Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1892-10-11

In certain degree Wallet was superior
10 tnery ~ his contemporaries. The Eng
lish actor in the sawdnst ring for more
than THREE generations has been at his hest
but a commonplace individual, whose
sallies Of humor were borrowed from the
old joke books. and who by his antics.
grimaees and dress compensated for what
ever might be lacking in education or in
berent intelligence. Wallet. however,
brought TO his vocation peculiar tact. In
his youth be was bright. observant and
naturally quick witted. Not more so, how
ever. than scores OF boys who have been
turned out in New York and other Ameri
can cities, and from humble beginnings
attained the distinction Of stars upon the
stage.
| He WAS born near Hull, in England, Oct
| ~, 1868. add after making his appearance
~ super on the stage OF the Theater
| Royal Of that city joined n travelling com
pany, with which he remained four years
Subsequently he succeeded the late Will
| liam Compton as comedian In this
capacity, while on one Of the theatrical
circuits, he met famous posturer and
clown OF the period named William Cole.
a brother-n.law Of the noted circus pro-
| priefor, Thomas Cook This incident
proved 10 be the turning point in his for
tunes, for he soon afterward donned the
motley and became prominent in the saw
dust ring He was with noted company
Of the time when William ~ assembled the
throne. later. Wallet joined Van Am
burgh, who will be remembered By Amer
leans as one Of the early showmen that APP
peared in this country AS the proprietor of
a combined menagerie and circus, and as
tonished the young people OF the day by
x.s Il
mails. Reaching Windsor the young clown
there had an opportunity Of performing
before the queen and royal family. and
from this time dates his assumption of the
title of queens jester" and Of the quant
garb on which was depicted the royal arms
after the manner Of long line OF historic
predecessors.
Good fortune was now at his command.
He was engaged eonseeutiyely in every
circus Of note in the two hemispheres, and
travelled in America Canada, Mexico, Eu-
rope and the West Indies. He appeared in
New York, Boston, Baltimore, Philadel-
phia and other large cities, being mem
Der Of Ballard & Baley's circus, OF Spald-
| ing a. Rogers and of other prominent or
CARNATIONS. Wherever he went Wallet
reckoned hosts of friends. Among them
were Charles Dickens, Mark Lemon,
Tbackeray, Wilkie Collins, Charles Mat
thews. John Brougham, the Wallacks,
Laura Keene, William Burton, Dan Rice,
the most r.nowned of American clowns,
and others more or less known to profess
sional fame. Lord Chancellor Campbell
once remarked TO the manager Of Drury
Lane theater, London "Wailett by bis
, erudtion, wit and delicacy has elevated
, the circus arena to the dignity of the lee
ture hail." And another admirer thus
sums up the character OF this prince of
clowns
walletti she privilege and province thine
Have been to utter truths which sacred shine
> Potential In the philosophic jest,
In youthful days ever love thee best,
And reverence In this thy waning age
Tho motley moralst Wit and sage.
: In the ring Wallets puns were of the
, Shakespearean order, but such was mis-
? versatility that he easily moved vast audi
? ences from tears to laughter, rising some
! times to lofty periods and again descending
without loss of dignity to "a nonsense that
was singularly refreshing. He recognized
the fact that there is foolish corner even
in the brain OF the sage, and he made tbs
follles Of life as catching as contagious dis
D orders He was what Shakespeare de
scribed, "a fool who laid him down and
baked him In the sun, who rallied on lady
fortune in good terms in good set terms
and yet motley fool"
' But beneath the surface OF this queens
, jester were more solid qualities He was q
a man of considerable scientific attainment
: a lover OF horticulture and an enthusiastic
gardener; also an excellent amateur pho
u tographer, being in charge of the photo
u graphic department OF an expedition tC
Q Yokohoma in 1864. and later, in conjunction
n with Napoleon Sarony, of New York, doing
, work for the American government. Dur