Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 edition. Excerpt: ... chapter viii lights and shadows of the ufb lmost every noted actor with whom I have tions for stage work has placed enthusiasm at the head of the list. The man or woman who does not love the work is pretty sure to make nothing of it and to retire in disappointment sooner or later, or else to continue in a half-hearted sort of way that leads to nothing. Of course it is a hard life. Miss Clara Morris, who has seen some thirty years of it, said once: "What attraction has the stage for its followers that they are so devoted to it? Yes, we are devoted to it, we respect its antiquity; we admire the position it has gained in the world of art; we are grateful to it for our daily bread. One of its attractions is that it may prove a short cut to popularity. Then people of other callings transact their business amid more talked concerning the essential qualificaor less dull surroundings and return to their homes for that which the actor finds at the theatre alone, namely: light, warmth, music, sociability. For my part, I do not believe in a ' mute, inglorious Milton.' I think that all power demands expression, and the employment of power is a delight. The actor who succeeds feels he pleases his public and therein finds his own pleasure. When triumph comes to him, it is in so delightful a guise he cannot help being moved by it. When an author places his book before the public he must wait; he learns gradually of his success. Not so the actor. His work receives instant recognition in swift, soul-satisfying applause; and what a delicious draught it is! It produces a sort of divine intoxication that, having once experienced, one longs to repeat." Upon the other hand, there are shadows about the career of the stage which some actors find so deep as to
