p. 323

405.
self and filled up by him and Colman--but
in consequence of frequent attacks of the
gout and stone with his advanced age he de-
clined the part altogether when it was as-
signed to Mr. King the original Sir Peter
Teazle whose discriminating powers of judg-
ment and fine illustrative genius made it a
dramatic jewel of the first water. The
comedy had an immense run. Many must
yet remember poor Henry Finn's masterly
performance of this libertine of rank. His
affectation of the warmth and gaity of youth
mingled with the elegant accomplishments of
the finished gentleman and the generous feel-
ing of the man softened the contemptible
nature of the roue. It was an impersonation
of a remarkable character. Old Bernard
once one of the most shining lights of the
American stage a contemporary of King on
the London boards was also a fine represen-
tattive of Ogleby. Mr. Finn may have copied
his father ; but all copies fall short of the
original in the acts however glaring in colors.
Miss Weston's Fanny Sterling was not the
Fanny of the author'sdrawing and Mrs. Hei-
delberg was still more remote. Mrs. Francis
and Mrs. Wheatley were capital in the draw-
ing of that lady.

September 1st Miss Louisa Howard's bene-
fit the comedy of "London Assurance"--Sir
Harcourt Courtly Mr. Henry Farren ; Max
Mr. a'Becket ; Dazzle Mr. H. A. Perry ;
Mark Meddle Mr. Chapman ; Lady Gay
Spanker Miss L. Howard.

Saturday September 2d Mr. Henry Far-
ren's benefit "The Lady of Lyons"--Claude
Melnotte Mr. Farren ; Gen. Damas Mr.
a'Becket ; Glavis Mr. A. Davenport ; Beau-
seant Mr. Eytinge ; Pauline Mrs. L. Howard ;
Madame Deschapelles Mrs. Muzzy ; with
"Ganem." "The Lady of Lyons" however
indiffierently acted is always enjoyable. Its
shortcomings on this occasion were appa-
rent ; yetapplause followed. It is a play
that acts itself.

Monday September 4th Miss Matilda
Heron threw her rays over the Walnut stage
as Bianca. She had just returned from her
extensive tour through California having
there acquired the soubriquet of the "Ame-
rican Rachel !" and gained some of the au-
riferous product of the country. Through
her unaided genius--for that rare element
genius she clearly possesses if it is sprinkled
with eccentricities which makes the "charm
more madder"--she wended her way alone to
the Pacific shores and there erected and left
to aftertimes to contemplate a Siddonian
statue to Tragedy. Bianca is her master-
piece. Her electrical vehemency of passion
in the scene where the servant tells her that
Fazio is with Aldabella is of a towering
nature. Her exclamation :

"I'll rend him from her tho' she wind around me
Like the vine round the elm. I'll pluck him off
Though the life crack at parting !"

was an exhibition of true passion.

Again in the scene before the Duke where
she appeals for her hisband's life in these
words :

"My lord ! my lord ! we have two babes at home
That cannot speak yet--"

and coming to the climax of her heart-broken
appeal

"Befriend us oh ! befriend us !"

the lines were spoken with Nature's true
passion and received with tears and thunder-
ing plaudits. Her voice is thin but is not with-

out touching melody. Perry as Fazio was
forcible and eloquent. He was a little too
much on the continued ranting strain ; yet he
was a clever actor but of a promise never
realized.

September 5th Miss Heron appeared as
Imogene in "Bertram ;" Bertram Mr. Mor-
ton (his first appearance here) ; St. Aldo-
brand Mr. Eytinge ; Prior Mr. B. Young.
After which "The Honeymoon"--Juliana
Miss Lizzie Weston ; Duke Aranza Mr.
Perry.

September 6th Knowles play of "The
Wife"--St. Pierre (his second appearance
here) Mr. Morton ; Leonardo Mr. Perry ;
Ferrardo (his first appearance here) Mr.
McBride ; Mariana Miss Heron ; Floribel
Miss Keogh. A grand pot pourri from "La-
Juive" by the orchestra.

Mr. Chapman used to play Jem Bags in
"The Wandering Minstrel" very often
singing a popular song in it called "Villi-
kins and his Dinah"--a kind of a tragic-comic
chant of a satirical operatic fling.

September 8th Miss M. Heron's benefit.
Knowles play of "Love"--Duke Mr. Mor-
ton ; Hucn Mr. Perry ; Constance Miss M.
Heron--a character she played con amore.

In relation to Miss Heron not to dwell at
any length upon her historionic merits we
would here beg of our readers a small disres-
sion in our consecutive annals to mention an
incident in her life that may well ask indul-
gence and become a fir record in our history.

When Miss Heron resolved in 1854 to visit
California in making arrangements to accom-
plish this vast tour she was suddnely seized
with sickness. Such however were her un-
conquerable energies of mind that she arose
prematurely from her sick bed ; and taking
with her a female servant to whom she was
attached and making a contract with Mr.
George Lewis (formerly a prompter of the
Walnut Street Theatre) as her theatrical
agent set sail forthwith for California. They
crossed the Isthmus safely. Unfortunately
Mr. Lewis died on the passage up the Pa-
cific and she landed alone. Depressed in
spirits without a guide her difficulties only
seemed to increase. Of this we have spoken
elsewhere. Mr. Lewis by his premature
death left a widow and a family in distress.
This circumstance preyed on the sympathies
of Miss Heron abd she revolved to promote
their interests. On the third night of her
first engagement at San Francisco she united
the characters of Mrs. Haller in "The Stran-
ger" and Juliana in "The Honeymoon" ap-
propiating the receipts of the night to the
widow of her agent George Lewis who had
thus died in her service on the Pacific ocean.
To the profession there Miss Heron suggested
that some action should be taken to offer a
tribute to the memory of a man who had
been connected with theatres for upwards of
twenty years and had suddenly left a family
in the pursuit of his business in a distant land.
But all her suggestions were met with objec-
tions. One house was "tied up" with some
engagements and many other insuperable
obstacles were thrown in the wat. As a last
resort with her usual benevolent vehemency
she exclaimed "I'll find a remedy to end
this difficulty. I am entitled to a benefit this
week and the widow can have mine. It
comes on Saturday night but if I can take it

now the proceeds can go by Thursday's
steamer and she will be relieved without de-
lay !" This noble resolution so truly open
and magnanimous spread through the tongues
of the actors throughout the city. It told
like an explosion of feeling on the commu-
nity. A number of gentlemen spontaneously
subscribed a sum to purchase a most valuable
diamond cross for the kind-hearted girl and
tendered this emblem of her religion as an
appropriate reward to pious Virtue and mu-
nificent Charity !

The excitement in the theatre on this me-
morable occasion surpassed all similar scenes
of the kind. We beg to give from one of the
San Francisco papers the following animated
narrative :

"All heard of the presentation of the jewel. Ig-
norant of what was to be said or to be done (for the
whole arrangement was but a few hours old) Miss
Heron was called before the curtain with Mr. Lewis
Baker. The whole house arose and her arrival at
the centre of the stage was the signal of a shower of
bonquets that literally deluged her person. She
could not tread in any way. A lull in this shower of
flowers ensued. A voice cries out "What will she
do with them ?" A reply "She will walk upon
them !" "Good!" and three cheers endorsed the
sentiment. At this moment when order was re-
stored a large and magnificent bunch of flowers was
handed by a gentleman from the crowded corner of
the orchestra at the top of which glittered the
sparkling present accompanied by a note which
Mr. Baker was requested to read. We beg to give
it here as something unique in theatricals as worthy
of preservation as speaking of the past honors of
the profession devoted to Christian and moral du-
ties. The drama built on literature and educa-
tional lessons has its mission as well as other insti-
tutions of moral teachings. Mr. Baker read the
note as follows :

"Dear Young Lady :--A few among the thou-
sands whom your merits have already made your
friends in California desire to present you this small
evidence of their esteem. It is a symbol of the reli-
gion you profess and we trust that while it reminds
you of your faith it will at the same time be re-
ceived as a pledge that genius never can be friend-
less on these shores."

"To which with true Irish eloquence she made
the following unique and fresh reply :

"Now what shall I do? Ladies and Gentlemen ;
--The position of a speech-maker does not belong to
a lady ; nor was it my intention when led forward by
Mr. Baker to raise my voice. Let me assure you
that this is the first time in my life that I ever ut-
tered a word on this side of the curtain. Your
kindness has completely overcome me ; you have
made me too happy; you have in fact made me a
child and I cannot find language to address you
as I should. I feel as if I had lost my manhood !
I cannot speak my gratitude. This beautiful gift
rich as it is in its jewels has yet a richer value for
me--that of being the gift of kind good and dear
friends ; and I value it oo as the emblem of that
religion which has always been my guide my hope
and consolation. Whenever I gaze at it however
often I may otherwise think of you it will serve to
turn my thoughts to Heaven in prayer for your wel-
fare and happiness. I can only repeat my sincere
and heartfelt thanks."

Thus it was taken by the reporters and its
naif tenor we believe has no equal in stage
annals. At the conclusion of her engage-
ment with Mr. Lewis Baker such was her
popularity that Mrs. Catharine Sinclair the
lessee of the Metropolitan offered her an en-
gagement on her own terms. Mr. Baker also
gave her a carte blanche to fill up. She de-
clined both. Ad interim Mr. Baker gener-
ously made acknowledgment of the services
rendered to him by Miss Heron in keeping
his house open against a powerful attraction
at the Metropolitan giving Miss H. a check
for five hundred dollars beyond besides seve-
ral other courtesies to the establishment--
playing also for the benefit of Mrs. Judah--
thus giving through her free services from
four to five hundred dollars ; for every night
she now acted the houses were crowded.
The Chief of the Fire Department on behalf
of that association presented her with a valu-