The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-30
Q B 1T U A R Y.
william Charles Macrcady, the Acto,

We are informed by the cable OF the death of this
distinguished English tragedian, not the least
among the galaxy OF great actors who reflected
the ustre OF Shakespeare In their hstrionic Efforts
The sad episode in his life during his visit to this
country gives the name or Macready q
special interest to American readers. He
was born in London, March 81 1893, at
tanning at the time OF his death the ripe age
of eighty years. His father, designing him for the
legal procession, sent him at ten years OF age to the
celebrated Rugby School, and at this institution
his proficiency in classics was OF marked charac-
ter and gave promise OF a brilliant future. Pecuni-
airy endorsements at home, however, interiered
with his studies and dlspelled the hope he HAD
formed OF entering the University OF oxford At
seventeen years OF age he made his first bow as an
actor at the Birmingham Theatre. The first role he
attempted was that of Romeo, In which he alter
wards won such eminent distinction. In the year
1916 he made his debut in London as Orestes in
the tragedy of 'The Distressed Mother" and his
fame as tragedian of great power was at once as
sured. Even the critical Hazlitt recognized in him
the coming monarch OF the stage. Yet the lavish
praise ana encouragement received by him did not
him to relax the efforts necessary to perfect
himself in the difficult profession which he had
chosen.
In 1926 he visited this country for the first time,
and received scarcely less honors than those law
ished upon him in his native land. The kindness
and hospitality extended to him induced q second
visit ls4S. During the years which interviewed
between his first and last American engagements
he had few seasons OF managerial experience at
Drury Lane and Covent Garden theatres, where
he made the most strenuous efforts in
behalf Or the highest and purest standards
OF drama. The memory Of those seasons has
not faded from the recollection OF the Lon
nnhl md nd fbaofr
that city speak as enthusiastically and confidently
of Macready's company as some do here about the
''days OF the Old Park" The treatment received
by the great English tragedian during his last en-
gagement in this country Is foul blot in the
annals OF the American stage. The history Of the
difficulty between him and Edwin Forrest down to
its tragcal conclusion has been told EfOrength In
these columns on occasion OF the .%ina, OF the
American tragedan last December. lie failure
OF Forrest during his engagement at the Princess
Theatre, London, in the year 1876, and the Kisses
which greeted his performance OF Macbeth,
were attributed by him to the jealousy OF Mr..
Macready, and he thought 1t was a conspiracy To-
was also entertained by many of Mr.. Forests
friends and admirers on this side OF the At
results four years later Of this MISUNDERSTANDING.
When Mr.. Macready commenced his farewell en-
gagement IN this country In the Winter OF ls!s
OF his rival not allow him to play. On November
20 OF that year disgraceful attempt was made by
Street Theatre to drive Mr.. Macready IRON
the stage. Cheers for Forrest and groans and
o
During the last act he was struck with rotten
eggs thrown at him from the upper gallery. Mr..
Macready made speech at the close OF the per-
Torrance, in which he alluded to the unjust and
bitter hostility of an eminent American actor,
fore. He appealed in the warmest and most feel
Ing manner to the sense OF justice and fair play Of
e as xs ca R%'f e HSTTsss Su
nails, which had the effect OF Intensity
ing the dangerous feeling of hostility against
his rival. This feeling eliminated in the Aston
place riot, which took place on the evening OF Nav
/. TO- 1s49. few nights previously the outrageous
conduct OF number of miscreants, interspersed
among the audience OF the Aston Place Opera
House. succeeded in driving Mr.. Macready rom the
theatre. written request from number OF promi-
nent gentlemen asking him to favor his numerous
admirers with another exhibition OF his great DOW
ers and repudiatng in the most indignant manner
the insults offered him. caused Mr.. Macready 10 ap-
pear again on the night which was destined to end
IN real tragedy. The details OF this tragedy are
the performance was interrupted repeatedly by
Kisses and shouts OF derision, but before
missiles assaled the windows of the theatre and the
efforts OF the mob outside became more fierce and
persistent. The calling out OF the militia and
the reading OF the Riot act was followed by a dis
charge OF musketry into the infuriated mob, by
which seventeen persons were killed and thirty
wounded Alter the firing OF the first round from
the militia, Mr.. Macready threw up his hands and
exclaimed, my Cod has my appearance led TO
the sacrifice OF human HE wish had adhered
to my first resolution and not yielded TO the soici.
tatons OF my friends.n Alter having got safely to
his hotel from the Opera House 1t was deemed
pendent by himself and his friends that he should
leaye the city as soon as possible The uniform OF
q soldier was procured, and In that disguise he
let the hotel on horseback for New Rochelle, where
ton. II Is said that he passed through a portion of
the crowd On his way out OF the city but did not
excite their suspicion. Before his departure for
Europe he made a manly dignined and dispassion-
ate explanation 10 the American public, dsavow-
ing all knowlcdge OF a threatened riot previous to
has actual appearance on that memorable evening.
ON February 20 1851, Mr.. Macready took his final
leave Of the stage on the boards OF Drury Lane
Theatre London. The vast theatre was crowded .
20 It's utmost capacity, and the applause and en-
thusasm was Of the most yehsment character.
The parting words OF the tragedan were my
last theatrical part IL played, and in accordance
with long-estabilshed usage, | appear once more
before you. The distance OF more than nve-and-
thirty years has not dimmed my recol-
lection OF the encouragement which gave
fresh imDetus 20 the inexperienced essays
OF my youth and stimulated me TO perseverance,
when struggling hardly Tor equality OF position
against the genius aud talents OF those artists
whose superior excellence ungrudgingy admit
20 testify how Justly appreciated the patronage
thus liberaly awarded me Is the devotion, through
service. NY ambition 10 establish a theatre, In
regard 20 decorum and taste, worthy OF our coun-
try ana 70 have init the PLAYS OF our divine Shak-
spcare atty Illustrated, was frustrated by those
whose duty II was, In virtue VI the trust committed
20 them. themselves 10 have undertaken the task.
But some good seed has yet 10 be sown and In the
zeal and creditaDle productions OF certain OF our
present managers. We have assurance that the cor
rupt editions and unseemly presentations OF past
days VIII never be restored but That the purity OF
our grea. poets text Will from henceforward be
held on our English stage In the reverence
~ should ever command twenty-five years
have elapsed since thls hope Was expressed
by the retiring tragedan, and Il has
never been realized. a. the London stage retro
graded during the past few years. SINCE his fare
well appearance Mr.. hacready has lived In grace
fui ana ENJOYABLE retirement and death came upon
HIM In the bosom OF his family. surrounded ny low
ing Trends Thus. within the space Of four months
the AT two OF she great rcureacn tatlycs OF the