The New York herald., 1879-08-06
NEW YORK HERALD WEDNESDAY, s7e-TRP1E SHEET

certain admirers here hoped to make him a metro
politan fixture, and the owner OF the Lyceum The
atre was induced to accept Mr.. Fechters plans aud
expend large amount of money in carrying them
out. it being understood that the actor would be-
scheme with characteristic energy. He brought
to the hitting OF the stage ana the
audience room the experience OF many years
of obervation and practice. and superin-
tended every department in detail. Great antici-
patons. however. resulted in dismal disappoint
merts. Debt, modification and final ejectment were
all the great actor received. and the house passed
into the jobbng market. 1t was at one time con-
templated TO build him theatre in Boston, and
several capitalists endeavored to induce him to make
his residence in San Francisco. But experience
showed that Fechter's best to travel a
star for in that way he added his reputation and
coined fortune every year. He received from $500
to sl.soo night and often had tremendous benefits
with amazing pecuniary results
Mr.. Fechter's theory was that shakespeare plays
written to be acted. not recited. and he said
1.-THE fruit of nearly twenty-five years of an ncreas
ing labor of love for the scenic representations OF
tradition which he regarded as u sworiu-eaten and
unwholesome prison." On the other hand it must
be said that whilo Fechter was determined TO be
original and unfettered he was most logical rea-
and never deviated from the prescribed paths
without warrant from the text. or at any rate with
out full conviction that there was nothing III the
text that could be opposed to his innovations Fech
ter's power of pcturing distress wonderful.
though he was we think, most to be admired in his
passages of tenderness, which were always charm
ingly rendered. and invariably with tinge of old
French gallantry. That Fechter was an innovator
novator is universally conceded. No actor OF his
time gave rise to appreciations more diverse. TO
some he was an actor OF passion and imagination
whose realism Aladdin's lamp that
carried and delightful light into
the treasure Of Shakesperian writing; to
others he had simply 2 grace OF ingenuity. and
showed the outside of the cavern only. To some
he the high priest who con iucted the true
worship OF the poet to others the audacious pagan
who robbed the shrine OF all its sanctity. All. how
ever, agreed that he an interpreter Of Shakes
peare-that he was preeminent in the drama of
romantic and real life. and most ACCOMPLISHED
exponent of its various phases. If he was
deficient in tragic passion he was the EN-
bodmcnt of poetic sympathy. and moved
happily along the broad path of human emotions,
ii he had not the power to scale its heights
plunge into. its ravines. Here his grace, his pic
vivid OF character. his perfect mastery of de-
tail, oil the elements. in fact that composed his
wonderful reality allowed to find their fullest
scope. In all time the name of Charles Fechter will
stand by the side OF the great writer he studied
closely. loved devoutly and served faith
individuality necessarily do; bnt he made
many friends as well. 1t may be doubted il he
leaves enemy on earth, and it does no injustice
to his to add that he leaves less than half
dozen loving intimates behind His last years
not such other days he had the right to antic
pate. The dark cloud of disease and bodily suffering
dimmed the glory of his professional it
checked the current of his personal pleasures From
the immense sums received during his active work
he had saved small fortune, and could have lived
in and comfort, surrounded by his books and
pictures. for many years. 1t otherwise ordered
however. and the end has come suddenly in spite Of
his months of preparation. We wish it might be
again: but he lived alone, unique, unparalleled and
altogether strange.