New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-24

books continually or to be dissatisfied with the Of
his sales; unlike the journalist be has no Editor to
down. mutiato or reject his copy. Unlike the creative
artist he has anxiety about selling mis- pc;ures
statues HIS companions are pretty sure to be on the
whole bright, agreeable and jolly. He meets them
when they their best, aud spirit OF good feeling
and warm friendship generally prevails in theatre.
VANITY is a necessary part OF the actors nature.
Applause the breath of his life, and too often the
ayers only Of his value Even personal appearance
operates now largely factor of success that the
gifts OF nature become to him matter OF greater IMPORT
anee and more thought than TO the average man. whea
his clothes written about by critics and placed only
second his ability it Is not matter for surprise tbas
his personal adornment should become IA engrossing
care Inc constant seeking his society by people
whom anyone connected with the stage IL attractive
must feed his selfesteen. III he did not become vain
the actor would be more than mortal
AN actor has to ait for his work be appreciated
Recognition Is instantaneous aud often generous Nor
has the actor anxiety the payment Of
his salary. The player has only to act his part WE'LL
and there HIS responsibility T. is to his credit
however. that he always does feel interested In the
receipts and cannot help being depressed business
Is bad. And II, unfortunately, manager everihsste
ask for time in paying salaries to show his company
that reductions must be made to help him tide over q
serious loss his wishes generally pleasantly met
Whatever the actors faults he nearly always loyal to
his manager. The pay OF the average actor, even
allowing for his enforced dleness in SUMNER rather
higher the amount OF ability would command
In any other calling and there Is always chance Of his
making a hit In some part aud enhancing his
value. His HIT may be pronounced as To give
him a chance TO become a STAR
"The disadvantages arc: Separation from family and
frIends the income being entirely dependent upon good
health discomforts OF travel annual enforced dleness:
managers; unenduring nature the actors work Now
regards family and friends the stock actor Is again far
kaffar III flant Ia
route is long ono not see his family FOR six months;
and the friends he mskes In the company VIII probably
his health the actor Is of than almost other
friend attend to his pressing dutes II he Is III
long enough TO necessitate tue hiring OF substitute he
probably loses his engagement for the entire season
Now about tho summer idieness. II 10 generally
nearly four months, and the actor rarely
As ais expenses arc heavy when travelling. "a all the
actor who gets less than $50 week can do 10 save
economy Will enable him do but the prvatious and
diseomfort OF travel are so great ht ne Is constantly
tempted to invest In some slightly compromising luxury
THE EFFECT on CHARACTER.
"rn tell you how think the stage affects the actors
character He is rule true type of the Bohemian
he is Indifferent to the formal conventionaftes Of
society Ia extreme In both his virtues and bis
vices than the TO whom Mrs Grundy's laws are
more binding than the Desaogue. The average actor
is Intelligent uncultured. vain generous warm hearted
extravagant, Jealous, apt to drink too much and to
regard the marriage vow too lightly. He cannot well
heir being fairly Intelligent he must study much good
literature and II lie Se conscientious must closely
observe character. As rule he has not far In
collegiate course, because If he Of acting family
he Is put early upon the stage while parents who are
rich enough support their till after they have
obtained their majority are unwilling to have them
adopt profession against which there stu 80 strong
Dreiudce IL rarely that the actor IL great reader
OF anything but the newspaper though that he deyours
largely. He is seldom liuguis, aud even ordinary
French phrases and names which 80 often occur In
modern plays are usually a stumbling block.
"NO class Is generous as the theatrical There are
very few actors who have not at some time or other ies
the pinch OF want; they appreciate heartily the din
cutes struggles OF the unfortunate and very ofen
recently established Actors Fund has done something
To relieve from endless applications Tor help but
even now travelling companies are e9ntinaaly beng
who has been left on account OF Illness. 49,
he underEoes when travelling to demand some COM
pensatiOD and because he Is frequently thrown among
rich men, from whom he Is too independent 70 receive
attentions without returning full equivalent II Is
this feeling also which often leads him beyond nodra
tion drinking And to this fault he Is driven BY the
wretchedness of his hotel accommodations, and the fact
that he generally needs snulant after the nervous
strain OF performance. While an actor expressing
~ would be person really feeling that emotion. yet tho
mind nerves sufficiently excited 70 require sope
can seep Immediately after a performance, and they
who cannot very often drift to the bar.
fession conducive marital happiness. Yet among my
own Immediate friends could name many noble, trle
too often wrong Impression about theatrical people
simply because the slightest whisper about them Is
OF lie husbands and wives may quarrel separate be-
divorced without word getting into print, but even
vague about actor actress stretched " the
utmost by certain ow-class. sensational sheets.
Take them whole the actors have lots OF fauts.
but honestly believe their virtues outweigh them. In
many OF their qualities and defects and actresses
are moro Ike OYergrOwn boys ana girls than men aud
women Even their worst Iants spring from weaGhess
clearly proved by prison statistics viz; that IN
proportion to their number they supply fewer offenders
against the criminal laws than does any other class
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