The Washington times., 1904-08-21
Spelling Shakespeare
No Uniformity and No Agree
ment Regarding 1t. Though
the Longest WaU Is Most
Popular.


Baconian theory differ as to the spell
ing and that the anarchists should agree
that it should be "Shakspcrc" is pecu
liar. To say the least
But in this case the Raconiaus seen.
TO have the best Of it. for the reason
that of the majority of the five sigma
lures Shakespeare left us. the drama
list spClt his name "Shaksoere 90
Shakespeare however. is the GUS
tomary spelling. and the one Horace
Howard Furness chose for the .'Vari-
Drum. Yet Malone spelled 70 "Shaks-
peare,' and CartriEht as "Sha kcspcrc. %
Furnivan. who ridicules those who
spell II Shakespeare said. Tho owl
dence TO decide the question Is Shaks-
pcrc's own signature. leaving Shakes
peare' without any authority az all"
An examination OF several hundred
magazine and newspaper articles. COW
erinS Ueriod Of fifty years. reveals the
fact that the spelling is about equally
divided between Shaksperc. Shakespeare.
and Shakespeare. The Macrcady Shakes
peare offers "A curious example. The
binding is lettered 'Sha kcspcare'' the
title page has fl "Shakspere.' 80 and i'm the
will. printed verbatim. it is socIled
Shakespeare.
Knight. I'm his edition. fell into "a curl
Gus trap as 60 spelling. Under the por-
trait is fac-simile Of Shakespeare's au-
tograph. and the spelling is .Shaks-
pere; but the title page gives IL 'Shaks-
poare' in this edition there is a docu-
ment accredited to the poets father. and
the name is sDelt "Shakpear."
Theatrically. there has never been any
uniformity in the spelling Of the drama
lists name Viola Allen. I'm Difference
10 Or. Furness and his splendid .'Vsrl-
Drum edition. has maintained his spceI-
ing, Shakespeare in all her printing
for her Twelfth Night" and The Win
ter's Tale Boas. in his "Shaksperc
and His Predecessors" SAYS: II have
adopted the uniform spelling. 'Shaks-
pere. 90 An Irishman reading this. said.
Il didn't know he wore one"
Perhaps it is "A slight error at this time
TO speak % David warhcId as a come
dian. as 3. is almost three years since
he won his title as a serious actor fin
The Auctioneer-" But to those who re-
member Wsrfield I'm the old days he VIII
always be associated I'm the mind with
unrestrained merriment Besides. the
actor is big enough I'm his present sobri-
ETY. to excuse recollecticns Of his inim-
liable capCrs i'm burlesquc. and he never
has suppressed entirely his native inclin-
alton to comedy. In "Thc AuctiOneer''
he has caused us to laugh at many deft
touches I'm humOr but apart from this
his reputation Has grown steadily away
from frivOlty until he has come TO be
looked upon as serious actor Of are
accomplishment in the present and
bright promise OF greater worth i'm the
future.
Fourteen years ago Warfeld was an
usher In a San Francisco theater. In
watching the performances he became
convinced that he could go on the stage
with success. and tmidly he applied 70 a
manager for a small part in a current
attraction The managers quick humor
responded so gayly at thought OF the
usher's ambition that he spread the
news through every theatrical Office in
the city. and becoming the object Of
merciless ridicule. Warfeld fed the city
10 preserve his peace Of mind. The day
Of reckoning came. however. when War
field returned I'm triumph In The Auc-
tioneer," and one of the proudest mo-
ments Of his life was after the first per
Torrance OF that engagement, when the
repcntant manager went to him with his
hand extended in sincere admiration.
Since that memorable night Warfeld
numbers the manageramong his closest
friends
Warneld reached New York without a
dollar. and rs he took his first stroll in
Broadway his heart sank at the thought
he had not one acquaintance in the city.
But he had the strength 20 rid his mind
Of worry over loneliness and the agSres-
siveness to tell strangers OF unbounded
confidence in himself. His first appear
10 fr4 AT
in Eighth Avenue He had gone daily
for a month 20 the Office Of the man
ager OF the place. and finally forced %
take interest by the youths persistence, /
the manager one afternoon told War
field 20 appear that night and take a
chance as n Hebrew comedian. Tho
manager had no idea the smooth-faced
stranger would rouse the audience 90
applause, he made Warfield the offer SD
that by failure be himself might DE cid
OF the Californian forever. Warfcld WAS
rejoiced az the offer, but dread Of tho
outcome became so great he almost
collapsed He went before the auditor
suffering terribly from sudden toothache.
and dressed in the evening suit now
frayed. he had worn as an usher For
a fun minute he stood in the center IL
the stage unable. from nervousness. To
utter WORD. and the audience. think
ing his terror was assumed, began To-
applaud. when the youth finally oe-
capped 10 the wings in a cold sweat the
manager met him and said. ct guess
you'll do. young fellow" For HIS first
weeks work WarfoId received So. At
the end OF a month Broadway promoters /
began 20 hear OF the bright Hebrew i'm :
persOnator over in Eighth Avenue. and
soon Warield got the offer Of an import |
ant role with Russeil's Comedians. Lat
er he became prominent in the Casino I
productions. and then followed hl7 rise
into general favor as a member Of tho /
Weber 6, FIELDS company.
David BelascO has not told us az the
time when he first became impressed |
with VARIED, but 90 IS believed he was
attracted TO him by his acting I'm the
burlesquc. Barbara Fidgety." There
were few moments IN this oddly when
Warfeld sounded deep pathos and the
contrast between his seriousness and his
friyolity is said % have leo Mr.. Belasco
10 the conclusion that here was man
OF wide versatility and power Belasco
has a knack Of finding players by their
revelation OF undeveloped talent in brief
and wayward moments. He saw signs
Of greatness la Garter rr-Frr gba