"Hans the Boatman."

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 179, 7 August 1888, Page 2

"Hans the Boatman."

Mn Conard, the touring manager of the company (which is shortly to play a seasjr in Gisborne), arrived by Sunday’s boat, and is now making every arrangement lor the company’s intended visit. Referring to th a company a Wellington journal says:—The people are not appealed to by scenic effects, by a gaudily dressed ballet or by a large caste of actors. But they have a man before them who is giving full expressson and a free course to his own nature, and the great point is that that nature is a good one and full of kindli. nsss. The fathers and mothers know well enough that a man who loves children and is kind to dogs, and whom children and dogs love, hae some of the very best part of human nature in his composition, and when they see him and the little “ coquette ” and little Fritz together they know that the confidence expressed between man and child is nature and not art. The women know it, and we wager that there is scarce a mother would not like to give little May a kiss, and give a shake of hands and a *' God bless you,” to Bane. Why, numbers of them have their eyes brimming over in the middle of their laughter, and the men pretend it is a one. horse thing, and that they are above giving way to their feelings, and all the time they are choking down the best part of their own nature and trying to be masculine and affect a male indifference to such infantile play. The play is a good one, it is well played, its influence is good, and we are satisfied that that is the verdict of the public, and that Hans, and May and Old Lion will carry a good many very kindly wishes away with them from the chief city of the Great Loan Land.