ACTING

Hopkinson Smith tells a characteristic story of a southern friend of

his, an actor, who, by the way, was in the dramatization of _Colonel

Carter_. On one occasion the actor was appearing in his native town, and

remembered an old negro and his wife, who had been body servants in his

father's household, with a couple of seats in the theatre. As it

happened, he was playing the part of the villain, and was largely

concerne with treasons, stratagems and spoils. From time to time he

caught a glimpse of the ancient couple in the gallery, and judged from

their fearsome countenance and popping eyes that they were being duly

impressed.



After the play he asked them to come and see him behind the scenes. They

sat together for a while in solemn silence, and then the mammy

resolutely nudged her husband. The old man gathered himself together

with an effort, and said: "Marse Cha'les, mebbe it ain' for us po'

niggers to teach ouh young masser 'portment. But we jes' got to tell yo'

dat, in all de time we b'long to de fambly, none o' ouh folks ain' neveh

befo' mix up in sechlike dealin's, an' we hope, Marse Cha'les, dat yo'

see de erroh of yo' ways befo' yo' done sho' nuff disgrace us."





In a North of England town recently a company of local amateurs produced

Hamlet, and the following account of the proceedings appeared in the

local paper next morning:



"Last night all the fashionables and elite of our town gathered to

witness a performance of _Hamlet_ at the Town Hall. There has been

considerable discussion in the press as to whether the play was written

by Shakespeare or Bacon. All doubt can be now set at rest. Let their

graves be opened; the one who turned over last night is the author."





Suit the action to the word, the word to the action, with this special

observance, that you o'erstep not the modesty of nature.--_Shakespeare_.





To wake the soul by tender strokes of art,

To raise the genius, and to mend the heart;

To make mankind, in conscious virtue bold,

Live o'er each scene, and be what they behold--

For this the tragic muse first trod the stage.



--_Pope_.