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 Crookn and "New Magdalenu OF this
day, neither would the present genera ion tole
rate Young Noryal, and probably not even Master
Payne. These things are worth considering In
their true aspects With the exception or bis
| "Brutus,p not one OF John Howard Payne's pieces
I is seen on the modern stage and the ''Brulusn
holds its place only by the aid OF the genius OF
Edwin Booth. AS matter OF course Il IL not fair
to compare spectacle aud tragedy, but q genera
tion which rejects all that is bombasttc
and feeble and retains only what ls strong
and natural In the art Of the past cannot he de-
1clent In dramatic taste, Ia spite OF the 'Back
Crook" and the New Magdalen." The drama
has greatly improved since the days OF the Old
Parfs and, though 1t IS no longer the fashion to
get enraptured over some "young Roscius," we
believe the stage is rich actors to-day greater
tnan Garrick ever was. II is heresy to say this,
but it must be remembered mat dramatic ex-
cellence is a commonplace accomplishment now,
! while in the times OF Garrick and Kemoe and
Kean IL was phenomenal.
PAYNE AS AN ACTOR.
In following Mr.. Harrson's narrative we are
constantly surprised at the want OF success which
always resulted from Mr.. Paynes triumphs. II
we are to trust his historian the dramatic pro-
1ession was sIngularly jealous of him and always
ing In New York and Boston ne ''was surprised to
6nd,n says his Dlographer, ''on stating his read-
ness to perform al Baltimore and Philadelphia
that those theatres seemed en- 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.n MIR. Harrison
gives tins account OF Mr.. Payne's English debut
At the only rehearsal summoned-and this not
until the day OF the per. .ormance-Mlss Smith,
afterward Mrs. Bartey who was cast for Lady
Randolph, was not present. Our young aspirant
called on her and talked over the business bis part
mad win ners. but she was naughty and did not
agree with Mr.. Payne, on the ground chat his
mode OF performing the part would take lhe atten-
tion OF the house from her, and, with a cool, low
curtsey she oid the Young actor good day, with
Payne entered the green room dressed lor the
part oil Norval, the stage manager informed
Payne, Tor the first Ilme, that he had new Lady
Randolph for him, that Miss Smith was sick, and
tnat they had borrowed Mrs. Powell from Covent
Garden. There sne stands on the Stage; come,
1t is time Tor US to 6egln;n and this was his first
Introduction to the lady with whom his part had
so much Important stage business, and MS entree
upon the boards Of an untried stage in strange
country Although ne had no opportunity Tor
moments conversation the interest expressed oy
his theatrical msther was throughout Kindly and
perfectly maternal. While the mouse was ringing
with the underS OF appreciation at the triumph
and power OF his death scene, the great Mrs. owe
as she leant over HIM, was exclalming in an ex-
ultiDg Whisper, "Inere, 90 you hear tnatl doyou
hear the verdict W his 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 ner 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-
tons His real business seems to have been that
or ttc IN he En- CtiSh rhaat in
Paris; but even in this he was generally unfor-
tunaie through seme5 5ody's fault or his own.
PAYNE AS A DRAMATIsT
John Howard Payne was the author Of eight
tragedies, six comedies, twenty-ene dramas, five
operas and nine farces-in all, not fewer than
forty-nine pieces. or these, as we before Ie-
marked, only 'Brutus" still holes the stage, but
number OF the others, especially the comedy OF
..'Charles lL,n the dramas OF ~Therese" and "Ac-
cusatlonn and the opera OF ''Clar; or, The Maid
OF Mlan." had great success in their day. In the
comedy Of "Charles H." Mr.. Charles Kemble
MADE a great hit, aud In it the celebrated Faw-
cett, whose performance OF Copp was inimitaole,
took his leave OF tAe stage. "Thereseh has
romantic history. 1t was written in thres
days in debtors prison and produced at Drury
Lane within ten days OF its acceptance. Another
house produced It, and was prevented from per-
forming it by an injunction. In this piece the
el0er w alaCK playeu Lhe part OF CArWln. Inc
opera OF "Ciare," the music for which was cem-
posed by Sir Henry Bishop. will be always remem-
bered as the original setting OF the wordamous
song OF "Home, ) weet Homer 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 OF the friends OF literature and the
drama.n "brutusn and "Charles II.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
Kemole, also appeared in Katherine and Petru-
chio." On that occasion an address. by Mr. Theo-
dore s. Fay was read, which admirably summa-
rIzsd the dramatic career Of the returned wan
derer. sung the poet,
OFT mas the listening crowd been hushed to hear
The Maid OF Milans song enchant the ear
In Deauty's eyes tears of have quenched the
blaze,
MourninG the sorrow Of the sweet Therese,
Til Charles-mad son of an unhappy sire
Rome's reverend patriot, too, appears IN sight
Let traitors shrink (were traitors here to-nighg-
To view him, summoned by the poets art,
On freedoms altar lay his mighty heart
Bleeding and torn-ht Offering TO the laws.
VINO drew the picture merits your applause
Again the scene is changed: The peet Toy
Pines for his native land with trembling JOY;
And, Ike his Clarl, ceased at length to roam,
His graVer ootsLeps lead TO Home, Sweet Home
PAYNE's "BRUTUs.n
Like most OF his otner works, "Brutusr was
written for an emergency. Payne was IN the SER
vice OF Mr Harris, the director OF Covent Garden,
by whom ne had been Ill treated and neglected
But we Will allow. his DlogTapher 10 tell the
sory:-
At this time Payne observed that the great
Kean was some what langulsning in public favor
IRON more than one cause. and that the Drury
Lane required some new attraction to life up It's
then declining for unes. The idea struck Payne
that new nve-act play, sulting 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, and, 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 once took hold OF 1t with avldity and said that
he did not conceive 1t capable or 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
LIZ ted ndItnA III