Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-18

me, in substance, as follows: It was an aston
ishing thing, as well to those of the profession
as to the public; but the death scene was sim
ply superlative in effect. She dragged herself
on to the stage in a wonderful manner and,
keeping her face away from her audience, pro-
duced feeling of chilly horror by the manage
ment of her voice as che called for Blu and beg
ged of him to kiss her. Mr.. Barrett said: SIT
sounded as If she spoke through blood and the
whole effect was far greater than that which any
other actress has ever made. with the sight of
the face and all the horrors which can be added"
This part was eminently her own creation, con-
ceived at time when she had small opportunity
for any good training.
MISS CUsHMAN AND MR.. FORREST.
She next appeared with Forrest in Macbeth"
and the honors of the night were hers as on
this occasion Forrest was received with marks
Of disapprobation; which proves that the dis
like Of him was personal, and not prejudice
against American actors. since favors were at
the same moment showered upon Miss Cush-
man.
This fact, however, led Forrest to believe
that Miss Cushman had entered into league
against him, and from that moment there exist
ed fierce hatred between them. He never for
gave the imaginary meanness he had imputed
to her, and she dsliked him heartily for thus mis-
judging her. She even went SO far as to insist
that ne was not good actor!
MISS CUSHMAN HUMILITY.
In spite Of all her triumphs, at times, all
through Miss Cushman's life, she seemed to dis
trust herself. 1t was perhaps a secret Of the
continuous strength she showed, that she was
never quite satisfied, and always anxious to ex-
coed what might reasonably be expected Of her.
She always regretted the want of early syste-
matte training, and priced the opportunity of
seeing great actors. Of Rachel she wrote 81
used to look on in perfect rapture of wonder
and admiration at her unapproachable art; and
often, as left the theater, and compared my
own acting with hers, despair took possession
of me, and mad impulse to end life and effort
together"
HER DRESS AS MEG MERRILIEs.
The costume which Miss Cushman wore in
Meg Me,rities, and her whole makeup. was as
much her own as her rendering of the char
acter. 1t seemed to be an unmeaning and in
congruous collection Of strange parts, never in
tended to form whole; but when, by the fifty
joining together which Miss Cushman effected
Coy some means unknown to any one but her.
self, it appeared in its entirety, it was full OF
subtle meaning. 1t told of all the old gypsy
had endured,-the wind and storm, the cold and
hardship all were symbOlized in that remark
able dress with it's dilapidated head-gear. And
yet. poor as it was. there was something in that
head-dress, or in the way it was worm that sug-
gested supernatural force, a genuine, untamed
queenlness
The stick used by Miss Cushman was not "a
goodly sloe-thorn cudgel." but property"
and provided for each engagement when re-
quired; there was therefore an opportunity af-
fOrded for the qualification of curiosity-col-
lectors. Frequently Miss Cushman was asked
to give the stick she had used to some admirer.
and it would not be strange If many of those
relics still hold place of honor in various col
lectiOns throughout the land. The one she last
carried in New York is at Villa Cushman, her
late home at Newport.
MISS CUsHMANs INTREPID SPIRIT.
The following anecdote illustrates Miss Cush-
mans decision and nerve. At the National
Theater, Boston, during the season 1878, as
she was playing Romeo to the juliet Of Miss
AndertOn, in the midst Of one of the most ro-
mantle passages between the lovers. some per-
son in the house sneezed in such a manner as to
attract the attention Of the whole audience. and
everyone knew that the sneeZe was artificial and
derisive. Miss Cushman instantly stopped the
dialogue. and led miss Anderton off the stage,
as a cavalier might lead a lady from place
where an insult had been offered her. She then
returned to the fOotlights and said in a clear
out, or l shall be obliged to do it myself" The
fellow was taken away; the audience rose en-
masse and gave three cheers for MSS Cushman,
who recalled her companion and proceeded with
the play as If nothing had happened.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS.
Miss Cushman had a quick and ready smy-
pathy with whatever was going on around her.
This attribute fitted her to be q friend to people
of all ages and positions. She was passionately
fond of children, and very rich in the power to
amuse and entertain them. She called herself
the ''big mamma" of the children of her own
family, and never considered anything that it
was in her power to do for them as waste of
time or trOuble-n0, not even o task If only
they were happy, She was always keenly inter-
ested in those about to begin the real work of
life, and the sympathy and Kindness which she
manifested toward young people placed them at
ease with her. She drew them out, and had the
tact to make them say the best that was in
them; and she was much in the habit OF gener-
ously aiding them to make a beginning in study
and preparation for their chosen path In life
With people of her own age She was always
welcome and greatly beloved. There was no
apparent self-assertiOn about her, and yet BY
some subtle quality seemingly part Of her
self and not a cultivated characteristict-she ex-
ercised sort of spell upon a number of indi-
viduals as easily as upon One and in whatever
company she found herself she was emphatically
the person present. This may have arisen in
part from the popularity of her manner, which
was certainly always more or less dramatic, and
at times purely tragic. It was especially notice
able when she met friend; she seemed to
make sort Of stage entrance; then. as she was
interested in the conversation she became more
simple and natural, and in all cases, when she
wished to please, she succeeded perfectly.
Her power to attract the admiration and to
gain the affection Of women was remarkable.
One LADY has told me Of the wonderful impress
sion which Miss Cushman produced upon her at
their first meeting. She said: Dearly as loved
my mother and my home, if Miss Cushman had
asked me that day to go with her and be her
slave, without even going back to say farewell
to my friends, / should have consented. would
have given my life for her; and though did not
realize 1t. was In such q state of excitement
that, after leaving her, burst into tears the mo-
ment another person addressed me. and. 80 to
speak, broke the spell under which she laid me"
The lady added that IT was not until years had
passed, and she had known Miss Cushinan yerv
well. and life had brought many other associa-
lions and cares to her that she could resist this
peculiar influence whenever she met the great
actress.
QUEER VIEWS ABOUT MACBETH.