The Washington herald., 1906-12-30

ments, I went proudly. but mOdestly, 20
my father. and informed him as grace
fully as possible of my chance for ad'
vancement. Isn't this fine, fatherg ! said
To my CONSERVATION, he answered: Fine,
fine? Why do you say fineg Because
continued. II is such a rare thing to jump
from the bottom TO the top in one season =
That's the very reason why / think 1t
bad, he added.
Then you don't advise me TO accept
the position I gasped in amazement
" Certainly not he replied. for II you
DO you will send to me in two weeks for
enough money to pay your expenses IN
til YOU can find another job
4 listened attentiveiy and sadly 10 the
superior wisdom. given as most fathers
do give Il, very generously, then I. in turn,
did as most dutiful sons usually do, and
disobeyed my father by accepting the al
Turing offer At the end of the first week
of my two allotted ones ] was walking the
streets. / was too proud to ask for family
assistance after the paternal warning, and
so cast about for something to do. Ny
thoughts turned naturally to the sea, and
I shipped on a collier 10 London. and then
spent the rest of a year on a bark, when
I studied navigation. and qualified 10 take
d masters certificate. Al the present
time l am better known as a sailor than
as an actor, for all my spare time is spent
on board my yacht. Isn't the love of the
sea wonderful Once it takes possession
of you there is no escape.
when in town 1 devote my leisure mo-
ments TO painting marine views in oils
and water colors. Landscapes never at
tract me as does the sea. ] make sketches
in the summer and finish them in the win
ter I studied with Julian Rix, whose
work is so we'll known in this country.
He consented to instruct me as friendly
favor. for 1 was his ore pupil"
MT Standings work has been highly
praised for its strength of stroke and
beauty Of coloring.
But 70 return TO my last cruise. I had
shore leave of some days in London, and
decided to try my fortune on the stage
again. I approached Sir Charles Wynd-
ham, and, to my JOY. secured an engage
ment with him at the Criterion The8teT
/ learned more then than ever since. Only
recently. in the criticisms of my Sir Dan
lei CartaTret. which 1 played in Mrs
Danes Defense with Miss Anglin and
Miss AshwelL several writers ikened my
methods TO those of Sir Charles Wynd-
ham. This pleased me beyond expression,
and when Mrs. Bronson Howard. the sis
ter Of Wyudham. personally remarked TO
me that I reminded her constantly Of him.
1 realized how much / had gained in
those early days
There Is so much in the art Of acting
and too often art is permitted to suffer
when weighed with business. for the COM
bined art and business tends to degrade
the former. In too many instances plays
and players are under the control of men
who have no idea of art except that it is a
word of one syllable. Such persons can
never be persuaded Of the importance in
details in a production.
There is one matter which has so fire.
quently annoyed me, and feel sure others
must have noticed the same thing. !
speak OF the music played by the Orches-
ira between acts 1t is often utterly at
discord with the theme Of the play. and il
would be far better 10 have no music at
all than such music. I have attended
Shakespearean performance and listened
to coon songs such as Bill Simmons while
l waited for the next act. That is sac
rilege.
There. that's my call. / must 90 and
build that railroad across my sweetheart
property. Miss Odette Tyler is charming
to play with. Indeed, my association with
her has been one Of the most pleasant Of
my career.
New York, Dec. y.