Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-10-25
GOSSIP OF THE STAGE.

Du Maurier was for so long time the
popular idol of the day, not only in liter
airy circles, but dramatic as we'll, that the
following incident in his life Will be
apropos. In his youth he and a young
artist friend frequently availed them
selves of students day at the British
museum, and one day, while drawing,
they lifted their voices in favorite song
of the day,'in utter disregard of the regu-
lations of the museum. Both were gifted
with fine voices, and Du Maurier's sweet
baritone rang out with the high tenor
notes of his friend. The janitor rushed in
and plead with them to desist. Gentle
men, he said, heres pretty go; the
Princess Mary of Cambridge and suite,
with Sir Emery Ellis, too!' Sir Emery
Ellis was the custodian of the museum.
Du Maurier was quite self possessed. He
evinced no surprise or embarrassment,
but continued the refrain in dulcet tones.
There he stood, young, handsome, mag
netc. The princess was delighted. but
Cir Emery was in a rage over the viola
lions Of the rules. and evidently consider
ed it an objectionable offense. For
month later Du Maurier received his
congo.
Henry E. Abbey, the famous impre-
sario, embraced the Roman Catholic faith
on his death bed. His valet, who is
devoted Catholic, is said to have insisted
upon the baptism. 1t being his greatest
hope that his master would receive abso-
luton. Mr.. Abbey was, however, brought
up under Protestant influence. His career
as impresario is such an interesting one
that / reproduce from O. metropolitan
journal sketch of his life. 1t was in
1878 that he acquired lease of Booths
theater, which the tragedian had built for
his own use. Then 1t was that he con-
ceived the idea of devotlng his energy to
the importing of foreign artists of estab-.
lished reputation. Bernhard was his first
venture She would not sign contract
till a $4,000 guarantee had been raised.
Abbey managed to scrape this sum to-
gether and after the divine Sarah had
come, had seen and had conquered, Abb
hey was $100. 900 the richer, and was gen.
orally considered the Napoleon of Ameri-
can managers. When the. star of Mrs.
Langtry was IN the ascendant the then
'professioal beauty was promptly Sc
cured by Abbey. 1t will be recalled that
on the night when she was to open in
New York at the Park, October Is, 1882,
the house was burned to the ground.
With the prompt energy characteristic or
the man. Abbey secured another theater
and Mrs. Langtry was launched on her
successful career as pseudo actress. The
next venture. which was Of a different
nature, marked the beginning of Abbey's
career as an impresario Madame Adelina
Patti, after q score of years absence, had
returned to this country for tour under
her own engagement. Sne quickly realized
the need of a pilot. Not only was she
weak in business ability, but she was
treadlng unknown ground, and after two
concerts-for which she charged $40 a
seat-she was glad to accept Abbey's
offer to manage her business. The result
of her tour may be chronicled in two
words-enormous receipts. The year 1888
was memorable through two strokes Of
Abbey's enterprise. The introduction of
Mary Anderson to London public, and
the opening of the Metropolitan opera
house in New York, with a company that
Included Christine Nilsson, Semprich,
Trebellt, Scalchi, Valera, Stagno, Cam
panini, Eastman. Galassi and Del
Puente. For opposition Abbey had the
Mapleson company at the Academy of
Music which numbered tits ranks Patti
and Gereter. The New York musical pub
lie gave its support tolthe latter. coterie
and Abbey failed to the tune of some
$500 900. A monster benefit helped him to
pay off most of bis indebtedness, but he
was left to begin the fight anew. AS soon
as he had recovered his old fine nerve,
Abbey set SAIL for England, where, In
pursuance Of his foreign star policy, he
contracted with Henry Irving and Ellen
Terry for their first American tour. He