The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1907-08-15

years ago. His rather was q British
army officer and his mother a Russian
opera singer.
How He 'EMade Good"
Mansfield came to America to re-
main permanently about twenty-five
years ago. He had achieved fair sue
cess on the London stage. He ap-
peared here first in comic operas and
comedies and won a considerable rep
utation. 1t was in his part of Prince
Karl, in the play written by A. c..
Gunter, who died only few months
ago, that Mansfield ''made good and
started fairly on the road to his great
reputation. But he had to struggle.
II am as determined as the tides Of
the ocean and as patient as the Cath
Ole church," he once remarked when
adverse criticism was encountered
Mansfeld's breakdown in his prime
is due to overwork. That determine
ton which has possessed him from the
first has undermined his health He
reached the private palace car and the
Versailles dining room furniture only
by the severest sort Of labor-inces-
SAINT, nerve destroying, plugging toll
at the tasks he set for himself. Some
men may spend their summers in idle
ness. Mansfield used to retire to his
New London home and spend the
warm months studying furiously.
When he reached the rehearsals he
o1vx-ovc lotion II
his lines. He knew his characters,
And they were such characters
Shakespeare's, Schiller's, Moliere's,
1bsen's and those Of lesser tragedians
and comedians. Not only did he know
his characters, but he became them
for the time. when I play Richard
the king" he has said, "I am Richard
the king"
Sample of His Pathos.
There is powerful pathos in the
letter which Mansfield wrote to the
st. Louis Republic in reply to an at
tack upon him by that paper some
years ago, when the actor, at the old
Hagan Opera House in st. Louis, ap-
peared before the footEghts and be-
rated his audience, declaring that that
city could not appreciate art and 9TH
erwise expressing severe opinions
against the Missouri metropolis:
1T is especially concerning the para
graph which suggests that an actor
would be more successful If he enjoy
ed the reputation of being good fell
low that write. It all depends upon
what the definition of the words may
me. haven't the time or the inclina.
h~-~-e~~1-e allou in tho eorc,
In which it is generally accepted in
this country, but I trust that I have
at all times been a good friend and a
hospitable host. Possibly few
are aware that when I have played
one of my trying roles I am utterly,
totally exhausted. I ought then and
there to be wrapped up in blankets
and put to bed after having been fed
That's what they do for a good race
horse after a race. If hem and haw
it is because am exhausted and not
because am an idiot, as the polite
gentleman on an afternoon paper is
good enough to suggest give my
whole life and soul to my work.
The power for evil in this world is
far greater than the power for good
Yet some day there will be a few VIC,
let's blooming on the grave of your
faithful servant, Richard Mansfield"
This was before he became the ia.
nous actor Of his later years. Since
then many newspapers have enjoyed
remarks derogatory to Mansfield be.
cause Of the actors ebullitions of tenn
per. Various and sundry have been
the unkind cuts from the American
press. There can be no question that
a super or a common plug actor, hav'
ing been guilty Of outbreaks such as
mar Mansield's record, would have
deserved severe censure. At least nine
Of Mansfeld's leading women have
quit his company in disgust because of
his temper. Isabel Irving stayed in
his support just two days. Lucille
Flaven lasted one day. Katherine
Grey, Margaret Anglin, Lettie Fairfax
Florence Kahn, Eleanor Barry and
Roselle Knott were among the others
who could not "stand for the Mans
field manner-or manners.
Forgets Self When Acting.
II suppose, sir" said an enthusias.
tic woman to the actor, .'that when in
the spirit of those gree roles you for.
get your real self for days."
eyes, madam" Mansfield replied
flor days as we'll as nights. It is then
I do fhoso droo df11l thin uc-fra mrlo on