Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-03-29
A SACRAMENTO BORN ARTIST Re-.
TURNS
Talented Artist and q
Good Woman.

who is now the business manager and
guardian for his fair stepdaughter Mary
Anderson very early developed strong dra-
matte tastes and capacity, and in November
1879, made her first appearance, after about
two years Of preparation. The western
critics at once pronounced her a prodigy.
and were so extravaganza in their praises as
to do her prospects great harm. She was
then but a slender girl of Is years. her DOW
ers struggling for forms of expression and
manifestation beyond her physical or intel
lectual capacity and it Is fair to assume
that the unstinted praise bestowed upon
her gave her false estimate of her own
ability. But she felt the consciousness of
Unborn power which every true artist
realizes, and her good sense kept
her at hard study. She came to
California in 1876, but while her
genius was admitted, the San Francisco
critics fell upon her methods on the STAGE
and she left the coast somewhat chagrined.
But in her determination to win she never
faltered. She went to New York in 1877.
but the exaggerated reports of her enthusi
astc Western admirers had preceded her.
and she met with rather cool reception.
due wholly to expectation having been
too greatly stimulated. But there was horn
into this-woman spirit of indomitable
courage. She knew that she possessed the
elements of success; she was resolved 10
win the approval of her people, despite of
all rebutfs. How far the circumstance of
her having been born IN the CITY of Sacra-
mento may have played part in this re-
solution, we leave TO the judgment of the
speculative and fancitul. They NAV find
in the courageous spirit of the people of
this rIty and tia
of the children of this fair town. some
reason for the lanciful doctrine that the
atmosphere in which Mary Anderson
passed portion of her infantile life has
had something to do with inspiring her to
lofty aims and in holding her true to the
one purpose of her life Before she left
New York she won from the critics and
the public the acknowledgment that she
was gifted with rare dramatic powers. and
that she gave promise of taking a fore
most place among American women on the
stage, a promise that has been fulfilled.
Her guileless life, modest demeanor. and the
purity of her daily walk, augmented to the
growing charm OF this woman in public |
estimation. Added TO this was beauty of
feature and form that won the honest ad- |
miration of the world, never slow to re-
cognize the fairest works of nature
hands. In 1880 Miss Anderson returned
to New York, and was received with great
favor. The critics still pointed out what
they insisted We're serious defects in her
methods. From that date, however her
developing process was very rapid, and in
1888 she starred throughout the Eastern
States, winning popular applause at all
points, and steadily advancing in
the line of her chosen art. In
1884 she was called to London. the
most critical English school for the
aspiring actor. She came before public
not too kindly disposed toward American
actresses and American presumption But
the ambitious and perseyering woman
knew what she could do, and never falt-
cred. She wrung from London self-suffi-
cheney, not only applause, but obesance,
and within week she was the rage" as
the phrase goes. Her English triumph
was something remarkable. The men of
letters fastened to acknowledge her genius,
royalty honored her, the Prime Minister
OF England complimented her at dinner
with his family and chosen friends. and
English journals paid her the highest of
tributes. Among her successes in England
was the carrying out of an original idea of 1
playing in "As You Like Ii" in Siratford-
on-Avon. the little town in which Shakes
peare was born. invitations were issued
only to those who applied. The London
press sent twenty-four Representatives
to the place, and the descrip-
tons of the performance filed
over forty columns in the metropolitan
papers nextmorning. This was largely due
to many little incidents introduced remi
niscent of ShakeSpeare's life and the re
membranes of Annie Hathaway. Her
agent declares that during the seven
months she played in London the receipts
were larger than any ever secured by
Henry Irving or Ellen Terry, though she
played in Mr. lrying's own theater. She
is the only actress who ever PLAYED in Glas-
Cow, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Dublin.
at half a guinea Tor 81 50) At that price
her houses were crowded. On her return
to America her triumph was complete.
Her New York, Washington, Philadelphia
and Boston receipts were very large. and
up TO March 18th her winter season
had been one of uninterrupted success.
I When in London, at the close Of her en-
gagement she was asked what was her
American programme? She renlied-as
will be remembered, it was telegraphed
to America at the time intend
TO play Westward, and to appear
| in the town in which l was born, Sacra
! mento.' This was bit of sentiment on
her part, and has been adhered to in her
contracts, she compelling Abbey to write il
. in the bond but under his protest. he
I
must appear first in San Francisco when
coming to this coast Miss Anderson is a
woman of rare beauty. The picture
we present aboveis her head os she appears
as Parthenia. She played in Denver Satur-
day night, and appears in Salt Lake Citv
tomorrow and Wednesday nights. She
will arrive here in her own car on Satur-
day morning, and play Saturday night
in "Pygmalion and Galatea, and in Gill
how
feeling of disappointment is felt that one of
the pieces chosen is play so familiar to this
people, but the advance agent, also an old
( Sacramentan, insists that it will prove no
disappointment in this case, but surprise.
and that in " Tragedy and Comedy y she
appears at her very best Miss Anderson
Will remain here over Sunday. Size is a
devoted churchwoman, and will not play
IN San Francisco in Holy week. After
that. it is possible she will visit Sacramento
again. The distinction this lady has at
tanned, the bit of sentiment she has mani
tested in insisting that her first appearance
on the coast since she has won fame shall
be in the city of her birth; her amiable
disposition. her pure life and the honor she
has conferred upon a profession so many
have dragged down by their lives; her
high position as an exponent of dramatic
art, and the natural pride that is felt in
lne success oil SacrameEtan, hes led to
very unexpected. and what to Miss Ander-
son VIII prove a surprising social
event. The Bric-a-Brac Club. a social, lit
erary and art organization, at its meeting
Friday evening, deemed it becoming to the
city TO give Mary Anderson a quiet recep- /
ton, a welcome TO her birthplace.
1t invited the Sacramento Society
of California Pioneers 10 join with |
ii in that effort, aud Saturday night the |
Pioneers voted to do so. The two organ
izations have sent Miss Anderson and her I
stepiather invitations that viii reach them |
Tomorrow. They ask her TO meet the two /
associations from to p NJ next Saturday I
IT the Croker Art Gallery (by courtesy of /
he Directors of the Museum Association. |
and there be introduced to the members /
and their families, and citizens who