Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-01-26 00:00:00

DEA.TH or MR: BASIL BAKEB

One oche most genial, genuine, and, peculiarly-gifted.
of English• comedians- expired in, Liverpool yesterdaf
Mr. Basil Baker had been so long- connected with the
Liverpool stage, and so completely identified in. the min&
of Liverpool: people, with the class of comedy which he
that there probably never again may be Per'
manently residing in this town an actor which will be
looked upon with such general feelings of admiration/
respect, and affection: Although for so many years con-
nected with the Liverpool theatres, that except for cow
paratively short intervals, Mr. Baker was regarded II
Liverpool' people as a local ttor, he had qualitie4
which would have- fitted him to compare, in his
own path, ,with any actor living in his time. During the
period of his connection: ith the,Lyceum Theatre in lon-
done, while that establishment was under the manage"
meat of Madame Vestris. and. Mr. Charles Mathews, 11
was an especial favourite with the people of London, and
in many pieces fairly divided the honours and the applause
with the lively comedian we have just named, and with
his brother; Mr._ Frank Mathews. The writer cannot
easily- forget the impression made upon him on first
seeing Mr. Bakerchning his connection with the Lyceum:
His. peculiar style of acting fitted him admirablY
to contrast with, and relieve, that of gr'

lathews ; and we have heard it state(
Mathews frequently declared. Mr. Bata,
established

Charles
that Mr
to be the only acto

permane

in London, with whom he could take a delight in per'
forming. During engagement; in Dublin, in Mulches:
' tar and in other cities, Mr. Baker was. equally admirl
on the stage, and esteemed in private, as in London an
Liverpool. Probably, no provincial town in the king'
dom was so-fortunate as our own in having been able to

secure, for 1 almost permanent connection, the service,'
ctot- v talents qualified him to stand in the:
t rank of his profession. Performing in Live/rob,
every night, frequently twice each night, he never tired
his audience. He was always received with the sate,
delight by those to, whom his. acting was familitit:,
and he- always compelled the- same amount of alb?'
action and applause from those- who saw 10/
for the- first time. He performed every season
with succession of the most distinguished Londcl
actors.;: and the least partial; eyes. and judgment mar
have-admitted that his talents were never thrown: ilt9
the shade even by the most illustrious rivalry,-)11.'
Baker's style ofacting was peculiarly natural—partiantaxl9
ac iiiiatincrniqhpa fmm that increasinn* class of actors echo

of an actor-wit

'oremos'

produce -comic effects by mere mannerism, by
by the extravagance of broad, humorm, and by groteSlVO
gesture. His,talents lay, as do those of every.
whatever lino, who has a. special genius for his_art,
his singular power of reconciling the simplest and tlvis
most natural reality' with the utmost comia. force 0'
which the character allowed. The spectator, was.sonle'
times surprised to. find himself kept in unceasing
lan.ghter by a performance which seemed so simple,
so very natural, and like mere real life. One ceuld 11°.
discover the secret of that unforced humour which gate
a peculiar meaning and expression to every look, word,
and gesture otherwise so quiet and almost insignifi-
cant in themselves. &lthough no two. actors eaufd
more unlike in style, it seems to us that the principle
upon which Mr. Baker modelled his performances Is
especially similar to that which in apparent in Mr*
Ckarles Mathews. Except that eminent comedian alone?
we know of no man who combinefl, so much of reality
with so much of comedy as Mr. Baker did. Nor were'
his talents confined only to that one branch of the Po-
fession. Those who have seen Mr. Baker play Po/ouris
or Dominie Sampson, or Organ. in. Mr. Webstees version
of Moliere's " Tartuffe," or even the old Yorkshirane
in Tom Taylor's " Unequal Match," will know that Of
could combine with the most genuine humours.°
comedy, tender feelings not less touching becauseof theii
quaintness of expression, and could express a quiet a%
moving pathos, which was very. nearly akin to that wilie,„
belongs to the tragic. In private life Mr. Baker "W',
esteemed by every one, and affectionately loved by tbni
who knew him well, for his kindness at heart, his image
winning manners, and his friendly sympathies. "
was, in the best sense the word can have, a. gentlernalli
Not, we believe, a native of this town—we believe tilee
Mr. Baker was born in Montgomeryshire —he was, as
have said, thoroughly identified with it in the minds °I
the inhabitants, and commanded an amount of gellelo
regard and esteem, such as few men are happy enonot,o
win. Reperformed up to a few days before his death.
illness which seized him was short in its duration, and ,„
believe he had been but a week or little more confined t°
his house in Grove-street, up to the day which closed o;"0
career. Mr. Baker leaves behind him a widow, and.seldv,
believe three young ehildren. He had been twice niarri.,4o
his first wife having been an actress of some talent. vi,
eldest daughter was a distinguished performer on ',re
stage up to a few years hack, and the Lyceum Tho3`l.,
never bad a more graceful, spirited, and vivacious Pote
former, than Miss Fanny Baker. This lady married, 11e.
long since, the son of our fellow-townsman, Mr. Dll;
Cronin., and retired from the stage. Mr. Baker's dooof
was an untimely one ; he had but reached 54 years 0.
age. Through his large circle of relatives, "tb°
nections, and friends, the event will diffuse
forone
deepest grief. The public of Liverpool will sorrovt
rie
their favourite with no common feelings ; and al
throughout these countries who can apprniate the fe..
value of true comic humour, will learn without emotea`r;
that the drama has lost so gifted, so good, and 4Q n
pretend* an 204 as the late Basil Biticcr,

ictor, _