Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-27

FULLER MELLIsH RELATES STO-
RIES OF IRVING-Funer Mellish whose
delightful portrayal of leading character
roles has made him popular in this city,
was for many years leading man with Sir
Henry Irving. All those who were ever
associated with the great English actor
loved him, but Mr., Mellish's affection
amounts to alteration. During his engaged
ments in the Irving company Mr. Mellish
and the star became intimately acquainted,
SO Wuch so that when Mr. Mellish's only
son was born Sir Henry became his god
father Among the many interesting stories
told Ly the actor is one about the christen-
ing Of Harold Irving Fuller Mellish. in
which the godfather naturally played an
important part. Mr.. Mell!sh delights in
recalling the circumstance. The infant
looking very manly in mis- long robes, was
held through the ceremony much TO his dis
content Whenever the water was about
TO be splashed upon him he would emit
succession Of lusty shrieks which resound-
ed through the church This OF course was
painfully embarrassing TO the father, who
felt like spanking the heir to his talent
and fortune in order to make him cour-
teCus in the presence Of so great a man.
All during the service Mr.. Mellish's
thoughts were distracted with plans for
the entertainment of Sir Henry whsn the
affair was ended. So important q person
was accustomed to being the lion at re-
ceRtloTs and dinners in which nothing was
spared for his enjoyment. What could an
o actor with only modera te salary do? Just
as the ceremony was concluded Mellish had
decided to invite Sir Henry TO lunch at his
modest villa on the outskirts of London.
Sir Henry seemed TO be In a deep study
when Mr.. Mellish approached him No
my dear boy, 1 shaut be able to come 20
lunch he said. much to the actors in
tense relief Just Irving was about 10
enter his broUgham he leaned over took
Mellish by the arm and said impressively:
Coming as your son does from old and
distinguished theatrical family. the chances
are that he will be actor when he grows
up. II he does, for Gods sake, tell him
to wait for his cues"
Mr. Mellish recounts another instance of
Irvings good nature and keen sense of
humor. The company was playing at an
English town named Bristol. Sir Henry
lived at Clifton. a watering place three
miles away where there Is a famous sus-
pension bridge. Both actors were fond
of walking to Bristol, and they sometimes
passed each other on the road One bitter
cold day when the ice was thick on the
ground Mellish crossing The bridge on
his way to rehearsal wher he met Sir
Henry going In an opposite direction. Each
stopped in the middle of the bridge, and
Irving said:
Going to rehearsal? Nice morning"
es, replied Mellish. It's freezing"
NO. nc" satd Irving 1T isn't freezing,
it's thawing."
The next moment he slipped and fell. His
six hat rolled of in one direction. his cane
and gloves in another. while his glasses
bi,Jkt mo STpaii fragments.
As Melllsh stopped to pick hin, m Irv,
Ing collected his possessions and said calm
stin freezing
Mr.. Mellish is fond of telling the curious
circumstance regarding Irvings first and
last appearance at the town of Bradford In
England.
Irving had never played at Bradford In
Yorkshire" says Mr.. Mellish; when he
hrst discovered we weye 600, ed for that
place. IL was eight years ago and we were
making a triumphal tour OF the provinces
In the Irving repertoire. Ellen Terry was
win US a week before we reached Brad
ford Irving took sick and consultation
was held as to the best plan TO pursue In
case he did not recover immediately II
was arranged that Nine Sans Gene sbould
De played, since that the least i'm
portant OF the Irving productions Miss
Terry, OF course, played Nine Sans Gene
while l filled Irving place as Napoleon.
Sir Henry regretted his inability TO an
pear at the strange town. but It was nm
avoidable. and during his ten weeks alb
sence from the company 1 continued In his
role The next season we We're again
booked for Bradford where we We're to
open on a Monday evening. The Satur-
day preceding Sir Henry lost his voice so
completely that he could not 20 IN Brad
ford. so again | played Napoleon in Sans
Gene az the unfortunate place Natur-
ally the townspeople were rather sore about
the two occurrences and they expressed
their opinion that Irving was a biuff
THE next season Irving said to his hook
Ing agent: can't go to Bradford. Cut II
out. have become superstitIous about It. >
And he didn't go there For five years he
played all around Bradford. but would not
be persuaded 10 change his mind untl last
year when he made his first and last ap-
,pearanee, for i was ~ Bradford he died
i tt?'
In expressing his admiration for irving
Nr. Mellish says he considers his Corporal
Brewster in The Battle of Waterloo the
most wonderful creation of senfle old age
Of pathos and huulor of all time Mr., Mel
lish frankly confesses that he takes Irving
for his model in every role he attempts.
A VETERAN ACToR-Mr. George Cas-
ton has become. during his stay in Wash
ington. one of the most popular members
OF the Columbia Theater company. When
he came here four weeks ago he was not a