Year: 1878

The career OF CnarlOtte CusIihah III WV ~
spendor eff its public aspects is already the subject
of history, and needed not the cordial ana anec-
tionate tribute of personal friendship to perpetuae
its tuumnhs The point of view in which the
uresent work assumes an exceeding interest is that
of the nortrature of rare and noble woman rather
than of critical estimate of an illustTious dramatic
artist Charlotte Cushman furnishes study OF
human character mole inspiring in its influence
than the record of her admirable achievements on
the stage. The very grandeur of her successes
tends to overshadOw the original and peculiar
nature of which they were the spontaneous fruits
Towering in the native majesty of her character
like the cedar of Lebanon among thetrees Oh Iho
mountain, she exhibited such luxurlahce anu
beauty of expression as to suggest no question III
regard to its inner springs. The memoir oi h1i
friend reveals the wonderful combination Vi eIaoo-
fitness and strength which was the secret OF her
private character and her artistic victories.


The freedom and originality of her nature was
manifested at an eaIly age. Speaking of herself
she saws: " / was born tOmboy," an ungraclous
epltbet which in those days was appliedto all young
girls who showed a disposition to think anu
act for themselves. She was possessed with the dea
when child, that her dolls knew how to think ana
il was always her delight to crack open their heads
to see what they were thinking about. She could
never make their clothes, and III 1act'
through her whole life, had no taste for the
pse of the needle But she was great
hand at making their furniture and could do any
thing with mechanical tools. Climbing trees was
nassion. ~ was very destructive" says she. 10
toys and clothes, tyrannical to brother ana SISTER
but very social and great favorlte with Other chi
dre, - Imitation was prominent trait. She would
sing every song she heard, and mimic the tones,
movements. and expression of those about her. =


acyoin hpr
ful of irresistible life and impulsive WILL living
fully IN the present looking neither before nor
after; as ready to execute as to CONCEIVE; 1uilol
imagination"


One of her first dramatic successes was the per-
formance of Lady Macbeth at CaldwelPs Theatre IN
New Orleans With characteristic daring she struck
at once at the very heights of her profession
Though she was afterward compelled to take lower
mathis and to climb upward painfully, this success
awakened the consciousness of her possibilities ana
presaged the glory of her future career Her CIR
cumstances at this time were poor enough. She hau
no Mace for study and used to SIT on the garret
floor in the house where she boarded III Order 10
study her characters. These were days OF hard
work, intense study, and ceaseless activity.


Her first visit to England was made in 18Th.
After a voyage of three weeks in packet ship, as
they approach the land, she writes: II look upon
it with such different feelings from the other pas
sengers would freely give up the privilege Oh
stepping upon this terra incOgnita, II cOuld tuih
round and 60 straight back again. AT home Ill three
weeks Instead of joy, feeling OF profound sad
ness presses upon nv heart, and find myself un-
consciously shedding tears at my lonely sltuatlon'
am indeed a stranger, and feel it. My only hope
can be that NAV not long feel it so. If do, 1T Will
break nv heart" But the tone of her mind was
soon restored. She was brought into con-
tact with friendly people, who were not slow to
discover the rare quality and promise OF their new
acouaintance In her humble London lodgings she
calmly awaited her fate, though forced to struggle
with poverty. Her straitened Housekeeping ana
careful economies at this time are described by Sae,
the faithful servant who remained with her to the
end of her life, and of whom Miss Stebblns else
where presents a graphic and amusing sketch.
." Miss Cushman," says the good Sallie, hVed on q
mutton chop a day, and always bought the bakers
dozen of mullins for the sake of the extra one, ano
we ate them ALL no matter how stale they were
and we never suffered from want of appetite IL
those DAYS." But this state of things did not last
long. and Immediately after her first engagement
her reception was an assurance of future success
She was then about thirty years of age TALL active
bright IN face and manner; full of wit and humor
and brilliant in manner and expression. Her predom
iuant quality was that of intensity. She plunged
her whole being into the characters which she de
sired to personate. This equally true of her IL
private life and on the stage. Her power OF sympa
thy made the sorrows and sufierings of others al
once her own. Her power of arrestlng attention
was remarkable, and never more so than In The
crowded circles of London fashionable society. III
her private rectations it curious to observe the
dead silence first of surprise, then OF admiration
the moment she spoke In less than ten years, She
finds herself at home IN the best London circles, and
an honored guest in the most distinguished society
In 1854 she took possession of delightful house in
Bolton Row. where for several years she dispensed
a liberal and charming hospitality -


The musical parties she gave there arc well remem
bered by many. All that London afforded OF best in
that and kindred arts found there congenal Held Tor
their exercise. One notable entertainment was din
ner which she gave TO RistOri on the occasion OF her
Paris seen act and had great admiration for her.
as she had also Sayni aud for Italian acting gener
ay She preferred the natural school or actng as dls
tnet from the conventional She herself splendid
example of this school notwithstanding her long stage
in private e alway delighted her In saying they are
they are actors in the OF being hypOites or false
but simply that they suit the action TO tie wOrd ana ~
word TO the action" and are free. untrammeed and
graceful in all their movements, so much so as TO have
become above other people types OF the
In manner, gesture, and attitude Inc poorest peasant
in the Campagna cannot take an ungraceiul attitude
and you Will them standing leaning on their long
shrOudcd their ragged blankets, perfect
lures relieved against the wOndrous cOl0rs OF earth ana
sky Through this irresistible attraction toward the aDS0-
lutey true Miss Cushman preferred Rstori TO Rachel
They were great friends meeting and communicating on
some plane known only TO their oseves but apparently
quite satisfactory both Mss Cushman never had the
advantage Of knowledge OF foreign tongues but TO
observe from distance these two IN conversation was
quite beautiful the animation and interest OF each seem


ingy supplying all deficiencies Aiterwards when resi-
dence In Rome had gwen Miss Cushman some knowledge
OF Italian, Ristor there, and their hrst meeting
took place Unexpectedly on the Pinsian Rlstoli was
walking and Miss Cushman descended from her car
rage and ran to meet her pouring iorlh warm greet


Brava! brava!" with enthusiasm, and then both
united in hearty laugh Charlotte Cushman said, III
describing this scene a friend IL don't know what
said, but threw all the Italian had at her pellmel
aud she understood me, she always does" The Ris
tori dinner unique In Its everything H6iidats
sno as far as the of London would permit
cooks waters dishes. all Italian the chief cook turn