The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-14
"Lifc and Art of Richard ,rnnsfeld.'

"Lifc and Art of Richard Mansfield"
With Selections From His Letters.
BY William Winter. Moftat. Yard &.
Company. Sc net. Two Vols.
This wor, Is characterized as one OF
breadth and power, OF insight and
searching analysis. a life portrait al
full length. painted like the portrait
OF Cromwell, 'wart and ALL" It is
said that Mr. winters greatest quail
hcatlon for undertaking this work Is
his intimate. precise knowledge OF his
subjects nature, his insight into the
mans character and his comprehen-
sion of the artists genius
Mr.. Winter himself closes the pre-.
face to his work with these words
1.-The present epoch Is one of mate.
rialism and luxury. Triumph in tbs
doing of great artistic deeds, the dra.
matte illustration of great subjects
the stimulative. cheering exposition o!
the splendid possibilities of spiritual
human development In the ministry OF
beauty. has never been easy, and It Is
more difficult now than 1t once was
when wealth was less abundant and
life less sophisticated. The genius
that conquers in our time must be for
tilted by indomitable will, steadfast
endurance, tircless industry and ire
sistible charm. Our time was Mans
fields time and although he wos worn
out by the struggle, and although Ae
sacrificed his life in the conflict. he
diffused an abiding influence that
should cheer and animate the disciples
Of intellect, and he gained an honor
able fame that Will long endure. II
there Were only a half score of actors
possessed of such genius ana ability
as that of Richard Mansfield. and ami
mated by such a profound ana passion
ate devotion TO the art of acting as
that which glowed and burned in him,
our theatre in this day Of scientific
prodigy and seemingly miraculous
possibilities, would show ripeness
and splendor Of accomplishment such
as the world has never SEEN"
Features OF Mr.. Winters work are
two photographers. which appear Us
frontispieces, that in volume one
showing q reproduction from S. r.
STEMS portrait of Mansfield, and that
in volume two giving full length
picture OF the actor In his impersona-
ton of Marcus Brutus Besides these,
seventy-four additional unique illus
trations, including among many 9TH
ers, pictures of Mrs Mansfield. Ellen
Terry. Nine. Erminia Rudersdorf and
George Brummell. the Beau" in his
old age at Caen, abundantly emphasize
the interest OF the text.
Volume one begins with a descrip-
ton Of NIansfeld', first signal AnerI-
can success. when he appeared in Union
Square Theatre. New York. January
10. 1885, in the character OF Baron
Chcvrial. Tho play was "A Partisan
Romance" He took the town by sur
prise, his performance making a pro-
found impression as being ''signally
brilliant, representative and memoir
able embodiment" Alr. Winter does
not forget to point out that Mansfield
was IAN artist by Inheritance, as we'll
as by education,' through his mater
nal grandfather, Joseph Rudersdorf, q
musician of ability and distinction.
through his father Maurice Mansfield,
an art critic and viollnist. and his
mother, Ermina Rudersdorf Mansfield.
dramatic singer of superb power and
SKILL That Mansfield adopted his pro-
tesslon as an actor in opposition to
his mothers wishes Is also made evil
dent.
Worry quaint indeed is q pen and ink
sketch of Mansfield. as sir Joseph Por-
ter in "Pinaforc," done by himself and
utilized By Mr.. Winter, as a reminder
of the days when the great actor was
taking the initial steps OF his career
in London and finding the securing OF
professional engagements q difficult
matter. Incidents which threw Mans
field into touch with Robert Louis
Stevenson, with. Tomasso Salvlni, with
Henry Irving, with his generous friend.
lben u. Jordon. diversity the relation
Of what immediately concerned his own
connection with years from 1855 to
1889. Manstield's letters to Mr.. Winter
make additional connecting links from
1892 to 1906. There are entertaining
references to Ellen Terry, Edwin Booth,
II, Nj. Holland, Albert Nj, Palmer and
Edmond Rostand. together with NUM-
crous pictures OF the Mansfield family
at home in New York and AT The
Grange" near New London, Conn,
Volume two contains admirable critl-
pisY,s an NTnnstie1d'S ip,pnr9Opat IN 81 nj