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


TO no TO her hotel to rehearse the scenes with her.
The impression the first sight of her made ON me
recalled the Pages description Of the effect on him OF
Jane dc Montfort's appearance in Joanna BaiDios
tragedy Of De Montfort.' IL was
so ouccnly so co,cmanding, and so noble,
slrunk at first in awe; but when she smiled
For so che did 10 see me thus abashed, -,
Methought could have eompasscd sea ana lana
To do her bidding
The words might have been written for this inter
view, for my nervousness must have been apparent
70 her on my introduction, and in her grand but
good-naturcd manner she received me, saying, i
hope, Mr. Macready, you have brought some harris
horn and water with you, as am tod you are terri
bly frightened at me-" Her instructions made
deep impression and he took his leave with fear and
trembling. The inevitable night arrived, the audi
ence as usual wre encouraging, and the first scene
passed off with applause. But i'll the next scene
thefrst with Mrs. Beverley he was overcome with
fear that he lost his presence of mind, his memory
seemed 70 have gone, and he became entirely be-
wildered. The great actress whispered the word TO
him, which he could never take from the prompter,
and the play proceeded. His criticism of Mrs. Sid
dons on this occasion will be read with interest:
What eulosy can do justice to her personati9n How
inadequate Tcthe eIdeavOrs O the best writer TO De
pct with accuracy to anOthers fancy the landscape th
In its sublime beauties may have charmed MN
The tail rock the mountain, and the deep ana gloomy
wood may have their coOrs and their forms paucG-
arzcd in eloquent language but can they nc so Pr Pr,
hn pant from Them picture, with whea inc Ieaiy
viii accord or will any verbal account or ire most
striking features Of the human face divine convey
distinct pOrtraiture Of the individual How much less
the sudden but thrilling effects OF tone or look OF port or
gestureor ~ the silence so often siglhcatlve III De
ne ois5e anes mi ane des souvcnrs As these are not
transferable will not presume TO catalogue the merits
Others great excellence that distinguished all her
presentations. 1nis was the unity OF design, the
made ' ns forget the actress in the Character
she assumed. Throughout the tragedy OF Tine
naiusping of her actions the ruling passion OF her be-
ing apparent when reduced 10 poverty IN her graceful
subjected her in her fond OF his rnous weak
ness in her conciidtine. approximations with hs
advances, when in the awful dignity of outraged
virtue she imprecaes the vengeance OF Heaven
sunerugs in the dungeon, when her knees hold
ing her dying husband, he dropped Ifel9ss from her
Darkness on his face; the powers OF o,r aIe
T and IN h eS d b gT ha ro
the body her gaze for Instant aYercd from
when they 6eaca I1e p ffdc d2pr S % ony That
would have pierced the harde, heart and rlshnS rom
thom flung herself as If for union in DEATH on the pros
she stood alone on her hight of excellence Her acting
perfection and a. recall It do not wonder novice
was, my perturbation when on the stage with her
But in the progr Of tho play gradually resancd more
and my sclfpOsoesoion aud in tie last scene as
she stood by thu side wing, waiting for the cue Of her en-
utterauCe
sseri we-welll there is but one pag more and then
farewell work." she raised her hands, cappng loudly
and calling out BrayO Sir, bTiVO' in sight OF part
Of the audience, who Joined in her applause.
After the play, Mrs. Sddons sent for Macrcady to
her room, and gave him few words of kindly conn
sci. On going ia, she wished she said, TO give
me a few words of advice before taking leave of me.
You are in the right way she said, but remember
what say study, study, study, and do not marry
till you are thirty. remember what it was to be
obliged to study at nearly your age with young
family about me. Beware of that keep your mind
on your art, do not remit your study and you are
certain to succeed. | know you are expected at
ball tonight, so 1 will not detain you but do not
forget my words study well, and God bless ,ou.'
Her words lived with me, and often in moments of
dependency have come to cheer me. Her acting
was revelation TO me, which after la its in
fluence on me in the study of my art Lase, grace,
untirng energy through all the variations of human
passion blended into that grand and massive style,
had been with her the result of patient application"
Mr. MacreGdy describes at length the circum-
stances which led to his acquaintance with the eX-
celent young actress who afterward became his
wife. which are not without touch of romance
During an engagement at Glasgow, on the night of
his benefit pretty little girl about nine years OF
age, was sent on at very short notice to act the
part of one of the children in the Hunter of the
speak, having had no time to learn them. Not being
aware of this, Macrcady gave her good seolding
which cost her many tears. Their next meeting
as follows:
Dressing and breakfasting at Monro5e reached Aber
deem about noon, where my announced in tho
playbs for Richard Ill passed from my hotel to the
stage, apparently waiting for the business Of the morn
ing to begin One ne managgTs dsnghhr, vas com
was distinSuishable for peculiar expression Of ntc
gence and spghtly gcn ness She rchCaTsed with great
propety the part of the Prince Of Wales, and intro
ducCd to me by the manager as my Virginia for the next
nights play On the following morning she came
an hour before the regular summons, to 20 through
tho scenes of Virginia and receive my instTuc-
tan tiG' frocE, which showed of to advantagse the
perfect symmetry Of her sylphlike figure, Just de-
guessed more, but she had not quite reached fifteen She
might have been virginia me beauty OF Ter face was
loneliness was there Her rehearss greatly pleased me,
her acting being much in earnest. There native
grace in her department and every movement, and never
innocence and sensbilty more Swccy peIsOnilcd
than in her mild look aud speang eyes streaming with
unbiddn tears. learned her little history she
girl whom had robued some years before for supposed
inatenliOu at the Glasgow Theaier. Ny engagement
with Mr.; Ryder was for three weeks, divided be-
and Perth and as the same plays were
repeated by tho . same performers my oppOr-
very frequent, which they occurred grew less
and less DESTROYS Of avoiding Her strong good sense and
unaffected warmth Of feeling received additional charms
from the perfect aressness vii which she ycnured her
opinions. The interest Win winch regarded her pCr
SHADED mysef That Of older friend and partoo Of
"a patenal character. All the advice my experience
could give her in her prOfC ssOual studies she gratefully
accepted and skilfuy applied, showing aptness for
improvement that increased the partially she had awa
cned in could have wished that one purely
minded and so naturally gifted had been placed in some
other walk OF life but al that might he IN my power for
her advancement resolved to do On tho last night Of
my engagement at PERTH cent for her into my rOom and
presenting her with the haudSOmest shawl could pro-
cure in Perth, bade her farewell desiring her II at any
time my influence aid In any way could her. 10
apply 20 without hesitation and assuring her she
mi ght rel a I'M AL