Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-22
EDWARD SHUTTER.
Interesting "reminiscences Of the Fa-
nous Actor.


nous Actor.
From the Chicago Record Herald.
We are told in one Of the garrulous books
of eighteenth century memoirs that when
| Woodward and Garrick and Ned Shutter
and old Parsons dined together there was
more hilarity, more quaint and comical
development Of character than ever was
seen exhibited on the stage"
In Ned Shutter, as in most comedians
of any depth, there was a subvein of pa
thos, even of cynicism. Referring to his
origin, which is shrouded in mystery. he
once said: Il suppose 1 must have had
parents, but 1 never remember having
friends
| understanding Of character and his irresisti-
bic humor, and one verdict was to the ef
feet that neither on the French nor on
the English stage could anyone be found
quantity said: His great fault was indo-
lence, but eccentric qualities will naturally
be accompanied by eccentric conduct. Thus
we perceive in his acting great inequalities
but those parts of 1t that were sterling
were invalua bly, So"
Shutter possessed great brilliance of mind
and hated to be called upon by every COM
pany he sat with to do some bit of clown
ing. Upon one occasion of this kind he
assumed an air Of preternatural gravity
and steadfastly refused to show off, be-
fore his hosts guests. After the meal was
over zone of the company who could not
bear longer to be deprived of the free per-
formance he anticipated said: Come. Mr..
Shutter, when do you intend to begin to be
comica.?"
Cad, sir" answered the actor, Il forgot
my fools dress! However, I'll go and
fetch it If you will be my substitute until
my return"
The guest accepted this rebuff as a de-
licious pleasantly, and, chuckling heartily
promised to do so. Shutter picked up his
hat and came and went away-to return no
more.
Once when he was en- route to a city in
the north Of England, where he was to
give performances, the stage was stopped
by a highwayman The only occupant of
the conveyance besides Shutter was an old
gentleman who. in order to save his own
purse, pretended to be asleep. Shutter de-
termined to be even with him, and when
the highwayman presented his pistol the
actor assumed the role of an imbecile and
mumbled, Money? Oh. Lud, sir, they
never trusts me with any, for uncle here
always pays for me-turnpike an ALL your
honor"
The robber cursed him roundly for fool,
slapped the cid gentleman to awaken him,
and then proceeded to relieve him of his
last shilling. Shutter, who escaped without
loss, always declared that the incident was
a supreme test in the art Of acting, and
that his impersonation of a fool had con-
WINGED a critical audience. whereas his Eel
low travellers portrayal of sleep had
failed lamentably.
Ned" Shutters. greatest successes were
achieved in 1.-The Miser," Master Stephen
and "Corbaceio."
Reproached once for going about with a
hole in his stocking, he said he was not
ashamed, and gave as reason this pungent
epigram: "A hole is the accident of the day.
but darn Is premeditated poverty.
He died at the age of forty-eight, and
then. as a chronicler of his varied career
says dropped into that receptacle of
humer, st. Paul's Covent Garden