New-York tribune., 1872-01-20
OBITUARY..
WILLIAM HENRY sEDLEY SMITH.


Three weeks ago it was our melancholy duty
70 record the death of tho veteran comedian James H.
Hackett To-day cast sprlg OF rosemary on the
roD Of another veteran dramatic artistOne Of almost
equal age of equally sterling abilities and of kindred
fame William Henry Sedlcy-better known to the stage
rs W H. smith-died IN San Francisco, on Wednesday, at
midnight Goth year ofhs age To the new generation
Of he existed scarcely more than in name but
TO the generation Immediately past-to all who have
memories Of the American stage extending over the last
twenty-five yCarshe was very magnetic and doughtful
reality; and in many hearts the news of his death Will
smite harshly the tender string that vbrates TO
amazenent and sorrow. There players whose indi-
vidualty is so vital, redOlent Of strength and JOY,
that one never associates them with the idea of death
Like great poetic thoughts, they enjoy an immortal
youth in the Imagination; and to hear that they are
dead suffer the shock Of something strange ana I'M
natural well grmly sad. Such an actor was
the late Mr. Sedley. Robust, rosy, stately, with
rich, ringing voice. merry laugh and free and noble
courtey Of demeanOr he lives In our remembrance as
the perfect incarnation OF generous fe-Gad in its
strength and dusye of strength and aladness to all
about him. We recall him in many characters His tai
ents very versatile and in his better days he was
perpetuay work He played all parts well, and in
some be superlatvey excellent There is no ST
OIircr Surface the stage that compare with his
Ii came upon the dupcity and foul sentmentalism of
the scheming Joseph like burst Of sunshine on dirty
fog and the gladness that it inspired the breast Oh inc
sympathetic spectator of the kind that brngs tears
into the eyes The that filed the work was felt to
be genuinea true type of natures nobility, born ana
not made. His Old DOrnton, too, very stately and
pathetic type OF character, animated by what seems
| after all, the best OF human emotions-paternal
| love. He could impart an impressive dignity TO
the furtmmed anguish of the sequestcred Stranger 1t
is long since him. long, very long, since we have
experienced the fine excitement OF heart and intellect
which used TO wait upon his acting in certain golden
NIGHTS OF the old Museum His passing away Is
another sign the rapid passing OF the years He has
exnred however in the late Autumn or his career eav-
nr no work undOne and therefore ending in the funess
Of time He made good end, too dying, as Macbeth
wished TO die with harness his back. He was ac-
ouanted with grief but there was one sorrow that ne
escaped he never knew how dull 1t IS 10 pause Tcr-
haps the profession acting is propuous 10 c VI III"
remitting activity Macklin who lived till the age OF
| Io7 did not leave the stage till he was a cen
turv old Holland in day, dying at 80 had been
an actor in digent employment for fifty years. Many
another instance might be cited. The late Sr Sedeys
professional career covered period of than fifty
years lie began the foot OF the adderj he mounted
If not TO the topmost round of emnence, certainly TO
pinnacle Of solid excellence and sound repute and he
died in the office Of stagemanager-at the California
Theater in San Francisco The story Of his feas much
Of as ca be told in the rapid record Of ohand journal
isn-s recied. He was born on the 4h OF Decem-
ber 1906 close by the town OF Montgomery, in Wales
His father an officer in the British army,
of the engagements, under Wellington, that marked
the Peninsular War His uncle-the fathers brother
was also soldier fought at Waterloo wastwice wounded
there and still survives, Knight Commander OF tho
Bath 1t will be seen therefore, that the actor had
| good ancestry Of courage and breeding He was
posthumous child, and his mother married again-thus.
unwtngy entailng upon her boy the misfortune OF
unhappy home The stcpfather and child were soon at
variance. One Gay, the lad being but fourteen years
old, "a violent scene took place between them, which
ended IN his being locked into his chamber At night he
got out OF the window and escaped leaving his home for
To earn his living he joined company Of strOng
players land to avoid detection and recapture by his
family he adopted the name Of Smith, By this name he
has since been professionally known; though In al,
private matters he always used his real of Sedey
The early part Of his full Of vcisstudes and
troubles. He not one OF those demented dreamers
think themselves dvinely commissioned to clutch
at a grasp that proficiency the most difficult Of all
which scarcely rewards the faithful loving
labor Of lifetime lie chose to learn his profession
others learn IT, by study and work. His first appear
ance on the stage said to have been made at Shrews
bury Some of the best of his earlier made
at Glasgow. He to America in 1921 and appeared at
the Walnut Street Theaer, Philadelphia. His first per
fOrance in Ncw-York took place at the old Chatham
Street Theater November sO when he acted Edgar TO
the of Junius Brutus Booth Local paygoerS also
saw him at this time Loeres, GrGtianO and Mare An
onV His most valuable repute in Boston, where
he first appeared in 1928 at the fremont Theater as
laHdO in The Honeymoon" In 1896 he managed Paby's
National Tbeater in that city and from 1913 to 1860 he
stage-manager OF the Boston Museum. He married.
shortly after his arrival in this country Miss Riddle.
Of Philadelphia, celebrated actress-whOse
death occurred in Boston, in 1851. Their children
suryive-Mr. Henry Sedcy, Of the editors Of The
Ne York Times aud Mary sedley, wife OF Sol Smith r
the comedian. The late Mr.. Sedleys professional
appearance in New-York was made at the Winter Gar
den, May G, 1868, which occasion he acted for h
daughters benefit During the last few years he has
been acting and managing the stage, at the California
Theater, and he had become favOrie in san Francisco
He deserved his reputation. His art inellectua
truthful, conscientious, significant with thought aud
purpose, and with emotion. His life that OF
northumberland he wore the "graud old name without
abuse"
TWEEn,C MaVEMESTo