Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-12-28

A Christmas Story by the Famous
Actor,

The following sketch by Henry Irving.
written by request for the Spirit Of the
Times, has IN added interest when it is
known, on the authority of fellow passen-
ger, that the actor wrote it between meals
on the Brittanic on the second day out
from Liverpool, and that he afterward
| read 1t with such solemn dcmeanor that
at least one iof his hearers "took it SER
iously."
IRvISG's ADVENTURE.
We regret to hear that Mr.. Henry Iry.
ing, while on visit near, was severe.
ly bitten by favorite dog, belonging
to his host. He bled profusely, but we
sincerely hope that he will not seriously
suffer from this occurrence.
The circumstance thus recorded was
somewhat novel to me, and having received
several kilograms and letters of cocdol-
ence upon my sad misfortune, l thought
l would attempt, during my leisure on
the good ship Brittanic, to tell this little
story of "The Bite of Dog, with verac-
ity equalling that of the inventor of the
above quoted paragraph.
Seated in one of the suite of rooms
| which invariably occupy in the hotels
of the United Kingdom during nv pro-
vincial tours-which have become alike
| the wonder and amazement of the entire
dramatic professional was gazing into
one OF the many mirrors before which it is
my regular habit to study grace of pose
poetry OF expression. l was surrounded
by the secretaries without whom never
travel; some telegraphing to the four cor
ners of the globe the astonishing success
andienormous profits which accompany
al ~
some OF those essays on dramatic art
which have done so much to regenerate
the British drama; others copying in
manifold certain not uncomplamentray
CRITICISMS of my own composition upon
scale OF the most subtle and sublime of
my representations Qfor, with Garrick,
| agree that the actor should ever EN-.
brace the opportunity of becoming the
critic OF his own profession.
In the midst OF this multitudinous work
messenger was announced from the
Duke OF neutrality-suspicious.. With
Il tliriii OF pleasure, l sprang to my feet
ana, greeting the messenger with a fas-
cinating smile, begged him to be seated
Then trowing myself with a careles ease
upon the yelvet-piled sofa which adorned
my room(a present from one of my admir-
ers,and which | always carry with me, as l
40 my many mirrors), Il crossed my grace
iul right over my still more graceful left
leg my left is the fner) and broke the
Dukes seal and his letter psrused.
IL was an invitation to sojourn from
Saturday to Monday at the Dukes feudal
nome, some fifteen miles from the town
was then appearing in. Throughout my
ne II mas been my practice-as | trust II
shall ever be-to solicitate the favor and
patronage of the great, for it is my firm
belief that, to elevate my art, one should
mix rs much as possible with the nobil
ity and gentry.
To groyel TO tue great Is no disgrace,
~, for nothing humUe can be out OF place
Inc social opportunity was not to be
lost; hesitation there was none; the invi-
tatlon was accepted.
On the night Of my visit to His Grace,
the theatre was crammed from floor to
ceiling with an sudience attracted by
that cold curiosity which characterizes the
public with regard to my performances.
The play was Louis XI," and the diff
cult feat which had to accomplish was
to catch train after the performance, in
order to present myself at the mansion
OF my noble host in time to participate in
the ducal supper
:, I,houghout the play / labored with
all heart and earnestness to cut short the
performance, by every means in my pow
er, for, to sleep under the roof OF the
that night / was
determined, come what, come would"
The curtain fell but five minutes 10
me time OF. the train starting, 40 throwing