, 1874-03-01
SCOTT-SlDDONS.
How a Talented Lady Had Her Dess-
tiny Revealed to Her.
the Effect Of Talisman upon Her In
terpreiation Of Lady Macbeth. =:
A Curious Superstition and q He-
u1arkable Coincidence.

Sra: One evening, during the winter OF 16f2,
Twas one of a party OF four who had tho pleas
ure Of dining with tho woman who, just then,
1Yas turning the uends Of half the young men
with her dazzling beauty, and enslavlng the
aearts Of tho other half with her commanding
geuirs; while those Of her own se1-recogn1-
ine, presume, the fact that it would 30 Sheer
presumption to compete with the charms that
were concentrated in her faco, form, and fame
generously forgaye their rival, and likewise
bowed in sllegianco to tho Queen Of the
6sage,''-MrB. Scott-Siddons.
Although I had several times before in a
formal way met Mrs. 6cott-Siddons, the oppor-
tunity for quiet social chat up to this TINA had
never been afforded nc. Impressed as I had been
with the graceful dignity with which sho roigncd
In her more public receptions, whs hardly pre-
pared for
TIE FmEs1DE FR1ESpL1SEss
with which VIC were go charmingly entertained
Indeed, srch were the domestic graces
which characterized her hospitality, that,
in their home!ike atmosphere, the frigid formal
tiles OF social etiquette we're quickly melted,
and cur conversation flowed without restraint
through the channels Of personal experiences and
prFate opinions, the current being entirely un-
oo=truc:ed b- those properties Of speech which
iAt4iL i4ltE1dt1IG nESCSE4+2tGS. Io41t -
Mrs. si.3o16 Is often in a moro charming mood,
and, While it would bo an outrageous betrayal Of
the confidence implied IN such FREQ interchange
of opinion and sentiments to publicly repeat
what vas there privately expressed still there are
ono OF two curious incidents Of the early career
OF this remarkable child OF fortune which she
told us. and which think may, without impro-
p1iety, BIO repeated here: as another Of the many
Striking llu st1ations revealed go frequently in
the lives Of distinguished persons, thai genius.
however rcpressed, will ultimately assert itself
with unconquerab!e energy.
It iB 4 part OF our nature. I think. to desire to
trace anything to its SOURCE. Be it tie River
Ma, tLo tricE Of tho rrestidigitateur, the per-
suasiye power OF the orator, or the. genius Of
great artist. the two questions TINT naturally
arise IN our mind: Whence does it Gomez and
HOW Is tt DoSE2
are constantly pressing for an answer. So it
WAS quite natural that, in our free md familiar
conversation with Mira. Sidlcps, we ahould at
tempt to Erest from her her secret, md discover
ssbcw she did it"! Conversing about her inter-
reading given the previous evening, the question
was asked Mrs. slddcns il she really felt, whila
onacting .he ''sleep- Walking scene," that she
Was, as she appeared for the time being to feel
herself to be-Lady Macbeth.
Yes" replied she. must always enter
into the character impeIeonate it render it
with any power. I mover perform. that Sleep
Walking scene," she added, without Q feeling
Q1 QTe1lt ICE. you kQQW. L0aL BCGu8 las q pecu-
liar Significance to me-"
"Your representation last night left q deep
impression On my mind lou quite surpassed
yourself,'' 1said-
":That must have been because wore
1T TAI1sMAE,"
ehe 1anghingly replied.
.sAnd what was that7 Are you SO aupersh-
tious as to believe in talis1nans and charms ?"
asked one Of the gentlemen, with considerable
curiosity. :
Did you notice heavy gold crown-a plain
band Of gold, without jewel or 3 bit OF chas-
ing-that wore on my head I always like to
wear that crown when Ed to read the "Sleep-
Walking Scene,'' for it belonged to my great
grandmother, Sarah siddons. It was presented
ler by tile Queen, and eho priced it highly, al
wnss wearing it when she performed tho part Of
Lady Macbeth. It ia fancy, no doubt, that
makes me believe can render the character Of
Lady Macbeth better when wear it. But there
kre other associations connected with that
" sleep-N1lking Scene' that mako me- always
approach it with feeling Of fascination which
Is siuged with ascntiment Of awe and dread.
For, you know" she continued, with smile, '' it
Has that Scene which shaped my destiny and
career"
Naturally our curiosity vas still further
aroused by this remark, and, pressing her to tell
us the story, after slight hesitation, she con-
sented sonowhst reluctantly, to do so. In view
Of the fact OF hor appearance here this week.
Wien she will probably read tbe scene, it will be
interesting to many to learn how it became the
"eaus VI 1cse.i-IS ~ ue1 Auo eeI1et PoHeE euo
possessed 60 will relata it, IS nearly IS posi-
BILE. III hor own language: q
THE Story.
49," HaSlz'g been born IN !ndIa, she sald7 !" un-
Ike most Young people. had no opportunity to
attend the theatre during tho early years OF my
life; SO 1t was nof until went to Germany with
m5 mother that ever rea4lzed the attractions OF
the mimic world dlspayca on the stage. 1t was
Wnen WAS oetWeen !! and ~ years old
.ha1, IN the school which l was attending,
an entertalnment Was Pfo}eetea, ono OF the
1easules o1 Enlcn vas thc presentation OF little
fiencn comedy. l was cast 1or some mlnof part,
sna entered INTO tue plans "1th great enthusl:
is nt.n. III stuoed naId ne Paft assigned me, ena
t5 t,neosn. osI 1;t.1 ~ snouln 20 Mnen appeatea
oeloie tne -. .te !: auauencs. Nnen tnas - molnshS
:aue, po~asst, IT. ssemea , 70 me .nat a. my pre-
~. sua.,s MS 'Auasueu ~ lhe n7; LEV .naL
.: as1:ss sne M t.nle tae WY Resson vas replo
sonl ~ ~ rets ero atto,t;a,s tn ae'.u @ G pt,t Wei
snuusu ~ pa.sso ] :ne ..; Inu ~" s11 ~
2la.sso Q. ~ aaa1eaee. anas naetcseu .ne Pre-
u9e, tof =. o.1se ueeauiy eatileo anas VIII tne
sea;s ~ EppsAa ~ sote W ~ s1sarE. p1aSs u
9cnler, mu,,s ae,n nGo ~ rs ~ tnaS
Wa, 9! eourso; e:1cou'aEeu oy naY hssoc1eses
u Ing 1up.o ot ~ an ".; wv 10 seGk %
- au5 ~ "aa o5
netle ~! sa W .!esl,as ~ n'oas suo
niae eIest'oa3 " sue 49, III, auu ueitan u'i
~ -, o ,I ss u9a. aaa so ~
Abu0IEGAI ~ tlVE14e111 VI LILY iAGt Ao eoo 0lo-