The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-11


Lieblers was asked which of the two
careers she preferred. and her answer was
given only after considerable deliberation.
She said.
"It world be difficult for me to tell off,
hand whether or not | consider the life Of
an actress mere enjoyable than that OF a
reader. Both possess their advantages and
disadvantages. The parsonage first-men-
toned has great benefit in the fact that
one successful portrayal will bring her
more praise and reputation. so far as per
sonaI popularity is concerned than coIid
be won by the rival last-name1 in tea
years. 7 believe successful reading to Re
the barber task, for. while the player de-
votes her study to a single character. the
aforesaid rival. when giving a sclitiry
pi1ce, must assume a variety of chaiac-
tiers and attempt TO strike the keen no Q
of truth and accuracy in all.
From the viewpoint of the woman who
is fond Of comfort certainly the readers
position is more desirable. She requires.
for example. only one handsome gown dur
ing an evening, while between acts her
contemporary is compelled frequently to
get out of an elaborate costume and into
another. Sill, in many respects, the duo
are alike. To ne effective, both actress
and reader must have the gift of what for
want OF better designation, is called
magnetism. Before the aspirant can ap-
pear behind the footlights. beside a table
or in a pulpit. the art Of speaking spon-
tarecusly and correctly must be mastered.
Pure English can never have its locality
defined There should be no distinction by
which the talker might be recognized as
a native of New York. California, or
Britain.
1t is true also that both reader and ac-
tress must depend largely upon their at
tack'-I nse a technical term. In a stage
portrayal, the primal entrance and the
primal speech are sure to create favora-
BILE or an uufavorable impression. This
point is spleudidly illustrated in music.
too. When, for instance. Wihelmj raises
bow the precision and the way that bow
must strike, together with the poise of the
body: Immediately have an effect. | re-
call an example Of the truth of my claim
from my own experience. Some years ago
/ had the pleasure of repeating a little
poem TO General Sherman. The verse was
dubbed Kentucky Belle and il began sim
ply with the line 1t was the summer OF
'sS. sir delivered the words quietly.
as I thought the author intended they
should be delivered. General Sherman
quickly responded by saying: oh. | re-
member it perfectly. His daughter who
was sitting near. gave him a hard nudge
aud whispered: Sch That's a part of the
recitation The general looked somewhat
abashed. but | was very much gratilied.
because at once | knew that my attack
had been what it should have been.
''As have been chatting. other similari-
tics between the careers have came into
my head and vanished. After all. they
are not widely different. The troubles and
worries and results are about equal-the
methods are nearly the same. With both
professions the chief aim should be abso-
Lutte naturalness. When | have been read
ing have been able to show my ideas 60
this subject but the work before me will
be urder the direction of others. II. how
ever / attain the eminence OF star. some
day you shall see what my ideals are and
| hope that you will admire them"
And tomorrow Washington is TO have this
opportunity-an opportunity that must have
seemed in the far future when Mrs. lie
Moyne talked of the reader and the actress
to her journalist caller.