The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-18
THE MARCH MAGAZINES.
uLinpIneott,s.o


Mr.. K. b. Bsnsell entitled "The Two Old
Kayesdroppers, illustrating Mrs. Wister's
aerial story of cover Yonder." The artistic
merits Of this picture are very great, and it is
a Gratifying exhibition of the progress OF our
avn most talented and promising Philadel-
mia artists. A great deal Of credit is also due
20 Mr.. Lauderbsoh, the engraver; and as
niece Of wood d-cutting the design is entitled to
,ank with the best that have been executed
In this country, and it is equal to the majo-
ritv Of the good engravings that appear in
Ihe EpQlish periodicals that make specially
q, their illustrations. This subject is partiou-
larly worthy of notice, as the artist and en-
praver are both Philadelphians, and it proves
that as good artistic work can be done here as
elsewhere, If the publishers and the public
will only extend proper encouragement to the
artists.
Phe March number of LippincoH'S opens
with four chapters in continuation of Robert
Dale OVENS werk of Beyond the Breakers"
wv. Mitchell contributes an inauguration
ode. and w. Edgar McCunn an article on sAc-
tors Memories" from which we quote:-
"A leading stock actor in most provincial
cities commits on an average about eight
lengths, or three hundred and thirty-six liuee
every day of his life. This might be done with
ease by most of them If their study was so
nicely proportional. But, unfortunately, for
one week they have nothing to do, and for the
next perpetual parts of seven or eight hundred
lines, which Is rather wearing. AT perform
anCe, however, they are not always, as they call
it, 'dead.letter periect.' Sometimes they trip a
little, and very often depend for more than half
their business on the prompter. Then. on ex.
treme occasions i'm they they yt; have an
taking This is when they are
totally imperfect, and rely upon their wits for
the necessary speeches. l have frequently seen
this expedent tried when the performer knew
nothing Sf the play except its name and the list
OF characters, and the triumphant success he
usually met with spoke family for the powers
of perception of American audiences. Many
anecdotes are told OF the skill OF the celebra ed
Mr.. John Palmer in this sort of imposition, one
OF which is too good 10 be left out. He had
very long part in a new play one evening, and
was set down in the bills TO speak the prologue.
Trusting to a quick study, be kept postpOning
his attentioTto both until The last moment and
when the curtain bell rang went on for the
prologue without knowing a word of it.
The house was packed, and OF course
in terrific uprOaT, as always at
the commencement of performance. The
indomitable Palmer, amid the confusion, began
to move his lips aud gesticulate as if delivering
his lines. AS nobody heard a syllable, the cries
Of Silence Hear the prologue Down in
'front.' Order redou5led from every quarter
he ceased his motions, aud with the most
graceful deXteIlty pretended TO be greatly dis
turbed by the disorder, and made token to the
gallery as If to indicate that he could not pro
Ceea unless that part OF the audience became
quiet. This strataeem set the pit bowling at
the supposed offenders in the upper regions, and
amid the riotous clamor which ensued Palmer
came forward, moved his lips, and gesticulated
as before, and Just as the Babel WAS about
ceasing, made his bow and went off. He per-
formed his part in the play with equal sue
cess, though lie knew no more OF the language
IN 1t than the prologue. 1t Is common prac-
tice with some to study play while it is being
acted commit scene and then go on and
perform it. This is frequently kept up through
i've long acts, and is looked upon as quite an
ordinary achievement. When the business for
the week Is heavy, the long parts are generally
read at rehearsal in the morning. There is a
rule which forbids this under penalty
OF heavy fine; but like another common rule
the one about 'gagging,' or introducing ones
own language into part-pot much attention
lspa'd to 1t aidS ""ta!ddS OF 'Waiack's,' 'Selgyn's
or the Arch Many interesting stories are told
OF parts taken at short notice. In the lives OF
old actors it will be frequently seen that
celebrity in this way has been the stepping stone
to many poor fellows fortune. Clbber tells
us how he came into some distinction by per-
forming long part after brief preparation with
Barton Booth; and KeaD, in Barry Cornwars
biOgl lapby appears in similar anecdote. The
instances OF the same kind happening in this
country alone are very numerous. year or
two since, it is sald, Mr.. j. W. Walack, Jr.,
went on at a theatre in Washington entirely
perfect in the part OF Briefly in the Iictet-of-
Ledoe Man. having acquired the words in
thirty minutes. Mr.. Frank Mordaunt on q GER
tain occasion took up the character OF 'Har
dress Cregan' in the second act of the Colleen
Baum, at Nblos, New York (Nlr. L. R. She well
who had been playing it, being compelled to
leave for the death bed of his brother), and
finished the roe successfully; Ee had never
beer in the piece before. Mr.. y. c. Boniface
once played 'Brutus' at two hours notice; Mr.
Edwin Booth once, when boy, got through
Richard IN, IN the illness Of his father
without having studied 1t; and Mr.. j. B.
Studley one evening at the New York Olympic,
in the absence OF Mr.. Edward Davenport, per.
formed the Count OF Monte Cristo,' studying
the part, scene by scene, as the play progressed
Several ladies now living and well known il
the profession might also be mentioned a.
having done wonders in the way OF acquiring
great deal OF text in very little time. No
many are mentioned in theatrical histories as
remarkable for their bad memories. Cibbe
speaks OF one or two, and Boaden Of several IN
John Kemble's era. The celebrated JOIN
stone the Irish comedian, was noted far anC
wide for the labor with which ne committed
language and tor his trouble in keepinl
1t after once gotten. This gentleman, it may
not be generally known, was one of the ances
in New York. Mr.. James Walack is the son o
Mr., Henry Wallack by his first wife, who's
maiden name was TurDin. Henry Wallack wa
brother to j W. Walack, Sr., aud son OF Mr.
Wallack, of the English AmphitheatIe, and HI
wife, Miss Johnstone. Mrs. BloXton, an Anne
rioan actress of 100, was in the habit OF writin
her cues on her cuffs, and always kept tn
prompter closely to his business. Actors los
their memory only from excessive debsucheT
or old age; and so strong Is the faculty deVe
loped with many that even these fail to destro
it entirely George Frederick Cooke studle,
new parts after thirty years continual dissipa
tOn, and Edmund Kean held the power of stud
until nearly every other power was gone, an