Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1879-01-23
"reminiscences or Buiwer.

Bulwer he'd his town residence krsI
al the "Albssy," o fashionable house in
Piccadilly. and then 10 Charles Street
Berkeley Square; and il was at the lat.
ter house that he resumed dramatic
composition. after an interval Of history
writing and the production Of Ernest
Maltravers." u II Interesting. blythe
way; that the chambers in the Albany
which he but recently left had been oc-
cupied before him by Lord Byron and
then by Lord Althorp, aiterwsrd Earl
Spencer.
One evening Macready was dining in
Charles Street, and deploring the dearth
of good plays. He was in despair for a
sensation which would be town-talk;
nothing lately had succeeded. Turning
to Sir Edward, the great manager ex-
claimed, "Oh, for another play like the
"'Honey ymoon p" BuIwer said moth
Jag; but next morning set doughtily TO
work, and in ten days he called on
Macresdy. and put the manuscript of
THE Lady of Lyons" into his hands.
saying that il was not a purchasable
commodity, but a free gin. 1t was
brought out, and satisfied Macready's
most eager yearnings. On the first
night Of the representation. Bulwer,
who was then in Parliament, happened
to be down for a speech in the House
on the ballot; and, at the same time that
the sentimental eloquence Of Claude
Melnoite was thrilling the fashionable
multitude at Drury Lane, his creator
was holding the Commons spell-bound
with one Of the richest examples Of his
always lofty and brilliant oratory. "The
Lady of Lyons" was then anonymous;
no one, except Macready, knew that
Bulwer wrote it. As the latter, having
achieved a dazzling forensic triumph
was going out Of the House, he met a
literary colleague who had just come
from the theatre, whom he asked about
the new play. "Oh, it's very well-for
that sort Of thing" Bulwer went on TO
the Drury Lane, which he reached just
10 see the final act, and witness the en-
thusiastic furore with which IL was re-
ceived. The curtain descended amid q
perfec. storm Of applause, but cries for
the author were not responded to. Bull
wer was m Lady Blessington's boz.
placidly observing the scene with an
assumed air Of supercilious indifference.
"Huml" SAID he, Struggling his shoul-
ders, "it's very good: very good, indeed
for that sort Of thing!"
"It's the first time" said Lady Bless
ington, as he hurried from the box to
the House again, al have ever seen him
jealous I"
Shortly after, Lady Blessington laughed
heartily to hear that the cynic OF the
box was the author Of the play.
Speaking Of BuIwer's orstory, he ar
rived at the front rank Of parliamentary
orators by process almost as painful as
that recorded of Demosthenes with his
pebbles, or Charles James Fox with his
determination TO speak every night un-
Ill he became forensic adept. Bull
wer was at first haIting. confused. awk-
ward; he always spoke with difficulty.
and describes himself as having felt
wretehedly at the moment he arose to
address the House.
Hawthorne, in his English Note
Book" tells q good anecdote aProPOs OF
this:
"Bulwer and q certain Dr. were
talking together about public speaking,
and the doctor said he feared he should
never be . coed speaker. he felt sobad-
~ before ne 'gOt on his legs
"'Do you feel your heart beat said
Bulwer. .when ycu are going TO speak,
"'Yes.'
"'Does your voice frighten your
Eyes
"'Do all your ideas forsake your
"'Yes.'
DO you wish the foor to open and
swallow your
"'Yes.'
"'why, then. you'll make an ora
tori +"
Hawthorne goes on to relate that
Canning, on one occasion, just.beiore
speaking in the House, asked friend
sitting near him TO feel his pulse. which
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