the spring, and one wonders involuntarily why they did not come before. It is rumored, moreover, that a riding-school will be built this summer, to be ready for use in the fall and winter. By the program presented to each of us the evening of May 1, we were led to suspect that something out of the Wallace House Dramatics usual was coming, and we were not disappointed. This is the program : ENGAGED BY W. S. GILBERT. Dramatis Personae. ...Ida Heinemann Cheviot Hill, the hero, a young gentleman of property, philandering Elizabeth Brown Mr. Symperson, his doting uncle and an indulgent parent, quite undesigning.... .Edith Burbank ...Helen Stratton Angus Macalister, a brave Peasant lad, addicted to money-making .Margaret Wilder Belinda Treherne, the heroine, cold and dispassionate externally, but with a warm interior...... ...Ethel Osgood Minnie Symperson, another heroine, a bold, bad maiden, self-willed and very rebellious .Annie May Murray ...Clara Lyle Mrs. Macfarlane, a Lowland widow, and a potential fourth heroine, versatile and vociferous.. Maggie (her daughter), the other heroine, one of those rare flowers, that "bloom to blush unseen” (except by her mirror)..............Rosa Smith Parker, train-bearer to the captious Miss Minnie..... Margaret Thacher It speaks for itself, but with a suspicion of over candor. In reality the play is a clever farce, almost a burlesque ; and as such affords a welcome opportunity to the audience to laugh at the love-making, the pathos, and all other parts of the production, often so perilous to the self-control of the spectator. The parts were assigned in such a way as to bring out each actor in her especial line, and noticeable care was exercised over both the costuming and training of even the most minor of the parts. The stage management is to be sincerely complimented upon the smoothness with which the play moved on, and especially upon the stage settings, which were not only quite as pretty in general conception as any we have seen this year, but were most attractive because of the thoroughness with which the details were carried out. The acting was very even in character, and the cast worked well together. None of the cast showed histrionic ability above the average except Miss Heinemann, whose presentation of Cheviot Hill was surprisingly natural, realistic, and free from awkwardness and restraint. We would like to see Miss Heinemann in a more serious part, one with a wider scope and better suited to her ability. Miss Burbank had entire control over her part as Mr. Symperson, and gave a very satisfactory rendering. The heroine-but there were four, and how is one to criticise a four-fold heroine? What one part lacked, the other supplied, and the composite result seems sufficient unto itself without criticism. The idea of having four heroines to a play might have arisen from a desire to alleviate somewhat the troubles of the reporter and the lime-light man. The play as a whole was a change, and the introduction of plaids and kilts was a welcome innovation. It was too long drawn out in parts, notably at the end, where the effect was somewhat marred by the aimless attitudinizing required to allow time for over-long farewell remarks. The point of the opening scenes-in this, perhaps, more than in most of our plays-was weakened by the indistinctness and lack of volume of the voices, a defect which was, however, overcome after the foot-lights ceased to be too dazzling. The whole evening was very enjoyable and was generally appreciated. "Les The initial presentation in Smith College of one of Molière's plays Précieuses Ridicules" was given April 14 by La Société Française. It was preceded by Les Deux Sourds", a comedy by Jules The French Play Moineaux which made a good contrast, in its lightness and modern quality, to the classic which followed. To the uninitiated this play was more easily comprehensible, and so more enjoyable, as the language was that of every day and was further borne out by action. Two of the comic scenes were well worked up.-one in which the two "deaf" men, each hearing perfectly, played into each other's hands; and another, the climax, where discoveries and explanations are made between "Les Deux Sourds", Eglantine, and Damoiseau. The acting of Jessie Ames as the man-servant was very good, bringing out well the humor of her part. Margaret McCutcheon as the old man was also good. However, the test of the dramatic ability of La Société Française lay in the second play. This was very well given, on the whole, as far as the facilities afforded would permit. The French was well pronounced and spoken with ease. The lines in the scene between Mascarille and Les Précieuses were given with meaning and variety, and the acting was excellent. This was the most difficult scene, as the speeches were very long and offered slight opportunity for action to lighten them. The important rôle of Mascarille was well taken by Ernesta Stevens who acted with ease and charm. Alta Zens did very well in her more difficult part, and Susan Kennedy acted creditably a trying part in which there was little of either speech or action. The play dragged quite a little, more noticeably towards the end, as lack of action made it difficult to keep up the interest, especially for those who could get but the general drift of the meaning. It is difficult to make a classic play in a foreign language as much appreciated as a modern romantic play or a farce. On the whole, La Société Française deserves much credit for its success in this first venture. Le Marquis de Mascarille, valet de La Grange... Ernesta Stevens On Tuesday afternoon, April 30, the junior class in Latin Comedy presented informally an English translation of the Adelphoe of The Latin Play Terence before an audience of members of the faculty, students and guests in Seelye Hall. follows: Prologus.. Demea... Sannio. Aeschinus. Parmeno.. Syrus.... Ctesipho.. Geta Hegio S Bacchis Cantor S The cast was as Pauline Long .Ida Talcott .Ethel Chase Emily Huntington {Helen Pease The play was presented in the class-room without costumes or scenery, the actors reading their parts from the Latin text. The novelty of this informal rendering was refreshing, and the appreciation of the audience expressed in hearty applause testified to the accomplishment of excellent results on the part of the performers by very simple means. The reading of the parts was in all cases intelligent, in several cases notably effective. Slight suggestion was wisely relied upon to indicate the action of the comedy, which progressed smoothly and without interruption, owing to the careful preparation made by the class. It is encouraging sign of interest and appreciation of the Roman comedy among the students that translations of two classics have recently been presented here with success by the Latin department. The next step in advance, which we hope will soon follow, is the performance of a comedy in the original Latin. Report of the Smith Chapter of College Settlements Association during 1900-1901: At the beginning of the college year the elector spoke to the freshman class about the aims and work of the College Settle S. C. A. C. W. Notes ment Association and the part that the Smith Chapter plays in helping to furnish the subscriptions which carry on the work of the General Association. In October, Agnes Patton 1901 represented the chapter at the meeting of the Electoral Board at Philadelphia, and a report of the meeting was given on her return. The collectors of the annual dues were appointed during December and January; the result of this work is $481.10, which has been sent to New York to the Treasurer of the General Association, to help carry on the work of the Settlement. There has been an increase in the college subscription this year, although our total amount is less than last year's. However, the increase in the collegiate subscription is reassuring, as it betokens an added interest in the work. On February 11, 1901, Mrs. Simkhovitch very kindly came to the college and gave a delightful talk at vespers; and again on April 15, she spoke informally before the chapter and its friends at the Dickinson House. On May 1, a business meeting was held. A report of the year's work was read. The constitution was amended providing for the annual election of the elector. Marie Louise Weeden was elected to serve for the coming year. ANNIE HOLBROOK DUNCAN 1901. At the annual meeting of the Smith College Association for Christian Work, held April 27, the different departments made their report and the following officers were elected for the coming year: President, Jean Jouett 1902; Vice-president, Edith Souther 1902; Corresponding Secretary, Elizabeth Strong 1903; Recording Secretary, Alice Warner 1903; Treasurer, Alice Wright 1904. Cordial acknowledgment has come from Mrs. Alice Gordon Gulick of the gift of $375 from faculty, alumnæ, and students, for the "Smith College Room" of the Girls' International Institute of Spain. Mrs. Gulick, who has been detained in this country getting money, especially among schools and colleges, returns in a few weeks to Spain to take up her teaching again and to organize the work of building at Madrid. An error was made in the March number of the Monthly, in ascribing the book " White Aprons" to Molly Elliot Seawell. The book was written by Maud Wilder Goodwin. On April 25, under the auspices of Dr. Blodgett and the Music School, the Kneisel Quartette gave a delightful concert to the college. Rubinstein's "Music of the Spheres ", Chopin's "Lento" and Tschaikovski's "Scherzo " were especially appreciated. It is with a great deal of pleasure that we welcome the members of the Quartette each year, and we hope it may be long before their visits are discontinued. It has been suggested, in order to obviate the difficult necessity of criticising one's hostesses, that one ticket to each dramatic performance be sent to the Editors of the Monthly in their official capacity, to be used by one of the editors themselves or by any representative they may select. At the open meeting of the Telescopium Society, on April 26, Mr. Stausburry Hagar, of the Brooklyn Institute, spoke on "An Ancient Peruvian Star-Chart.." Three new boats have been placed at our disposal in the boat-house, and it is hoped that they may help console us all for our abridged enjoyment of Paradise this fall. On Sunday, April 14, Mr. Boyd Edwards, the International Secretary of the Y. M. C. A., spoke at Vespers on “The Broader Life.” June 1, Junior-Senior Entertainment. 8, Phi Kappa Psi Society. Junior-Senior Meeting. 8, Alpha Society. Junior-Senior Meeting. 13, Dress Rehearsal of Senior Dramatics. 14, Senior Dramatics. 15, Senior Dramatics. 16, Baccalaureate Sunday. 17, Ivy Day. 18, Commencement. |