The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-03-07
A TRICK OF THE TRADE.
Richard Mansneld's Remarkable Gift
of Fascination.

hlCnaru ManSQelQe heLuaEhdO1o GlIJ
OF Fascination.
From The 50, Louis Republic.
There are tricks in all trades. Perhaps
more Of them are known TO the Thespian
than TO any other individual now on earth.
A local writer furnishes the public with a
bit Of gossip that cannot fail to be interest
ing. as follows:
Although formed in no lineaments that
compel admiration from the artistic eye.
Richard Mansfield possesses gift of fasci>
nation over women that renders him a
strong rival 10 his better favored comrades
on the stage. 1t is fact generally known
to those who have studied the ways aud
manners of this actor that he has high So
cial ambitions. His attentions 20 the
ladies are carefully measured and put
where they will do most good. Mr.. Mans
field has no desire whatever to be regarded
as a sentimental object by young women.
He has very definite aspiration to occupy
in this country the position held by Henry
Irving In England. The methods by which
he hopes to attain this end are curiously
subtle and diplomatic For the past two
seasons his salary list has included the name
Of a young lady whose mother occupies
an excellent social position In Wash
ington. The young woman has no
particular talent for the stage and is seldom
allowed to act But she is an enthusiastic
admirer of her chief, and has interested her
mother so fully in his objects that when Mr.,
Mansfield plays his semi-annual engagement
In Washington the good lady uses her strong
est influence to get the President, the cabi-
net and all the principal people Of the capi-
tai into the theater. Mr.. Mansheld's WASH
ington engagement Is now SO successful
from q social standpoint that the profess
sion and public are alike amazed at
the distinguished audiences which are an
nounoed all over the country as attendant
&C bis performances But the entire secret
OF his triumphs at the capital over all other
actors rests With dark-eyed young girl in
his company, who has engineered him into
the set of which her mother is one of the
most powerful members. Mr.. Mansfield was
engaged in laying up plans for a similar
object In this city whom the un-
timely death OF his patroness cast tsmpor-
airy blight over bis ambition in the metrop~
oils. This venerable lady belonged to one
of the oldest families of New York. She
had lost her wealth, but retained the
friends who were social companions of
her youth. She knew everybody worth
knowing. and while her house and collations
were on a modest scale, her afternoon
receptions we're generally crowded with
the best people In the country. She ad-
mired Richard Mansfield's art BY some
social good fortune he was presented to her !,
and promptly reciprocated her compliments
by his own. It was a pleasant and enter
tanning acquaintance for her. 1t was
a socially profitable friendship for him.
She introduced him TO people much more
exclusive than those that occupy the opera
boxes, In return for which the actor amused
her by quaint fancies and the entertaining
arts for which he is celebrated. She is dead
now, but Richard Mansfield never loses q
foothold he has gained, and at present his
social position In this city Is better than
that of any other actor, except John Drew
and Jean De Reszke.