The Washington times., 1903-10-25
The Player and Fame.
His Art Is Transient, But His Reward
Is Great.
BY VIOLA ALLEN.

Ing for fame. which is nothing else
than a recognition Of excellence. II is
the goal for which Ell toiiers in letters.
art music. and science strive. II Is the
elixir of hope. and ambitions spur. II
Is not then the actor alone who EunSers
for the worlds applause. yet despite the
universal desire when fame does come
to him. IL usually arrives as unlocked
for as thief in the night. OF as un-
expected as comet in the sky Until
then he usually oscillates between the
pleasures Of hope and the terrors OF
despair. II matters not what fnisfor-
tunes may deter him on his Journey
the will-o' -the-wisp OF success ever beck
ons him on II matters not how mearer
his talent he is encouraged to keen IN
the struggle and pursue the winsome
deity OF the retreating skirts and CO.
quettish smiles OF whom II has been al
legged that although possession be the
undoubted view. to seize is far less
pleasant than pursue
If this be true it is a very sad COM
mentary upon the lady in question. for
does II not imply that TO have her is
not worth the pains. but to be de-
ceived into wanting her a very much
greater delight than all that princely
imaginauons have painted her as capa-
II
a one she deserves the record OF hav-
ing played false with many wooers.
A Brief Reputation Which Is Not Brief.
Often the painters. like the writer's.
masterpiece is neglected by his contem-
poraries and its merit not discovered
until too late to be OF benefit to its
creator, but the actor enjoys the ex-
ultation Of success Immediately upon
the execution Of his effort The neg
lected artist or writer may, however,
Jay the fattering JUNCTION to his soul
that future generation will place the
stamp Of approval upon his exertions
1t is otherwise with the actor. He
li-es on a pedestal when alive. but new
er has a statue when dead The trum-
pet blasts Of fame must ring in the
actors ears. else they are sounded for
him not at all. Should his name be
heard in the future it VIII be naught
else than the echo of the plaudits and
applause which greeted his efforts while
at the height OF his renown.
Despite the fact that the actor, whef,
denied the joys Of recognition during
life has not the same chance for
posthumous fame that is neted out %
HIS brother artists OF the pen and brush.
when we come TO examine the records
who. during their brief hour upon the
stage knew the elation of success, now
illumine the records with considerable
radiance. Indeed. the actor has little
TO complain about on this score Take
Quintus Roscius. the Roman player.
for example While Roscius occupies
a position in the Temple OF Fame, who
hears anything OF his renowned con-
temporary. Hyrcanus. the scldier2 So.
too, are remembered the names Of Col
ley Cibber Ann OldfieId. Peg Voting
ton. Thomas Betterton. Mrs. Brace
Girdle. and Thomas Dogget-
Garrick and Johnson
When Little David Garrick'' went up
TO London. coincident with the coming
of that rag and dust mountain" DIR.
Johnson. his tutor and friend. he was
unknown and without money. It is
generally-aye, always-a blessing for
genius TO be without money and friends
These absentees create the occasion for
a supreme effort, Tor desperate as
sault upon the temple Of fame
This reminds US that Thomas Erskine
in one day and by one legal argument
sprang into the front rank Of his new
profession. the law. When asked how
he, the unknown. dared to face Lord
Mansfield so boldly on that brilliant day
which won him fame, ne said Il
thought Of my children Juggling at my
robe. and saying, Now. father. is the
chance to get US bread.
As to little David" it was little Won
der that he (armEd as few actors ever
were) should have put to flight the
guard of mediocrities that slept and
fattened there. To his splendid talents
the gate opened unbattered. falling down
as it were. at the consciousness OF a
new and great conqueror. But the
struggles Of talent for recOgnition-now
a sudden pitched battle gained. now
campaign after campaign fought with
out apparent result-has a like history
in all time and chimes, in an profess
siOns.
Nature and Art.