The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-06-20
PEG WOFFINGTON.


 name of Peg Wellington, that novice might expect to see it on the playbill: rather than to learn that this star set upon the worlds stage shortly after the middle of the last century. Her right to be reckoned star of the first magnitude is indisputable, although her being born to shine is simple mystery, like the up springing of charming flower with the seeds of kitchen garden, and seems as curious as the manner of her debut. The |" Founding of Genius" would have been an appropriate surname for this washer woman's daughter, born in I7To in an obscure street of Dublin, with exquisite endowments for personating the fine lady, from a manner of the highest dis tinction even to the long and taper Singers of hand that Canova would have de lighted in as a model. Her voice alone had not a complete share in the wonder ful evolution.
 A tight-rope performer known as Mime. Volante, attracted by the beauty and charm of the child, took her as an ap- prentice and the first appearance of the incipient actress destined to see the theater- going world at her feet, was in the perilous position of a pendant to the feet of her patroness. When afterward the latter organized a Liliputian company, Margaret Wellington acted "Polly Peachum," in the "Beggar's Opera" Next she made reputation as dancer in interludes.
 From the age of twenty, when she ap- peared in the role of "Ophelia," dates her important career. As "Phillis" in Sseele's comedy of the "Conscious Lov- ers," the talent of the noble actress was conspicuous, and through the years Phillis" continued one of her favorite parts. In what became her stock char acter, Sir Harry Wildair," she achieved an immediate success which gained her an invitation to Covent Garden, and thence to the crowning eminence of Drury-lane. Wellington and Garrick were now companions of the stage, and at one time were promised companions for life in a closer relationship but the actress "Sir Harry" so far outrivaling his as ts drive him from the stage in that the great actor took with him, along with the general makeup, his heart and hand. Hardly one in a generation could satisfy the demands of the exhil. arant hero of Farquhar's fantasio; Peg Wofington's miracles filled all her audi ences, and actually magniied the play to every beholder. AS "Portia," "Rosa- lind," or Silvia" in the Recruiting Officer," her masculine disguise was in- imitable. Miss Wellington would have ranked great in tragedy, save that in genteel comedy she outrivaled herself. She was leading "Lady Macbeth" of her time, and her assumption of the characters of Cleopatra, Jane Shore" :" :" Constance in King John," and a dozen others, was markedly successful.
 Only few years of triumph were ac- corded this queen of the stage, for in her prime of life her health declined, and with it her beauty and vivacity. After a term of retirement in her native Dublin, where her presence in any public as- sembly always commanded unbounded enthusiasm, she was induced by the financial wreck of her friend Thomas Sheridan, father of tho dramatist and manager of the Dublin theater, to return to the stage.
 Covent Garden gave her warm well come back. But although she cop scientiously labored to occupy the place so fairly won before, it was evident that her chief conquests were over. She was then about thirty-hve. In the spring of I7s7. while playing Rosalind," in "As You Like It, for the benefit of humble member of the company, she spoke at the close oi the fourth act of feeling much indisposed Responding to the call at the fifth act, she went through her part, and coming off at the quick change of dress, again complained of illness, but again went before the footlights-and it was the last time-for the finale. She the epilogue speech, eff it be true that good wine needs no bush," etc., but in the lines immediately follow ing, her voice broke ard she faltered. Making futile effort to rally, with exclamation of 70 God O Godp she turned toward the stage door like shot does seeking covert. A friend caught her sinking form. A round of applause from the full house lasted till she had disappeared, and was succeeded by the stiffness of the tomb, as tho awe of the situation fell upon the ranks of the Their distinguished fAvorite seemed to have died before their eyes.
 It was not till three years after that fatal night that Miss Wellington passed from her invalid's couch to the repose of the grave. Tho interval was spent at Teddington, ia becoming forgetiulness of self and quiet benehcence toward others. Overlooking the graveyard where she lies may still be seen row of picturesque cottages built by her as almshouses, but which have now become psisate property. A neat mural monument in the little Georgian church near by is inscribed, Margaret Wellington, Spinster."
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