New-York tribune., 1907-12-11

heat of the day who have helped to strengthen and
beautify the passing life of their generation, and
who write, not from vanity, but from the impulse
of kindness and service. Mr.. Stoddart was not
easily persuaded to give these "reminiscences. and
although wishful heed the request Of his chill
dren--that he would make for them. precious
legacy, some account of his lfe,-it was not till
strongly urged by the present writer that he con-
sented to undertake this task Such persuasion was
warranted. for no actor was more genuine
than Mr.. StodGart and professional life was
ever more exemplary than his of the admirable
virtues OF perseverance. sef-denial sincerity, hdel
ity, purity. and truth The counsel upon which the
veteran finally acted that he should write free
ly as If in letter TO old friend whatever OF
the past he might happen to remember and IN so
writing he has made old days to live again, and
voices to speak once more that have long been
silent. and faces to smile upon US that have long
been cold.
In Difference to Mr. stoddarts judgment and III
compliance with his desire Nhese words are written
TO introduce his book-a book which really requires
no introduction, and TO which no Endorsement can
mpart greater than its intrinsic value. 1t is the
cursory record of good life, the natural expression
OF a manly and lovable character. and in ways
It is illurninatve side light upon old theatri-
cal period-a time Of rare interest to those who
watch the dramatic movement in literature and
society and trace the action and reaction OF cvii
cation and the stage. 1t is fortunate that the work
Of writing this record not too long deferred
In two instances-that of George Holland and that
Of John Brougham-the present writer earnestly
and often urged the need and the fair occasion OF
an autobiography, and at last both those veterans
attempted the labor but Holland had postponed the
effort till he too old to make it, producing only
trivial fragment of less than a hundred pages:
and Brougham, when he began to write was so i'll
that he could produce only few chapters-a mere
beginning to what might have been the dramatic
chronicle of half century. teeming with brilliant
men and women and opulent with feeling and m!rth.
Mr.. Stoddart's youthful spirit, buoyant and genial,
serves him now. in the evening gray. readily and
amply it did in the morning gold, and his
memoir has been written with spontaneous earnest
ness, simple candor, and homelike grace. Much OF
il is in outline; but sometimes. in a poem by
Heine a landscape by Corot. the outline is sug-
gesive of the complete painting; and part of it
is tedious In his writing, in his acting it Is the
sketch that is achieved rather than the elaborate
fabric of complex art One of this comedians most
representative triumphs the stage was gained
in Dion Bouccault's play of The Long Strike. as
the old lawyer. MI Moneypenny, a man outwardlv
Grabbed but inwardy tender. comic in his garb of
morose selfshness but winning in his abundant hu-
manityi and whoever saw that performance first
given many years ago at Laura keene's Theatre1
picture in little of those attributes Of
the actor that have made him great; for greatness
IN dramatic art meaning the summit Of excellence
I'm interpretative expression is simplicity. and of
simplicity Mr. Stoddart possesses the absolute
mand. touching equally the springs of humor and
pathos winning affection well as admiration.
and thus fulfilling the purpose art which
is to bless human life with the gracious memory
that makes it calm and the noble incentive that
makes IL beautiful w. w