The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-10-29
MRS. LANGTRY.
...w She was Engaged to Come to Amer'e"
a.. .hhrv,s chat with the Prince OF ""'es'
Now York Ilerald.l

h Lm an opportunity OF judging Tor thehl-
nav, ,' ,yhetber the general verdict upon
, .or hc,uty pronounced by the British pup,
~, Nv ',omlJ receive their Endorsement, anu
~, American play-goers in particular
III, ,'a. no allie to determine whether her
Ill.,, ill., 10 bistrjonic distinction were or were
,,n, danendept upon personal CHARMS nas
i,"ar widely and favorabiy commented
,non THE history OF the negotiations
,rhich led TO her being brought here, ana
the circumstances attending the nha'
agreement particularly, form an interest,
In, and ~ vet unwritten story. "A HeTuo
reporter Yesterday met an agent ~ vi.
Abbey, who has recently returned lro"
Europe and was a party To the h,g9',"-
tons. The questions was propounucu ~
him as TO what the terms OF the cohtrac,
Nere under which Mrs. Langtry cohscn'e'
10 come to America. .,
81 really do not know WHAT tne eAa,.
terms are" was the response, "alipo"SuI
read the contract and saw it signed.
took no note Of the terms except .ha' .ne!
wore similar 10 those OF the Bernhardt en-
~aoement.v Mr.. Abbey had had some
cnrresnondence with Mrs. Langtry upon
the subject OF her coming to this country
but fine final details were arranged at
personal meeting at Pope's villa. the home oi
Mrs Labouchere, the wife OF the editor OF
Jondou Truth. who is alsO-a fact which Is
moi generally known-one of the proprie-
tors OF the London Daily Ne,cS, at Twick-
lenham. "There were some circumstances
connected with that meeting,' he contlh-
ned. (Which might be OF interest.
won't YOU state them, please!
"Well. Mr.. Abbey went there about
MONDAY on the 18th Of June. Mrs. Lang
| fry was not i'm at the time. 5ut he was
pleasantly received by Mrs. Labouchere.
Presently Mrs. Langtry came i'll. She was
| lust fresh from one Of her provincial sue
cesses. and had come down to London Tor
rest. While the details Of the contract
were being arranged Il lively 'all-ro'lnd
conversation was in progress, all particl-
batting with the exception OF Mr.. Labol-
cherc. who sat quietly some little distance
away smoking cigarette. Scarcely had
| the details OF the arrangement been con-
cIudcd, and before the contract had been
drawn ND, when the Prince OF Wales was
announced.
| TIE PRINCE OF WALES.
| ole was accompanied by an equcrry-
Lieutenant Coloncl Charles Clarke-and by
Mr.. Christopher sykes, VI. T., and Mr..
ThyrWhilt. Iii, Royal IIighneSs chaitcd
first with one and then with another i'll the
most homclike and afiable way. The
.I.iIy,' rs she is flmliarly called 10y her
friends. introduced Mr.. Abbey 10 the
Prince. was quite an Interested observer
OF the meeting. for. talk n You Will about
Its being the correct American style
Ito bclray IN utter contempt al roy
lalty. there can be no denying the
fact that when YOU actually meet
one OF the much-despised royal per-
sonagcs face TO face you are APT to expert
cnce "A peculiar sensation. did not, 0i
course, expect To see Mr.. Abbey funk.
hui was hardly prepared to see HIM take
the introduction 80 nOnchalantly as he ana,
while at the same time there was no lack OF
respect in his greeting. so You are MI
| Abbey said the Prince, and yOn are 90
| ing To take Mrs. Langtry from u.s. The
Prince. after shaking hands all around. en-
tered into conversation on general subjects
| He asked some shrewd questions about
| America and the Americans. ana showed his
familiarity with the stage and his Great
interest in dramatic matters. when asked
what he thought OF the French company
then PLAYING at the Gaiety, he replied that
liz had lost most Of its charms for him
through the absence OF Sarah Bernhardt.
she, in his opinion, being the chlri aitrac-
ton, Coqlcln falling into inSignitiance in
Icomparison. With regard to the then
| forthcoming production OF 'DivorGons
he observed that he thought the play was
mot an indecent one in itself. but Nine.
Chaumort made il 30 by her Oyeracting in
the last act.
THE PRINCES ATFABITITY.
"The Prince delighted lis 10y his alta
bility and still more by the utter absence
OF allccfatiOn. lie has nothing OF the cX
agecratcd rising infection which we have
come To recognize aS the English accent,
and nothing OF that la-dc-da manner
which so many English 'Swell> who have
visited America have amused It's with"
DELICATE PREDICAMENT.
| The Hcrdd reporter, who was made
aware OF her experience with the auto
graph-Scckcr>, and how constantly she had
been inundated by the cards Of Visitors,
| took occasion TO refer 10 both in CONVEX
salion with her during the intervals OF re-
hearsal.
"OlI. callers; | must speak to You OF
Them said Mrs. Langtry, looking really
distressed. "A number OF ladies have
sent me up their cards. Ever 50 many pco-
|
not know what to do. You Scc am busy
every day. | have hardly an hour to spare
But do not like to refuse 10 see people
who may come only ont OF good nature"
"Do You not fancy that some are trying
10 make your acquaintance through that in
formal channe?"
Perhaps that is true" said Mr.. Lang
TRY.
| aul.a oil A.,
graphl" and the reporter awaited the
effect OF this query, which usually throws
the lion OF the hour exposed 10 the machi-
nation, Of the American epistolary ficnd in
Il par0XySm OF excitement. AT once Mrs
Langtry was all animation. THAT is one
thing am in quandary about" said she.
- have received piles and piles OF letters
asking for my autograph. would give
il willingly; but were | TO devote every
hour OF the day To signing my name. ii
would be quite inadequate TO enable
me to reply 10 all my correspondents.
Why, my fingers are weary opening
letters. ! found Nine. Nilsson was troli-
bled III the same way. She was compelled
to give up the work in despair. Now, | do
not know what to do. Ii may seem I'M
KIND not To do so simple "A service. But |
cannot spare the time. was thinking"
said the lady suddenly, and rejecting a.
she spoke, - was thinking Of letting
them understand that | would only put
my signature in such autographs al
buns n were brought me by their owners.
That would show they really wanted It.
wouldn't it,"
This proposition struck the reuorter As
| OF doubtful efficacy.
"Would 1t not do?" Mrs. Langtrv
asked.
4. Ia ,n;..Lt l.. .-.-...1