New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1907-08-14

Il
millions, became interested in young
afore.' Mansfield played with the
troupe in the British provinces for
three years at SIS a week. Then he
determined to go up to London, for he
felt himself fit for something better.
Richard Mansfield is practically an
American actor, and America is proud
to claim him. He was born, however,
on the little island Of Helgoland fifty
years ago. His father was British
opera singer.
How He "Made 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 considerable rep
utatfon. 1t was in his part Of Prince
Karl, in the play written by A. G.
Gunter. who died only few months
; ago, that Mansfield s'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
Ollie 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
70 nd fho
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
/, was always letter perfect. He knew
! his lines. He knew his characters.
And they were such characters
Shakespeares, Schiller's, Moliere's,
/ Ibsen'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, 81 am Richard
the king
Sample of His Pathos.
There is a 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 footlights and be-
rated his audience, declaring that that
city could not appreciate art and 9th
erwise expressing severe opinions
against the Missouri metropolis:
ct is especially concerning the para
graph which suggests that an actor
would be more successful if he enjoy,
ed the reputation of being a good fell
low that / write. 1t all depends upon
what the definition Of the words may
me. l haven't the time Or the inclina
ton to be a good fellow in the sense
In which it is generally accepted in
this country, but I trust that | have
at all times been a good friend and {
hOspitable host Possibly few
are aware that when I have played
one of my trying roles / am utterly
totally exhausted. I ought then an(
there to be wrapped up in blanket!
and put to bed after having been fed
That's what they do for good race
horse after a race. If hem and hav
, it is because I am exhausted and no
because 1 am an idiot. as the polit,
gentleman on an afternoon paper Il
good enough to suggest. I give m.
whole life and soul to my work.
The power for evil in this world i
far greater than the power for good
Yet some day there will be few vic
let's blooming on the grave Of you
faithful servant, Richard Mansfield"
This was before he became the ia
nous actor Of his later years. Sine
then many newspapers have enjoyed
remarks derogatory to Mansfield be
cause Of the actors ebullitions of TEN
per. Various and sundry have beel
the unkind cuts from the American
press. There can be no question tina
a super or common plug actor, hav
ing been guilty of outbreaks such a
mar Mansfeld's record, would hav
deserved severe cenSure. At least min
Of Mansdeld's leading women hav
quit his company in disgust because o
his temper. Isabel Irving stayed il
his support just two days. Lucill
Flaven lasted one day. Katherin
Grey, Margaret Anglin, Lettie Fairfax
Florence Kahn, Eleanor Barry AM
Roselle Knott were among the other
who could not "stand for" the Mans
field manner-or manners.
Forgets Self When Acting.
81 suppose, sir" said an enthusias
tic woman to the actcr. ''that when il
the spirit of those gre roles you fol
, get your real self for Gays"
! Eyes, madam" Mansfield replied
! 4'for days as we'll as nights. It is the
: I do those dreadful things-trample o.
the upturned features of my leadin
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