New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-20
GEORGE HOLLAND.


schools in the Parish OF lambeth and afterwards to
boarding school, kept by eccentric scholar OF the
name of Dr. Duprec, at BeTkhampStead, in Hertford-
shire lie did not prove devoted student He was
more remarkable for his pranks than for his pro
fciency learning But he became distinguished as a
crckepayer and he laid the foundation Of good health
by abundant indulgence in this manly sport AT Dr.
Dupr6e school he passed two years. at the end Of which
time he taken home by his father and set at work in
the silk ana ribbon warehouse of Messrs Hiil 4 New
combe. Wood-st., Cheapside. London Prior to going
hther though he enjoyed vacation Of six weeks, and
had his first experience Of the stage Astley's Amph
theater existed then, and was conducted by Messrs
Crossman Smith, and Davis one OF these managers-
Mr. Smth-happened 10 be a friend of the Holland
family and by him young George frequently taken
10 the rehearSals "Les Ombres Chnos' was the name
Of tho enteranment-a show consisting Of pasteboard
figures OF men and animals worked with wires behind
an illuminated An incidental dialogue was
delivered correspondent 10 the action Of these dummies
This exhibition delighted the boy that he made an
imitation Of it, and good a one that IL
made quite little hit in the home circle.
with the sk-mercers young Holland passed six months,
selling silk and ribbons and silk hats the latter articles
having then only just come into fashion. Not liking this
pursuit, however, he next procured a situation in
banking house. in Cornhill. His post that Of out
ofdoor clerk, and his duty required him TO walk ten
miles day. This work made an invalid OF him and laid
him up for two months After that he passed six months
in bi-brOkers Office and acquired complete acquaint-
ance with the volatile art of "dte-hying" Then
another illness, recovering from which he found
himself wanderer in London in quest OF work. Acct
dent brought him into association with the once IA
nous Newman who established NeCmaHs Echo-a cheap
sheet, presenting epOme of the advertisements Of
wants" and situations originally published in the ex-
pensive newspapers Of the day. Reading was very
costly in those days and poor could get the news
only by dropping into ale-hOuse, and paying for
the privilege Of taking turn al the paper This was the
cheapest way. Ne,rman'S Echo, however, placeda
tain class OF information cleaned from all the current
Journals within everybody's reach. So good idea could
fail at the start Holland worked att with equal fdel-
ity and energy, and Newman grew rich. Then lie
specuated with his money and ruined and the Echo
ceased to be heard. once at leisure, and wait
ing for something TO turn up, young George now
devoted time 10 the requirement Of the art Of
fencing. This he learned from his brother, who was
undor the tuition Of Professor Roland then dstin-
Cushed practitioner with the sword. At the age Of nine
teen George was apprenced Mr.. Thomas DAWSON at
whitefriars TO learn the trade of printer and In
somewhat vain pursuit Of skill in this avocaOn the
cdged spent two years While, however, the boy
did not distinguish himself printer, he gained very
positive distinction in sparring and rowing He was
member Of boat-club; he could-and frequently did
himself from London Bridge to Richmond and back
again, twenty miles each way he frequented the Free
and Easy and learned and comic therein he
made the illustrous acquaintance Of TON Cribb,'
"Molineaux," "TOm Belcher," dutch Sam" "Iky
SoomOnS, ana OtIef champions anu DIulstIs anu Hc
himself known in this brilliant society as the Comic
Chatterng Cove" Thus early did those vigorous animal
spirits and that overwhelming propensity to fun find
vent, which have SINCE for many years given bright
the and pleasure to muttudes of its sup
porters. Young Hollands way of life, however, did not
prove sautary the printing business and, when q
years age he fortunate enough TO get his linden
lures cancelled and thereafter no followed natural and
Independent course which is the only sure road TO gen
time in life His wanderings first took him to
Liverpool. Here he found no employment but had
a sharp experience Of poverty From Liverpool
he took passage for Dublin where he found his fathers
old friend Mr. Smith Of Astleys Amphtheater-now
Riding Master at the Castle School noted Institution Of
the Irish capital BY this gentleman he was kindly re-
ceved and his direction he made himself useful in
the riding school, and became proficient rider and
manager Of horses The evenings he passed at the Crow
st. Theater. This equestrian and dramatic period Of
his experience however, Of brief duration, as he
now became Commercial Traveller, in the employment
of Num- Co., dealers in threadlace For two
years from this time George Holland drove MERGERS
cart all over reand and in every town he was success
full and popular. We readily imagine that as wit
on the and a songster in the tavernparlOr he would
have great success-for Good HumOr is greater con-
QuerOr battle Of life than Cesar In the battle Of ma
tons. In 1916, Holland, at the Of 25 was set up in
business for himself 20 sell bObinet lace, manufactured
by "a firm in Nottingham His shop was on Crow-st., in
Dublin near the old Crow-st. Theater, and Immediately
opposite a favorite haunt Of jolly boys, called Peter
Kearney's Inn To this resort George frequently re-
paired here he made many theatrical acquaintance
The bObinetace business lasted six months when George
settled his affairs took down his sign and returned to
Engand-to embark on that theatrical current which has
continued through many vicisstudes of fortune down
to the present year-1s7O. George Holland has been
FiyThree Years actor. More than half century OF
entrances and exits
The first engagement that Holland secured was made
with Mr.. Samuel Russell, Familiarity known as Jerry
Sneak RUSSELL" the stage-manager for Robert William
Eliston-that ElistOn, the Magnificent, for whom as
Charles Lamb wrote, the Pauline MUSES. weep" The
engagement to last six weeks till the close OF the
season the London Olympic. EllistOn himself then
offered Holland engagement at the Birmingham The
ater TO commence six weeks later That interval the
actor now regularly embarked, spent in travelling,
foot, from London to Birmingham, in company with
friendly Mr. LGnpiHe or FOlare, and exhibiting his Les
Ombres Chinois at towns the way This enterprise,
carried in frOlc beguiled the tedium of the journey
and ended in a good supper Arrived at Birmingham,
Holland found Elston grandy forgetful Of the prom
Used engagement hut ultimately he succeeded in getting
post the great managers company, with salary Of
fifteen shilngs week. On the 18th Of May, 1877 the
theater opened with "Bertram" and "The Broken
Sword" Holland cast Of the monks
in the former play, and the Baron, in the latter
With the Monk he prospered WE'LL but having permitted
couple Of brother actors TO make up" his face and
head for the BaroR-which they did with pantalOOn
wig and all the cOlors at hand-he went in the second
piece, an object Of such absurdty that he
literally laughed and hoOted from the stage. dark
Baron would have answered every purpose; but red
white and blue too much for the British public
For long time after this adventure the unucky come
dian was known Baron Holland" For quite length
Of time-so great his mOrtifcation-he kept away
from the theater having, indeed set up school FOR
teaching fencing and boxing SO length the old sports
became useful suxares In the serious labor Of e At
length Holland had explanation with EListOn, re-
instated in the company, and was made prompter Mr.
Brunton il Is worthy OF note, then the stageman