The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-04-24

REQ her IN 1891. For several years there
after he drifted about the country, some
times acting, sometimes managing and
frequently combining both functions
TO study dramatic art in London and
Paris by observation he made a trip to
Europe in the summer of 1896 and TO
save money Travelled IN the steeraga.
But he was soon to bid adieu to pover,y
ana privation.
On August n. 1857, Laura Keene open
ed her theater IN New York at 622 Broad
way, with Jefferson as member of her
company He made an immediate hit
as br, PangIoss IN The Heir at Law"
But the signal triumph that placed
him IN the foremost ranks Of comedy
came a little later. On October is was
| produced for the first time Tom Taylors
comedy Of Our American Cousin. AS
Asa Trenchard Jefferson fairly took the
/ town by storm.
! Inc piece ran nearly 80 nights. In the
| cast was Sothern, as Lord Dundreary, a
role which he subsequently i1nmortalized
and incidentally coined into gold
In rip Van Wrinkle"
RIP Van Winkle'' the play with
which Jefferson's name and fame will
| always be associated was first pro-
,il ced BY him in this ty in the winter
CT 1867 Il was presented with splendid
| scenery. jefferson $ performance was
| characterized by the same delicacy.
/ beauty. and pathos which afterward won
/ for him rnstinted praise. out It was
/ failure.
! II was not the play with which Amer
! lean audiences nave since become SO
/ fcndly familiar. 1t was substantially
! .jefferson's own d2amatization OF the
| story AS a playwright Jefferson had
| none ef the genius which he displayed
as an actor II was not until the play
was rewritten for him five years later
by Dion Bducicauit that it won instant
| success.
jefferson was boarding with his fam
lily in an old Dutch farm house in the
| winter CT 1883 when he first conceived
| the idea of bringing out d KIP van
ing Washington Iryirs's Life and Let
iters'' and finding therein a pleasant ref
erence TO himself Irving, who had
seen him play Goldfinch In TIE Roaa
to Ruin in Laura Keene's theater.
Tho story had already been drama
tized three or four times, and plays on
the subject had been acted as early
as 1928. but none achieved success JET
| ferSon's half-brother, Charles Burke,
I appeared as Rip in one version in isoS.
and Jefferson then played Seth, the, inn
keeper Jefferson got together he vari-
Gus demonstrations. and out of them
failed.
4 Brought Out in London
The rip Van Wrinkle that succeed
ed was first brought out by Jefferson
at the Adelphi Theater. London, on
September 5. 1865 Prior to that he had
starred with great success in Australia.
The triumph of which he was proudest
there was the production Of The Ticket
of Leave Man before an audience
largely, composed of ticket of leave men,
who applauded him enthusiastically.
/ rip Van Wrinkle" had run of 10
II f-,S1 t,Ae
duced the play In this city. The verdict
of popular approval was promptly rem
dered. 1t proved for Jefferson yeri-
Ia bic gold mine
He probably made r:ore money out
of this play than any OF his contempo-
raries acquired in a lifetime.
For many years prior 10 his death he
was regarded as the wealthieSt actor In
America. In royalties alone Boucicauh.
II is said received $4,000 for his share in
the dramatization of rip Van Winkle
Jefferson's success with IL gradually
crowded out OF his once ample repertory
nearly every other play in which he had
displayed his genius.
Revival of 'The Rivals"
This was source of regret to many
OF his admirers, but apparently the pub
lie taste for 1t never palled. That his
versatility suffered no decline by the
constant repetition of his Rip he proved
by his revival, IN 1880, of his version of
THE Rivals" liz which as own brilliant
and original enactment of Bob Acres
afforded delight to thousands.
With advancing years he awaited him.
self of the privilege afforded by his am
pie means to take life easy and acted
only small part of each season. Much
OF his leisure time he devoted to paint
ing In both oil and water colors, display
Ing artistic and imaginative qualities of
| a high order. If he had not taken to
the stage he might have achieved some
measure of fame at least is an artist.
He occasionally lectured on subjects
associated with dramatic art, and made
his first appearance IN this role at Yale
College on April q, 1892. His addresses
were characterized by depth and clear
ness OF insight. keenness of wit and
happiness of expression. His charm
as q writer he made manifest in his
autobiography.
He was always an ardent lover OF