New-York tribune., 1900-05-27

serbu--= sons.
+ the a.e Mrs. Drew's Autobiography is
s5nsewhat Disappointing it IS not because what
she says Is luinteresting. but because she does
not sag more. This brief retrospect of life
vhi-h as The authors son. John Drew. notes in
thr ureLaee reached over seventy years Of the
dramatic history n our country" gives only a
few hints u experiences that must have been
ful Of interest % the student Of character and
Of The stage II is written. however, with
rnost engaging simplicity. which leaves no doubt .
II The readers mind that it IS the spontaneous
expression N q sincere and frank nature. Mrs.
Drew began her career IT a time when the con-
ai-.-rs prevailing in the theatre were far differ
ent from thase II ina present. She came of a
family long associated with the theatre. and
she evidently had the love for acting in her
blood At twelve months Old she writes. my
mother took me on the stage as crying baby; .
but cry 7 would not but at sight Of the audience ,
ana the lights gave free vent 10 my delight and |
crowed aloud with Joy From that moment 10
this The same sight has filed me with the most
acute pleasure ana 7 expect VIII do so 10 the
last glimpse ger OF them and when no longer
- 1- seen. Come. Death and welcome 1t Is .
a satisfaction TO observe that she had her wish
remaining. until practically her last days an
active worker On the stage
lhis couut-v For several years she had a .
carer her as an infant prodigy; she even
stared" for q time. IN referring 10 this period
Size saws. -T would mention herr that in acting
Ur Pa1-.s-e At the Chestnut Street Theatre I
PhHa5elrrla The older Joseph jefferson, grand /
fa-ae- af the present actor Of that time, played /
Zsgs-l Ha-.-spur-' OF her fellow players dur /
i-y her .r- experience Mrs. Drew has the
t---,iasr collections That she could speak
l4- u.u1. however IS shown 10y her reference /
t5 na--a..-- .Nac-eady was a dreadful man 4
to 3ct at-h. you had the pleasant sensation G /
knowing thar YOU We're doing nothing Ihat ne
wanted E.g 20 do. though following strictly ms (
ln---le-. .a= Ee would press you down with his ,
han 1u raGr head. and tell you in an under /
jare -a stand up. IL. Macready was terribly !
nervous a.-.r- any little thing which happened
GHeEp-ec--.s .r-iraIed him beyond endurance .
One night 1t The Park Macbeth was the play.
M Slomll 4r Old fashioned actress, dressed .
Lacy Macbeth ID The manner which prevailed
z her early --r--ln black velvet. point lace and
1ea-l beads II The murder scene. part OF Ma
.-=ady's dress caught On the tassels Of her pearl
glrdle. th- string 1r8ke the beads fell on the
1oor. softly a.-r q pretty rhythmic sound, dis
aHcly heard through The intense silence Of the
scene This SD -xasperated Nj Macready that
T. was almost frantic until with the final line
u duncan
H.. I W0uc -hou couldst" he threw Mrs Slo-
nan If -hs stage with words which 1 hope
were unhea-l ag he public. and We're certainly .
-2ft for pua-.a-!on
Nrs. Drew acted with Juuius Brutus Booth .
100 and sle presents a picture Of the great
@liof which all students Of the stage VIII recog-
NE as Characteristic. Il never heard any one
read Just Ike che elder Booth. Il was beauti-
III Ae made the figure stand before you IL .
@@S INFINITELY lender Some Of the passages Of
EAR were touching in the extreme. though he .
-aea Clborr's f7ghtfUIIy bad edition Of that
s1'-le L-ag-cy He had some very odd ways
d times We were playing Hamlet one night
49, Natchez. and during Ophelia's mad scene a .
Lex began 10 crow Justify When the curtain .
-e- upon that fourth act this Growing became .
e constant. and when the manager could not
- n Booth -c commence the next act he
Aeu up and saw him perched on the top Of
adder, which the only way 10 reach
Lies II that primitive theatre. The man
4scencec the ladder and had quite
s@F discussion with Mr. Booth, who, al
consented 10 come down on condition that
should resume MS high position after the
80 and remain there until Jackson was re-
'eo fresicert-' 4 word should be said IN
o. the many illustrations Of famous
- Ii the book some OF the latter from
"'ngs and rare photographs