New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-02
OBITUARY.
EMMA WALLER

Another veteran Of the stage has departed Emma
Waller widow OF the once well-known actor D
Wilmarth Waller died yesterday. In this city, at
the age Of seventy. Thirty years Mrs. Waller
in the maturity Of her remarkable powers. and
the zenith OF her professional fame. but for
long time she had lived in retirement and the re-
nown OF her achievements had gradually faded out
Of the general remembrance In her day she was
q tragic actress OF the first rank and worthy 70 be
named with Mrs Duff. Charlotte Cushman Char
lotte Crampton Mrs. Warner. and others Of that
exalted lineage the queens Of the tragic stage she
born in England. Her first appearance in Lon
don made at Drury Lane. in 1856 as Pauline
in The Lady Of Lyons" Prior to that time she
had acted In provincial theatres. and there is
record OF her appearance at Melbourne. in 1863 with
G. V. Brooke IN Macbeth" On october 70. 1871.
she appeared In Philadelphia. playing Opheia, and
April =. 1855 she made her advent on the New
York stage. acting with her husband. at the old
Broadway Theatre as Marina, in The Duchess OF
Malh'-a version Of that dark and terrible play
having been made FOR her especial use by her friend
Richard Hengist Horne the noble old poet OF
orion" After that time. during several seasons.
she made starring tours OF the country. and she was
everywhere received with favor. In February 1867
she participated in a fine presentment OF Edmund
Falconer's picturesque Irish drama, The peep O
Day Boys" IN which she acted Nelly Brady That
production. It will be remembered, was made by
Laura Keene. and was one OF the most successful
works accomplished under that lady's management.
The MacCarthy acted by Mr. Waller. and the
cast included. among many others. J. G. Burnett.
J. II. Stoddart. John T Raymond. Charles Peters.
Mines Levick Owen Marowe. H. +. DAILY Mrs
J. II. Allen. and Miss lone Burke. During several
ensuing seasons Mrs Waller was absent from New
York but December .. 1869, she made a most
brilliant re-entrance.-appearng at Edwin Booths
theatre. Meg Merrilies In splendid revival OF
Guy Mannerng." and giving one Of the most pow
erful performances that have been seen In our time
That drama frequently repeated at Booths
| ale IN he
OF the season OF 1890. and Mrs Walters embodi
ment Of Meg Merrilies became famous, not only in
New-York. but in many other cities. Her later
years occupied with starring tours with the
atrical management (she leased the Troy Opera
House in ls7l). and with the duties OF theatrical
teacher.
Mrs Walters great performances were those OF
Lady Macbeth, Meg Merrilies and the Duchess OF
Malt but She also played male characters, ana
her clever approximations Of Hamlet and Iago
were admired She was a woman Of stately pres
ence and OF a most expressive countenance; she
possessed dark piercing eyes. a pald complexion.
and voice OF unusual depth and compass; her
temperament was. I'm the highest degree emotional;
and whether IN repose or in movement her de-
meanor impressvey indicative cf self-cen-
tired mind, deep feeling perfectly controlled and
great physical power In the character OF Meg
Merrilies she was perfection The wasted face. the
blazing eyes. the rigid muscles. the bony fingers.
the wild hair. the wretched garments-they were
all signs OF hard life tokens Of want and misery.
embiems OF that dlsordered reason,the peculiar at
tribute OF SCOTS wonderful glpsy.-which yet is
iron true 10 one distinct and righteous purpose.
The weird dignity OF her bearing impressive be-
yond words there moments indeed. when she
seemed 10 be soul inspired by communion with
beings OF another world. Her acting. IN the strange
rever!e in which Meg Merrilies sings the cradle
song 10 Bertram, was Overwhelming in its pathos.
the light OF madness seemed TO fade out OF her
eyes giving place 10 all the woman-like sweetness
Of gentle loving and happy youth There IS moth
ing in the world more desolate than the irremedl-
able misery OF age. and there never was better
/ type than Mrs Walters Meg Merrilies OF the an
guish Of a breaking mind. that looks back 70 youth
and happiness from among its own ruins. j. was
said OF Mrs Waller that she initiated Charlotte
Cushman. IN her Improvisation OF this character;
but. as a matter Of fact she had never seen Char
lotJe Cushman as Meg Merriles and her embodi-
ment absolutely original. Her death-scene. in
this part, Notwithstanding that It included de-
neation OF physical agony, had nothing common
about H. but inspired awe and sorrow, and. in this
representative dramatic passage. as in many kin
dred one by the excitaiion OF terror and Of pity.
the actress accomplished the true purpose OF trag
edy and left her hearers chastened ennobled and
sub5ued. The stage lost Mrs. Waller long ago. but
It ought never TO lose. or 70 forget. her example
" "