New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-31
ATALK VITA WILSON BARRETL
A STORY OF p NcfNG.

STORY OF r NCiSG.
Wilson Barrett has had mich leisure time during
the last weeks Breakfasts, luncheons dinners and
suppers have been rained upon him by personal
friends brother and professionals, and clubs Of
every sort. Hence it with feeling AKIN to re
uetance that visitor who called him the other day
ACCEPTED his in, taton to down and tor awhile
especially "a he saw that he had disturbed the Eng
lish actor IN the midst of mis- correspondence. Mr.
Barrett however, ever rea y to chat pleasantly with
those he knows though he is Obliged to deny himself
TO scores Of callers simply through lack OF time to
entertain them. On the morning referred TO the hote
servant Knocked at the door and presented card
cards at intervals of about tour minutes.
am pleased" said Mr. Barrett. in the course of
his talk, the reception given to ChsttertOn and
"A Clerical Error last Saturday for have been
what annoyed at the assumption IN some quarters
that 'Claudian evinced the limits OF my powers
Indeed, had my New-York to play again
should pursue a different course. should open 10
Hamlet and play in quick succession Clandian, >
.Ctito and Chaiterton' But we are always wiser
after than before the event OF course it Is I'M
possible u alter my latest plans and play Hamlet,
as have urged to do at this late date, but
it with feeling OF the greatest reluctance that
leave New-York without giving Hamlet Taking
OF A Clerical Error by the way, am amused 1t the
criticism passed upon m quarter to tue effect
that / preach too much. n my critic had studied
the English divnes as have-my brothern-law -
clergyman and many OF my dearest friends are OF the
coth-he would know that the clerical habit ami tone
cling to them in tfe privacy OF their homes.
They ask tor their slippers clergymen. not as lay
men,"
The subject OF Mounet-Snly's Hamlet at the
Theatre Francois introduced. and Mr. Barrett
had this to say about 1t:
Wb,la Ia was zfudvnO the mart MOunet-Sully paid
a visit to London and came to AZ the Princess,
where [ was then playing Hamlet Alter the per-
formance be came around to my dressing room and
expressed himself in most charming terms about my
production. He particularly struck with the
fencing scene and with the peculiar pass whereby
Hamlet disarms Laertes 81 much did he speak
about this as well other points that aterwar az
his request him of the greater part OF the
business of the play dwels especially on the
fencing scene He then asked my permission to copy
this effect and it was cheerulIy accorded, and indeed
the request was accepted by a compliment.
Now for the funny part the story. certain Lon
don editor and amateur tencer had always found fault
with this euclng see 10 OF mine aud pronounced the
di.armng pass az impossible of execution, though 10
was taken by from an old book on fencing, where
it is illustrated by elaborate diagrams. nave Just
received a copy OF HIS paper in which ne dwes with
delight on MOunet-Suly's fencing scene ana accuses
all English OF paying too little attention to thls
porLdnt part OF the play.
Sir Barrett then showed his visitor the pass in ques-
ton VIII eh 10 a uon-expert in fencing certainly
seemed neat and effective. Atterward MI Barrett
in commenting his season. SAID leave New ork
for the present with a feeling OF deep gratitude tor
the many kindnesses have received, hrst from my
audiences VINO have every night been warmer In their
expressing OF approval than could possibly have
anticipated anu have evidently been Imbued with
thorou n sympathy lOr me. Then have 10 thank
those whom | have met sOci1l life Every one has
treated me as though friend OF years stand
Ing and | in return have felt - II had known my
new found friends all my lie