Los Angeles herald., 1892-02-20
rHz FIRST OF COMEDIANS.

About year ago the readers of the
Century magazine were treated with a
series of charming photographed
sketches Of Joe jefferson, the American
actor who has endeared himself to two
generations of play -goers by his match
less presentations. In those sketches,
Mr.. Jefferson gave the public most in
teresting inside view of the life of an
actor, and contributed many fine pen pict-
ures OF his most noted contemporaries.
They were written in very quiet, sub
dued vein, but with enough of piquancy,
characteristic anecdote and distinctive
eoloring, to make them most charming
and valuable contribution to our bio
graphical literature.
Mr.. Jefferson comes from family of
actors. His mother was, in her noon
day of life, an actress of recognized
merit, and his father was manager, a
fine scene painter, and most useful
member of the profession. Mr.. Joe JEFF
ferson, himself, is recognized as paint
er of more than ordinary talent, and has
contributed to the world of art works
that lift him measurably above the
rank of an amateur.
Now that Mr.. Jefferson is with us
here, perhaps for the last time, (though
we hope not,) we shall make no excuse
for offering hasty study of the peculiar
qualities that have raised him to the
high eminence he occupies in the his
trionic world. We have his own word
for it that all his triumphs have been
the result of hard and conscientious
labor, He has always held that the
people who pay to see a performance are
entitled to the very best work the actor
is capable of presenting. He spent years
in adapting the story of Rip Van Winkle
to the stage, and in bringing to their
highest perfection the dramatic effects
of which Washington Irving's Kaatskill
tale was susceptible. After vast
amount of patient and painstaking labor
he was able to present to the public an
American character-comedy that has
delighted two hemispheres for thirty
odd years.
1t is not claimed, either by Mr.. JEFF
ferson or his friends, that he started out
in his profession endowed with more
thaa ordinary gifts, either physical or
mental, to make distinguished success
as an actor. Therefore the triumphs of
this eminent gentleman are due to his
laborious determination to give to the
public as complete and perfect picture
of the characters he delineated as it was
possible to present. He relied on no
sudden inspiration; he pretended to
no latent genius that should burst forth
opportunely resorted to none of the clap
traps of tinsel acting; but with practical
good sense, earnestness of purpose and
untiring study and effort to improve
every possible point, be entered upon
his work determined to makei the best
he could offer.
The result of this conscientious de-
votion to the principle of excellence, has
been constant improvement in his
power of holding the mirror up to
nature" and professional success that
has stamped him as the foremost COM
edian of his time.
We now gee him in the sunset of life,
and enjoy him none the less-perhaps,
even, more-than we did when he was
at his meridian. What he has lost in
iuvenility he makes up in the delicate
tracings Of the maturity of his dramatic
powers. He has polished the shield
that reflected his characters, so that
even the slightly perceptible blemshes
of youth are made soft and tender and
soothing in the perfect finish of the i'm
press of his art upon age.
The lesson of Mr.. Jefferson's life is
one that every youth, no matter what
his station or what calling he may
adopt, can profitably take to heart. 1t
teaches that there can be no excellence
in any career unless a set purpose to
succeed is brought to it, and this pur-
pose is supplemented by unremitting
and conscientious labor. "Labor omnia
uincit" is the best of notices.