The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1855-12-05
4ersonal Sketebes.
FROM the Philadelphia City ltem.]
MISS ELIZA LOGAN.

the theatrical profession whose entrances
upon the stage of life occurred in the
Quaker City, none can lay claim to
higher social or professional distinction
than the lady whose name leads this
sketch. 1t is with the greatest plea
sure that We lay before the readers Of
the City Item a brief narrative of her
life. To thousands her name is as ia
miliar as a household word, and we are
confident that every person who has
ever seen her act, or had the pleasure
Of making her acquaintance, will read
with interest anything relating to her
early history.
Miss Eliza Logan was born in the
city of Philadelphia, in August, 1880.
Her father, Mr. G: A. Logan, was n
of the best comedians hat yer trod
che boards. The recollection of somo
of his presentations which we were SO
fortunate as to witness calls a smile to
nj face at this moment. He was also
an author of high a~ttainments, and sew
eral plays from his pen are mos. admit
rable in language and construction. As
q manager, at intervals, for twenty-five
years, he maintained the esteem and
respect of all with whom he was brought
in contact. He died suddenly in the
West, some two or three years since.
The value Of a good education was
duly appreciated by Mr.. Logan and his
excellent wife, and their children re-
ceiYed that careful Culture which the
best schools afford. Miss Eliza receiv-
ed a thorough training at an excellent
academy in Lancaster, in this State. At
an early age she exhibited decided pre-
elections for the stage. Her father
immediately commenced instructing her,
delighted at the promise she gave of
the possession of true genius. Under
his skilful tuition she made rapid pro-
gress, and she was finally permitted to
make her debut at the Chestnut street
Theatre. in this city. A more success
witnessed. But this handsome success
did not inspire her with an idea that she
was already an actress of the first grade
She knew that a knowledge of the mi
nutia of the profession was only the re-
suit of experience. aud determined to
understand the profession which she had
so ardently adopted, thoroughly. She
accepted an engagement at Cincinnati,
where she performed for some time, SER
wing her term of probation IN the ranks
before aspiring to command. 1t is evil
dent that to her father she is much in
debted for many acquisitions which
greater experience than she has enjoyed
could alone procure.
She Don emerged from her compare
lively obscure and truly humble posi-
ton, and as a star made a tour of the
country, playing in all the principle ci-
ties of the Union, gaining extended fame,
aud producing on the part of the mana
gers a desire for frequent visits from
one of the most profitable American
actresses
In May last, Miss Eliza Logan played
in Philadelphia; but, perhaps, we could
not do better than mako an extract or
two from a long critique upon her act
ing, written by Mr.. Fitzgerald of the
City Item.
"9n Saturday evening last this gifted
actress concluded an engagement of
twelve nights at the WALNUT street
Theatre. Her success, considering the
advanced period of the season, and the
apathy which prevails among theatre
goers, was extremely fattering. The
house was we'll filed every night, and
onI several occasions crowded; the cha
racter of the audience was, moreover,
better than usual. We doubt if a star
in the country, excepting perhaps Ed
win Forest; would have encountered
such u%nequivocal success here under
the circumstances. Miss Logan has
now stood the test of an excellent en-
gagement at the first theatre in the
country, and the result cannot be other
wise than gratifying to bereelf and her
nun erous friends. Animated by such
success, and eheered by the plaudits of
true friends, her future professional ca
'reer must be brilliant indeed.
During her engagement al the Wal
nut street Theatre, Miss Logan essayed
ten distinct characters-tJnlia,' sBian-
ca Margaret Elmore, , Mrs. Halter, ;
u uliana,' 'Evadne,' Juliet lLucretia
Borgia,' fParthenia, and sAdrienne.'
There is scarcely a passion which sways
the human breast which is not embodied
in one or moro of these characters. To
delineate them all successfully requires
no common mental or physical powers.
And yet Miss Logan passed triumphant
iy through this trying ordeal. In each
and every o of the characters named
she was perfectly at home. Her Mar
garet Elmore was the finest representa-
ton OF the character that we have seen
for years. Her Blanca was truly SUI
perior-surpassed only in or recollec-
tion by Charlotte Cushman's. The in
tensity, fire and passion displayed in her
.Lucretia Eorgia' will long be remem-
bered by all who had the pleasure of wit
Messing the i-mpersouation.
"A friend, who spends his winters in
the sunny South tells us that if we
would obtain an idea of Miss Logan's
popularity in that quarter, we should
zee her play in Savannah or Augusta,
where the people fairly GO crazy about
her. And so, throughout tie South
and West, no one on thc.stage enjoys a
greater popularity, or will draw better
houses. The managers in that quarter
consider Miss Logan one of the great
est cards they a obtain; in Boston,
too, she is an immense favorite, and we
are glad to notice that our own mana
gers have at length, discovered her sur
prising merit.
We should not omit stating that
du ing the last week of Miss Logan's
engagement she was waited upon by a
number of u influential citizens, who
were extremely desirous of rendering
her a complimentary benefit; also Mr..
Marshall was very anxious to extend
her engagement but both these fatter-
ing offers Miss Logan was compelled to
decline, In consequence of imperative