The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-12-18

A1o6'H liz" ahu poPuldl WOIk De1OTe
the Footlights and Behind the Scenes, -
which is creating, at present, a great deal
of interest. Parmelee & Co., have the
work in press.
MEMORY OF ACTORS.
By dnt Of practice, the memory of act
ors becomes remarkable for its quickness.
Not to have ga good study" as it is
technically called, would be an almost ia
tai drawback to the success of histrionic
aspirant, and such cases are rare.
Even poor memory becomes wonderful
ly improved by the practice of memorizing
stage parts, while the exploits of some
actors whose memories must have been ma
turally good, and which have been strength
ened by practice, are almost beyond the
reach Of credibility.
One actor, remember, not a very long
time ago, while in London, saw a play pre-
scented at one of the theatres; and returning
to his room sat down, and aided by
memory alone, wrote it all down, word for
word, from beginning to end, three lengthy
and complicated acts, with long and diver
sified parts for as many as a dozen persons
running through the piece.
His copy was brought to New York and
played. So completely identical was it
with the authors manuscript, that it was
of couse supposed that he had obtained a
written copy from some person who was
not authorized to sell it. When he took
oath that he had written it out from mem
DRY, many initiated people were inclined
to doubt the statement; but any actor or
actress could easily testify to its entire
credibility.
Most actors find that writing out part
greatly facilitates the acquisition of it.
Slow writers impress the words more on
their memory than rapid ones, and it is
said that you study more perfectly from an
ill written copy than a good manuscript, as
the pains taken to ascertain the sentences
impress them indelibly on the memory.
LOGAN AND THE ROBBERS.
The hero of the following anecdote was
the father of Olive Logan:
The idea which many people entertain,
the ''jewels - worn on the stage are of
great value, has led to many unpleasant
results for actors. 1t seems absurd that
any one should imagine an actors costumes
and jewels to be of the fabulous value of
the kings and queens who are represented
as wearing them; but my father used to
tell the story of an attack which was once
made upon him, brought on by this delu-
sion.
He was travelling about the country Civ
ing theatrical performances in various
towns, and journeying of course by stage
coach.
A band of highwaymen, seeing his large
chests, his numberless trunks, boxes, and
baskets, conceived the idea that any body
travelling with such an amount of baggage
must be loaded down with wealth, and the
trunks crammed full of silver ware.
So in one of the lonely mountain gorges
of Pennsylvania, and just as the night was
falling, five ruf1ians with clubs attacked
the coach.
My father and mother were alone, the
rest of the company having gone ahead.
The driver seemed inclined to side with
the ruffians, hoping of course to share tho
booty; but my father had no mind that
things should take this turn.
Quick as thought he drew stage sword
from its scabbard, and being an admirable
fencer, attacked his assailants in earnest.
The old sword was dirty and rusty; but
my fathers determined air, his dexterity
in the handling of what seemed to them a
dangerous weapon, soon scattered the vag-
abonds, and prevented no doubt, robbery if
not murder.
1t would have been an amusing scene to
witness the CONSERVATION of the robbers if
they had succeeded in capturing the trunks.
Instead of finding silver ware or other val
uables they would have been amazed at the
sight of lot Of musty wardrobe, old stage
traps, some faded scenery-the whole ut
terly valueless except to party of travel
ing actors.
HOW :.oNKEYs ARE CAUGHT.
From tic chapter on Menageries, we
make the following extract:
Monkeys axe such cunning creatures, that
one would ST.. pose them much more diff
cult to catc:. than other wild animals
Pitfalls will take lion, and the famished
monarch of tie forest will, after a few
days starvation, dart into cage contain
ing food, and thus be secured. But how
are monkeys caught? The ape family re-
semble man. Their vices are human
They love liquor and fall. In Darfour and
and SEMINAR the natives make fermented
beer, of which the monkeys are passionate
ly fond. Aware of this, the natives go to
the parts of the forests frequented by the
and set on the ground calabashes
full of the enticing liquor. AS soon as a
monkey sees and tastes it, he utters loud
cries of Joy, that soon attract his comrades.
Then an orgie begins, and in short time
the beasts show all degrees of intoxicatien.
Then the negroes appear. The drinkers
are too far gone to distrust them, but APP
parently take them for larger species of
their own genus. The negroes take some
up, and these Immediately begin to weep
and cover them with maudlin kisses
When negro takes one by the hand to
lead him off, the nearest monkey will cling
to the one who thus finds support, and
endeavor to 60 off also. Another will grasp
at him, and so on, till the negro leads
line of ten or a dozen tipsey
When finally brought to the
village they are securely Gagged, and grad
ually sober down; but for two OF three
days, gradually diminishing supply of
liquor is given them, SO as to reconcile
them by degrees to their state of captivity.
PLAYERS AGES.
The stage arts of makeup are SO confu-
sing to our perceptions that many young
man passes for tottering veteran, and
rice persa.
The following ages of wel[known play
ers will be found pretty correct:
Blackstone, CT; Mrs. John Drew, As; A.