The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-06-20

The Splendid Tribute Paid to th<
Actor and the Man-Admired fol
His Exalted Character no Less thar
for His Ability as an Artist.
Says the Baltimore NezOs editorially
Mr.. Jefferson has filled many engage
ments in Baltimore since the early
days, when he was the comedian anC
the scenic artist of the stock company
at the old Museum, and has Away:
been cordially received; but never
was his welcome SO great as during the
engagement concluding this evening
at Ford's. Nightly the house ha.
been crowded and the demonstrations
during the evening have been of tu-
| multuous and enthusiastic character;
SO great, indeed, that accustomed as
Mr.. Jefferson is to popular tribute he
cannot have failed to be moved by
, them.
The theatre-going portion of the
Baltimore community is staid and con-
servative, as in other things, and
when great demonstration is aroused
it must be by good cause. In the
present instance the manifestations
were obviously we'll founded. They
were paid to the man as we'll as to the
comedian. Mr.. Jefferson, while not
Baltimorean by birth, began his career,
playing when he was but 6 years old,
with the elder Booth at the Holiday
Street Theatre, and here he passed a
good part Of his youth. Almost every
season since he has returned, and even
when away he was never absent from
the memories of the people, nor, as we
have seen this week, from their hearts.
Here, also, his father acted in bygone
times and was honored and esteemed.
1t is sometimes said when the NOR
ality of the stage is discussed, that the
public care little for the private char
acter of the actor, and that he does
his whole duty towards them when he
performs his professional obligations
to the extent of his ability. When he
has displayed his powers behind the
footlights his responsibility to the peo-
pie ends, and they have no right to
exact from him more, nor are they
concerned as to his domestic life.
The respect, the admiration, the un-
bounded affection displayed toward
performers like Booth and Jeff
erson, not only illustrious actors, but
good men-shows the fallacy of this
view. Undoubtedly much ofthe warm
regard in which Mr.. Jefferson is held,
and which night after night this week
has been exhibited with such vehe-
mence and almost extravaganza, is
due to his personal worth. Through a
long career of not less than sixty years,
the earlier part of which was marked
by the vicissitude and trial that is in
evitable to the actors profession, Mr..
Jefferson has borne himself with dig
nifty and honor, always with high
respect for his art, jealousy of its good
name and incessant devotion to its
advancement. Success has not made
him careless, nor hattery spoiled him,
and the modesty, the simplicity and
the sunny sweetness of the man him
self has not only made his reputation
great in mouths of wisest censure, but,
it is not too much to say, has given
him a place in all hearts.
Mr.. Jefferson is by far the most
gifted of living comedians, and, in
truth, it is much to be questioned
whether in the long history of the stage
he has ever had his equal. Within the
last dozen years he has been seen
in but few parts-Rip Van Winkle,
Bob Acres, DIR. Pangloss, and, perhaps
one or two more-and the idea may
exist in many minds that his range is
restricted-hut no impression could do
him greater injustice. His autobiogra-
ply shows how large and versatile was
the scope Of his powers thirty years ago,
before the universal demand to see
his Rip Van Winkle compelled him to
almost restrict himself to that extraor-
binary impersonation. Those who
saw at that time his Asa Trenchard in
Our American Cousin, his Salem Scud
der in the Octoroon, and his Bob Bri-
erly in The Ticket of Leave Man wit
messed performances wholly diverse,
but each distinct and marked in itself,
and very nearly as full of quaint indi-
viduality and pathetic truth and charm
as that of the vagabond of the Cat
skills.
Mr.. Jefferson's art, however, is best
witnessed in characters like Rip or
Caleb, where there is simple and gen.
tie humor, wistiul tenderness and un-
affected sorrow. So natural are his
methods that they do not seem to
belong to the realm of art. His voice
is full of gentle and sweet cadences,
and upon his face from moment to mo-
ment are traced all the changes ol
mirth and melancholy or forlorD be-
wilderment. With the most perfect
repose, he yet commands incessan'
attention, and with few gestures and
the simplest action his slight figure
fills the whole stage. In the dry and
pragmatic conceit of DR.. Pangloss, OF
in the the shrewd and self-satisheo
boastfulness of Acres or the disma
perplexi,y of Mr.. Golightly, Mr.
jefferson is alone as comedian
These impersonations are studies thai
stand out definitely from the acting
of other actors, however great and liv
in the mind of the spectator forever.
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