The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-30
TIE INIMlTABLE MATHEWS.
AMUSING Episodes IN THE CAREER or
4 FlpORITE COMEDIAN.
sui. sunday Eventnr--IIn suppiy OF Game
Free and His Grounds Orna",entes by
Men sent TO Take Away his Gas Pipes.

I'll. sunday Evcn,ng--II. supply OF Game
Free and His Grounds Ornamentes by
Men sent TO Take Away his Gas Pipes.
The late Charles Mathews was living at
Brompton Crescent London. in 1867. in n small
but comfortable house. elegantly but peculiarly
furnished. His family then consisted Of his
wife. Mrs. Lizzie Jackson Weston Davenport
Mathews and her son by Mr.. Weston. hor
first husband whom Mr. Mathews had adopted.
This son had Just returned from Eton and WIS
studying law. He was named Charles Weston
Mathews. and his prccocious abilities were q
constant source OF pride to his adopted father.
who always spoke Of him as =" my son." Charles
Mathews had no children.
The housc--staircases, halls. and rooms-was
completely lined with pictures many Of them
architectural and landscape drawings. executed
by the veteran actor during his Italian tours and
many more theatrical portraits of himself and
his father In the innumcrable characters which
they had assumed. Almost every picture had its
story, and Mr.. Mathews delighted TO expatiats
upon these "reminiscences OF his career. He
WIS very proud Of his skill IA draughtsman.
which. however. WAS never above medocrity.
and he related with great gusto. that. being
confined In Maidstone Jail for debt, he had
literally painted his way out" The truth was.
that his rich friends had purchased his paint
ings at cxtravagant prices. In order to assist
unnecessary; for Charles Mathews was never
| ashamed ~ his debts. He rollicked In them,
and even his creditors. after the first shock OF
| their LOSSES wis over, seemed 10 share in his
At this time 1857 Mr.. and Mrs. Mathews
| were acting at one Of the London theatres, and
| he had Just resumed those At Homes y on
sunday evening" which were feature OF the
| On these occasions the little house was over
crowded with ladies and gentlemen in full
| dress. every one n somebody or distinguished
! Tor something while the host invariably APP
| Leared In dressing gown and smoking cap.
inc s4phers were superb; nut We hdO't'es
warned all now Corners to beware OF the wines.
| and guests who knew the ineudge always
| brought their own cigars. Charles Mathews.
| although his life had been passed. among bon
| rirdniS. was never n Judge Of wines. and pre-.
| forred a bad Ia a good cigar from some defect II
| taste 81 which he WIS totally un 'onscious. H.
paid. or promised to pay. the highest prices for
! these Injuries but his intimates Threatened to
| mark his champagne Poison!' and his sherry
| with which he Joined in the hugh against him.
| self more than atoncd for all defects
one sunday after supper. a lady was taken
=" Has she had any Of my shorry?' Mr.. Ma
| thcws inquired anNtously.
| " No; she has had nothing 70 drink"
hen eve hcr spoonhiuL, NE Veteran
! this prescription reused the lady from her
| swoon.
| musical hut the adjective which best describes
| them Is Jolly. There was no ceremony and
the group which could induce Charles
! Mathews 10 talk had the best Of the
| entertainment. H. retired early 10 small
room Oh the third floor, plainly furnished. with
a single bed-tead. and he usually talked his
way up stairs. stopping before this picture or
that portrait. enriching every step OF the Jour;
ney with anecdote-. capitaly recountcd and
never without some brilliant personal point.
! Surrounded by the best and freshest young
| artists Of the day. he seemed younger and
| 10 converse remained IN listen. His peculiar
co.tumc-hc dressed Tor the part Ike a true
| a',or-hanished al tormality from his draw
! ing rooms. and his receptions were among the
most enjoyable in London.
Tho nonrhd'dnc,. the msoucinnce, for which
| Mathews was celebrated in his profession was
! natural. not assumed. He was always realistic
| because no was always himself, In parts which
| suited him he was uncqualled: but II was i'm
possible for him to cross in safety the line
! which divides the ridiculous from the sublime
| pathoS from hathos. BY some curious within ot
mnnd Yates play Black sheep. produccd at
! the Olymp'r Theatre IN order To- CIV" Mrs. Ma
| effect was extraordinary.
- have murdered him." Charles Mathews
AMI Mtn SdiHsi Toaraa When he aemIpc
To- depict rcmorse for his crime the audience
The piece was damned. and Mathews met
Iatcs bohind the scenes. The author glared at
Don't chnnge the title, Yates-don't make II
/ Black Looks. Mathews cried. and recon
ciliaton followed; No matter what his faults
Mathews. Ills perfect nnturalnoss on tho
stage often threw the whole performance out II
crpt Mr.. Mathews. one day he rehearsed
me Critc Win COUNTRY company and me
word tu Say in his character of Ptf. The other
, mart as II thcy we're Mr. Nnthcws's avn SUE
/ g'siious NJ rehearsal and had corrected every
fault altered every infection changed every
aluindc-and spoiled the play; -.
/ The greatest compliment ever received. ~
the veteran said But what did his audience
sWbcn ono road. or bo,r. these .torios q,
/ debts and duns with which the life ~ Charles
| Mathews abounds, he must remember that
/ different times have different manners and. in
/ the middle epoch Of his long career. II was the
fashion TO be in debt. Trndrsmen understood
III and chargcd accordingly, When one
els were cancelled 10y tho overcharses
Mathews understood his era.
How DO you get along?' friend asked
fhoS ins I'll IT, A' MaRe3xss " Tle Tiid You
see If paid one all the rest would be di.satis;
| serve them all alike"
one or two instances will expose the modus
operandl by which he lived IN luxury without
Allghtng from his broughnm in Lcalcnhall
! market one day. he ordered large amount Of
game from u noted dealer, for dinner party
/ which he was 10 give that evening His sclcc-
tons made. he directed the game TO be put in
his carriage. saying:
will take these home myself. Mr.. Jones"
wal what is the natter" Mathews in.
quired.
begging your pardon. sir" Mr. Jones re-
piled. hut should like to see the color of your
! money before serving you any further. sir
What do you mean by that, my friend:' the
| comedian asked
Mean by il? Mean by it, mean that |
! can AfOrd 10 supply no more game for moth
ing. Mr.. Mathews. | mean that | have never
received even u penny on account from YOU.
Mr.. Mathews. ! mean that. being II poor mnn.
Mr. Mathews, can afford to 40 on In this way
any longer. Mr., Mathews; and moan that no
money no game II my motto in future. Mr.. Maih-
cws, That = what | moan by Il. sir. and sO !
tell you
Worry well. Mr.. Jones tho veteran replied.
with II face that would have made the fortune OF
a chief mournor, and "a voice Ms full Of tears MS
NQbe. Al least. sir, you will shake hands
with me and say farewell 1t may be- 1t prob
ably viii be-. for the last time. ! am far from
! VOL; ] lave nut-long-to trouhlc--my friends
in this world Good by-gOod by"
The broken accents. the lettering steps ms
Mathews turned away 10 his carriage were in
imilable art.
Why good 'eNycns. Mr.. Mathews" the
doaler said what is it you're a-saying. sir"
. Tho doctors have given me up" resumed
Mathews; but no more of that They have
ordered mo game 10 sustain me for few lin o.
gcring weeks; but no matter. You know
Jones-yuu know that hive always said So.
that tell everybody, that | cun eat no game in
London but yours We'll. WE'LL n low days.
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