without a wor: to grow a trifle suspi- an old granger who wi ba. cuse me, es you play in the band? ‘What are you doing that horn, then? I asked. ‘I'm goin’ if I can,’ he replied, can- | s it?” I inquired. ‘Blamed aid. ‘A feller outside there me and sald I could get in with the door and stepped inside the just in time to see one of the ®and ther horn out of a window | of somebody in a crowd out- As nearly as I can cal- the Ottuinwa Brass Band that night must have had more members than Gilmore or Sousa ever directed at one time.” t generally known that Martinus the Dutch pianist, is a s in strength. Sieveking has _per- control over all the muscles of his , and can move them at will, which for his claim that the seat of his is his muscles, and not the brain, ists have claimed; which also for the marvelous tones produced this artist without any apparent effort part. Steveking does not drink nor e. for fear of its affecting his nerves, nd, like all great artists, practices from ven to eight hours a day. When not play- » piano he ts playing with his dog, of whom he thinks the world. “Tad,” for dog’s name, is a thoroughbred beckoned to his master's sting the first bar of the rt cer and singer, who is beloved by tain Ketana of the Governor's Guards. Regi- nald Fairfax of H. M. 8. Turtle, ha’ filrted a little with Mimosa, the jealousy o! his sweethesrt, Molly Seamore, ts excited. Now the Marquis Imart, the chief of police and governor of the province, has set amcrous eyes on Mimosa; and, in order to obtain her, he cancels the license of Wun- hi, the preprietor of the tea house at which she is engaged, so that all the girls are put up for sale by auction. The Marquis, however, ts outbidden by Lady “Constance Wynne, who is traveling in Japan; but Molly, having dressed herself in a Japa: nese costume, is bought by the Marquis and carried off to his palace, in the grounds of which the second act takes place. Juliette Diamant, a French girl, who is attached to the tea house as interpreter, is scheming to marry the Marquis herself and she and Mimosa join with Fairfax in endeavoring to get Molly out of the palace before she is married to the elderly Imari. In the end an Englisn costume is convey- ed to the intended bride by Julietta; Molly Passes out and joins her friends, and the French girl, by the “good old’ changed bride expedient, is married to the Marquis, Mimosa pairing off with Captain Katana. ‘The musical accomplishments of Miss Do- rothy Morton will find excelicnt oppcrtun- ity In several, songs. All of the costumes are new and ‘very elaborate. The scenery made by Mr. Hoyt is beautiful and exact repreductions of models sent over from London by Mr. Daly, as well as the prop- erties and accessories,which include several real “rickshaws” or hand carriages. Miss Violet Lloyd will sing some attractive num- bers, and the whole company is in every way competent. i New National Thester.—But few plays come to this city that are more welcome than “Shore Acres,” and its thousands of admirers will be pleased to learn that a fine scenic production ‘s to be given at the National Theater Monday evening next. It is the people and not the plot that engages the attention of the audience in Mr. Herne’s great work, and it is that feeling of pro- gress that Is penetrating even into the slow life of villagers that makes it modern and human to the core. Its hero, Nathaniel Berry, with his incessant good nature and exhaustless charity, has a beautiful moral to convey @nd bis ungainliness does not make him less lovable. There is another remarkably well drawn character and that is the part of Joel Gates, the grass widow- er. Only peopie who have lived in small towns can quite comprehend him. His daughter, "Mandy, is the creation of the author's wife, Katharine Corcoran Herne. There are thousands of such children, but no other "Mandy has ever graced the stage. Ann Berry is another typical character. She has her counternart and her repeti- tions are indicative of her feelings. Even the lovers are unique, and one follows the varying fortunes of Helen end Sam with growing interest. Mr. Herne lately deliv- ered an address on “Art tor Truth’s Sake” before the Boston Home Congress, and in it he sald: “I did not set myself the tesk of writing ‘Shore Acres’ as it now stands. It grew and I grew with it, and while I did rot realize all of !ts spirituality until its stage presentation set {ts Internal spirit free, still that spirituality must have had possession of me while writing, or I could net have written it.” It is this writing for “Truth's Sake” upon which the American drama {fs founded, and “Shore Acres” is the best example the stage has yet had. Mr. Herne’s ergagement is limited to one week, with a matinee on Saturday. Academy of Musie.—A new farce comedy by a new company, composed of old favor- ites, will be seen at the Academy of Music Monday evening. The title is “The Nancy Hanks,” by Frank Tannehill, who is inter- ested with Ignacio Martinetti in the pro- duction, and carries a prominent role. It is not a racing play, as the title might indi- cate; the “Nancy Hanks” referred to is not a horse, but a gold mine, that has been “salted” by unscrupulous persons and palmed off as a rich ore producer upon a speculative Frenchman, on whose com- plicated adventures the plot hinges. The Frenchman comes to America, and falling into the hands of some needy’ speculators, is sold “The Nancy Hanks” gold mine, in which he invests all his money. The wealth in it turns out to be what he nas put into it, and he awakes to find himself @ pauper. ‘He accepts the offer of an actor to start with him a school for acting, and from this time on his troubles come as thick as can be imagined. They are super- induced by bad business in the school, the number of love affairs that won't’ run smooth, a rich but meddiing old aunt of his partner, who {s said-to be @ character molded exactly after the famous Hetty Green, and a number of other matters that would drive a man distracted in real life. The principal member of this organization is Ignacio Martinettl. His great hits in “Delmonico’s at Six” and as “Zou-Zou” “Trilby” are easily remembered. In “The Nancy Hanks" Mr. Martinetti is said to have a part entirely congenial. Frank Tan- nehill, jr., plays the part of an actor, and it is said to be the best work of his talented career. Anna Boyd, well known as the originai widow in “A Trip to Chinatown,” is also a member of the company. Louise Muldener, E. S. Morey and Miss Carrie Radcliffe, Stuart Robson's leading lady last season, ure also in the company, as well as Thos. Burns, Lillian Florence Wickes and others. The opening Monday evening will be a souvenir event, upon which occasion dainty delph china cups and saucers will be presented to the ladies. They aze exact reproductions of the Nancy Hanks period, Grand Opera House.—A company of ex- ceedingly clever performers will appear in the production of “A Breezy Time” at the Grand Opera House on next Monday night. The piece ts a farce comedy, but it is said to be a little more conrected than are most pieces of its kind. The plot Is not so Intricate, however, that it calls for any great mental activity to follow it. It is simply put together for the purpose of giving the comedians an opportunity to exhibit themselves in their various special- | ty performances. Mr. E. B. Fitz, who plays the most important comedy character in the play, Is enough to convulse an audi- ence simply because of his personal ap- pearance. He is bovine, rotund, and as he bounces about the stage 1s not unsug- gestive of a rubber ball. His success, how- ever, does not depend upon his size and shape. He has acquired merits as a singer and comedian to make him extremely popu- lar. Miss Kathryn Webster, his co-star, is one of the brightest soubrettes now ap- pearing in public. She has a beaming personality that coerces an audience upon her first appearance, and her lively de- portment and piquant ways retain the in- terest until the end of the performance. New scenery and costumes have been made for “A Breezy Time” this season, and it has been the aim of the management to engage young and rising members of the profession, rather than old timers who have worn out their welcome. The play is brimful of melodious music, and a great many sceres have been introduced that have no particular connection with the play itself, but are sufficiently amusing to ex- cuse the fact that they retard the action. Eernan’s Lyceum Theater.—Manager Ker- nan’s attraction for next week will be the Vanity Fair Burlesque Company, which in- cludes acrobats, singers, dancers and en- tertainers of all kinds. For “Vanity Fair” nothing has been left undone that clever managers could suggest, from special scen- ery, beautifully painted, to almost super- natural electric light and mechanical ef- fects. Add to this a burletta complete in itself, an olio as big as that presented by the average company, and a spectacular comedy, “Jay New York or Fun at Coney Island,” and there is an enterzalnment that has never been equaled. Richard Mullen, One © when Sleveking was out west he was at a small station waiting for a train that was slightly overdue. He was walking up and down the platform with his dog, when a tough, brutal-looking man began to annoy the animal. Sieveking po- i requested him not to torment the do. but Instead of that the man picked ? & piece of coal and threw it at the dog. Quick as a flash Steveking’s right arm flee ou and “biff,”” the jaw and me Platform. the man was caught under asured his length upon the to fool with a d—n dude's dog” un had found ow& whether the Gude could ght Just then the train came along and Steve. king and bts dog were soon out of sight. Lafayette Square Opera House.—The first scene of the which comes to the Lafay opens, showing the grounds of the Hor of Ten Thousand Joys” in Japan je of the treaty limits at the present time. The champion of the “Geisha” is one O Mimosa San, an accomplished dan- flew , Mullen snd Dunn, the comedy duo; © Square Opera House next week, | Stev. “Tea | to play at the met: king of funmakers: Deltorelli and Clissan- do, England’s famous musical artists; Mlle. Valesea, the idol of Paris, French comedi- enne, the premier of them’ all; Bessle Stun- ton, the acknowledgei hindsomest woman in ‘the world, winner of the New York World prize (also the first and original bronze statue); Hanley and Jarvis, two eccentric singing und dancing comedians; G Whirligigs,” Sisters Weston, in acrobatic songs and dances; Emma Cerus, the hand- He was picked up, muttering | some baritone singer, known as the ‘Young that the next time he'd ‘know better than | Melba. Fred. J. Huber, prince of fun- makers; Lena LaCouvier, the refined vital spark; Margic Tebeau, the original lady mimic, and the three empresses of serio- comic and burlesque, Sadie Raymond, Liz- zie Weston and Marie DeWolf, constitute the compan: Metropolitan Concert. -- Martinus eking, the famous Dutch pianist, who is repolitan concert in the Columbia Theater next Tuesday evening, is Dot @ stranger to Ws hay re- cently played here with, the Boat m- Dhony Orchestra with great oa It a success, fim ax opportunity of diaplaying the postie an ri poet side of his ‘er, for Sieveking is said, in addition to his Sseratgue to possess a however, pleasant to musi¢ lovers Bo eR 8 magnetic tone unapproaci by any other Pianist. He is a pianist by all other know!- edge and Intelligence, not as though he were simply and solely a player of the in- strument. hind the 10 tuoso stands the manj the dignified, lofty character speaks through every interpretation. He has a sufficient tinge of melancholy to im- bue all his work with that touching note of sympathy which is the world concordant tone that alone rings out the truth. Sieve- king’s hands have nm a marvel to inany, so large are they that a special keyboard has had to be constructed for his concert piano, as his 8 would catch hetween the black key: e keyboard is now four inches wider. In speaking to a ffiead Ste- veking remarked, “The ladies like me, but they look in horror at my hands.” Tall, handsome, manly and always a gentleman, Steveking is a hail fellow well met by all. Mr. Steveking will be heard in the follow- ing numbers: Fantasie, F Minor, op. 49, Chopin; Auf Flugeln des Gesanges, Men- delssohn-Liszt, and Valse di Concert, Bieve- king. The remaining numbers on tbe pro- gram are: Prologue from “I Pagliacci” and Carmela, Fosti; Chevalier di Bassini; Salve Dimora, from “Faust,” and “Come Into the Garden, Maud,” Balfe; Mr. Xanten, mad scene from “Hamlet” and Trislezza, Bevignani, Miss Miner; Andante from E Minor Concerto, Mendelssohn, and Fan- tasie de Faust, Wieniawski, Miss Maud Powell, and trio, Gounod, Miss Miner, Mr. Xanten and Chevalier di Bassini. Washington String Orchestra. — The Washington String Orchestra gave its first concert of the season at the Church of Our Father lest night. The audience in atten- darce was both large and enthusiastic, and Bave evidences of its approva®of the style in which the various numbers were given in an unmistakably emphatic manner, The Program given was well selected, and while it did not contain any especially difficult compositions it was calculated to show all the phases of the work of which the orchestra was capable. The first number given was Meyerbeer’s “Coronation” march. Its fine movement was executed with spirit and it was accorded a hearty round of ap- plause. Two movements of a Stearns suite were rext given, followed by Ernest Lent’s “Colcmbine,” all three being delightfully played. Laub’s “Slavic Fairy Tale,” and the Meyer-Helmund arrangement of the “Serenade Rococo” were the next numbers, the latter probably being the most popular plece on the program. The orchestra's part in the concert was at an end with two Sparish dances of Moskowski. The work of the orckestra shows a marked improve- ment over former years, and the improve- ment is plainly due to the leadership and intelligent directions of Mr. Ernest Lent, its conductor. : The orchestra was assisted by Mrs. H. Clay Browning and Mrs, Ernest Lent, with Prof. Bischoff as the former's accompanist. Mrs. Browning sang Ala- bieff’s “Russian Nightingale,” and the grand aria from “La Traviata.” the latter being followed by the “Bobolink,” as an encore. Mrs. Browning’s capabilities as a soprano of more than the ordinary amount of merit are known. Mrs. Lent played two of Lent’s compositions, a concert-mazurka and the “Three Meditations,” giving later in the program Listz’s Hungarian Rhapso- die, No. XII. Mrs. Lent surprised even her most ardent admirers in this latter num- ber, and although the work is exceedingly difficult there was hardly any fault to find in her interpretation of its beauties. The orchestra is about the same in member- ship &s that of last year. Those who play- ed last night were as follows: Violins—Miss Louise Carson, Miss Mary E. Clements, Miss Annie Craighton, Miss Anna Davidge, Miss Blanche Durfee, Miss A. B. Flynn, Miss Lily Gerry, Miss Bessie Hallman, Miss Grace Hopkins, Miss Pauline Isemsnn, Miss Florence H. King, Miss Roberta Leckland, Miss Florence Morrill, Miss Elizabeth Sloan, Miss Florence Ste- vers, John Alden, T. B. Amiss, jr., Robert Barringer, Herman Bredekamp, Andre Du- maire, Josef Finckel, Alfred B. Gawler, Harry Glick, Fitzhugh Goldsborough, Wa. B. Holcomb, George Hunt, Edward A. Lovy, Ambrose C. Moore, Tyler Nordlinge Philip R. Philips, Thomas E. Rodgers, E mer D. Sherburne, Clarence W. Whitmore and L. F. von Wimpffen. Viclas—Miss Maud Sewall, W. H. Burr, G. K. Finckel, W. D. Hadger, Chr. Mitcheli and Julius Ulke. Violoncellos — Miss -Schott, Miss Anna Ulke, Miss Florence Wieser, Gen. R. G. Dyrenforth, E. A. Finckel, Paul Finckel, William Phillips and Dr. E. G. Seibert. Double basses—Chr. Feige, Ben. Isemann and Dore Wolfsteiner. Pianos—Miss Katie Anderson, Miss Mabel F. Brown, Miss Roberta Luckett and Miss Rera Phillips. “A Contented Woman."—Charles Hoyt will shortly produce here his latest compo- sition entitled ‘A Contented Woman,” in which he has written the leading part for his beautiful wife, Caroline Miskel Hoyt. Briefly, the story of the play is that a society woman, in a fit of pique, takes a woman's party nomination for mayor against her husband, who has the reform party nomination. She wins, but she doesn’t want the place and tries to give It to her husband. The situation is solved by the discovery that she is under age and cannot hold office, and so her opponent is elected. Incidentally, the audience gets a (al of the new woman in politics, even © the species in male attire, and also the clty committee of the reform party and a look at the raw side of politics. The Ice Palace—Ice skating, in addition to belag one of the most healthful and in- vigorating of winter sports, has been given the stamp of fullest approval by society people in every large city where the facili- ties are offered, either by nature or by en- ergetic business men, who have put up big rinks for the use of those who are denied outdoor participation in the amusement, for the enjoyment of this most delightful diversion. Hockey will be the game of the winter, moreover, and there are several expert players in the north, as well as in the city of Washington, who are numbered among the best-known people of those Places. Here in Washington the number of swell people who attended the rink at Convention Hall last year was very large, especially at the afternoon sessions, and the diplomatic corps, the cabinet and mem- bers of Congress, together with a number of people unknown in official life, but who are among the select circles, were repre- sented in the gatherings at the rink during these hours. This year the number is even larger than last season, and a number of notables may be seen every day spinning over the ice and enjoying themselves to the fullest. A number of the members of the diplomatic corps come from countries where skating is a common pastime in the open air, and these are constant visitors to the ice palace whenever the lapse of business will permit. A number of skating parties have been projected to take place at the rink during the winter, and some select clubs are being organized to take advant- age of the facilities offered at that place of ‘amusement for real enjoyment and com- fort. Dr. Stafford’s lecture on Macbeth.—Critics in all parts of the country have pronounced Dr. Stafford one of the most remarkable thinkers and speakers of our day. He treats all kinds of subjects, but the Shake- spearean literature is one of the fields in which the public always delight to hear him. For Monday evening's lecture he has chosen the masterpiece of the great bard and doubtless his treatment will be worthy. To hear Dr. Stafford preach or lecture is to learn what a beautiful language the Eng- lish is, and what a marvelous instrument for conveying sense and expressing pas- sion—the human. His lectures are works of art, perfect in detail and rounded out, symmetrical and finished. In Gay New York.—“In Gay New York” will come to the Lafayette Square Theater as the Christmas week attraction, ani promises to be a most acceptable addition to Christmastide diversions. The long run of the piece at the New York Casino last summer brought it into general attention, and it Is said to have been the conspicuous success of the season on tour. Walter Jones, Lucy Daly, David Warfield, Lec Herrison, Jeanette Bageard, La Litka, Gil- bert Gregory, Wm. E. Richie, Arthur V. Gibson, E. 8. Tarr, James G.'Peakes and humerous others are in the list of prinel- pals. Coronation of the Czar.—Mrs. Gen. John Logan will deliver a lecture on the “Coronation of the Czar and Cegarina of Russia” at the Metropolitan M. E. Church, corner 4% ard C streets, Wednesday even- ing next. The lecture is for the benefit of Gerfiela Hospital, and will be inte: Tsed with musical selections by several of the mest prominent musicians of the capital. Tickets may be procured at any of the drug stores in the various sections of the city or at Harris & Shafer’s or Brenta- no's. Mrs. Logan was a prominent repre- sentative of the United States at the Rus- = court during the ceremonies attending coronation, and her lecture on the sub- ject will be most interesting. Mr. Hay to Lecture—Edwin B. Hay will se an illustrated lecture on “Italy” at the Columbia Theater, December 16 Wed- needay next, at 8 o’clock. The proceeds of this lecture will go toward the Christmas fund of Almas le, Nobles of thi te Shrine, for whowe beneat the etane te to be given. Columbia Theater.—A handsome new box office was placed in the lobby of the Co- lumbia Theater yesterday, and was the ‘subject of much favorable coriment the large audience that witnessed the perform- ance of the Mandarin last night. ‘The box office sets much further forward than did the temporary one, and the business office is to the rear of it. It is very ornamental in design, and is made of carved oak and cut glass. The figst three days of next week will be taken up with lectures and concerts, and the rest of the week the house will be dark in order that the orna- mental iron works may be placed in pot tion, and the finishing touches put on the house. When the huse reopens for Christ- mas week it will be one of the most com- fortable and compkite places of amusement in the country. Neil Burgess will be ‘the attraction, ard he will present, for the first time in this city his new play. A Banjo Recital.—Cullen and Collins, ban- Joists, will give an informal recital next Tuesday evening at 1451 S street. Cards of admission can be obtained by addressing them at the above number. These recitals will probably be given every month throughout the season. Linthicum Hall.—The musical and liter- ary event of next week is that set for Wednesday evening at Linthicum Hall, West Washington, in aid of Holy Trinity Church, as the best musical and dramatic talent of our city will appear. There will be song recitals by Mrs. Kitty Thompson Berry, O'Connor, Mrs. Margaret Blaine Crosson, Mr. Frank Rebstock, Mr. James Nolan, Mr. Will Mooney and a quartet by Mrs. Kitty Thompson Berry, Miss Evans, Mr. Mooney and Mr. James Nolan. There will be a plano recitation by Miss Dally, a gradvate of the Boston Con- servatory of Music; readings by Miss Pechin, recitations by Mr. Edward Walsh, music from the Georgetown University Banjo and Mandolin Club, dialect perform- ances by Messrs. McLaughlin, Green and Keane of Georgetown University, and a great musical feature, the rendering of several beautiful songs by a trained chorus of 200 voices. It is the best gathering of musical talent of the season, and there is no doubt it will be a grand success. betes gees AGAINST ANTI-TOXIN. Mr. Kennedy Makes Reply to the Argument of Dr. Adams. ‘To the Eaitor of The Evening Star: Referring to Dr. Lennox Browne, from whose article on “The Anti-Toxin Treat- ment of Diphtheria,” published last July in the Contemporary Review, I quoted in my communication which appeared in last Saturday's Star, Dr. S. S. Adams says in Wednesday evening's issue: “I am not unfamiliar with the ingenious methods of this so-called ‘eminent special- ist’ of England, but must inform Mr. Ken- nedy that he is not regarded as an author- ity at home, much less in any other coun- try.” Dr. Adams is mistaken as to Dr. Browne's professional standing, both at home and abroad. But it was not Dr. Browne's “‘in- genious methods” that I attempted to lay before your readers—it was his criticisms of the report of the asylums board hospitals of London and his opinions and conclusions based upon his own extensive practice and his careful and continued observation of the use of anti-toxin in the treatment of diph- theria. Much of what he says in his ar- ucle in the Contemporary Review grows out of his own ‘comparative study of 100 cases of diphtheria treated with serum supplied from the, British. Institute of Pre- ventive Medicine on the one hand, and 100 cases treated during a corresponding period in the previous year without serum—both at the same one of our isolation hospitals, the Northwestera, and therefore under the same hygienic conditions and_personnel.” This article should be studied in a true scientific spirit by every physician who uses or thinks of using anti-toxin in the treatment of diphtheria. I was aware of Sir Joseph Lister's favorable opinion of the serum, but he cites in support of its use the very report which Dr. Browne criti- cises as untrustworthy and misleading. if Dr. Adams is, as he says, “not unfa- miliar with the ingenious methods of this so-called ‘eminent specialist,’ ” it must sure- ly be by inadvertence and certainly with- out meaning to imsinuate that he is not a physician, that he calls him “Mr.” Lennox Browne, Surgeans in England are only described as “Mr.” when they are not also doctors of medicine, ‘but Dr. Lennox Browne is both a fellow of the Royal Col- lege of Surgeons and an M. D. Doubtless Dr. Adams is as familiar with Dr. Browne's earlier essay on “Diphtheria and Its Asso- ciates’’ as with his “ingenious methods,’ and has refrained from noticing a single point in his Contemporary Review article simply from aversion to “a newspaper con- troversy with a layman.” Dr, Adams seems to think that Dr. Win- ter of the Willard Parker Hospital in New York stands alone among New York phy- siclans in his opposition to anti-toxin, but in the same issue of The Star in which my communication appeared there was copied a paragraph from the New York Times to the effect that the medical practitioners of that city were taking very decided grounds for and against the use of anti-toxin, and that the new cure would be the subject of three separate discussions by New Work doctors this month. And strangely enough these doctors have so little of what Dr. Adams calls “the American eagle” in them that instead of being content with an ex- clusive, patriotic, American medical science, they are going to listen to a paper prepared by Dr. Louis Fischer, entitled: “The Treat- ment of Diphtheria: An Inquiry into Mod- ern Methods Employed at Berlin in the summer of 18%. Through the courtesy of Prof. Baginsky.” It was from the Ger- mans that we got anti-toxin, and the re- sults of their continued experiments with it must be of scientific interest and may be of practical value to all concerned. Having disposed of “Mr.” Lennox Browne in such a courteous and scientific way, Dr. Adams announces his determination to stand by the serum and disposes of me as follows: “I shall continue to urge physicians to use anti-toxin serum in the treatment of diphtheria. My object in doing so is purely humanitarian, henee the impossibility of surmising the motive of an attorney-at-law in discrediting the value of a remedy which is believed by very many conscientious phy- sicians to be a boon to children.” A more delightful example of the non- sequitur conibined with the argumentum ad hominem could scarcely be found. Dr. Adams’ object is humanitarian, “hence the impossibility of surmising the motive of an attorney-at-law!” If the doctor’s object were not humanitarian, it might not be impossible for him to surmise the motive of an attorney-at-law! Personalities are al- ways to be avoided because they distract attention from the merits of the subject under consideration, and besides it is neith- er polite nor “scientific” to raise the ques- tlon of “motive” in referring to a person who has indulged in no personalities what- ever. Still, the assumption by a ph n that there is a necessary incompatibility be- tween a “humanitarian” and an “attorney- at-law” is amusing, and we should be grate- ful for whatever makes us smile in this sad and serious world. Dr.Adams seems to think that no lawyer could read about the sud- den death of a healthy child by an injection of serum from its/own father’s hands with- out taking a merely Jegal view of the case, even if the lawyer had children of his own who were likely to be poisoned and killed in the same way.1 Of course, after the first shock of horror, the question might occur to a lawyer ori any intelligent person, whether there was any criminal responsi- bility for the death, and whether if, after such warnings, of which there have been many on both sides.of the Atlantic, phy- sicians persist inssuch treatment they may not be liable to be indicted for manslaugh- ter, if not for murder in the first degree. The following is Dr. Browne's allusion to that deplorabie incident: “Considerable attention has been given to the painful case in which Prof. Langerhans of Vienna injected serum—for prophylactic purposes—into hig own son, aged one year and nine months, with an immediately fatal result. This {s. unfortunately a by no means solitary exemple, but on account of the high position held by the administra- tor it has been subjected to specially rigor- ous investigation. As I write, the result is not yet complete, but already it is clearly demonstrated that the child was perfectly healthy, that the injection was properly given,that the needle did not pass into the abdominal cavity, and that neither veins nor.lymphatic vessels were injured. Neither yas there any embolism or any air present in the chambers of the heart. ‘The only possible cause, therefore, was in the serum itself, and the case demonstrates that, whether the serum was originally impure, or decomposition had taken place during its storage, it cannot be considered to be. abs = agent so repeatedly claimed yr it” < It was in this conrection that Dr. Browne illustrated the danger lurking in the serum itself by his reference to “Death and the White Horse,” which I noticed in my: syn- opsis of his article, and which is worthy of AMUSEMENTS. The Lafayette - - - Special. J. W. ALBAUGH... NIXON & ZIMMERMAN, WEEK BEGINNING DEC. 14. MATINEES WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY, ‘The event of the present theatrical season, he Geisha. THE ORIGINAL CAST, THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION, THE ORIGINAL ORCHESTRA. @irection of Augustin Daly.) Miss Dorothy Morton as....... se+++-0 Mimosa-San (The chief Geisha.) Miss Violet Lloyd as...... :--Molly Seamore Mr. Van Rensselear Wheeler as.Lieutenant Fairfax Mr. Mark Smith as. Mr. Henry Gunson as. COMPAN 60. TWO GEISHA MATINEES Will be given WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY. OBSERVE THE PRICES— NO HIGHER. REGULAR NIGHT PRICES: Orchestra and Merzanine Box Seats, $1.50; Par- quette, $1.00; Balcony, 75e.; General Admission, 50c. Boxes, $7.50, $9.00 and $12.00, -—MATINEES— Orchestra, $1.00; Parquette, 7Oc.; Balcony, 50c.; Family Circle, 25. CHAISTMAS WEEK. Special Christmas Matinee. Regular Saturday Matinee. The New York Casino's Success, IN GAY NEW YORK. (QVER 70 PROPLE IN THE COMPANY). The Cast and Production Identically the Same as During the 110-NIGHT RUN AT THE CASINO. A REMARKABLE CAST— Walter Jones, Lacy Daly, David Warfield, Gert “ella, farrison, Jeannette Bageard, Arthur V. Gibson, La Liska, ‘And Others. REGULAR PRICES. Seats on sale Thursday, December 17. it HE LAFAYETTE. TONIGHT. Last Appearance of STUART ROBSON, With MME. JANAUSCHEK AND MR. ROBSON’S COMPANY OF ACTORS. Direction of Wm. R. Hayden. MRS, PONDERBURY’S PAST AND MR. GILMAN'S WEDDING. Mr. Robson ss Old Mr. Ponderbury and Young Mr. Gilman. pete eae ae Corer THEATER. TONIGHT LAST TIME OF THE De Koven-Smith Opera Co. IN The Mandarin Opera Success of the Season. LY BEAUTIFUL WOMEN. NCING MAGNIFICENT COSTUMES. ABUNDANT COMEDY. AND NO ADVANCE IN PRICES. it COURSE OF EIGHT LECTURES AT TBE FIRST RAPTIST CHURCH, 16th and O No. 2. HOLLAND'S WAR WITH THE SEA. Qilustratcd with sixty-five lantern slides.) By PROF. J. H. GORE, Ph. D. MONDAY, DEC. 14, AT P.M. Course Tickets, $1. Single Tickets, 25 Cents. del2-2t ue. "Phone 430. All This Week. Matinees Daily. ‘The Great Favorite Comedian, J.B. MACKIE (GRIMESEY, ME BOY), In His Greatest Success, GRIMES’ CELLAR Next _Week—THE IDEALS. OR. the careful and impartial consideration of every “humanitarian” whether doctor of medicine or “attorney-at-law.” CRAMMOND KENNEDY. —_——.—_ KITE PHOTOGRAPHS SUCCESSFUL. The Pictures Show That Armies Can Be Photographed From a Distance. From the New York Sun. William A. Eddy, the Bayonne kite flyer, met with fair success in his endeavors to take photographs from midair of the great sound money parade as the marching throngs passed up Broadway on Saturday. Mr. Eddy raised his tailless aeroplanes frcm the roof of the Mutual Resérve In- surance Company's building at 30) Broad- way. He was assisted by Henry L. Allen and C. E. Duryea. To lift his camera to the desired altitude he sent up six red, white and blue kites. He had three dozen films prepared, and between 10 o'clock in the forenoon and 5 o'clock in the afternoon he obtained seventeen negatives. He would have broken his Boston record of eighteen photographs for the time but for a mishap in which three of his kites broke away from the main cable because of the gusty wind prevailing. The camera fell to the roof of a_ building about 400 feet away from Mr. Eddy. In order to save the camera he cut away with the three kites more than a thousand feet of line, which he lost. To recover the photo- graphic outfit he had to crawl over a net- work of wires on the roofs. The camera was comparatively uninjured, only one cor- ner of the framework being broken. After additonal kites had been sent aloft the photographic apparatus was again raised, and the experiments were contin- ued. “When the work was completed Mr. Eddy hauled in the camera and in its place sent up a large flag, followed by a yellow kite, making his display consist of seven aeroplanes of different colors and three flags. A good deal of difficulty was ex- perienced by him and his asgistants in hauling in the kites, the pressure by the time darkness set in having risen to sixty pounds on the main cable. Frequently they thought that the heavy gusts of wind would cause another break in the line. Mr. Eddy returned to his home at Bay- onne with the films of the seventeen pho- tographs he had taken, and immediately began the work of developing the nega- tives. Mrs. Eddy assisted him. Yester- day they tried to print copies of the pho- tographs, but the sky was too cloudy for gcod results. Fifteen of the seventeen negatives were developed and only one was a failure. This was the one which was ready for exposure when the camera fell. Some of the photographs show columus of men on Broadway. The dense columns, moving in rectangular lines, show black lines on the photographs, but individuals are not distinguishable becausé of the great hight at which the films were exposed. As the columns of men make distinct mass- és they show much better than the flag decorations on the buildings along Broad- way. Mr. Eddy’s experiments demonstrate that the movements of an army can be easily photographed from midair by an operator stationed at least five miles distant. Mr. Eddy says he found great difficulty in ob- taining views of Broadway owing to the narrowness of the street’ in proportion to the height of the buildings, the dark shad- ows thrown into the street by the buildings having prevented him from getting the desired effects of sunlight. —_—_ + e+ ___ A Difference. From Harper's Basar. + “Don’t you know ‘you did a wrong thing ia breaking into Colonel Rawson’s chicken coop, Rastus?” z “Yassir. I knows hit wuz wrong, jedge, but it wuz so dark, suh, I couldn’t see jus’ whar I wuz. I-meant to br peas eae ‘Willesby’s, ‘8 80 ‘would ha’ been safah.” 3 ee ee GRAND CPERA HOUSE. WEDNESDAY—MATINEES—SATURDAY. Commencing DC. 14 The Only Musical Farce Comedy. ~~ Firet Appearance in ‘Washington, Fitz Webster A Breezy Time. Tuned Upto Date. Every- thing New, Novel, and Original. 20 Acknowledged Artists in the Cast. ! Funniest a Best of All Comedies —Thrée Legged Sailor-Dago Serenade- Bicycle Swelis— Turkish Beli Gavotte, etc. POPULAR PRICES MAINTAINED— 15, 25, 50, and 75c. Seats’ Couponed. Box Office open from © am. told pm. NOTE—A good sent on first floor for 25 CENTS. Seats in Box, $1. Neat Attraction—““PHE GREAT NORTHWEST.” THE COMEDY SUCCESS, THE Cs oes NANCY aoe | ii A N K S, Gold czas | 0 (BY PRANK TANNEHILL, JR.) PRESENTED BY THE COMEDIANS, MARTINET TI AGNACIO), TANNERILL od thelr Great Company, iocloding Ai mo al ir Great ‘ompany, incl nna rd, Carrie Rudeliffe,-Eitllan’ Florence Wickens Louise Muldener, “Riva “Gibson, E. S. Morey, Thos. H. Burng and others, - Souvenir for the Ladies. A beau- Monday “tifal Delph Cup and Saucer. An E . exact reproduction of the Nancy VETINY, Hanks period 1632. A HISTORICAL MEMENTO OF LINCOLN. “ae Eugenie Blair in East Lynne. 1t morning, Dec. 7, at 9 © a.m. to 10 p.m. OTE —A AMUSEMENTS. DAE ARG so os oer cn ance New National Theater. One Week, Commencing Monday, December 14. SATURDAY MATINEE ONLY. The Eminent Character Actor, JAMES A. HERNE As Nathaniel Berry In the Greatest of all American Plays, SHORE ACRES. DIRECTION OF HENRY C. MINER. The Rev. Lyman says: “‘Shore Acres’ is a pure, clean play, that can da no one harm and can hanlly fail to do any one who sees {t good. If the as clean and denunciation long survive. CHRISTMAS WEEK, Hoyt’sA Contented Woman it COLUMBIA THEATER. ¢ MONDAY EVENING, Dp. “, LECTURE BY Rev. D. J. Stafford, D. D. SUBJECT: Macbeth. BENEFIT OF CARROLL INSTITUTE. Admission, G0c. Reserved seats, Tic. and $1.90. Boxes, $8.00 and $10.00. Sale begins at Metzerott’s Music Store Monday, lock. @e2-11t FREAND OPERA HOI KERNAN & RIFE, Managers, WEDNESDAY _MATINEES- SATURDAY.» WEEK COMMENCING DECEMBER BLACK PATTIES 50 —TROUBADOURS—s0 THE GREATEST COLORED SHOW ON EARTH, Presenting an Incomparable Kaleidoscope of COMEDY, BURLESQUE, VAUDEV and OPERA Popular prices maintained—15,_ 25, 50 and 7Sc. All seats couponed. Box office’ open from’ @ od seat on first floor for 25 CENTS. Seats in box, $1.00. Next Attraction—Fitz & Webster's “A BREEZY TIME.” Get | ERNAN'’S LYCEUM THEATER. ALL THIS WEEK. Matinees Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, RUSSELL BROS.’ COMMEDIANS. Direction of Messrs. Weber and Fields. 9—HIGH-CLASS ACTS-9 Next Weck—VANITY FAIR BURLESQUE CO, aa Withe cyding COLUMBIA ACADEMY == a 12 000.f thor Competent instructors. Charged swall Music every Son = al aa, Mg ‘Take F street cars. mbS. Bijou Family Theater. COMMENCING Monday, Dec. 14, MATINEES DAILY, JNO. A. HIMMELEIN'S SUPERB COMPANY, THE IDEALS, Headed by the Clever Comedy Team, Beatrice Earle : and I. B. Streeter. Augmented by HOWSON’S 20TH CENTURY BAND AND OR- CHESTRA, Presenting Two Great Plays. Mon., Tues. and Wed. Matinee and Night, “The Midnight Flood.” Thors., Fri. and Sat. Matinee and Night, Grit, or True as Steel. it New National. Tonight. Last time of Francis Wilson, In his Greatest Success, NG, E LF A K Next Week—Saturday Matines only, JAS. A. HERN In Shore Acres. it ACADEMY. Prices, 25, 50, 75c. and $1.00. Wed. ard Sat. Mai 2 50c. Reserved. ‘THIS (Saturday) EVENING, Last Time of DOWN IN DIXIE. NEXT WEEK-SOUVENIRS MONDAY— <A Sa LECTURES. Civic Centre. A public anmal meeting of the Civ entre will be held at the FIRST ATIONAL CHURCH, G and 10th sts., , December 14, orts will be “Study Lecture ON THE CORONATION OF THE CZAR AND CZARINA, + irs. Gen. J. A. Logan. INTERSPFRSED WITH MUSIC. For the benefit of GARFIELD HOSPITAL. WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 16, 1896, AT 8 O'OLK K, ] IETROPOLITAN ME. CHURCH, 4% AND C 8T8,/ 5 Tickirs, boc For tale by the board, Harris & Shaeffer's tauo's, drug stores and at the door. A Trip to Jamaica, THE QUEEN OF WEST INDIAN ISLANDS, BY THE Atlas Line Offers exceptional advantages to persons seeking a vacation of Mmited duration for health and rest. trip from New Yo to Jamaica and return can be made to 17 days. Send for illustrated booklet. Pim, Forward & Kellock, General Agents, 24 State st.. New York. OR THOS. COOK & (SC Brene | 10r 621 sylvania ave., Washington. ro28-tu,th,s,52t The Brightest of Bright Comedies, “The Nancy Hanks,”’ Presented by the MARTINETTLTANNEHILL COMEDIANS. It e_. The Boy King Spai Dye His Subjects. INTERESTING ILLUSTRATED LECTURE, By MR. WILLIAM E. CURTISS. For the benefit of Grace P. E. Church, National Rifies’ Armory, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 15, 8 O'CLOCK. Adinisston, 25 cen eserved seats, 50 cents, Fer sale at Droop's, 925 Pa. ave. del1-3t Columbia Theater. Tuesday 553" Dec. 15, FIRST METROPOLITAN CONCERT. America’s Powell, First Violinist. Miss MARTHA MINER, Soprauo; Mr. W. A. XANTEN, Tenor Of Damrosch Opera Co. CHEVALIER DI BASSINI, Baritone, Of Royal Opera, Milan, And by Special Arrangement, = 4 The Poet- Sieveking, Pianist. Prices: 75¢., $1.00, $1.50. SALE OF SEATS NOW OPEN, Directing Metropolitan Concerts, F. P. Wright. Directing Washington series, Ed. F. Guzman. de9-6e* Ice Palace. CONVENTION HALL, 5TH AND L STS. N.W. Real Ice Skating. instruction Freel - Tee Palace Orchestra, Grand Orchestrion, plenti- ful supply of skates, competent corps of instructors. Every Afternoon at 2. Every Evening at ; 7:30. toe aes teeeesgeeeeeemerints Be Bt PIANO MUSIC RECEPTIO: FoR and other social occasions. Piano Jamaica 33 Cai or E. M. JENKLN: EGYP ester. ocl-tf rsonally pducted jependent. Tours And due =25-Day inn 39-Day ALL TRAVELING BX or Now conducted dei0-e0-39t FreRRANEA LESTIN. TURKEY, Gi Sct et 2 in January and February. Also Inclusive cost. Un- rams FREE. " Also ‘OURS. STEAMSHIP TICKETS. Est. 1879, JAPAN Steamer lacalester MOUNT VERNON, Tomb of Washington, Daily (except Sunday), nol4-tu,thaeim At 10 a.m., returning reach the city at 2:30 p.m FARE, ROUND TKIP, 60c. Admission to grounds, 25 cents. ELEGANT CAFE ON THE STEAMER, ‘Tickets, with Mount Ve is & Gly aver landings as far as Giyment, ing for freight and stoppi ers ways, For charters. eic., apply at oiice of stealer Macalt LL. BLAKE. Captain. Norfolk & Washington Steamboat Co. ortolk,