Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-08-28
From the illustrated London News.
MR.. ALDRIDGE THE AFRICAN TRACE,
DIAM.

We this week engrave a portrait of Mr.. Aid.
ridge, better known as the "African tragedian".-I
His representations of the characters to which his
color peculiarly suits him are those of Zanga, Shy
lock, and Othello. Mr.. Aldridge has just return
ed from the Continent, after a long and successful
tour Of professional engagements. AT Sax. Mein-
linden lie was presented by the reigning Sovereign
1.-THE brother of the late Queen Adelaide) with the
Nassau gold medal of the order of the Royal
House Of Saxony, and he has also been made
mcmbsr of several scientific and literary C%ontinen'
tai institutions. In 1858, on the occasion of MIR.
Aldridge's first appearance in his Professional ca
pacity,at Berlin, his performances were honored by
the presence Of their Majesties the King and Queen
the Prince and Princess of Prussia, ana the whole
of the INDUSTRIOUS Court, and he was presented by
his Majesty Frederick William ". 1.-THE founder,
president, and patron) with the socety's massive
gold medal. 1t bears on one side the medallion in
relieve of the King, surround by figures emblem
attic Of the Arts and Sciences, Poetry, Painting.
Sculpture, &c. On the diverse is depicted the EN-.
bellishment representing the Royal Museum of
Berlin.
At Sa1e.M einingen last January, after his per-
f~prmancs of Shylook, Baron Won Tillich, the Gen.
ereign, presented Mr.. Aldridge with the Royal
Saxon House Order, with the medal in gold and
the month following he was introduced, kissed
hands, and received his diploma from his Royal
uighness. What enhances this great distinction
is, that Mr.. Aldridge is the only actor, native or
foreign, SO decorated. 1t is, morev er, expressly
stated in his diploma that he is permitted to wear
the medal, next in order to the members of the
Royal House of Saxony, and it is accompanied by
a beautiful decoration in the shape Of q Maltese
Cross in gold; The best proof, therefore that'can
be given of The appreciation of his merits as an
actor and a gentleman by those foreign Potentates
is to be found in the fact that he had been present
ed with those costly medals, and the authentic ere
dentials with which they are accompanied. MIR.
Allridge's career in life has been very remarkable
III rau oriutna1lu infanAa1 for tha Chnr hnt
having no vocation for that profession. he turned
his attention to the stage, and made his debut in
New York in the character of Rolla, and was LOUD
ly applauded. lie then came to this country, and
hsd the good fortune to achieve honors at the
Glasgow University after which he came to Lon
don (haviug still the old leaven of the theatri ca!
propensity, and was Immediately engaged at sew.
eral of our metropolitan theaters, a. which his i'm
presentations of the character of Othello, Gambia,
Zanga, and other characters suited to his complex
ion, were SO successful that he rose rapidly in his
trionic fame; and now in every town of note on the
Continent, his merits are really and substantially
appreciated.
Mr.. Aldridge was engaged at Sadler's WelPt
Theatre. where he performed several leading char
acters, and then left that establishment for the
Olympic. At the conclusion of this latter engage
ments' he withdrew from the stage, and wen
through that course of study and practice which hi
deemed essential to the requirement OF a sount
metropolitan reputation. lie then entered on
prosInciai tour' ana acteo' Ia suCcoSsion AZ prign1
on, Chichester, leicester, Liverpool manchester
glasgow. Edinburgh Exter' &c In each OF mos
towns, his reception was enthusiastic IN the ex
treme and' his reputation as tragediah haVini
reached the capital no received an engagement
from Mr. Caicrait to perform IN Dublin ana our
ing hs engagement the newspapers spoke IN I'M
highest terms OF his great ana remarkable talent
as an actor. lie subsequently ran through his lis
OF favorite characteIs-'lz., Langa' follo' uamDia
otnoiio' hihamfa. hiuhgo' ohylock' iiaSsan, RES
CON- all OF which he ADDED 10 his rapiaiy IN
creasing reputation. during TINS period, Eouuh'
Mean came 70 DnDiin, ana thaVing seen Mr. ala
conspicuous part OF his character gave HIM q let
Ter OF intr reduction to the manager oil Inc bao
'heater. couched IN very ompimentar terms
A,bsiass' St. Hnarles Mean rIayea tago 70 t Mr