The New York herald., 1878-11-07
OBITUARY.
SAMUEL PHELpHs, COMEDIAN.

The above distinguished artist, who long held an
honorable position among the actors and managers Of
England, died yesterday in London Of congestion
OF the BRAIN He was performer Of the
Kean and Macready school. and did much
in his early youth illustrate the that afterward
made him prominent. He born ut Devonport.
England, in 1s06. His parents were respectable
tradespeople, with circumstances moderately
good, but unable to do much even for
ambitious boy. Therefore the education Of
the lad limited to what he could gain in a COM
mercial circle 1t added to his memory than to
his intelligence. Subsequently he was apprentced to
a printer. and after while became newspaper
compositor. IT was in this connection that he
acquired taste for theatrical attractions and throw
ing away his .stick he entered earnestly on the
study of the drama. Beginning as an apprentice in
the art he step by step until he achieved that
position which compelled the public and
press to do him justice. Mr.. Phelps was
always ambition. From the time he started it was
his aim to touch the highest notch in his art. Mr..
Ppeips became rocognzed d. Shakespearan per-
s this time that his Country a reeu.tios
metropolis. His first appearance was in London
THE Merchant of Venice "ichard M" ..otheiio."
''rhe Iron Chest &C.. winning in each character
enviable reputation. This led to an engagement or
rather series Of performances in which his remark
able talent was recognized. He shared the
leading, business , with With Mr.: Macready, play
characters, and it frequently necessary
for him to leading parts, which he did as the
am individuality that marked him as worthy Of all
honor. On the 25th of June, 1874 Mr. Phelps found
permanent home for the Shakespcroan drama, he
then understood it, at sadlcr's Wells, little
theatre the outskirts of London but for the mo-
ment adapted to his purposes. The opening piece
Cesar 1.-The Merchant of Venice" Hamlet" and
other tragedies. Mr.. Phelps. however. always ad-
to IT,. the making Of Shakespeare's plays popular
In January, 1S45, Mr. Phelps attempted the produc-
ton Of new play entitled rhe Priests Daughter"
hut the effort again attended with un-
success Afterward, however, he was instrumental
in the revival of "Richelieu.' Massingers Fatal
Dowry.' king Lear. Henry w. and the Win
ter's Tale" all Of which warmly received, and
for the moment gave impetus to dramatic enter
prise. In ls47 Mr.. Phelps played in 'Feudal Times"
with considerable success. and then followed with
Henry vII.." "As You Like IT, Midsummer
Nights Dream Loves Labor Lost and other
shakespcarean works For twenty years the little
theatre at Saders Wells held out but the centerng of
the places of amusement in the heart Of the
metropolis its distance from the Fashionable quar-
tsrs ali combined to end in something Of SHADOW an
enterprise that had for many years been success
full The lease expired and Mr.. Phelps could not dis
growing old and could not be induced to undertake
the management of any theatre in the
Lane he played Lord Byrons Manfred and
shakespeares King John and Falstaf. His elocution
ponderous but it was also massive,
thing the irreverent young fellows who secuted
Shakespeare ignored. Between Manfred. the sourcd
moralizing hero Of Byron. who shared his
authors morbidity. and tho jolly fat knight
who robbed honest men on Gads Hill
is long reach of character. but his Manfred was
gloomy enough to suit Byron and his Falstafr
was unctious humor itself His Richelieu
was a fine study. but perhaps the character
which he most strongly indiyiduaized as
his in this generation Sir Pcrtnax Mac
Sycophant. in Macklins Man Of the World" SO
great his fame in this particular part that actor
of recent years disputed with him. The typeof oily
subserviency parsnony and persistence which Macklin
fixed in the Scotch baronet reproduced with
fidelity and finish that We're inimitabe. His
utterancc OF the line. in the advice 10 his
son. II Good never stand STRAIGHT in
the presence OF great man. was some
thing 10 be forgotten. OF late
years the veteran actor did not appear with the old
time frequency, but he always of hearty
reception when he did. He the recipient of many
compliments not only from the members OF his
profession. but from members OF the royal
family, who recognized in him an artist Of rare
ability and gentleman who worthy represented his
art. He leaves behind him thousands who revere his
memory and hundreds who struggling to I'LL his