The Century illustrated monthly magazine . ons upon old forms. I should as soonexpect to see Mcrcutio smoke a cigarette as tofind him ambling about the stage with themincing manners of a dude. And speaking of this very character, CharlesMathews told me that, during MacreadysShaksperean revivals at Drury Lane Theater,he was engaged to play Roderigo, in whichlight and frivolous part he made such a hitthat Macready tried to persuade him to actMerciitio. He was delighted with the idea atfirst, but upon reading and pondering over thepart he felt convinced that it was beyond urged, but
The Century illustrated monthly magazine . ons upon old forms. I should as soonexpect to see Mcrcutio smoke a cigarette as tofind him ambling about the stage with themincing manners of a dude. And speaking of this very character, CharlesMathews told me that, during MacreadysShaksperean revivals at Drury Lane Theater,he was engaged to play Roderigo, in whichlight and frivolous part he made such a hitthat Macready tried to persuade him to actMerciitio. He was delighted with the idea atfirst, but upon reading and pondering over thepart he felt convinced that it was beyond urged, but Mathews would not un-dertake the responsibility. Some years after-ward Charles Kemble returned to the stage for a short farewell engagement and diOX^AMercutio. Oh, said Mathews, when I saw this elegantand manly actor dash across the stage withthe confident carriage of a prince, and heard himread the lines of Shakspere as though they hadbeen written for him, I felt that I had made afortunate escape in dodging this first gentlemanof HENRY PLACIDE.(FROM A PHOTOGRAPH BY FREDERICKS.) The next important figure to James E. Mur-doch, in the powerful cast of the School forScandal just referred to, was the Sir PeterTeazle of Henry Placide. It was one of thisactors most striking characters. His style, dur-ing the latter part of his career, was said to havebeen founded on that of William Farren, thegreat English actor. If so, from all the accountswe get of Mr. Farren, the model was Placide was considered a finishedartist, but somewhat cold and hard in his man-ner. These features, however, though theymar the more delicate points in acting, wouldbe less objectionable in Sir Peter than in mostof the old men in English comedy. Except inthe scene where he speaks feelingly of his wifeto Joseph Surface, the part is stiff, testy, andformal; the humor is dry rather than career of Henry Placide was long andbrilliant. He was a strong feature of the oldPark Theater f
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