New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-04


ceun engagement with Richelieu He began 1t
with Yorick, in the play called "YOricks Love-
adapted Cor him by ". D. Howells from a Span
ish original. and he did not produce 'Richelleu
until ''Yoricks Love" had ceased 10 draw. Henry
Irving gave no advice in the matter and had moth
ing to do with il. He esteemed and loved Law
renee Barrett and wished him to succeed an"
when he home 10 London and found thar
Barretts season had not been prosperous, and that
things were going badly, he placed his bank ac-
count al Ba7retts disposal and offered all the
port that might happen TO be needed Lawrence
Barrett himself told that fact TO the undersigned
and presumably. he knew something about his own
business It not till some time later When
Irving put up the play of 'Richelieu in the course
of his return season at the Lyceum Theatre, that
Barrett began TO feel hurt and annoyed That
proceeding the part of Irving and that only'
was the cause Of the GOODNESS Ut never took any
other form that slowly grew up between them
That was the reason Of their arrangement as this
writer has said. Lawrence Barrett so declared 10
hirl-not once only but many times, and in clear
positive. unmistakabe language.
The notion in Mr.. Goodale's mind appears to be
that Henry Irving maliciously hopeful mat
Lawrence Barrett. by making his advent at the
London I.yceum Theatre in part that he had HIM
self PLAYED would suffer by comparison; would be
condemned: and would fall; and that therefore ne
named Richelieu. That sort or reasoning ABOUT
Henry Irving has been somewhat protuseIy pro
rnulgated by various soreheaded persons on the
sto ana IN. their advocates and it has become as
vnonoonous as Il is offensive 1t does grievous in
Justice To The memory OF great and GOOD man.
who never in all his life injured anybody anu
whose whole desire. with regard to the stage ana
10 the men and women engaged in its service. was
that the institution should be made noble and that
its votaries should be respected and happy. The
habit of snarlng at the heels of Henry irving Tor
no other reason than because he achieved pro-
dgious success and exerted a worldwide influence
is particularly detestable. and II indicates an eX-
ceedingly spirit.
As 10 RIcbelieu. Henry irving acted that part for
the first time at the London Lyceum Theatre, on
September 81 1873 The play ran for 100 per-
formances Irving did not again act the Cardinal
tIl some time after the close of Lawrence Barretts
enGag cement al the Iyceum. in the summer OF 1884,.
at which time he revived it for repettions which
were scarcely more than rehearsas. with view to
fits presentment in America. At the time OF Bar
retts appearance In the part accordingly. the Lon
don public had not seen Irving as Rcheheu Tor
nearly ten years. Comparison between those two
actors therefore, was practically impossible. The
London public however had seen Edwin Booths
npersonation Of Richelieu. which was the best ever
given: superior 10 that Of Barrett and superior TO
that of Irving-as told him, after seeing him act
the part. IN 1884: ane II in consequence OF my
advice. which he considered good. that he never
played il IN New York. He once played II I'm Chi
caFo. John Ryder testified. with tears in his
that Edwin Booths Richelieu surpassed that Of
Macready. who was the original and Ryder had
tied Macready's memory. Lawrence Barretts rea-
for acting Rchelieu in that London engage
nlent simply that Yorick had not pleased the
Million that he knew he could give fine perform
Of Richelieu (Which he did, and that he want
ed TO be seen in great character. He was right.
and he had his reward-for he greatly admired
by many people. including Of the best Judges
OF acting in England-and including Henry Irving
As 10 the comparative misfortune that attended
Lawrence Barretts London Lyceum Theatre sea
he orig hat he xubO of
his time there should be filled with 'Yorck's Love
The 'Richeleu" card was played because IL had to
be The reception accorded TO Barrett by the Lon
don public on his opening night wildly enthu-
siasticso that he was nearly overcome by emotion.
He was recalled 20 the stage after his FIRST exit:
he had three calls after the first curtain, and six
after the second and at the end of the performance
he had 10 address the audience; and voice, inter
rupting him he tried to express his thanks.
claimed with British fervor You deserve II
all, and more!" He did. for he was of the best
actors and one Of the noblest gentlemen that
lived The death Of the Duke OF Albany. putting
the Court into mourning and disturbing the usual
course of social affairs in London. was largely the
cause Of the comparative failure Of Barretts sea
son. Before It began, he about 10 sail for
America, Henry Irving. speaking from the Lyceum
stage said 10 his public You will. Of course. eX-
tend welcome my dear friend Lawrence Barrett
the famous American actor. who will appear here
in the early part OF next year When Barrett's
season ended, May 90 Henry Irving presented To
him the order Of the Garter which had once been
the property Of Edmund Kean and worn by
that great actor in Richard III Lawrence
Barrett himself July Is, 1880 said: ION the night
June u Of the memorable re-entry Of Mr. Irving
at the I.yceum, when 7 entered the box which Mr.
Irving had placed my disposal the audience rose
and cheered me. You imagine my qualification
At that spontaneous outburst from, perhaps. the
most notable audience that ever assembled at
London theatre"
Both those great actors are dead. There should
be end OF pickering over the grave They loved
; each other. at time, very dearly. The cloud
that rose between them was hut the vapor OF a
moment. II is all gone and ended now. TIE men
ton OF it meant only 20 explain it-for even
the foibles Of great characters possess certain
interest for the student Of human nature Time
is Ike the peacefulRess of grass. Let us be glad
Goethe said that the German people ought TO bc
with reference himself and Schiller. that we
have two such men 10 rernember. VI. w.