Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1885-04-11
LONGEVITY OF ACTORS.

Interesting Statistics Showing the Health
fulness OF Lie Connected with the Thea
New York Mail.
A certain eminent divine of this city
preached q sCathing sermon not long
since against the theater. In his dis
course he mathematical not only the
stage, but those who labOTed thereon.
He contradicted the longevity of theatri-
| cal people; not only of those who were
on the stage, but those who were off it.
By citing numerous instances he en-
deavOred to show that this class of per
sons died at an early age, generally VIC
TINS to their own folly. Statistics, how
ever, contradict this popular belief
Longevity among actors and actresses,
opera singers, dancers, and dramatic
writers, 1t appears, comparing them with
other professions, calling for a life Of
slavish Intellectual toll, is at a premium,
and so far as children are concerned
there cannot be found a case on record
where a childhas sickened and died of
stage labor"
Referring to reliable statistics found at
the Astor library the other day, a re-
porter for the Mail and Express found
that the average life Of actors and
actresses. e., those who attain any
prominence-is rather above than below
IS years. Macready, the tragedian, lived
to see so. Roger Kemble was active 80
81. Mrs. Robertson, the mother of tpim"
Robertson, the authOr-aCtOr, and Madge
RObertsOn-MTs. Kendall, died at the
good old age Of 81. Charles Kemble, son
Of Roger Kemble and father OF Fanny
Kemble, fought the world at the age of
79, while John Philip Kemble, the Ken
bic, lived to see 66. Kitty Olive, "Sweet
Kitty" attained the age Of "A. Mrs.
Davenport added to Der lifetime ten
years to the allotted three score and ten.
Charles Macklin, the comedian, who
played ShylOck as only a comedian could
play 1t, lived seven years over a century.
Mrs. David Garrick, the danseuse, was
within three of the 100 mile post when
she died. Miss FOote, afterWard Dow
ager Countess Of Harrington, enjoyed Z
life for over 20 years. Blackstone died
at the good old age Of 70, and Charles
James Matthews gave up the fight at 20
Mrs. Charles Kean lived to be 70, and
Fanny Kemble at Il. Sarah SiddOns
died when rs, and the grandmother Of
Lester Wallack lacked but ten years Of
a century when she died. Henry Wal
lack, the uncle Of Lester, lived to be Is,
and Testers father saw % summers.
Thomas King, the original Sir Peter
Teazle, was "A when he died. John Col
Inns, the Irish comedian, saw three score
and ten, and J. II. Hackett was even
more than this. John BrOugham was
laIu away ~ SiLS5AFO o4 ~ sA45 -Ro OF tUs
Charlotte Cushman had passed her 10th
year, and Mrs. Pope was nigh on TO 90
when she was called to her last account.
George Holland was buried from the
Little Church around the Corner" ct
the age Of 70, and Mrs. Vernon had
passed her 10th year when she died. Of
those who labored in the interest of the
drama may be noted COlley Cibber, who
died at 81; Sheridan Knowles, 70; Meyer
beer, 20; RosEini, 70; Haydn, ~; Han
del, a and John Braham, 70. To this
list Of venerables win some day be added
S. B. Chippendale, Ben Webster, Barry
Mrs. John Drew, Mrs. Judah,
Mrs. GermOn and Mrs. Gilbert, who ali
own to long life, 70 say nothing Of
J ohn =. Ovens, G. ". COuldOck, Charles
Thorne, ST., James y. Murdoch, Dave
BidWell, John Z. Ford and p. Z. BaTnum,
all Of whom are getting on in years"