Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-04
BANCROFT AND IRVING.
"Reminiscences of TaIma's Acting in
Hamlet
p, ON she Ys,o YORK Tribune.

~ ON tae NStC j ora ff$OHtcs
When at Newport on his recent yacht
ing cruise Henry Irving, accompanied by
his friend ard travelling companion, j. G.
PARKINSON. OF London, and other members
OF the Watching party, visited the vener-
able George Bancroft at his summer
nome. While this was only one OF many
social incidents OF the trip. throughout
which the actor was the constant recipi-
emit of tributes at the watering places
along the route, the visit to the aged his
torian will always be remembered with
peculiar interest by Mr.. Irving.
The party had been at Newport only a
snort time when an invitation was sent
by Mr.. Bancroft, with an urgent appeal
tor It's acceptance.
When the arrival of the visitors was
announced SIR. Bancroft came forward
and greeted Mr.. Irving with a warmth
and sincerity of manner which touched
the heart of the actor. Both hands were
extended to receive him, and Mr.. Ban
croft said with deep earnestness: This
Ia indeed a great pleasure-a pleasure
which am most thankful to have lived
to enjoy.''
The party were conducted into the
drawing room, the host meanwhile pour
ing out his words of welcome. impressing
all with his unaffected cordially. Mr..
irving looked admirlngly at the dgure be-
fore him, meanwhile sustaining his part
In the conversation with his accustomed
ease. Various topics associated with
dramatic art were touched upon, and the
memory of Mr.. Bancroft ranging over so
many years enabled him to entertain his
guests In a most delightful way. Final
ly addressing himself TO Mr.. Irving he
saids 81 saw you play 'hamlet.' sir, In
Washington, with great delight"
The actor bowed his head IN acknowl-
edgment Of the compliment.
"And right here,' continued Mr.. Ban
croft, II will add-and the fact may be of
peculiar interest to yourself personally
that my remembrance is extremely vivid
OF a performance of the same character
by Talma, the great French actor, which
l witnessed sixty-six years ago."
To student like MIR. Irving, this I'M
expected conjunction with the spirit of an
artist whose memory he reVered might
indeed have seemed like the touch of a
vanished hand; and the effect Of the an
nouncement was quickly visible upon the
expressive countenance of the actor. 1t
was with deep interest that he listened to
MIR. Bancroft's minute and at times criti-
cal description of Talma's style of acting.
Aside from the relation which the narra-
tive bore TO his own profession, il i'm
pressed itself upon him as a wonderful
exhibition of the force OF intellect and
memory associated with hOary age. Now
and then the utterances OF the venerable
man possessed all the fire and eloquence
of absolute, intelligent rehearsal. Once,
indeed, he seemed to kindle the fame of
inspiration in the soul of the tragedian.
Mr.. Bancroft had followed Talma with
great clearness through the several scenes
of Hamlet" The French adaptation of
the play contained number OF situa-
lions not embraced in the original. At
one point the populace was heard without
clamoring for admission. The sound
reached the ears OF Hamlet" who de-
family exclaimed with superb impressive
ness, "Let them comer' Mr.. Bancroft
described the effect upon the audience as
tremendous. 1t was the accentuation OF
a lofty climax at a moment when the au-
dience was silent as if in expectation,
and afame with suppressed excitement.
The calm dignity OF the actor, his reso-
lutte mien and the spirit of awful portent
which seemed embodied in the words,
combined to clothe the scene with a real.
istic effect rarely equalled in stage per-
formance. Referring afterward to this
feature of Mr.. BancrOfps narrative Mr..
Irving said:
"It impressed me profoundly, for it was
an evidence OF true art on the part OF the
actor. There is no such scenes in Shake
speare's Hamlet and yet as treated by
Talma in the French adaptation as de-
tailed by Mr.. Bancroft, ii proved to be the
most effective situation ever in that play. !"
From the description of Talma by Mr..
Bancroft the conversation drifted to a
discussion of Shakespeare as poet. a
dramatist, and man. Mr. Bancroft
proved himself thoroughly familiar with
his subject He said he had made Shake
speare a lifelong study and delighted in
analyZiRg his writings, the better to CON-
prehend his character as man. In these
he seemed TO recognize, ne said, certain
passages and thoughts which to his mind
revealed a distinctive individuality, and
by linking together the attributes thus re-
Elected, be delighted in clothing HIM with
a personality, and as such holding COM
muniOn with him. Tho controversy re-
speeting the real authorship of the plays
attributed TO Shakespeare was alluded to
and Mr.. Bancroft spoke with some seyeri-
ty Of that class OF authors who had sought
to build up others by pulling down the
noblest figure in English literature.
The moments passed rapidly 10 Mr.. Irv-
ing. and at last he was forced to suggest
his departure. Mr.. Bancroft urged him
to prolong his visit, but pressing engage
ments would not admit of his doing so.
AS the party slowly retired from the draw
ing room into the hall Mr.. Bancroft fol-
lowed, clasping warmly meanwhile the
hand Of Irving. The party Withdrew from
the hall to the porch, whittier the host ac-
companied them, and from the porch he
descended the steps to the carriage way.
Then, with lingering grip OF the actors
hand, the venerable man said:
well, l suppose YOU must go, but l
should be happy If you could remain only
an hour longer that we might talk further
together. However, If you must go, may
God be with vou"
The words were uttered with solemni-
ty that touched all who heard him.
Speaking OF this scene a few days after
ward, Mr.. Irving said:
"Yes, see him now, his noble face,
manly figure and snOw-white head, Just
as ne stood there on the steps OF his house
bidding MS farewell, the wind blowing b Ia