The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-08-12
Ellistou, che Comedian, and King
George III.

II
George III.
Raymond's Life of Elliston, the
Comedian, is one of those books,
the perusal OF which is sure to give
the reader what Oliver Wendell
Holmes has odily, but expressively
called g s'champagny feeling" It is
written with delightful ease, grace
and wit, and while processing to be
the biography of one man, gives us 8
graphic picture Of society. especially
of the 6eol mon,le and the prominent
theatrical celebrities of the first quar-
ter OF the present century.
ENlston himself is represented IS
an actor OF remarkable powers. He
did not fall far short Of being, in the
hlstrionic sense, universal genius
No performer of his day cquallcd him
as IL comedian. His counteralce,
says Mr.. Raymond was Tie vc,.-
mirror OF comedy. His face WAS
round. his features small. ye! highly
expressive, laughter lay cra,,lctl in his
eye, and thare was q l.,5ticealle play os
ilps so pregnant OF meaning, as frc-
Qnenty to leave the words that fol-
lowed bat llitle to cX:,lain"
And yet Elliston rt"a!led, and IL the
opinion of many, SURPASSED c,en
t>nHHpl2 III certain scenes Of hamlet.
acTe Is q very amusing anec0ota.
ono o. The many With vll:,-h his bio
grai>Ay is filled:
"r.;i!ston dad he"n acting at Vyvy-
inouth, Il i;iac% 70 which the l<iag was
extremely partial. and wnurr !. .;aS 10
Inus":;! thing for him I, lake his
stron unattended. On ina informing
oi t-iil,ton benefit. lie had been ca
!"NinI one OF these afternoon wander
llSs, when rain coming on just rs h"
wa> passing the thcatrc door. in he
went, aad 1indinrno one immediately
at hand, proceeded to the royal box
and seated himself N his nwn chair.
The dim daylight of the theatre.
ll,l slight f:!;"lt" which exercise had
occasloncd, ind"ced an inclination to
drowslness. His majesty, in fact, fell
into a comfortable dose, which pre-
''"lltly became sound sleep. In the
; meantime, Lord Townsend. who had
encountered Elliston in the ncighbor-
hood, inquired whether he had seen
the King. as his maiestv had not been
III tho palace since HIS :: o'clock dim
ncr; and it being then nearly ;. the
Queen and i,rinccsscs were in some
anxiety about him.
But his lordSllip 2s::in;"g no di-cc-
ION ron the dramatic star, pursued
lis ohleci - anot;.@r coarse.
'Elliston now making his wly 70
, the theatre ior the purpose ot su:, :
+, Intending al things necessary for IT,.
reception of his august patrons. went
straight into the Kings box. and On
! pcrcelvlng 4 MAJ. East asleep in his
! mal"Stv'S chair, was about recalling
, hlm to his senses i'll 10 Gciltir manner
wilrn, vcrv fortunately; he recognized
the King himself.
''Wi.at vas to be done? Ei!i.,ton
could not presume to wake lis lnajc5-
'y--- 10 approach him speak to hin, -
touch him impnssiIlc! and yct some
thln~ was necessary to be attempted,
rs 1t Was nov time the theatre should
be it,
''El]iston hit on The following expo
dlcnt: taking up Il violin froia The or
chcstra, he steppct! ;nto the pit. and
! placing himse!i Just beneath his; cx-
alted guest. struck "p, do1cincute,
! God save the kingr The sxD.dicnt
had the desired effect. thc ROYAL sleep
cr was gently !oo&"ncd from the spell
which had bound him. and :,waking.
up he sprung, and staring the gcnu-
11cctlng comedian full in the face.
exclaimed: Hey! hey! hey. what!
what! Oh, yes! | SEQ! ].lliston- he!
M! rln came on-tooh a se;.t- took !.
nap what's O'clock
Approaching aix. your majesty. =
Si&. slX o'clock! interrupted the
hlnS, ''se:!a to her majesty, say Tn
here--s:ay- shis Wig won't do, ch, ch =:
Don't keep the people waiting light
up---lct ":n Inlet en- in. h;:! hal
last asleep; play well tonight, Ellis
ton great favuritc with the QEecn-
V.H