The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-04-22
rho y.,,Ie IS Midsnipmite."
DEATH OF THE CHILD ACTOR WHO CREATE
THAT FAMOUS ROLE.

DEATH OF Tut Sbiho aN'"' W."
THAT FAMOUS ROLE.
From the Loudon Telegraph
Some kindly sympathy and sorrow IL
called forth by The death OF little lad VINO
has Just ended brief but promising career.
His service was that OF pleasure; ne was
clever beyond his years; be received iuli
measure OF the applause that ambition hopes
| for only after loug.tried and arduous appreE-
ticesbip: The theatre was his nursery, and
the mimic ship on which he served holiday
playground. Chance or inclination, possibly
the signs OF precoc'ous intellect, or some
connection with the world OF amusement
in its countless branches. gave young Bene.
dict Tacagni the welcome opportunity OF
Joining the Lillipufian crew on board
an. NJ. S, Pinafore." lie was only aged
six years and seven months, and scarcely
escaped from his mothers arms; but, pos.
sessing a rare fund OF that initiative faculty
which is 90 amusing in little children, and
easily accepting instruction, he was as
signed the part O! the Midsbipmite in the
famous comic opera that has only Just made
way for new and tuneiul successor.
| He was evidently born actor, and took TO
the boards as young ducks take to the water.
Catching with wonderful readiness the
4
| fancy III his costume, he Sd strut.ed about
the deck Of his miniature vessel that he soon
became the most popular figure in this ANU
sing and original entertainment. He had The
gilt OF command thoroughly implanted in bis
nature; aud when the baby actor, with an
exaggerated telescope under his arm, tod.
died ABBOTT with grand and important air.
demanding The respect Of the other children
cta y-It
superiori,y, what wonder, indeed, that the
house roared with laughter and made much
of bis delightful little boy! Such things
will happen when ceverness Is 50 marked
and precocity carefully subordinated; but
there is no rumor that even the appreca-
ton OF royal princes and princesses ever
turned the lads head. He was true TO bis
adopted calling and fond OF his business.
Indeed the boys success lay in a great
measure in that grave and unconscious air
which Is so truly humorous, and in bis art
Ia appai emily ignoring the existence OF his
audience.
The play ran for its appointed time with
the little Benedict Tacagni still in the mid
sbipmaH's uniform that he bad never dis.
graced; but now comes the end OF the
story, and it is truly pathetic.
Slow falling 10 the pro npter's bell;
moment yet the actor Stops.
And looks around 10 say farewell"
The "littlc Dillee" OF all this child's play
was not destined to be made "tle captain
of q seventy-three," or with ripened expe-
rience to take regularly and soberly to the
service which he had mimcked with so
much success. On the very last day OF the
season The poor little lad fell ILL., the fever
that held him was sharp and rapid. The
pain he endured was most bitter and acute.
In day or two the physician, shaking his
head over the boy bed, had sOrrowfully an
nounced that this "sweet little cherub must
60 M aoft" to "wstch over the life OF poor
Jsck.u hluFmuring snatcbes OF Mr.. Arthur
Sulliyan's melodies as he lay tossing with
pain in bis bsby's dclirium, il was soon ap-
parent TINT it was nearly all over with the
midshipmite. At The last, inspired some
how with the pluck that ad never been
tested, and the faithfulness to duty that had
entered in imagination into bis little soul.
be gave out 10 his inyantile treble, "F0r he
is an Esglishman and then closed his
ewes forever.