and respect. His last appearance at New York, on February 11, 1835, was also his last appearance on any stage, as the homeward voyage left him a very ill man, and he lived but a few months after his return. His son, Charles James Mathews, was also a popular actor, and appeared before American audiences in 1839, 1858, 1869; and from 1875 to 1876. On his second visit he married Mrs. Davenport, better known as Lizzie Weston.

CHARLES AND FANNY KEMBLE.

CHARLES KEMBLE visited this country in 1832, opening at the Park Theater, New York, as Hamlet, and visited the principal cities. With him was his charming daughter, FRANCES ANNE KEMBLE, one of the greatest of all tragic actresses. Her great parts were Juliet, Bianca in Fazio, and Julia in The Hunchback. In the plays of The Stranger, Venice Preserved, and The Gamester, she was also unequaled by any actress of her time. Miss Kemble revisited America in 1857 and was again received with enthusiasm. Her unhappy marriage with Mr. Pierce Butler and the subsequent divorce aroused public sympathy in her behalf. Many years of her life were spent in Lenox, Berkshire County, Mass. Charles Kemble was himself an actor of genius, though somewhat overshadowed by his daughter. Some idea of their success in this country may be derived from the fact that on their first appearance in New York they received $56,000 for sixty performances.

CHARLES ALBERT FECHTER.

CHARLES ALBERT FECHTER, though by birth part German and part Englishman, and by education French, was one of the most prominent figures on our stage for some years. Fechter was born in England, in 1824; was taken to France when an infant, and there remained until manhood. He spoke French, German, and English with facility, though in the last language his foreign accent was marked. Though proficient in music, painting, and sculpture, he early chose the stage as his profession. His career at the Théâtre Français, the Ambigu, and the Porte St. Martin in Paris, and in Berlin, was marked by great successes, but his intractable pride, the jealousy of rivals, and his impatience at French stage conventionalities led him to try his fortune in English-speaking countries. In London he appeared first in 1860. Lady Burdett-Coutts became his patron, and the public applauded.

Recklessness as a manager and extravagance personally hindered him from gaining a large fortune, and in 1870, at the suggestion of Charles Dickens, an ardent admirer, he visited America. His début here was at Niblo's Garden, in 1870, as Ruy Blas. His greatest popularity was in Boston. In 'this country his accent told terribly against him. His biographer, Miss Field, says of his later engagements here (he returned to England for a short in 1873) that "he ignored or quarreled with those upon whom his success depended." Wilkie Collins says of him that "the curse of a ungovernable temper was the curse of Fechter's life." Whatever the cause, he was coldly received in the last years of his life. His death took place near Quakertown, Pennsylvania. With all his faults as a man, Fechter was a great actor. His finest characters were

Armand in Camille (which part he created), Ruy Blas, Edmond

Dantes, Macaire, and the dual part of the Corsican Brothers. In Othello he failed, and his Hamlet excited the most diverse criticism.

JOHN BROUGHAM.

JOHN BROUGHAM, the noted actor, manager, and playwright, was born in Dublin, Ireland, on the 9th of May, 1814, and his parents wished to educate him for the medical profession. His own preference, however, led him to follow a theatrical career. At an early age he drifted to London, and, in 1830, made his first appearance in the Queen's Theater. The piece was Moncrieff's Operatic Extravaganza, Tom and Jerry. His success was instantaneous, and he was immediately engaged by Madame Vestris, who was then managing the Olympic Theater. In 1840 he became the lessee of the Lyceum Theater, where he first appeared in his own plays. In 1842 he sailed for this country, and made his American début at the old Park Theater, New York, as Tim Moore in the Irish Lion, with great success. In October of the same year he opened in New York a new theater, called “Brougham's Lyceum," afterward known as "Wallack's." In 1856 he leased the Old Bowery Theater, and opened it himself in July. In 1860 he sailed for England, and remained abroad five years. In 1865 he opened the Winter Garden Theater in New York, and played a very successful engagement, appearing as Dr. Savage in his own comedy entitled Playing with Fire. During the later years of his theatrical life he was a member of Lester Wallack's stock company. The most successful of his plays were The Duke's Motto, Bel Demonico, Leonore, and Pocahontas. It has also been claimed that he is the real author of London Assurance. He died at his home in Ninth Street, in that city, June 17, 1880.

WILLIAM E. BURTON.

WILLIAM E. BURTON (born in London, 1802; died in New York, 1860) was the best of all American low comedians, and was a special favorite of Philadelphia. His first appearance in America was at the Arch Street Theater, of Philadelphia, September 3d, 1834, as Dr. Allapod in The Poor Gentleman. He was manager successively of the National (New York), the Arch Street (Philadelphia), the Chambers Street, and the Metropolitan theaters. His great part was that of Toodles, and he created Aminidab Sleek. His acting was somewhat coarse, but his power of facial expression was extraordinary, and old theater-goers still recall him as the most laughter-provoking of all American actors in facial characters.

MRS. VERNON.

Mrs. VERNON (born in Brighton, England, 1796; died in New York, 1869) was one of the prime favorites of the Bowery and Broadway Theaters. Her maiden name was Jane Marchmont Fisher, and she was a sister of Clara Fisher Maeder. Her American début was in 1827, at the Old Bowery, as Cicely Homespun in The Heir at Law. As a representative of the stage "Old Woman," she has had few equals in this country. At different times she was connected with the stock companies at the Old Broadway, Burton's Chambers Street Theater,

the Park, and Wallack's. Her last appearance was as Mrs. Sutcliffe in School, at Wallack's, April 5, 1869. Her acting was a little old-fashioned, but always refined and expressive,

MRS. F. W. LANDER.

Mrs. F. W. LANDER, née Jean Margaret Davenport, was one of the American queens of tragedy. She was born in England, in 1830, and came to this country when but eight years old, at which age she had already made the rounds of the great theatrical towns of Great Britain as an "Infant Phenomenon." She first appeared at the National Theater, New York, under the management of Mr. James W. Wallack, and filled successful engagements in all the great cities both of the East and the West, playing all the leading rôles of tragedy. Her greatest part was probably Juliet. In 1844, Mrs. Lander visited Europe, and for five years played to crowded houses, spending also much time in Paris in studying the traditions of the French stage, returning to this country in 1849, and reappearing in New York, in 1851, at the Astor Place Opera House. In 1865 she made her rentrée in public life at Niblo's Garden, New York, in a play of her own translation, Mesalliance.

THOMAS S. HAMBLIN.

THOMAS S. HAMBLIN (1800-1853) was in his day one of the most popular actors in tragedy and melodrama. His first appearance in this country-he had previously won considerable reputation in England-was at the Park Theater, in 1825, as Hamlet. After starring the country for five years, being everywhere greeted with enthusiasm, he returned to New York and became the manager of the Old Bowery Theater. He was afterward connected with the management of two or three others of the New York theaters. Mr. Hamblin was married four times, and of his four wives three attained some prominence on the stage. The first is better known as Mrs. Charles (having married an actor of that name after her divorce from Hamblin), and was a great favorite at the Bowery, Mrs. Haller being her best part.

MATILDA HERON.

MATILDA HERON at one time was one of the brightest of our dramatic stars. She was born in Ireland, in 1830, and made her first appearance at the Walnut Street Theater, Philadelphia, as Bianca. A trip to California established her reputation. In 1856 she first played her own version of Camille at Wallack's with Mr. Sothern as Armand. Though not the first to act the part in America, she in a sense made it peculiarly her own, and was foolish enough to bitterly assail others who undertook it. Her last years of public life were marked by conduct so erratic as to make it charitable to suppose her insane. Her last appearance was in April, 1876, for the benefit of her daughter Bijou Heron, who, after a short theatrical career, retired from the stage after her marriage, in 1882. In the last years of her life Matilda Heron appeared only occasionally, devoting herself to giving dramatic lessons. She died in New York, March 7th, 1877.

LAURA KEENE.

"The

LAURA KEENE (born in England in 1830) was brought to this country to take leading parts at Wallack's, where she made her first appearance, in 1852, in a melodrama called The Will. After starring through the country for three years, she returned to New York, and opened the old Metropolitan Theater as Varieties." In 1856 she became lessee and manager of the Olympic, and it was here that, in 1858, she produced Our American Cousin, which had a run then unprecedented. Her dramatic career was eventful, though somewhat erratic, and in her prime she was a very clever actress. When a member of Wallack's company, she gained a high reputation for her Rosalind, Beatrice, Lady Gay Spanker, and Lady Teazle. The part of Florence Trenchard she took over a thousand times. Miss Keene died of consumption in 1873, at Montclair, New Jersey. One of her last appearances was as Lady Teazle, at a benefit to Matilda Heron, in 1872. It is described by a spectator as a very melancholy occasion."

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GEORGE L. FOX.

GEORGE L. Fox (born in Boston, 1825) delighted so many thousands with his merry antics that a notice of the American Stage would be incomplete without the mention of his name. He was, one may say, brought up on the stage, his first appearance having been made at the age of five, at a benefit to Mr. Charles Kean. He first came on the New York stage in 1850, taking the title role in a play with the lurid title The Demon of the Desert. He was a fair stock actor and a good low comedian, but found his "mission in life" as clown in the pantomime. Probably there are few of our readers who have not roared with laughter at his Humpty Dumpty, which had a tremendous run at the Olympic Theater in New York. Mr. Fox was one of the three-months' volunteers. After his short martial experience he became manager of the Old Bowery Theater, and later stage manager of the Olympic, where Humpty Dumpty was first produced, in 1867. His burlesque Hamlet and Richelieu were also rich in fun. The latter years of his life were clouded by an infirm mind, and more than once his insanity betrayed itself while he was on the stage.

EDWIN ADAMS.

EDWIN ADAMS (born in Medway, Mass., 1834; died at Philadelphia, 1877) was one of the best of Forrest's successors, and made many great hits both in high comedy and in tragedy. He first appeared at the Boston National Theater, in 1853, as Stephen in The Hunchback. In 1860 he starred as Hamlet successfully. Later he was connected with the companies of Kate Bateman, Henry Placide, and James W. Wallack. In 1866 he made another hit as Robert Landry in The Dead Heart. Mr. Adams was a member of the company that opened Booth's Theater. One of his latest successes was in the part of Enoch Arden in an adaptation of Tennyson's poem of that name. In this part he played in all the cities of the country, meeting large and enthusiastic audiences. A trip to Australia increased his fame, but resulted in a serious illness, from the effects of which he never recovered. His wife was a

clever soubrette and danseuse. Since her husband's death she has retired from the stage.

DAN BRYANT.

DAN BRYANT was born in Troy, N. Y., on May 9, 1833, and made his first appearance on the stage as a dancer, in 1845, at Vauxhall Garden, New York. In 1849 he traveled through the Southern and Western States as a member of the Sable Harmonists. In 1850 he joined Charley White's Melodeon Minstrels in New York, and in 1857, he and his two brothers, Jerry and Neil Bryant, organized a band of "Corkonians" at Mechanics' Hall, on Broadway. After a trip to Europe, he appeared in 1863 at the Winter Garden Theater, New York, in the Irish character of Handy Andy. He then traveled as a star in Irish characters until 1868, appearing in all the principal theaters of England and the United States. After that he organized Bryant's Minstrels in 23d Street, New York, where he delighted his audiences as end-man with his wit and merry songs till his death, which occurred in 1876.

EDWARD L. DAVENPORT.

The American stage may have seen two or three greater and more popular actors than EDWARD L. DAVENPORT, but, unless we except Edwin Booth, it has had none more finished and refined in style. Mr. Davenport was born in Massachusetts in 1816. His first appearance was in Providence in 1836, when he supported the elder Booth in A New Way to Pay Old Debts, the part of Sir Giles Overreach, then taken by Booth, being in later years one of Davenport's favorite parts. He rapidly gained a reputable position, and ably supported Anna Cora Mowatt, Macready and Forrest. He spent two years in England with Macready, and there married Miss Vining, an actress of considerable power. At the Haymarket his William in Black Eyed Susan was warmly applauded. After his return to America he played many star engagements. In 1859 he managed the Howard Athenæum in Boston; in 1869 the Chestnut Street Theater, of Philadelphia. Among his greatest parts were Brutus, Othello, Sir Giles Overreach, Bill Sykes in Oliver Twist, and Dan'l Druce. In the play of Dan'l Druce his last starring trips were made. He died at Canton, Penn., September 1, 1877. "Versatile to a remarkable degree," says a well-known critic, "refined, polished and classical, yet capable of most powerful acting, while he may have been excelled in single characters, he was the peer of any when tragedy and comedy are both considered." Mr. Davenport was the father of Miss Fanny Davenport, the celebrated actress, of whom we speak elsewhere, and of Miss Blanche Davenport, a vocalist of talent.

HENRY J. MONTAGUE.

HENRY J. MONTAGUE, the late lamented leading juvenile actor at Wallack's Theater, was born in Staffordshire, England, in 1840. He first entered a banking-house in London, but, on the advice of Dion Boucicault, entered the theatrical profession. He made his first appearance in Jeanie Deans, in 1864, at the Westminster Theater under Mr. Boucicault's management, for whom he also served as private secretary. He

then became a member of the St. James Theater with Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews, Messrs. Stirling, J. L. Toole, J. S. Clarke, and others. His successes there were in Woodcock's Little Game, Eleanor's Victory, and Faxer and Frie. From there he went to the Olympic Theater, and appeared as Henry Dunbar. He next went to the Holborn Theater, where he opened as leading juvenile man in Robertson's comedy of For Her. After this he was engaged at the Prince of Wales Theater, and was very successful in Play and School. In 1870, in company with Messrs. James, David and Thorne he organized a combination which included Henry Irving and Amy Fawcett, and brought out Albery's play Two Roses. In 1874 he came to this country and first appeared at Wallack's Theater in Partners for Life. He at once became a great favorite, and was very popular in the following plays: The Road to Ruin, The Shaughraun, Forbidden Fruit, London Assurance, Money, Marriage, How She Loves Him, Won at Last, Romance of a Poor Young Man, Diplomacy and False Shame. In the latter play he was particularly strong as Arthur Lord Chilton, the hero. It was while playing this character, on the 9th of August, 1878, at the California Theater of San Francisco, that he was attacked with bleeding of the lungs, and on the following Sunday, at 9.30 P.M., he expired at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco, in the thirty-ninth year of his age. His loss was keenly felt, for not only had he proved himself an excellent actor, but his lovable character made a friend of every one who came in contact with him.

CHARLES R. THORNE, JR.

CHARLES R. THORNE, JR., was born in New York, March 10, 1841, and at the early age of fourteen years made his first appearance on the stage at San Francisco as George Shelby in Uncle Tom's Cabin, but stage-fright prevented his success, and he was put to work in a store. Two years later he again attempted to act at Milwaukee, and proved successful. His father, who is an actor of the old school, then brought him to New York. There he first appeared at the Old Bowery under Eddy's management. He then went to the Boston Museum, and afterward played through the New England circuit with varied success. He next appeared at the Howard Athenæum, Boston, under E. L. Davenport's management, and in 1863 went to San Francisco. For four years he played at Maguire's Opera House, and then went to China with the Thorne family, and also to Japan and the Sandwich Islands. When he returned, by way of San Francisco, he played in the latter city with Edwin Forrest, and then returned to Boston as leading man at the Boston Theater, where he remained three seasons. He afterward returned to San Francisco, and then went to New Orleans. There he had the yellow fever, and after recovery supported Mrs. Scott-Siddons at the Chestnut Street Theater, Philadelphia. After that he acted at Niblo's, New York, and then joined the Union Square Theater Company, where he remained until but a short time previous to his death. His great hits at the Union Square Theater were in the Two Orphans, The Geneva Cross, Led Astray, Rose Michel, The Danicheffs, Lost Children, False Friend, Daniel Rochat and The Lights o' London. In the latter play, as Harold Armitage, he