John William Weidemeyer

“ From 1828 until 1832 he was manager of the last-named theatre. In 1832 Kemble came to the United States in company with his daughter, Frances Anne. He opened at the Park theatre in New York city as Hamlet. For two years father and daughter continued playing in the large cities of the Union. After the actor's return to London, in 1834, he performed in public for limited periods, taking a farewell of the stage in 1836. He then became a dramatic reader in public, and was frequently invited to read condensations of Shakespeare's plays in the royal household. ”

“ In 1858 the Italian opera company in New York city unsuccessfully produced a reconstructed Italian version of his “Leonora.” Another opera, “Notre Dame,” brought out in 1864, won no attention. Fry was an occasional political speaker, a lecturer on topics of the day, and altogether an accomplished man. For several years he suffered from lingering consumption and unsuccessfully sought relief in a milder climate. When he was lying bedridden in a house near the New York Academy of Music he asked permission to have a “lover's telephone” placed so that he could hear something of the music. ”

“ Kemble was pre-eminent, displaying both scholarship and intellectual mastery, and combining tenderness with power. It sounds strangely to hear from one so highly gifted that “her dislike for the stage made her indifferent to her own success” as an artist. Apart from her acting and reading she has claims to distinction as a poet, dramatist, critic, and prose-writer. Her publications include “Francis the First,” a drama (London, 1832; New York, 1833) ; “Journal” (2 vols., London, 1835; Philadelphia and Boston, 1835) ; “The Star of Seville,” a drama (London and New York, 1837) ”

“ His first appearance on the stage was as a child at the Surrey theatre in London. Soon afterward he performed in juvenile characters at Drury Lane, and at the age of eighteen entered on a permanent career at the same house as Laertes in “Hamlet.” He also acted in the British provinces and in Ireland, gradually winning his way to popularity as a useful representative of drama and comedy. In 1824 Wallack became stage-manager at Drury Lane, and rose to the performance of secondary rôles in tragedy. Later he played at the Haymarket, and officiated as stage-manager at the Princess's theatre. ”

“ In 1810 he became stage-manager, and remained permanently connected with the one playhouse as actor, stage-manager, and manager for thirty-eight years. It was his privilege to introduce nearly all the noted British players of his day to American audiences. From 1821 until 1840 Simpson was working-manager to Stephen Price, the lessee of the theatre, but on the death of Price he assumed the sole management. ”

“ Terror now spread throughout the entire frontier, all men went armed, and women and boys were provided with weapons for the defence of their homes. The Indian mode of warfare throughout was one of ambush, stealth, and surprises; they never faced the colonists in the open field. No quarter was given, none was asked. Fire, exposure, and starvation added their horrors to this mode of warfare. Meanwhile, Philip, with about 1,500 warriors, wandered over the land to arouse the savages to a general war of extermination. ”

“ He held the theory that all true melody was evolved only in the minds of Italians, that the voice should always be paramount in operatic representations, and the orchestra serve as an accompaniment to the singers. ”

“ The breach between the two actors had been caused by Macready's refusal to permit the American tragedian to appear in London in the plays of “Virginius” and “Richelieu,” both of which, by purchase, had become Macready's property. Macready's private life was without blemish. At all times he sought to elevate and dignify his profession. ”

“ Young Marlowe in “She Stoops to Conquer,” Harry Dornton in “The Road to Ruin,” and Claude Melnotte in “The Lady of Lyons.” In his youth Mr. Wallack had a pleasing tenor voice, which he often used to advantage. In many respects his abilities were similar to his father's. But, unlike him, he never aspired to the leading rôles in tragedy or those of the heavy sentimental drama, but wisely confined his efforts to genteel comedy and romantic youthful characters. ”

“ When Philip lifted the tomahawk there were more than 400 converts, or so-called “praying Indians,” scattered among the various tribes, who held to the interest of the whites, and were, more or less, ready to sacrifice their own people. Philip and his Wampanoags withstood all missionary efforts, and boldly and openly iterated their firm belief in the religion of their fathers. In 1671 the Wampanoags were suspected of secret plottings against the whites, and, with Philip at their head, their principal men were summoned by the Boston colonists to appear before them in Taunton, Mass. ”

“ The “Lady Rebecca” appeared at the London theatres and other public places, and was an object of much interest with the people. “La Belle Sauvage” became a favorite name for taverns. On the eve of her return to this country she was suddenly attacked by small-pox, and died. Her remains were buried in Gravesend. ”

“ Smith made an attempt to capture the wary emperor, in order to obtain a fresh supply of Indian corn. In retaliation, Powhatan prepared to destroy the English settlement; but his purpose was frustrated by the timely warning that was given the colonists by his daughter Pocahontas. He never trusted the white settlers, never visited Jamestown, and on the occasion of the marriage of his daughter sent his consent by an Indian representative.—His daughter, Pocahontas, Indian princess, b. ”

“ In 1806 he married Miss Maria Theresa De Camp, a ballet-dancer, who, after the loss of her sprightliness, became an actress. Later he and his wife played in the cities of the United Kingdom, and after joined the company at Covent Garden. ”

“ He studied at Yale and at Columbia, where he was graduated in 1854, and in 1857 began the practice of law in his native city. In 1860 he was chosen messenger of the electoral college of his state to convey to Washington its vote in favor of the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. ”

“ On the trial of Smith, Powhatan was seated in an arbor of boughs, with a daughter on each side of him. There were present about 200 warriors and many women. When he was about to be executed, Pocahontas threw herself over Smith's prostrate body, to shield him from destruction, and her subsequent intercession with Powhatan saved his life. This event is said to have taken place at Shelby, in Gloucester county. Smith's account, given in his “General History of Virginia,” is discredited Charles Deane, LL. D., in his edition of Smith's “True Relation,” and by the Rev. ”

“ For about twenty years his attention was divided between the theatres of the United States and those of his native land. He made numerous voyages to this country, where he was always received with favor. ”

“ The leaders of various tribes, numbering from 8,000 to 10,000 warriors, gave their adhesion to this purpose. Meanwhile John Eliot, the apostle, had made his way into the wilderness to the red men to preach the gospel. ”

“ During his career he created several original characters, and constantly advanced in favor with his audiences. Among these specialties were the rôles of Orestes, William Tell, Virginius, Werner, Rob Roy, and Richelieu. He also made several short visits to Paris, and in 1844 played Hamlet before the royal family at the Tuileries. In 1837 and 1838 Macready managed Covent Garden theatre, and in 1842 and 1843 cast his lot with Drury Lane. ”

“ In 1872 he was one of the counsel for the United States at the Geneva conference for the settlement of the Alabama claims, and in 1873 was nominated for the office of chief justice of the United States ”

“ He rose rapidly in his profession, and, although busily engaged with his practice, found time to devote to literature and politics, and was a frequent contributor to periodicals. In 1825 he was elected a representative to the lower house of the Massachusetts legislature, and in 1826 a member of the state senate. ”