The Wilmingtonian., 1884-11-08

but that which related directly to the play.
He looked upon anything outside Of it as
levity, have seen him, for instance, when
he had retired behind the scenes, after hav-
ing finished his part, as in the Merchant of
Venice, in Jewish gaberdina, treadiDg de-
liberately along, as if the dark passage way
were peopled with an audience, his head
bent low, and with tottering steps acting to
the life the character of the old Insurer. He
would thus proceed to his room, taking no
notice whatever of the titterng of young
sters who peered at him from curtains and
doOrways. On one occasion when playing
Hamlet, the call boy knocked at his door,
saying, Mr.. Macready 1t is time. Mae
ready flew out at the astonished lad caught
him by the throat and yelled, Boy!
I'm not Mr. Macready! Ia Hamlet. I'm
Hamlet! Macready was superclious, and,
at time, very chary of recognizing the lust
claims and merits of the younger men who
were rising into brlliancy at that time as
histrionic stars.
On one occasion he was heard to saw. in
reference to the younger Kcan-'I4et me
sec, ah! that young man, what's his name,
who had clever father, he's starring Just
now in the country ?"
In regard to the Forrest AIacready rivalry,
which eliminated so disgracciuly on the
occasion of Macready's last visit to New
York, Mr.. Hawthorne said there was no
occasion for the jealousy There was really
no comparison between the two actors.
Forrest always played second fiddle to Mac
ready in London, when in company with
him at Drury Lane or at any other theatre.
Mr.. Hawthorne remembers well his lciius
to Macready's Nirginius, and other in
stances. Macrcady was very irascible. but
a true actor Immediately he appeared on the
boards. His style however was elaborate
and lacked the spontaneity of the elder
Kean.
As regards the profession he is at present
following Mr.. Hawthorne says, there is
only one really prominent scene painter in
this country, that is James Roberts, attached
to Days theatre New York.
Il have known him since he was boy.
The first sovereign he ever earned | paid
him" James Roberts father Is also a
scenic painter in England. Mr.. Hawthorne
relates some amusing incidents in conuec-
tion with his profession, showing the strange
lack of information among those with whom
lie is necessarily brought in contact.
Once, many years ago, at Niblo's Theatre,
some new heraldic and scenic painting was
needed for Shakcspearian representative of
the historical dramas of the times of the
Houses Of York and Lancaster. 4 herald
device of the red and white roses was asked
for as wanted rather in a hurry. Beip pg
pressed in his engagements Mr.. Hawthorne
asked the local scene painter to assist him
and paint the roses. Some hours later
Charles Sylvester, the property man, brought
him to see the result. 10 his astonishment
and extreme amusement there were two
roses, beautifully painted according to
nature! 1t is needless to add that as her
aldic devices they we're totally useless and
out Of place; what was needed being the
conventional device Of that date, very diff
ferent indeed from the very pretty bit of
painting furnished by the historically ignor-
art local scene painter.
Mr.. Hawthorne has passed his SEVENTEEN
year He was born at BencOolen, Sumatra,
where his father was British resident under
the East India Company. On arriving in
England he had the greatest difficulty in