The New York herald., 1875-07-20

people who gathered to see Master Payne play
Young NOrval would not tolerate such trash as
the ',Black Crook" and "New Magdalenn OF this
day neither would the present genera ion toe.
rate Young Norva and probably not even Master
Payne These things are worth considering In
tnelr true aspects. With the exception OF bis
| "Brutus,p not one OF John Howard Payne's pieces
Is seen on tBe modern stage, and the ''Brulus"
holds its place only by the aid OF the genius OF
Edwin Booth. AS matter OF course II Is not lair
to compare spectacle aud tragedy, but genera-
tion which rejects all that ls bombastic
and feeble ana retains only what s strong
and natural In the art OF the past cannot he de-
1clent In dramatic taste, Ia spite OF the "Black
Crook" and the New Magdalen." The drama
has greatly improved since the days or the Old
Parfs and, though 1t Is no longer the fashion to
get enraptured over some young Roscius," NO
believe the stare is rich in actors to-day greater
tnan Garrlck ever WAS. IL is heresy to say tnls,
but it must be remembered mat dramatic ex-
cellence is q commonplace accomplishment now,
! while in the times Of Garrck and Kemole and
Kean II was phenomenal
PAYNR AS AN ACTOR.
In following Mr.. Harrisons narrative we are
constantly surprised at the want OF success which
always resulted from Mr.. Payne's trumphs. If
we are to trust his historian the dramatic pro-
Iession was slngularly jealous OF him and always
plotting TO prevent his appearance. After play
ing In New York and Boston ne "was surprised to
hndn says his Dlographer. 'on stating his read,-
ness to perform al Baltimore and Philadelphia,
that those theatres seemed Gu a sudden closed
against him." He subsequently appeared in both
cities, however, and in Richmond, and then went
to England, where he appeared at Drury Lane, in
1918, In the tragedy Of Douglas Mr. Harrison
gives this account OF Mr.. Payne's English DEBUT
At the only rehearsal summoned-and this not
until the day OF the per. .ormance-Mlss smith,
nfterward Mrs Bartley who was cast for Lady
Randolph, WAS not present. Our young aspirant
called on her and talked over the business his part
had win ners, but she was naughty, and did not
agree with Mr.. Payne, on the ground chat his
mode oil performing the part would take lhe atten-
tion OF the house rom her. and, with u cool, low
curtsey she old the Noung actor good day. with
the wish that would succeed. At night, as
Payne entered the green room dressed Tor the
Payne, Tor the first ume, that he had new Lady
Randolph for him. that Miss Smith was SICK, and
tnat they had borrowed Mrs. Powell from CovenJ
Garden. There she stands, on the Stage; come
1t is time for lis to begiu ~ and this was his first
introduction to the la dy with whom his part mad
so much important Stage business, aud his entr6e
upon the boards OF an untrled stage in a strange
country Although he had no opportunity Tor
moments conversation the interest expressed oy
MS theatrical m5ther was throughout Kindly ana
perfectly maternal. While the mousse was ringing
with the unders OF appreciation at the triumph
and power OF his eath scene, the great Mrs. Powell,
as she leant over HIM, was exclalmng in an ex-
hear the verdict ?n Ills performance throughout
was crowned win unbounded applause.
Payne soon afterward appeared in Liverpool,
where he met with even greater success than In
London and Dublin, where he was supported
by the celebrated Miss O'Neil. He also played
Romeo to her Juliet, but he never attained any
very great standing as an actor either in Ireland
or in England. His engagements at Drury Lane
and Covent Garden were almost invariably
ruined by some mlsnap or somebody's machina-
rons His real business seems to have been that
OF a. dramatic agent for the English theatres In
Paris; but even in this he was generally unfor-
tunaje through SEINE oody's fault or his own
PAYNE AS A DRAMATIsT.
John Howard Payne was the author of eight
tragedies, six comedies, twenty-one dramas, hve
operas and nine farcos-in all, not fewer than
forty-nne pieces. or these, as we before le-
marked, only 'Brutus" still hOlds the stage, but
a number Of the Others especially the comedy OF
+ "Chares lI.,n the dramas OF ~Therese" and ''Ac-
cusation" and the opera OF 'Clari; or, The Maid
OF Mlan." had great success in their day. In the
comedy Of "Chares H." Mr.. Charles Kemble
made great hit, aud In it the celebrated Faw-
cett, whose performances OF Copp was inlmitaole.
took his leave OF tAe stage. "Therese" has a
romantic history. 1t was written in three
days in q debtors prison and produced at Drury
Lane within ten days OF its acceptance. Another
house pre- duced it, and was prevented from per-
forming it by an injunction. In this piece the
elder WaacK played the part OF Carwln. The
opera OF "Ciare,u the music for which was
posed by Sir Henry Bishop, will be always remem-
bered as the original setting OF the werld-amous
song OF Home, 5 weet Home.n On Mr.. Payne's
return to this country in 1882 benefit was gwen
him at the Park Theatre, In the name and ''under
the direction oil the friends or literature and the
draman "brutusn and "Charles u.n were
produced, Mr.. Forrest playing the title role,
While MIR. Waack played Copp in the comedy.
Mr. Charles Kembie and his daughter, Miss Fanny
Kemble, also appeared in Katherine and Petru-
chic" On that occasion an address by Mr.. Theo-
dore s. Fay was read, which admirably summa-
rlzsd the dramatic career Of the returned wan
derer. sung the poet,
OFT mas the listening crowd been hushed to hear
The Maid Of Milan's song nchant the ear.
In beauty's eyeS tears ofE have quenched the
MourninG tse sorrow Of the sweet Therese,
Til Charles-mad son of an unhappy sire
To the soft orbs reculed the dangerous fire.
kome's reverend patriot, too, appears III sight
To view him, summoned by the poeps art,
On freedoms altar lay his mighty heart,
Bleeding and torn-1t Offering TO the laws.
Who drew the picture merits your applause
Again the scene is changed: The peet 10y
Pines for his native land with trembling 10y;
And, Ike his Clarl ceased at length to roam,
His graVer 100 .steps lead to Home, Sweet Home
PAYNE's "BRuTUsu
Like most OF his otner works, "Brutusu was
written for an emergency. Payne was IN the SER
vice OF Mr. Harris the director OF Covent Garden,
by whom had been Ill treated and neglected.
But we Will allow. his b.ographer 10 tell the
ory:-
At this time Payne observed that the great
Kean was some what languisnlng in public favor
from more than one cause, ana that the Drury
Lane required some new attTa tion to hfc up its
then declining fortunes. The iuea struck Payne
that nve-act play, sultlng the peculiar
powers of Mr.. kean, would revive the business Of
Drury Lane and the fortunes OF the tragedian.
He mad read several plays on the subject Of
"Brutus" IN as many languages, and concluded
that 1t was just the subject. He at once con-
structed his new tragedy, ana, concluding that 1t
was in good shape, although not flushed TO his
perfect liking, he took 1t TO the chairman OF the
Drury Lane management, by whom 1t was read;
he IN turn immediately sent for Mr. Kean, and he
at took mold Of 1t with avldty. and said that
he did not conceive 1t capable OF Improvement.
IL was DECIDED to produce 1t. Mr.. Payne was
sent Tor. He declined producing 1t without q
little more polishing, which he ala in few days.
Z w ntad NJ 4 ha nrod tho