New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-20
THE DRAMA.
HELEN FAUCET, LADY MARTIN.


| Helen Fauct whose serious illness was lately re-
| ported from London, never visited America, ana IL
more than twenty years since she retired from the
| stage. but her acting Is remembered by old traveI-
| lers, and OF her fame as an actress Is
known all votaries OF the theatre and all readers
| OF dramatic history. Critical judgment as to her
genius and her achievements has not always been
unanimous. but it Is certain that for many years
she has held the highest position on the Eng
lsh stage and has been accepted. By a great
number Of intellectual and fastidous judges, as
the perfect representative OF the foremost charac
| ters in the English drama. She acted Opheiia
| and juliet. and she acted Rosalnd and Lazy
| Macbeth. and In all OF them she was accounted
| admirable. The force OF contrast could not so
much further, and certainly 1t IS significant OF
rare and diversified powers.
Helen Fauclt WAS born in 1877. in London she
went the stage when sixteen years OLD. max
Ing her first appearance ut the old theatre IN
Richmond. She early attracted the favorable
attention OF the elder Fa-ren, and to that great
comedian she was indebted for educational lniiu-
cnce and practical training. 1t was also her good
fortune early to obtain the professional favor OF
Macready. whose dramatic company, at 'oVoht
Garden she Joined In 1877. From that time her
career was one OF rapid advancement and ever
increasing prosperity She became identified with
all the splendid Shakespearian productions that
were made by Macready. she acted, in succession
the great female characters In Shakespeare. and
she was original representative Of many heroines
in plays that have since become famous. by authors
o. her day. She was the original Pauline III
The Lady OF Lyons" the original Miss Tresham
in Robert Browning's Blot on the Scutcheoh'
the original Clara Douglas in Money" and the
original Mabel In Westland Marstons fine play OF
The Particulars Daughter" The list of her I'M
presentations would be n long one and would pear
eloquent testimony TO her abilities, her labors ana
her triumphs. She accompanied Ma ready to Paris
when he acted there in 1856 and participated In his
victory. IN 1851 she became the wife of Theodore
Martin the author Din association with William
Edmonstoune Aytoun). of that exceedingly droli
book THE Ballads of Bon Gaultcr, THE Lie
Of the Prince Consort' and other valuable WORKS
and one OF tho most truly representative men or
letters in England
Helen Faucit was on the English stage for forty
three years making her last appearance on June
o. 1876 at the Iycoum Theatre. when for Henry
IrvinGs benefit, she acted 1olanthc. Ill hlnG
Renes Daughter" character Of which she had
been dS5, the original representative. In 3D. AT
Covent Garden. she lmpersorated. in English the
character Of Antigone. and this accounted one
NJ the most triumphant achievements Of her career
There Is beautiful portrait Of her. I'm this charac-
ter made. in water color, by F NJ. Burton. and
called "Tho Greek Muse How well she under
stood the art Of acting. and how competent she
was to impcrsonate the heroines of Shakespeare
may he seen in her thoughtful and reverent book
published. by Bldckwood. in l5s7-containng essays
that arc marked with subtle intuition and delicate
refinement. Ophella Poria, Desdemona. juliet
Imogcn. Rosand. and Beatrice. Her acting was
characterized by wonderful spirituality and woman
like en-hantment. and she had superb. imperial
manner. such probably, ms apperaned to the
Kembles. and such seems to have vanished
almost entirely from the stage It's only representa-
tyes now. in exquisite. courty grace and un-
affected. innate majesty, are Henry Irving and
Ellen Terry. Americans will be glad to know
that Helen FAUCET manifested deep interest In the
professional career OF Miss Mary Anderson. and
became one OF her cordial friends. "A sister or
Helen Faucit married to Humphrey Bland
who will be pleasantly remembered by those who
recall the Winter Garden Theatre. when THE
Tcket-of-L Leave Man" was new play. and Bland
was impersona:ing Meter Moss. Both Mr.. and Mrs
Bland died in this city. Lady Martin Is in the
cighty-frst year of her age She has had n noble
career and her name can never fade from the
scroll OF dramatic renown. W. w.