New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-01-22
EILISTON'S HAMLET.

Robert William Ellston, the renowned
comedian OF the early years Of the nine
teenth century. is practically only known
to-day through what is said Of him in
Lambs Essays, though now and then
student OF theatrical history visits his
grave in St. Johns Church. Waterloo Road,
and muses. on its dignified Latin inscription.
little while ago. however. a writer in
London evening paper was good enough 10
allude to him as "a frothy creature and
sad toss-pot' and II therefore becomes
worth saying that the description was as in
accurate as it was inelegant. For one
thing E!llston happened to be a gentleman,
one Of the few then on the stage He was
also an aTectionate husband and father.
and properly proud Of his name and fam
fly. A grandson Of his, bearing the same
rame. now lives al Streatham Hill, and
possesses many Of the letters written by
and 10 his famous grandfather, a we'll as
the beautiful portrait painted Of him by
HarIowc Of which there IS, I believe,
replica az the Garrick club, and OF which
the engraving is well known Mr.. Elliston
has been good enough 10 let me see these
treasures Of his and anything less Ike
the memorials of "A frothy creature and a
sad toss-pot ! have not often seen.
In letter 10 his uncle, the Rev. DR.
Flliston. head Of Sidney College. Cam
bridge. dated September 10, 1904, describing
a benefit ne had Just been given az Drury
Lane. he continued a. follows.
Believe me. dear Sir. all my hopes. all
the wishes Of my heart proceed 20 make a
name respectable which you so kindly Ia
/ bored after in the early part Of my life
and 1 desire 10 prove 10 you that Your en-
beavers were not fruitless"
And another letter. written to him by his
/ brother-in-law. Charles Randall, on the
death Of his wife. shows IN a most eloquent
wav the esteem in which his character was
/ held bv one evidently we'll able 10 Judge IT,
/ This Mr. Rundall was either in the army
/ or the civil Service in India. and was the
/ father II the late General Eundall, who
/ died not long ago. II the writer Of the Of
/ fensive and uncalled FOR sentence quoted
| above had known OF these papers he might
not have been in such hurry 10 maligu
! the dead. though oddly enough. when Mr..
Fniston wrote 10 him, drawing his atten-
/ ton 10 these papers and their proofs OF a
/ serious side 10 his grandfather's character
| the letter was not even answered
/ FllisT0n. as an actor, - CHltHy famous
as Doricourt. Charles Surface. Rover and
Ranger. parts In which he gave brilliant
displavs Of high comedy His Hamlet
/ however must have been very interesting
In tho scene with the queen ne played II
,,,,h the Queen wearing the portrait Of the
,reeeut King and Hamlet himself wearing
| his fathers portrait. This was, OF course
| ,,,,,,aa s,irablv less fine than Henry Irving
| treatment OF the two counterfeit present
r,erts' az imaginary. but il was a good
deal better than Kembles business OF
dray,,ng a couple Of miniatures out Of his
! ,ocl,at, Fluston used 10 make another fine
min, in this scene as the Ghost vanished
-, leaking steadfastly after the spirit from
I - Mace where ne stood and prOnOuncinG
O. a low. solemn tone, as II still amazed
aud awestruck. the speech beginning
| .,y-bv look you there and finishing
.ov, at the portal" and then. after a
.to-, ,suse throwing himself on 20 a chair
d, exhausted by his emotions This
ea.r,s IN me finely conceived. kemble-
90 contemporary playgocr whose man
.'.o~,,, - in Mr. Elliston's possessIon-used
- cav "Whv, look YOU there IN a petu.
~, INV as Il irritated with the queer
for not having seen the sp.rit-Pail Nal
/