Evening star., 1912-11-24

OF the produc;ioni she writes ms voice
was. most happily. perfectly restored. and
again the blessed sun shone brightly on
me on this eventful day my father ar
rived Ia comfort me and be ii witness 10
my trial He accompanied ne 70 my
dressing room at the theater and then
left me: and !. in one OF what ! call ms
desperate tranpuillities. which usually inn
press me under terrific circumstances.
there completed my dress TO the aston
ishment of my attendants, without utter
ing one word. though often signing most
profoundly."
Enough now to say that her audience
was swept away. Tears attended her
sadly solemn scenes TO be succeeded by
cheers the curtain fell. She awoke
the next morning to find herself the talk
of the town-the most-sought-after
woman. People fought for seats: even
breakfasted near the theater 10 be sure
of getting good places. Madam said
DR. johnson. when she called at his al
ways ill-furnished lodgings. and he was
somewhat put To IL 10 find her a chain.
''you who so often occasion a want of
seats to other people will the more easily
excuse the want of one yourself
Tragic Even Off the Stage.
From one OF the annoyances OF sue
cessful actress her s;ateliness and de-
meanor. as tragic as well OFF the stage
as on. protected her. I'D as soon make
love to the Archbishop of Canterbury
as to Mrs. Siddons." said Sheridan once.
when accused OF overdevotion to his
star This department was no pose. but
the natural effect of a mind continually
occupied with high thoughts upon the
body 1t dominated. The story goes that.
buying piece of calico, she inquired In
tones so deep and trasical "Wil it
wash" that the affrighted shopman
started back. falling in collapse against
his shelves. Witness truth she cried.
laughingly. when told this story. Il never
meant to be tragical But there was in
her at all times something of the tragedy
queen. On the stage her intensity some
times wholly unnamed the actor playing
opposite to her. Young. one of the best
OF her support. was struck dumb by her
vehemence in certain part and had all
| he could do to finish his act; while an
| other actor. coming trembling and
manned from the stage. said: THAT
woman plays as though the thing Were
| in earnest She looks me SO through anl
] through with her black eyes that | would
| not for the world meet her on the stag.
again. Perhaps the one time she met
her match was when a guileless callboy
| she had sent for a pot of porter, where
| with to restore herself after the sieeH-
! walking scene in Macbeth brought the
| foaming beaker. not 70 the DRESSING
room. but to her on the stage I'm full
view Of the audience. which roared Even
| her auditors back to the mood OF terror
which that scene compels.
Long Life Full of Honors.
| Mrs. Sddons lived a long life fun OF
| honors, dying at the age OF seventy-six
She retired from the stage at fifty-seven.
i but truth compels the statement that her
| farewell performances were almost as
many as those of Patti or of Bernhard
/, 1t is hard for those who have known the
| limelight ever to forego il. The poet
Rogers told how. sitting with him one
afternoon, the old lady said with a sigh:
| "Oh, dear. This Is the time / used to be
| thinking of going to the theater. First
came the pleasure of dressing for my
part. and then the pleasure of acting it.
| But that is all over now
| Sir Joshua Reynolds was inspired by
Mrs Siddons to one of his finest por-
| traits, which he inscribed to her as THE
Tragic Muse" At her request Dr. John
| son inscribed his name at the edge of
| the portrait. II would not lose" he said
1.-The honor this opportunity afforded me
| for my name going down to posterity on
| the hem of your garment"