Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-05-11
Outline Sketches Oar Actresses, Ne. ,.
Ars. Riohardsex-Azr LngwsolI- Mrs. Jsrsrssn-
lE.. H.A.~~


know Of meme possessing greeter versatility o. to
lent ~ deserving more commentator ior ceaseleea
and unwearied exertOns, than Mrs. Elizabeth Rich
ardson of the Park Theatre Devoid Of stage trickery
artless unaffected and perectytrue to what
ever character she may be cast she always succeeds
throwing peculiar charm around IT. and OF making
herself appreciated, without resortng 70 any OF those
forced expedsnts for gaining applause too often Prae
tised BY manyof our would be great actresses How
often have laughed till my sides ached again. at seeing
somestage- struck, Observation-Disclosures damselamu-
sngly stride up to the footlgh,s, place one hand on
heavlng bosom, and point the other where the sky
is supposed 10 be, and then with appraised eyes plainly
say to the astonishcd audience, "That was rernar-
kably fine point pray acknowledge 1T, TO which APP
peal If said audience does not Immediately respond,
is set dove as cold hearted, prejudced and bera,
and the lady in all probability has fit Of the sulks
for the remainder OF the evening.
The subject of our present sketch IS daughter OF
the late celebrated comedian, Jefferson; and in 1927
at the age OF fifteen made her debut at Philadelphia
as Rosina in the Barber of Serille. She was well
skilled in The science of music to which she was pas
sienately attached, and possessed voice peculiarly
swee, and clear though not of sufficient force and
compass to enable her TO rank with the prtmd donnas
of the day. In 1929, she married Samuel II. Chap
man, a Philadelphia manager; but mlsorunes and
pecunary embarrassments pressed heavily upon MN,
and were the probable cause of his untimely death
not long after. Mrs. Chapman at this time was sPe-
ken of only as an agreeable light actress ana CONT
ington, till l634-when she was engaged by Mr..
Simpson TO supply the place of Mrs. Sharpe, who
had then just Quilted the Park Iheatre-and on the
LIST Sept in that year, made her first appearance IN
in N. York as Ophelia to Mr.. Wallacks Hamlet with
success far greater than anticipated even by her
warmest friends Shortly after, she appeared as julia,
in the Hunchback and was her performance OF this
character that first stamped her reputation as an &C
iress of the highest rank Mss kemble, Miss Phil
lips, Mrs. Barnes, Miss Wheatey, and Miss Vincent,
had each previously personaled this finely drawn
character. Critics were divided as 10 whom belonged
the palm-but all agreed in acknowledging that
though each Individual avorite might equal none sur
passed Mrs. Chapman's exquisite delneatlon. Fhe
Of her engagement was continued trl-
umph, and her retirement from the stage IN the spring
of 1895, on her marriage with Mr. Richardson, was
a source Of deep and continued regret. Crcumstan-
ces have this season brought her before the public,
and she is again 0nesf the alres features OF the Park
Theatre though am panied to observe that at times
her efforts are apparently forced, and marks of per-
sonal languor and debility frequently noticed. Dur
ing the winter she severely iadsposed but 1t 10
be thoroughly re- established and her theatrical ca
reer continued in all the glory of her first New York
Mrs. Richardson has sister but little known in
New York, although she performed short time at
the Bowery Theatre some few years slnce. This Is
Mrs. Ingerso, lovely, intelligent and accomplished
woman; in manners, graceful delicate and refnsd;-
but although her conception Of character was always
excellent, weak voice and great lack OF confidence
have hitherto prevented her from attaining emlnence
There may be some old playgoer who recollect
the beautiful Mrs. Burke, Of tbs Chatham THEATRE
In imagination can still hear the gushing, sllvery
tones of her ute-ke voice, and see her In the bloom
Of womanhood, as when, some fifteen years since she
considered with the single exception of the di-
vine Mrs. Holman) the first vocalist Of the day. In
1925 Mrs. Burke married Mr.. Joseph Jefferson, the
brother of Mesdames Richardson and lngersoll and
shortly after left the city nor do remember of her
ever after singing here ill at her husbands benefit
1t the Franklin Theatre, (of wheh he scene
painter and an occasional actor March l, 1897, when
she appeared as Blanche Of Devon and MorgiaRa but
oh, changed her beauty had vaAished-her voice
had become harsh, husky and discordan,, and there
" az something careworn and melancholy in her whole
appearance. The attempt at this time was ill Judged,
for the enchanting Mrs. Burke she would have
been rscolleced with pleasure, while as Mrs. Jefer
son, the only emotions associated with her memory
will be sorrow and regret
fine looking, spirited and rapidly improving ac-
tress is Miss Charlotte Cushman, young lady con-
nected with some OF our most respectable families
She was educated believe, IN the mansion OF her
uncle one of our wealthsst mel chants, but having
soul above dependence and talents Of the highest
der she resolved TO rely on her own exertlons for
support and selecting rhe stage 40 profession made
her debut vocalist, at Boston, In the season of
1884 and 1885, Her voice is the deepest and most pow
erfu have ever heard in female, though altogether
unsuitsd 10 most opera music; but her execution of
" Hail Columbia" "The Last Words Of Marmion,"
Bay Of Biscay, and other songs oil similar class,
has been repeatedly listened 10 with rapture. She
afterwards performed first tragedy parts at the south
ern theatres and September 18th, 1886, made her
first appearance in New York al the Bowery Thea
tire in the character ofLsdy Macbeth-and at her be-
neft "a few nights previous TO II second conhagra
tion) performed Alicia, in Jane Shore and Patrick
in the Poor Soldier. In the spring OF 1887, she APP
pcared al the National, and among other characters
personated Romeo, Count Bcno, and Tom Tug, with
great applause. She is now one Of the regular com.
pany al the Park Theatre, where she FIRST appeared
az Patrick August 26th, 1897. Her assumption Of
male attire is always peculary happy, and IN melo-
dramatic characters, her Nahmeokee, Meg Merrllies
and Helen McGregor cannot be witnessed without
the deepest emoton-but heavy tragedy IS evidently
her true FORTE and il 10 in that line only that she can
expect TO earn lasting repuiat son. Her Blanca, I'll
vira Emella and Tullla are at present unsurpassed
on oar boards, and in Lady Macbeth, Mrs Sharpe u
her only superior. But it IS net alone as an actress
and vocalist that Miss eastman Is distinguished; as
poetess, her muse has given birth TO many fine and
spirited productons and her occasional compositions
in music enie her to no mean rank among the pro-
essors that science In person, she Is tall and well
made her bearing is majestic and commanding, and
her face, though mol emlnenty beastliu, Is capable
of expressing every variety OF passion. Her COM
pexon is remarkable for it's fairness and the color OF
her eyes and hair is almost too light for the idea ge
neraliy associated with the flashing orbs and flowing
tresscs Of tragedy heroines But this ~ trlfinq de-
feet, and ii she will bat study with perseverance, and
close application, 4 knew Of nsihng 10 prevent her
attaining the very highest rank in the profession.
Marriage In william street.
JAxra Gapno~ rrSxrTT ESo.-