Punch: Punch (84.1883)

MEMS. OF A DISTINGUISHED AMATEUR.

{Extracted from his Diaries.)

Christmas, 1849.—A most important year. Early in the Spring
made my first appearance as Richard the Third. Told by the local
reporter of the Mudstone Mercury that it reminded him of the elder
Kean. No doubt it did. Badly supported by the other Amateurs
taking part in the Dashover Hall Amateur Theatricals.

Midsummer, 1852.—Have certainly matured my style since I
made my first appearance as Richard the Third. Then decidedly
crude, although told, by persons who certainly ought to have known,
that I was far better than the elder Kean. Have added to my
repertoire, Hamlet, Claude Melnotte, Othello, Belphegor, Dazzle,
and Macbeth. Have seen Macready, Charles Mathews, Phelps,
Webster, G. V. Brooke in these parts—well, I don’t want to be
hard upon them, but they certainly don’t play them quite in my
manner!

Christmas, 1854.—Have recently turned my attention a good deal
to Low Comedy. Played in some garrison theatricals, Tony Lumpkin,
and Box in Box and Cox. Local reporter of the Cabbageville
Courier insists that “ Buckstone is not a bit like me!” Well,
although 1 say it who shouldn’t, but frankly—he isn’t!

Midsummer, 1856.—Got back to the ‘'legitimate” again. Played
Wolsey, in selection from ILenry the Eighth at Mrs. Trevor
Taunton’s Theatricals, at 142, St. Augustine Yillas, Kensington
New Town. Stage rather small, as Mrs. T. T.’s back drawing-room
is only nine feet by twelve. However, was magnificent. At least,
so said an Oxford Undergraduate who insisted that I was better than
Charles Kean. Well, well, Charley is not bad.

Christmas, 1860.—Still hard at work at my acting. I really do
believe I have played everything in my time. I have got sixteen
large scrap-books full of favourable provincial notices. Rather
annoying 1 cannot obtain recognition at the hands of the London
Press. However, to quote a well-known line, “A time will come ! ”
Have recently added Ruy Bias to my repertoire. My creation is
considered by the best judges to be infinitely grander than Fechterts.
But then allowances ought to be made for Fechter’s shortcomings.
It must be remembered that he is a foreigner !

Midsummer, 1865.—Still delighting the provinces. The Gushington
Gazette insists that my reading of Lord Dundreary is infinitely pre-
ferable to Sothern’s. Well, 1 daresay to some people it is, although

it is only fair to Sothern to say, that he is a very promising
Comedian who one day will turn out an Actor !

Christmas, 1868.—Taken recently to Irish character. Have
played with “startling success” (I quote from the intelligent
columns of the Colney Hatch and Hamvell Sentinel) Shaun, Myles
na Coppaleen, and other parts of a similar nature. I am told that
Dion Boucicault came to see me one eyening. They say that I
made him cry !

Midsummer, 1872.—During the last six months have been appear-
ing in a round of Charley Mathews’s characters. Everybody
delighted. Representative of Humborough Herald told me at supper
that my reading was ‘ ‘ replete with humour, pathos, sentiment, fun,
and deep and almost painful feeling.” Representative of Hum-
borough Herald is a most sensible person, and I set an especial value
upon his opinion. Of course I have an awful respect for Charley
Mathews, but his reading is not always mine !

Christmas, 1880.—-Still playing. Really may call myaelf “the
Grand Old Man of the Amateur Stage.” More than thirty years
ago since I first made my appearance, with something actually
approaching nervousness, as Richard the Third. But even in those
days it was universally conceded that I was immeasurably greater
than the elder Kean. Well, well, perhaps I was, perhaps I was.
My favourite characters at the present moment are Romeo, Bob
Brierly, Sir Peter Teazle, and Manfred. They say I could not be
better in any of them ! Well, well, perhaps not, perhaps not! I
only want one thing to complete my satisfaction—a notice in a
London paper.

Christmas, 1882 —At last! The other evening, wL ;n I was play-
ing at Lady Loafer’s, I saw Slater of the Proscenium taking notes.
There is sure to be a notice ! And here it is ! Silly I did not see

the Proscenium before. Let us read “ Mr.-, as-, has yet

to learn how to act. He is the worst amateur that we have ever
seen.” !!!!!!

Diary breaks off abruptly,

“Sweetness and—White.”

The Daily News says—“ With all these blue, yellow, and scarlet
ribbons for temperance in drink, will no one start a white ribbon for
temperance in costume ? ” We find that since these lines have been
published there is not half a yard of white ribbon to be bought in
London, and the dyers have been busier than ever.

Vol. 84.

1