Journeys through Bookland : a new and original plan for reading applied to the world's best literature for children . e talented boyan opportunity to go to college free of Payne gladly accepted the invitation, andproceeded to Union College, where he soon becameone of the most popular boys in the school. Hishandsome face, graceful manners and elegant deliv-ery were met with applause whenever he spoke inpublic, and a natural taste led him to seek everychance for declamation and acting. Even as a childhe had showed his dramatic ability, and more thanonce he was urged to go upon the
Journeys through Bookland : a new and original plan for reading applied to the world's best literature for children . e talented boyan opportunity to go to college free of Payne gladly accepted the invitation, andproceeded to Union College, where he soon becameone of the most popular boys in the school. Hishandsome face, graceful manners and elegant deliv-ery were met with applause whenever he spoke inpublic, and a natural taste led him to seek everychance for declamation and acting. Even as a childhe had showed his dramatic ability, and more thanonce he was urged to go upon the stage. But hisfather refused all offers and kept the boy steadilyat his work. When he was seventeen, however, two eventsoccurred which changed all his plans. First hismother died, and then his father failed in business,and the young man saw that he must himself takeup the burdens of the family. Accordingly he leftcollege before graduation and began his career asan actor. His success was immediate and unusual, if wemay judge from the words of contemporary first appearance in Boston was on February 24,. 4<^ 0 John Howard Payne 223 1809, as Douglas in Young Norval. In this playoccurs the si)eech that countless American boys havedeclaimed, On the Grampian Hills my father feedshis flocks. Of Paynes rendition a critic says, Hehad all the skill of a finished artist combined withthe freshness and simplicity of youth. Great praise,but there are few actors Mho can claim any comi)eti-tion with him. Six weeks later he was playingHamlet there, and his elocution is spoken of asremarkable for its purity, his action as suited to thepassion he represented, and his performance as anexquisite one that delighted his brilliant audience. Upon tlie stage, a glowing boy appearedWhom lieavciily smilcfs and grateful thunders cheered;Then through the throng delighted niurnairs boy enacts more wonders than a man. Another, writing about this time, says, YoungPayne was a perfect Cupid
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, bookidjourneysthro, bookyear1922
