Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-07-15

and spiritual being.
Unfortunately, the publishing business in
which Mr. Mowatt embarked, was unsuc-
cessiul, and new losses aud disappointments
for the time depressed them. But let no
one despair until he has tried every power
which is within him. Mrs. Mowatt had
many resources yet. Ii had been told her
that nothing which she could write, would
be SO productive as dramatic literature, for
which every one who knew her, believed
her 10 be eminently qualified. This indu-
eed her 10 make the attempt, and in the
spring of 1916, she wrote her first comedy,
called Fashion, which was offered 10 the
manager of the Park Theatre, New York;
no sooner read than accepted, and splendid
" brought out.
The design Of this peice was to satirize
the life of the parvenues of America, and il
Is undoubtedly indebted for great deal of
its keen satire, TO the authors own expert
ence and suffering To the surprise Of the
young writer, its success was unlimited; no
American play was ever so brilliantly sue
cesstul, and il still keeps its place on the
Estage. h.s. ate
In Philadelphia il was also brought out
and equally wel received. The managers
of the Walnut street theatre where ii was
performed, invited Mr.. and Mrs. AIowalt
to that city, that they might witness its per-
Torrance. They accepted the invitation,
and they were entertained three days in the
handsomest manner, at the expense of
these managers. On the night of the per-
formnnce, which Mr.. and Mrs. Mowatt
were 10 attend, the bills presented to them
were printed in letters of gold on white sat
in, After the play, the audience having
discovered that the young aufhoress was in
the house, called for her most enthusiastic
ally. For the first time, she that night was
TO rise from her box and bow 10
theatrial audiencc, little thinking that iuless
than two months'tr that time she herself
would become familiar with the stage, and
make her courtesy before the footlights of
that very theatre. ~ aaA
After the play she was requested to go
behind the scenes, TO be introduced 10 the
principal performers. II was formidable
thing they were ranged upon the stage in a
semicircle to receive her; she made a little
acknowledgement to them all, as well as
her embarrassment would permit, and the
following day sent a present to each of the
five ladies in the piece. One of these five
il will he interesting to our readers to kn0v,
was Miss Susan Cnshman, now SO delight
fully familiar to the British public.
The great success OF this piece caused
the managers Of een,e ofihe principal thea
tres to make her very tempting offers 20 adopt
the stage. The acting manager OF the Park
theatre bad, two years before, when he wit
messed her dramatic readings, offered her
the same Inducements, bur these ut that
time, she Indignantly refused. Her pride
had not vet been wholly conquered; she
baJ bau+a,ar eiueo than cufferal n troat
deal, had gained far greater independence
of character, more determination of spirit
and greater liberty ofyiews. The shackles
which had then, in some degree bound her
TO society aud its slavish conventonalities,
were now broken She was free, and she
dared 10 do wateyer was not contrary TO her.
own pure conscience se.ss .,t.as.t
The only npediment which stood in her
way was the extreme delicacy oi her health.
However ,aiter CONSULTATION with physicians,
she obtained her husbands consent, aud ai-
ter considerable difficulty the consent Of her
father, who simply said that if she had the
courage TO do III public, what he had re-
peaiedly seen her do in private, her success
was certain. On the other hand, came in
the opposition Of the family connections,
threats, entreaties, priyers, and tears, were
bSfu 10 utitT UtI. MI iUfH bah1tt ftft ~
much pain and agitaied her mind so fearful
", that to make an end Of il, having gained
the consent Of her husband and father; she
determined 10 expedite the final step, that
these distressing interferences might be end
ed. The time for her debut was fixed,
only allowing about three weeks for the nee
essary preparatory study and instruction in
stage business, and through the whole of
that period she was prosecuted and annoyed
by letters and warning; but having adyan-
ced thus far, no efforts would turn her
back.
She was to make her debut Mt the Park
theatre in the {" Lady Of Lyons" The
cventfnl morning ofihe rehearsal came, and
this is more severe trial 10 debutanfe,
than the actual appearing before the pub
lie.
The gloomy theatre dimIy lighted with
gas almost chilled her! An the persons be-
longing 10 the theatre were collected round
the scenes ready 10 sueer or laugh, or with
malicious pleasure 10 confuse The novice;
but Mrs Mowati, summoning all her ener-
gies, resolved to do her very best, and re-
gardless Of all present, 20 act her part, ex-
acily as she would do it before the pubic at
night: she took all by surprise, az they at
forwards frankly confessed, and when the
second was finished, each, in the kindcst
manner, did his utmost to help her-the
very actors themselves appiauded, which Is /
the biz nest species Of praise; because II Is /.
the most unusual. No one doubted the sue /
cess which awaited her. =. 49,.
The imporlaD, morning of her dettt was I
come. and without having the least misgfy- I
ing she felt bow moBientous II was. she !
reviewed her past life, and saw that the (
very hand of Providence seemed TO have or
ieted M things, from her earliest childhood, I
10 prepare her for this great step. She had I
been an actress long before she had entered
the walls Of theatre. She analysed her
motives, and The more she understood The
iri,e sf,rings Of her action, the more imdif-