The morning call., 1891-08-23
MIR. NATHANIEL c. GOODWIN COMEDIAN

Blanc in "Evangeline" was the first part OF
any consequence in which he appeared be-
fore the pubic. "The Corsair" was piece
in the same line. In Hobbies" however,
he entered a new field, and here his clever
ness and resoureefulness were inimitably
shown. A new ambition possessed him.
and for the first time he began seriously to
contemplate the field of legitimate comedy,
though conscious that some years must pass
before he could step from the farcical into
the sentimental realm of laughter. But the
incentive was established, and each season
MI. Goodwin has made progress toward the
goal of his art.
CONFUSION"
The first notable effort made by the young
comedian to put burIesque entirely aside
was when he essayed the role of Christopher
Blizzard, in Confusion" He kept himself
wholly within the bounds of genteel comedy,
and acted with a dellcacy and appreciation
of which few imagined him capable. and his
success was complete in an artistic way,
though the public was not yet prepared TO
accept the drOll and unctuouS humoTiSt in a
quiet vein of comedy.
AT THE FESTIVAL.
The esteem in which Mr.. Goodwin was
held professionally was never better indicated
than when he was chosen as the light and
character comedian of the first and great
dramatic festival at Cincinnati. That festi-
val enlisted the foremost OF American actors
and actresses, Booth only excepted. that
TRACED ian then being in Germany. MIR. Good
win, for the first time, played Modus in The
Hunchhack" and first grave-digger in Ham
let" winning the praise OF the leading
critics OF the country, whom the Importance
of the festival had assembled 10 Cincinnati.
From this time there was no doubt of Mr..
GoodwiD's talent and aptitude Tor the higher
plane of comedy, it being only question of
how long it would be before his exuberant
spirit would settle to the necessary temper
Rnce.
IN LONDON.
After proving in Lend Me Five Shill-
ings." ''Gringoire' and 1.-THE Gold Mine"
that he was equal TO the require ments OF
pure comedy. that he could 20 UGH pathOs as
feelingly as he could interpret wit and
London to try his metal. Happily fer him
and for US bis experience there was no less
encouraging of his aspirations than his
future in this country. he was accepted at
once by the staid critics of the worlds
metropolis, not used TO waste words in
praise of strangers.
THE NOMINEE"
Mr.. Goodwin will compare fav0rably with
the young comedians of the French and
German stage in power Of expression and in
adaptabiity, while his natural gifts are
rarely eQpaled in any country. His work
in 1.-The Nominee" is departure. and COM
bines something of French grace and
naivete with much of his old ardor and
JUNCTION, n felieitous combination that as
sures US our popular comedian has all the
elements of sentiment and feeling and all
the intelligence of direction and expression
to give him no less honorable place In the
stage history of his country than that now
filed by the beloved Jefferson.
Nat Goodwin is now but 50 years of age
the mellow period of the comedian is after
three and forty.
Nat Says a Word for Himself
Speaking to New York reporter the
other day regarding the ditiiculty between
himself and his wife, Goodwin acknowl-
edged he was hasty, Incorporate and ugly
when he hammered holes in the amber
hued plate glass Of the broad front windows
of the house, but he thinks he was in a
measure eXcusable, for there was his brother
in-law, Charles Baker, inside and smiling at
him.
''Why, that brother-in-law lived on me
for two years. and never did he offer to do
a stroke of w0rkp exclaimed Nat Goodwin
70 a reporter. 'Then he borrowed $1,000 Of
me and has never repaid that.
81 never gave the house to Nella. AS
near as l ever came to that was when her
brother urged that ought to put 1t in her
name. He said that our neighbor over the
way had just failed in business, and that if
he hadn't put his house in his wife's name
lie wouldn't have cent.
hen L simply said, If put 1t in her
name that would be giving it to her, wouldn't
itp Well, l don't want to do that
The house is mine. The mortgages are
10 my name. pay the taxes. I'm paying
Nrs. Goodwin the 500 weak allowed by