Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-06-02
speclaI correspOndence Of eazette and Journal

n
small. The casual passer fingers curiously
within the region. Even one least accus-
toned to striking city phases, is instantly
impressed with the unusual character Of
the neighborhood and with the manners
and dress of its frequenters.
Our American "Rialtos' are more
marked in concentration and character
than those of European cities. This is par
ticuarly true in New York, In London,
where are the haunts of probably more
actors th9n exist i'll any other four or five
of the greatest cities, there is nospot which
exactly corresponds with the American
actors "Rialto,," except one. That one is
the greatest resort in the world for music
hall performers. II is Just across the
Waterloo bridge from the Strand, on the
Surrey side of London and is called in
local parlance. Poverty Junction"
But between these folk, who are called
'prossers" or pros" in the yernacular,
and the actors Of London there is an ever
impossible gulf. In our country there is
considerable commingling and association
of these elements or classes. This almost
wholly accounts for the characteristic
groupings of business aud loungers form
Ing our "Rialtos." Here the actor not
only scorns the ''pros" us he would a
tramp, and will have none of him as a
companion, but he will drink no liquor,
eat no food, transact no business, and fire.
quent no thoroughfare or haunt, where
Tile pros Is peTllltttu TO come.
There are reasons for this close drawing
of professional lines. An important one
is found in the fact that for a very long
time London theatrical managers. have
sustained an absolute monopoly of all
dramatic performances. BY law the pro-
prietors OF music halls arc forbidden to
present any exhibition of n dramatic ma
ture. Their compensation is in being per-
mitted to sell all manner of liquors by
hands of bewitching barmaids; of itself n
great source of attraction and profit. To
the Legitimate dramatic performer, any
one who has appeared in 'the 'alls, from
his standpoint of ethics, can by no posi-
bility ever become n genuine actor or attain
TO his social standing.
On the other hand, you will seldom find
and English, Irish or Scottish actor who is
not gentleman born and bred. This is
universal rather than exceptional He is
therefore Justly proud of his vocation.
Such names as those of Shakespeare,
Kemble, Garrick, Macready and Matthews
furnish endless pique and spur to his
ambition. His excellent social status keeps
him in touch with the best rather than the
undesirable elements. He is well paid
and certain of employment. II he has
ability and experience; and if he possesses
only the former, with some learning
behind it, his period of apprenticeship is
one Of fair opportunity and considerable
treatment.
Without leaving his home and his daily
y haunts and work, he has before him the
highest opportunities to which an actor
can attain within the confines of London
+, itself. And his every surrounding, Access
sible aid in his profession, and, even in
his hours Of relaxation which bring him
the fine friction of the brightest minds of
our time, he is an actor continually I'M
Willingly and perforce bettered and inn
proved.
The latter IL as true to-day as ii was in
Shakspeares time. And all this is why the
haunts of London actors differ from the
haunts of American actors; and why,
also their environment naturally produces
the ablest delineators not of intense and
exaggerated character and situations, as
with the French. and somewhat with our
American, school, but of those fadeless
good and mellow comedies, dramas and
tragedies which apptal to the intellect and
heart, rather than To sensation hunger, the
nerves and the passio IS.
these changeless conditions naturally
give London actors as u class but two
places that may be regarded us their real
n haunts-their homes and their clubs. The
III first of these may seem to Americans an
Ri odd sort of actors retreat. For though we
u have many, among us who possess genuine
homes, and it is a good sign that their
number is increasing there are too few
1 actors who possess or seek Il home. II is
different in London; and / think there is
nothing on earth achievable in which q
London actor takes such manful and ex-
ultant pride.
The English actor has grand adherence
of big and snowy home. | could print
the names of scores whose incomes would
permit them to live, like many of our
y eminent theatrical people, in approved
West End luxury in winter and gorgeously
ID able resort villas The little home little
I and snug and CHEEKY. is his from choice.
He hides himself in it, and is often almost
[ ludicrous in his shifts to avoid knowledge
of its coming to only sworn friends. This
occasionally goes so far that aliases are
assumed that he may better protect him
self from intrusion and espionage.
Above all else there is u wonderful sort
of all around Housekeeping in these joyous
little homes from participation in which
no friend or guest is altogether debarred,
and occasionally under no circumstances
absolved. 1t is as though the effort as
sumption and repression of the stage world
found its exact antithesis in this most
precious of haunts. and that all those
things in home making and keeping which
are regarded as irksome by ordinary folk,
were % these people the acme Of pleasure
and delight.
"A perennial lark" one fifty described
= 1t to me. And so it is. With mingled
feelings Of Amusement and delight while
l enjoying the most genial entertainment
I have ever elsewhere known, | have as
sisted a Lady Teazle" at dusting d
"Juliet' at digging in the garden; a Lear
at leap-frog with his not ungrateful chill
dren; "Portia'' at Smelling peas; an
"Othello" at mending kites; a Mrs
Malaprop" in washing the lunch dishes
Grave Digger at mending his range
cleopatra" at pairing potatoes "Fal
stair at making gooseberry and damsop
II Jam, a hob Acres" at grilling chops OIL
'.Surfaee' at preparing salads-for Eng
4 lisn actors are peerless as cooks; "Bil
n Sykes" at prayers; and "Richelieu'' al
L psewing such punches as, have been tolC
4 by those who slipped them, left, by com
parison, the NECTAR of the godsr mere
u eight-penny treacle.
After his profession and his Jolly littl,
4 nome, the strongest attachment of the
Ahjondon actor is given TO his club. Every
&.he is a member of from one to hal
n idpzen clubs and these actors, as a class
"a lniore than all others of the liberal profes
y Visions and arts, have inspired, developed
and sustained that spirit Of genial associa
n Ition of men of talent which has given
r London its vast numbers of most splendid
Kclubs, around which cluster the most pre-
cious Of historic and literary associations
1t may be truly said that, from Shakspear,
to Dickens not only the greatest actor;
who ever lived but most OF the greatest
writers have been spurred and prompted
into the effort and activities which CAV,
themselves fame and the world its cleanes
drama and grandest literature, from thi.
source and out of this fruitful association
N Since wills" buttons" Toms anc
other famous coffee-houses and clubs Of
h the Queen Anne period, history of tn,
Il changes and habitues of famous Londor
clubs to which actors have given the chic
support, would almost be history o.
III English men of letters and liternfure Thu