The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-12-28
MANSF|ELD'S
FIRST KIT
Opportunity to Make 1t 1t Came
to Him by Accident.
WATCHED LIKE A CAT
Man Who Failed and Then
Took His Place.
WATCHED LIKE A CAT

In his recently published "RecollectionS
Of q Player" an unassuming but alto
gether readable and informing volum.,
J. II. Stoddart gives the authoritative YER
sion of the story Of Richard Mansfield's
first success success for which Mr..
Stoddart may be said to have been in
directly responsible.
Twenty years ago this coming Janu
AIRY Mr.. Mansfield was an obscure men,
Der of A. N. Palmer's Union Square Com
pany. His powers were unsupported by
anybody, when, in the winter of 1852 Mr..
Palmer decided to make an American
production of "A Partisan Romance"
Mr.. Stoddart, to his own dismay, was
cast for the part of Baron Chevrial, and
he feared from the first that he was not
suited to it. A weeks rehearsal convinc-
ed him of the fact, but his appeal TO Mr..
Palmer that he be released was of no
avail, as the player thus relates:
He would net hear of my giving it
up. saying that he knew me better than
/ did myself; that ] was always doubtful.
but that he was willing TO take the risk.
He also read a letter which he had re-
ceived from some one in Paris, giving
among other things, it was said that
Earon Chevrisl was the principal part,
that everything depended upon him, and
thai IF you can get Stoddart to look
well in full dress he is the man you must
have 10 play it." / left Mr.. Palmer, re-
solved to try again and do my best. Mr..
Mansfield was cast in the play for 4
small part, and, l discovered, was watch
ing me like a cat during rehearsalS. A
lot of fashion plates were sent to my
dressing room, with instructions TO select
my costume. AS had hitherto been, for
some time, associated with vagabonds,
villains, etc, j tnink that these fashion
plates had a tendency to unnerve me more
than anything else. So / again went to
Mr.. Palmer and told him that l could not
POSSIBLY play the Baron. You must,
said Mr. Palmer II rather think Mr..
Mansfield must have expected something
OF the sort for he has been to me asking,
in the advent of your not playing it, that
I give 1t to him. / have never seen Mr..
Mansfield act; he has not had much exper-
fence here and might ruin the production
At Mr.. Palmer's earnest solicitation l
promised to try again. l had by this
time worked myself into such state OF
nervousness that my wife interfered. 'All
the theatres in the world, said she, ARE
not worth what you are suffering. Go and
tell Mr.. Palmer that you cannot possibly
play the part" Fearing the outcome.
did not risk another interview with the
manager but sought out MIR Cazauran,
and returned the part to him, with
message to Mr.. Palmer that l positively
declined to play It, The result was that
Mr.. Mansfield was put in my place. he
rehearsed the part next day. and with
only a brief time for study and few re-
hearsals, made his appearance in 1t In
January 1883 The result is well known.
His success was instantaneous and en-
phatic-so much so that from then until
now Baron Chevrial has remained one
of his strongest embodiments. Mr.. Pal
ner was delighted. and / consoled myself
with the thought that my refusal of the
part had proved not only far better for
the interests of the production but was
also the immediate cause OF giving an
early opportunity to one who has since
Gone much for the stage.
Few bits of autobiography, especially
theatrical autobiography. betoken so gen
erous and gentle a spirit as does this
tribute of the old player to the present
master Of our stage. 1t must be very
sweet to Mr.. Mansfield. for he has known
little kindness from his professional breth-
rem.