The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1879-05-03

Aaelaisie tIkenBIs) sarsoris and tine ssrea
8adcOna

sazssons
Rarely gifted was the family of tn
Kembles. The "great" Mrs. Siddons
an actress who well deserved that tn
weird great should be applied to he,
Sielineation of dramatic roles, was tn,
firgt to evinee histrionic talent. She i
was vino, when sie studied Z" Lady Mae
beth" heard the wind signing in hel
dreams around those battlements unde,
which good Duncan" met his doom
She it was who, when studying char
acter, secluded herself for weeks, al
times even for months, until, her beauti.
ftil and noble or soniber and maiestical
ideal heing evolved from her inner con
seriousness, she then thought herself
worthy to give it to the public. such ia
the consciousness of the true aatist
cit il related of this great actress aud
superbly graceful and noble looking
woman that, under the stress OF her
mental preparation for the sleep-walking
scene, she became somnambulistie, and
was met by her female attendant walking
with lamp in her hand, and wearing
countenance go expressive OF horror and
remorse that the worthy maiden almost
sweoned at sight of the actress. This
effect, 1t appears, WAS afterward equaied
by that of her performanee--at least as
regarded q portion OF the publie--for g
lady tainted al sight of tine tTagedienne's
anguish-stricken face, and had to be
carried out Of the theatre.
The story OF the CONSERVATION which
filled the manly breast of q dry goods
merchant of whom, when purchasing of
him calico print, Mrs. Eiddons de-
nlanded, In tones suited 10 the biackest
of tragedies, "Will it wash?" is not
unknown nut that of the effect OF her
Queen Katharine" upon the minds of
some prominent personages OF her time
is comparatively new and very interest
ing. One lady vino was studying Tor tine
stage-and with great encouragement to
appear--renounced forever her intention
On seeing the queen of the Eighth Henry
az played by this queen OF tragediennee,
saying:
1" i can never equal this acting, and it
would kill me to do less before public
that has seen this representation"
4 real actor, vino had travelled far to
zee the performance, remarked that "up
TO that time ii had never been dreamt
of" 4
Poets, public and actors were alike
exceptionally impressed by her novel
and astounding conception OF the part.
Charles Kenhle, like Mrs. Siddons
was fitted by nature to depict tragedy
In Mre. SiddoDs all the features were
especially suited to tragic expression.
The nose, though bold, was delicately
cut, the iips somewhat thin, though not
deficient in iullness; the eyes, superb in
tine character OF their regard, il moi very
large and the figure OF rare and noble
symmetry. Mrs. Siddons was, however,
little less tall than she liked to be-
though Of medium height--lor tragedy
and wore high but fat heels to her shoes
In Charles Kemble nature had given
large eyes, a high, broad brow, a fine
figure, a clsssieally ycutling head of hair,
and singularly expressive mouth. The
chin, too, was noble as that of q Greek
statue. AlI5the features were grave in
character and expression.
Some one who welded the pen OF the
critic in those days said of Chaslee KEN
4,le's 90 Hamlet"
He did not play Hamlet he was
& Hamlet..'n
This talented gentleman and fne artiaG
was father OF the famous Frances Anne
kembie, vino hasso singular q career and
history.
Bul before relating that history let us
speak Of Adelaide Kemble-Mrs. Sartc.
xis--the mother of the husband of Nellie
Grant.
Mrs. kemble Sartoris wss probably as
hne " Norma" as ever gfaced the cope-
zasic Stage. Her majestic profile, fine
arnie, splendid carriage and her voice
were all in her favor. 1T was certainly
not any want of success that caused her
10 retire into private life. Mrs. Sartoris
is the aunt of Fanny Kemble.
Fanny Kemble, who retired IRON the
drama ric stae,sa M ~, 49,. r.