New-York tribune., 1922-01-26
Books p.,., /2.,,r,... ::

Hesketh Pearson. who writes in
timately in "Modern Men and Mum
mers" Of his friends, the celebrities,
is possibly unknown to you, since he is
one of the more obscure OF the illus
trious Englshmen of letters. This
dimness Of reputation, however, need
not keep you away from his book, for
1t is learned from "Who's Who" and
the volumes jacket that his distin-
guished family connection and his pro-
fessIon as an actor enable him to rub
shoulders with The noteworthy and to
catch them often unawares. descended
from, their pedestss. SO familiar was
he with Sir Herbert Tree, for instance,
that once, while living in a distant
suburb of London, and seized with a
desire to see Sir Herbert's Hamlet"
ne telegraphed him as follows: "Can
you play Hamlet in a businesslike
manner next Thursday so as to permit
me to catch midnight train from
Victoria? 2" And Sir Herbert answered,
Cannot alter my conception of the
part to fit midnight train, but will cut
scene if you'll run to Victoria."
Sir Herbert was brilliant, childlike
i'll his simplicity and full of pranks. a
friendly man excepting when he was
rehearsing Macbeth" On those occa-
slons he used to drink heavily to keep
himself going; and the more he drank
the more sulien and irritable he be-
came. AS his halfbrother, Max, is the
greatest of pictorial caricaturists, so
was Sir Herbert the greatest of histri-
onic caricaturists, Mr.. Pearson saws:
and with him died system that pro-
duccd a few fine virtues OF poetry.
music and beauty, and some serious
faults Of bad plays and bad acting.
X I: !:
In a sketch Of Sir George Alexander
Mr. Pearson tells of the irritations he
and Sir George experienced while cast
ing the great English actors for the
Tercentenary performance OF Julius
Casar" at Drury Lane in 1916. The
committee wished Matheson Lang to
play Brutus, but it was adumbrated
that Arthur Bourchier felt sighted at
Delng passed over, and crisis was pre-
cipitated. II can't see him in tho
part" said Sir George. "Nor can anv
one else," said II. B. Irving. Except
himself" said Gerald du Maurier. But
Mr.. Bourchier was selected-with
Henry Ainley for Antony, Mr.. Irving
for Cassius, and the title role, the m ost
thankless in all dramatic art, was nut
on poor Frank Benson on the ground
that he could not out-mouth Cesar's
mouthing. Mr.. Benson felt fattcrcd.
Du Maurier in fit of spectacular
establishment, asked to be cast as
"a CITIZEN" and Charles Hawtrey, not
TO be outdone in beautiful humility
requested similar lowlincss. both
coming in for criticism bv the others
who regarded their sacrifice as pose.
1t Is recalled that another chronicler
OF the occasion wrote fippantly that
the two actors, during rehearsal, had
"Araonl" and which "Pillagc!" Louis
Oaivert' now OF the Theatcr Guild
was suggested for the envious Casca
but Oscar Asche received the assign
ment, because he was superior ab-
dominally. When Godfrey Tearle
begged to bc allowed to participate in
any small way, even as assistant stage
manager, Mr.. Hawtrey objected, say
Ing that Mr.. Tearle was not in khaki
u shall sever my connection with the
whole affair."" said he, "if Tearle is
allowed to do anything" This virtuous
and patriotic sentiment, Mr.. Pearson
remarks, coming from MIR. Hawtrey. In
the full security of his age. was
echoed by others, Younger, who them
selves were not with the colors. Mr..
1earle vas sacrificed, therefore, on