Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-13

| of all the German actors who come To
this country was against real greatness
as an actor but favored versatility and
an appreciation of the oddities of human
nature with strong leaning toward the
extremes of types, those of sinister i'm
port preferred. rather than those express
i've of a nobility of spirit Tomasso Sal
vini once said to the present writer tbat
while he understood the fierceness and
nobleness of Othello, the pathos and
grandeur of Lear, the weakness and am
bition of Macbeth, he never could mould
his spirit to the sweetness that underles
the character of Hamlet Neither could
Mr.. Mansfield. And yet. looked at from
the point of view or understanding Of the
why Mr.. Mansfield wae held to be a great
actor.
Whatever place posterity may award
him Richard Mansfield was certainly the
foremost of American actors. His place
in the affections of the American people
was not won as was that of Forrest,
Booth Jefferson, Mccullough, Charlotte
Cushman, or Mrs. Gilbert, by the lovable
qualities of heart, but by his sheer force
of character, art instinct and intellec-
tual power. The public, perhaps, misled
by the many stories current Of his al
legged unamiable qualities, had no affec-
tion for the man, yet respected the actor
as leader of his profession. 1t is cur
ious analogy to note the marked resem-
blance in certain characteristics between
Edwin Forrest and Richard Mansfield,
and the beginnings rof both men; and
what Is also remarkable, both men re-
cruited largely their artistic gifts from
their Teutonic blood. Forests mother
was of German descen. and Mansfield
was German all through. The former, by
the force of sheer genius, rose from a
super in the old Walnut Street theater,
Philadelphia to be the greatest acknowl-
edged actor of his day, and Mansfield,
with a first class education (Forrest had
little or none) triumphed over maternal
neglect and the public's indifference to be
the leader on the American stage. and
after the death of Sir Henry Irving, cas-
lily, first upon the English speaking stake.
AS with Forrest, Mansfield was cordially
disliked by both managers and players.
1t was more fear of Forests rugged. i'm
petuous temper than actual dislike of the
man, and all united in acknowledging
his greatness as an actor. Mansfield, on
the other hand. was damned by almost
every actor and actress he had ever had
lin his company. no doubt often without
|due reason, for Mr.. Mansfield could be
the most urbane of mortals If handled
with proper tact. Those who had busi-
ness dealings with Mr.. Mansfield declared
him to be an Impossible man. He dealt
with few dramatists In his time, and when
he did it usually ended in row. For
rests latter life was embittered by his
marital troubles, whereas Mansfield had
an ideal home life and was one OF the
most charming of hosts and entertainers.
OF the stage. Mr., Mansfield led the life
of a clean-cut, high-toned American gem
tleman. He made few friends, but they
were well chosen and he kept them.
When all is said and done, Mr.. Mansfield
has left an indelible mark upon his time.
In the face of huge obstacles he accom-
plished success. He had solved the COM
bination of art for arts sake, and art for
the dollars sake. and usually to the ad-
vantage of ar. Had he lived he would
have unquestionably accomplished more,
for he had in mind Macbeth and perhaps
Lear and Othello. by which performances
the true measure of his greatness as an
actor would have been better gauged, for
these are great parts. Productions such
as Peer Cynt' may make money, but
they do not foster dramatic art"
The first performance OF '.rhe Merry widow