The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-11
o y 7 = q Al r.

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william Evans Burton, Comedian.
Tho artistic and literary world has met with .
loo In tho deceass OF Mr.. william T. Burton, tho well
known actor, author and manager. The event not
altogether unexpected by the friends Of Mr. Burton For
several past he has boon laborng under chronic
dseaseenlargement OF tho heart-brought no doubt
BY Intense asd unccasng application to the duties Of his
profession to which added the Of largo landed
estate. Mr.. Burton had been advised by his ply
siclAns me time SINCE TO retire altogether from the
stage bit his love for his overbaanced everything
sse and he continued TO act until about the LIST Of January
when he was obliged 10 reinquish his provincial engage
ments, and to return to the metropolis. superaddsd
his former ament dropscal symptoms appeared and he
gradually ssrk until half past ten O'Clock yesterday
ing, when he died.
The career OF Mr.. Burton has been exceedingly in-
eresng one and therefore present brief sketch OF
It, He was born in the city OF London, in September,
1904 His father was printer and publisher, and like
author The bred to the business OF the
father and after receiving good elementary education,
mastered all the mechanical details Of the
art Of the spcciaes Of tho business of tho elder
Burton the printing Of classical works aud tho son
at very early age acquired knowledge OF the Greek
and Latin languages for the purpose OF proof reading
His knowledge Of the Engsh classics, and especially Of
the dramatic authors, also thorough and profound
Tho elder Burton died when the subject OF our sketch had
scarcely attained bis majority, and the business con
Quoted by william in the name Of his mother Like many
Of his craft Mr. Burton passonAtey fond OF the the
atre and cultivated the acquaintance Of the actors with
whom he brought in daily contact by his business.
Thence the transition to the stage easy He az
amateur playing for his first character Hamlet and
for q long time believed tragedy his forte He
finally entered company what is called the Norwich
circuit, and in 1882 appeared at the Haymarket, and
made his debut there in 1888, - Norwood, in the
farce Of The Lottery Ticket" For years afterwards no
was compelled to undergo the usual vicisstudes
privaops and disappontments which beset upon
the stage. He played anything and everything and was
content take with the eavugs Of other who had
attained position with the public. BY an accident he
secured the part of "Paul Pry." and made an en-
couraging IT, In 1884 he resolved to come to
America and he arrived in Philadelphia, to which place
he came without the advance which usually given to
artists It . matter Of pride with Mr. b., that he
was one of the very few Europeans artists who have
come to the United States At their own expense
He made his debut in September Of the year before
named At the Arch street theatre, Cornet Oapod in
ssThe Poor Gentleman" He remained in Philadelphia
several years, acting and writing for the press and
speedily obtained extended reputation art and let
terA He conducted at this time "The Gentloman's
Magazine, and published two volumes Of fugitive pieces
generally humorous sketches which had an extended
SALE His magazine articles atrscted great deal Of at
tenton and admiration In his own profession he was
recognized "sar" and such made tour through
tho United States His nrst euay in the metropolis was
made the old National theatre in Leonard street. then
Cl83o) under tho Management Of Mr.. James wallack
Mr.. Burton played, for plmentary benefit given to
Mr.. wallack, Sir Simon Slack, in "sprng and Autumn
in which the Seguins, Mss Shre and Wilson, tho
assisted Such entertainment could be matched
the present day. When the theatre was burned, Mr..
Burton connected with the management. he return
ed to Philadelphia In 1910, and fitted up Cookies circus
building, in Chestnut street, for theatrical represen
taton and called II tho National Theatre. He had .
very hne company, which ct various times included
Misses Charlotte and Susan Cushman Henry and Thomas
Placde other noted performers Tho famous fairy piece
the "Naiad Queen was produced here for the first
time in the United States and neted small fortune for
the manager he invested tho larger amount Of his earn
ings in his fried Nick Bddle's famous United States
Bank Of Pennsylvania, and suffered severely by the
smashing up Of that institution. In 1S41 be leased the
theatre Of Leonard and Church streets in this
city, and brought his Philadelphia company here,
gether With ali the beautiful scenery for the prosecution
of the "Naiad Queen" The piece had fine run, and
whilst in the midst Of success the building caught fire
and was again burned destroying also all Of Mr. Burtons
splendid scenery The building FIRST burned in $780,
while under the management Of Mr. James wallack We
next nnd Mr. Burton, nothing daunted by misfortune,
.' nA".se. VIC a. ~n e".es ."'Ao fnauo'pn,A' 'ne
theatre washington and the Front street In Baltimore
Next after the Park he had the best company the
y and was distinguished TOT the liberal way in which he
mounted new pieces. ne did LONDON assurance with
q real aviary ana real fountains but that the birds
wouldn't sing and the fountains The result
Of Mr. Burons managerial specuatons in the provinces
WAS not peconary magnnceht and ne resolved IN 1913,
tween the Park and bowery nres, namely, Palmos Old
opera House IN chambers street pamo mad maze for
tune IN ccfe IN Broadway' ana lost 1t in trying 70
manage Italian opera The theatre was Afterwards
useo ior nouei ARTIST exnioitons ana travelling
SHOWS OF Al sorw ~ was CONSIDERED as terroy low, ana
MI burton Speculation was regarded As SUICIDAL AFFAIR
de opened however IN september AZ, and during the
mIst part OF ms season ost money nearly every nght
lie worked Oh increasingly, ana was almost Ubiquitous.