Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-07-12
1ailp Aennebet yournal.
TaIfs aud Sketehes.
MRS. KEMBLE's FIRST APPEARANCE.

My mother. who had left the stage TO
upward of twenty years, determined t.
return to it on the night OF my first ap
pearance, that l might have the comfor
and support of her being with ME in my
trial. We drove to the theatre very early
indeed while the late Autumn sunlight yet
fingered in the sky: it shone into the car
rage upon me, and as screened my eyes
from II nv mother said. Heaven smiles
on you, my child" My poor mother went
to her dressing-room to get herself ready
and did not return to me for fear of in
creasing my agitation ny her own. My
dear aunt Dali and my maid and the thea
ire dresser performed my toilet for me,
and at length l was placed in chair
with my satin train carefully laid over the
back of it. and there sat, ready for exc
cution, with the palms of my hands
pressed convulsively together, and the
tears in vain endeavored to repress wei
ling up into my eyes and trimming slowly
over, down my rouged cheeks, upon
which my aunt, with a smile full of pity,
renewed the color as often as these heavy
drops made unsightly streaks in it. Once
and again my father came to the door, and
i
which my aunt anwered, sending him
away with words of comforting cheer.
At last miss Kemble called for the stage.
ma'am" accompanied with brisk tap at
the door, started me upright on my feet,
and was led round to the side scene op.
posite to the one from which | saw my
mother advance on the stage; and while
the uproar of her reception filled me with
terror, dear old Mrs. Davenport. my nurse,
and dear Mr.. Keely, her Peter, and half
the dramatis person@ of the play (but not
MY father, who had retreated, quite un-
able to endure the scene) stood around me
as lay, all but insensible, in my aunt's
arms. Courage, courage, dear child
poor thing. poor thing reiterated Mrs
Davenport.
Never mind EN-. Miss kemble ~
urged Keely, in that irresistibly comical.
nervous, lachrymose voice of his. which l
have never since heard without thrill OF
anything but comical association; "never
mind em any more than if they were so
many rows of cabbagges p Nurse "
called my mother, and on waddled Mrs.
Davenport, and turning back, called in
her turn, "Juliet!1 NV aunt gave me an
impulse forward, and ran straight across
the stage, stunned with the tremendous
shout that greeted me, my eyes covered
with mist, and the green baize flooring
of the stage feeling as if it rose up against
my feet; but l got hold of my mother,
and stood like terrified creature at bay,
confronting the huge theatre full OF gaz-
ing human beings. do not think word
l uttered during this scene could have
been audible; in the next, the ballroom.
l began to forget myself; in the following
one, the balcony scene, | had done so,
and for aught knew l was Juliet; the
passion was uttering sending hot waves
of bushes all over my neck and should
ers, while the poetry sounded like music
to me as l spoke it, with no consciousness
of anything before me, utterly transport
ed into the imaginary existence OF the
play. After this did not return into my
self till all was over, and amid tumul-
tuous storm of applause. congratulation,
tears, embraces, and general joyous eX-
plosion of unutterable relief at the fortu-
nate termination of my attempt, we went
home. And so my life was determined and
devoted myself to an avocation which |
never liked or honored, and about the very
nature Of which have never been able to
come to any decided opinion. 1t is in
vain that the undoubted specific gifts of
great actors and actresses suggest that all
gifts are given for rightful exercise, and
not supposition; in vain that Shakes
peare's plays urge their imperative claim
to the most perfect illustration they can
receive from histrionic Interpretation a
business which is incessant excitement
and Fictitious emotion seems to me I'M
worthy man. business which is public
exhibition, unworthy Of a woman.-N-
iuntic Monthly.