New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-09
Reur6t Of Miss Nj. T.. Gordon.

INV go
age her parents removed to this city where
she was raised and educated. She made
her first appearance on the stage at the
Holiday Street Theatre, Baltimore, under
the management of Mr.. John T. Ford, in
the year 1865, playing. during her engage
ment, alternately at the Holiday, Baltimore,
and Ford's Theatre, Washington. 1t the
time of her debut, she proved by her imper-
sonation of the character allotted to her,
that she possess d an innate talent for the
dramatic profession, and convinced her nu-
merous friends that she had selected a call
ing for which her intelligence and peculiar
characteristic eminently fitted her. The
first successful step in any walk OF life is
generally a sure prelude to a long and sue
cessful career. The truth of this assertion
is evident in the career of the subject OF our
present sketch. She renamed two seasons
she played in q company through all the
principal cities of the West.
Wherever she appeared, whether in Chi
cage, Cincinnati or st. Louis, the same fat
tering verdict OF appreciation was awarded
her. Everywhere the press and public
were unanimous in according to her the
highest encomiums in acknowledgment of
her talents. The success that she achieved
during her engagement in the West was a
giant spur to that ambition which knew no
insurmountable obstacle, but eagerly
reached TO grasp a higher and more honor
able position. OF the many engagements
offered her at this time, by different man
ayers, she accepted that OF leading lady at
the Savannah Theatre, Savannah. Georgia,
where for two seasons she was a great favor
lite, both socially and professionally.
1t is unsatisfactory even to feast ever in
the same pastures. Who, winning laurels
in one place, longs not to win them else
where! Let the disappointed call it vanity.
we boldly proclaim it to be human nature.
From Savannah she went to Louisville.
Kentucky. playing there but a short time,
when she was offered strong inducements
which she %accepted) to visit England.
Closing her engagement in Louisville, she
started for New York, and Immediately
after her arrival took passage on the first
steamer for Europe. Landing at Liverpool,
she went direct from there to London.
After resting a short time to recover from
menced her professional labors, playing
through the British provinces.
Mr.. Z. A. Sothern, the famous Lord
Drund~eary, being at this time under agree
ment to play at the Italian Opera House,
Paris, during the great Paris Exposition,
Miss Gordon accompanied him to play the
character of Florence 7ienchar1, in "Our
American Cousin" During this engage
ment in the French capital she had the
distinguished ~honor-which probably no
other American actress can boast-of play
ing before the ~ex-Emperor and Empress of
France, the Eiceroy Of Egypt and tie en-,
tire French court. After her return to Eng
land she again played through the provinces.
Notwithstanding the popularity she had
won by her professional achievements, and
the host of friends and admirers she had
made both in and out of her calling, her
heart yearned for home and the loved ones
there. Shortly alter her arrival in New
York she accepted an engagement for the
New Call fornia Theatre, San Francisco, uu-
der the management of Messrs. Lawrence
Barrett and John Mccullough, appearing
On the opening ~night-Friday, January %,
~lS69-betore such an audience as is seldom
seen within the four walls of a theatre, in
the character of Clara Douglas, in Bulwer's
charming play Of Money" Tie part
is one well suited to test the ca
pacity of an emotional actress. and
one in which, should her talents
prove sterling. and equal to the test,
she is SIRE to win the sympathies and plau-
dts of her auditors. The performance OF
the opening night gave her a hold on the
public at once. The press, never slow in.
expressing its appreciation of true merit.
on the following morning strongly indorsed
the verdict OF applause bestowed upon her
the night before.
On the occasion of her first benefit, ten
dered by the ladies of San Francisco. az an
evidence Of their estimation of her, both
as a lady and an actress. the theatre was !
so crowded that the unfOrtunates whocame |
late were unable to gain abundance. The
bill of the evening was 'Frou- Frou,' trans
lated from the French especially for Miss
Gordon's benefit, by Mrs. Sophie D.. Shorb,
formerly Miss Sophie Dallas, a niece of ex-
Vice President Dallas. Tie enthusiastic
ovation that greeted her appearance on the
was a fitting reward for her u%ntiring
efforts to please that public who so unan-
acknowledged the effect of her en-
dcavors. A perfect shove Of bouquets
rained on the stage from every quarter of
the house. while the ushers were busily en-
IN passing up over the foot lights
floral ships, chairs, etc.
Nor was her second benefit, which took
place about one year after, behind the first
in point Of attendance. Before the an
nouncements had been out a day every
seat was eagerly bought by her admirers.
On this occasion she appeared as Jeanie
Deans, in Boucicault's four-act drama of
that name. Sc great was her success in the
part at that time that she concluded to
select It Tor her first benefit in this city,
which takes place tomorrow evening. Since
her first appearance here she has steadily |
grown N favor with the public. Her per
1ormahces OF 'iolet in "Grimaldi; or, The
Lille OF an Actress and blind Bertha, in
Dot were alone sufficient to win the
hearts Of her audiences. Seats for her
benefit night are being rapidly taken, and
we feel safe in promising her as substantial
a recognition of her abilities from our cjti
zens on that occasion as she has received on