New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-16
NRw PUBLICATIONS.

The materials from which this volume has been
preparcd consist Of Mr. Maereadys autobiographicai
"reminiscences which be began to write in the year
1885, and which reach 10 1926. extracts IRON ms
diaries which furnish contemporary record oil nus
daily life, and selections from his correspondence
after his retirement from the stage. In the com
positon of the work. the hand OF the editor Is rarey
seen, for the most part Mr.. Macieady Is iei' !"
speak for himself; his figure fills the tront Oh inc
stage; and without any OF egotlsn he
delivers "plain, unvanishod tale' OF the various
fortunes of his peculiar career. His confessions are
certainly remarkable for their frankness ard candor
ne makes no attempt 70 disguise his faults, or to
throw vail over the secrets of his profession he
evidently aims to describe himself as he is,
presenting "amingledw web of good and i'll together
but on the whole leaving a highly favorable ini-
preston Of his purposes aud character.
Macready was redestined 10 the stage although he
was placed upon il by external circumstances rather
than by natural tastes. Indeed he early cheT1shed
an aversion to the theatrical profession, winch was
not overcome without good deal of difficulty. His
fatherwas the Of several provincial theaters
and the youthful associations Of The son wore con-
nectod to a great degree with the life behind the
scenes He was born in London, March 3, 1898, but
Was placed in school at Birmingham while still quite
Young where he remained about three years. Even
at this early age, his forte recitation. In English
grammar and reading ne stood the first in his class
He had 10 learn by heart long extracts from Milton
aud Young Pope aud Akenside, as well as from
Stene, Thomson. and Shakespeare in DR.. En-
fields famous Speaker which has not yet faded
from the memory Of the young orators Of past gem
grafton. His thus became accustomed to the
melody of rhythm and the hiceties of pronuciation
1t took some time, however, to overcome the En-
gsh habit of msplacing the letter h. that the line in
Drydens "Alexander's Feast" as he pronounced it,
"Appy, 'Appy, Apply Pair" long proved fOrnida-
BILE obstacle 10 progress. His great amusement IN
the SUMMER holidays at Birmingham, was in seeing
plays and in acting some of his own composition
with his young brothers and sisters. In his fathers
dressng-room he often caught sight of great actors,
which made an indelible impression on his boyish
imagination. The beauty and grand department of
Mrs. Siddons were engraved on his memory. His
Winter vacations were usually spent at the houses of
friends where his chief diversion was lying on sofa
and reading novels.
When about ten years old, Macready was taken
from Birmingham and placed at the celebrated
Rugby School. The head-master at that time was
Dr. Inglis who is represented PALE ascetic-ook-
ing man, whose department inspired so much awe
that when he entered the schOOl-rOom the chck OF
the door-latch produced a silence like chill, and
"the boldest held his breath" 1t in the deep
est hush that the sound of his tread heard, or
that his voice echoed through the halls, as he gave
out the names of the boys whose exercises entitled
them to the weekly hOnors The first suggestion in
regard TO the stage was made by this stern old peda
gogue, who was by nomeans infavOrof theprofeSSon.
recOllectone day, when playing at football inthe
school close, DIR. Ings was walking on the gravel
walk which surrounds il. He called me to bin, and
desiring me to keep on my hat continued his walk
with me by his side. He inquired of me what my
father designed for me. told him was intended
for the law. He continued: Have yOu not thought
Of your fathers professionP No, SIR Should
you like il NO Sir I should wish TO 90 TO the
barr Are you quite certain you should not wish
60 90 on the stageY Quite certain Sir; l
very much dislike it, and the thought of it,
Well he added Il am glad of it. But if you had
had any thoughts that way should have wished to
give you some advice, which am glad to believe is
now unnecessary"
When Macready was about fifteen years old, his
father fell into great pecunry embarrassment, and
was unable to keep his any longer at Rugby. In
this dilemma, the lad made up his mind to try his
fortune the stage, with view 10 avoid any
further expenses for his education. The elder
Macrcady reluctantly gave his assent, and at the
age of sixteen the lot Of The future tragediau was
decided even in spite Of himself. His first appear
ance was at Birming CHAM in the part of Romeo. The
preparatory rehearsals were quite dscouragng, and
he was often tempted to give up in despair. lie
made thorough work of it, however, aud by dint
Of unwcaried practice, learned by rote every parcu
lar Of place, gesture, feeling and ntonatiOn. The
actual experiment Is thus described
The emotions experienced on first crossing the stage
and coming forward face Of the lights and the applaud
ing audience. were almost oyerpower1ng there was
mist before my eyes / seemed 70 see nothing or the
dazzling scene before INC, and for time was like
an autOmaton moving IN certain defined Limits; went
mechanically through the variations in which l had
andienoe awoke from the kind Of waking dream in
which | seemed 10 be moving that gained my SELF
possession and really entered into the spirit OF the char
Every round OF applause acted like inspiration On
trod air" became another being, or happier sell;
ana NE inti,oet friends and peIo9Ioer crowded on t
hage 20 raise up the Juliet and myself shaking my hands
wit1 leryent eo2gratalaliSns nay ashed me- We'll
ont disguise, " feel should like 10 act 1t all over
sgain."
He spared no pains to follow up this After
each performance, he worked over his part endeavor
ing TO improve its repetition. On Sundays, when
the theater was closed he would get the key, lock
himself in, and pace the stage in every direction to
give himself ease and to become familiar with exits
and entrances an with every variety Of gesture and
attitude. His Characters were all acted and
over again. and the speeches recited, until com
pletcly tired out he glad to breathe once more
in the open air. This was a custom with him for
several years.
Mr.. Macreadys first appearance in " Hamlet" was
Mt his benefit in Newcastle, before he had completed
his nineteenth year. His remarks this occasion
are both curious and suggestive.
As look back on this venture which shook my nerves
ne much as my passing the sight of box pit and
gallery, II appears like presumption in youth OF -
70 nszard tne goo9 op@hs ae SSy Won IN suGn an
this masterpiece OF Shakespeare would predict with
la IN Il