The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-22

her white neck and shoulders, which caught
the eye of the artist Sir John Millais.
1t was a Greek line from the top of her
head to the tip of her shoulders and was
fully appreciated by the famous artist. He
inquired Of the hostess who it was that
poised the perfect head. neck and shoulders.
When she told him he exclaimed: "Ah.
madam. you have a goddess among your
! guests!" That settled 1t. His word was law
and Mrs. Langtry's beauty was Immediate
ly recognized.
1t was shortly after that Mrs. Langtry
went on the stage, and she confesses that it
was necessity that caused her to take that
step.
"I like bread and butter" she declares
very frankly. "and had not the money to
get 1t. When Mrs. Labouchere, the wife
Of the editor of London Truth, came to
first venture in amateur theatricais for the
benefit of charity / was just making up
my mind to start a market garden.
II felt sure that 1 could succeed in that
and I had q vague idea that cabbages and
caulifowers and asparagus having the
stamp of my special attention might be
given a short vogue in Covent Garden mar
ket." Mrs. Langtry says she went on the
stage determined to accept criticism from
whoever offered 1t, and she believes the or
chestra and stage people to be by far the
best critics, for they see all sorts and con-
ditions of acting.
Russell the other day, that more thought,
more concentration and u closer application
are necessary in the study of a comedy
1T is my earnest belief said Miss Annie
role than in portrayinG the deeper emotions
which come in real life. 1t is easier to be
tragic. easier to depict the sorrows and
deeper feelings of humanity than to show
natures brighter ride.
Il can say this confidently, because in
my. own life / have had enough of pathos,
through Illness and the hundred and ona
other things which come to all of us, to
make 1t easier for me to realize the serious
ness OF life, rather than its sunshine.
1.-The subtlety in a good, refined comedy
role is limitless. There are depths to be
dug and heights tc be reached in working
1t out, and when this is accomplished the
picture is strong, beautiful and complete.
ITO me there Is nothing so appalling as
a comedy role badly played. But. again.
there is nothing more clear-cut or more
satisfying than one which has been given
the diligent research which it deserves.
Mature, we all know, is the most exqui-
site thing in life, and when one is able to
portray 1t, certainly the results cannot be
other than beautiful.
"One must be natural to be a success in
comedy. One false note will spoil the whole |
thing and make a cheap imitation of what
could be the rarest gem in stage character |
ization.
The French school, to which we are in
clined to look with confidence, is leaning |
more to comedy each year. Its authors, its
players and its theaters countenance the |
lighter vein almost to the exclusion of Sc
rious drama"
Archie Boyd. who plays Squire Bartlett
in Way Down East" has devoted a great |
deal OF his time during the last few years |
to the compilation of ma-erial for what |
should prove to be a unique book.
This volume is to be nothing less than a
dictionary of theatrical slang, the amount
OF which passing current Increases every !,
day, and already has reached startling pro-
portions.
Mr.. Boyd has gathered his specimens from
recolection. from conversation and from
various writer's. The glossary now being
prepared will be supplemented by a COM
Or" I'll - sivid~d into tho,