WILLIAM E. BURTON
Actor, Author, and Manager
A SKETCH OF HIS CAREER
WITH
Recollections of his Performances

BY
WILLIAM L. KEESE

ILLUSTRATED

NEW YORK & LONDON
G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
The Knickerbocker Press
1885

COPYRIGHT BY
G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
1885

Press of
G. P. Putnam's Sons
New York

TO
THE DAUGHTERS OF WILLIAM E. BURTON

THE AUTHOR'S FRIENDS OF MANY YEARS, THIS MEMORIAL OF THEIR DISTINGUISHED FATHER IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED

PREFACE.

The present volume was prompted by the thought that no adequate account of the late William E. Burton had been given to the public. During his life no man was better known, and his death called forth a universal expression of admiration for his genius and regret for his loss. In the many obituary notices by the press some brief details of his career were given; but the narrative was necessarily confined to the narrow limits of a newspaper article. An actor so eminent—one of the greatest in his line the stage has known,—whose name is identified with certain delineations of character that died with him; whose renown stamped his theatre with a celebrity distinct and remarkable; a Shakespearian scholar, whose devotion to the poet, attested by the incomparable library he amassed, was only equalled by his interpretation of the master's spirit, surely is entitled to a more pains-taking and a more extended record. An endeavor is here made to supply such need; and in the view taken of Burton as Actor, Author, and Manager, the relation is from birth to death.

In the preparation of this volume, the author owns his indebtedness to Ireland's "Records of the New York Stage," Wood's "Personal Recollections," Wemyss's "Theatrical Biography," Hutton's "Plays and Players," Phelps's "Players of a Century," Clapp's "Record of the Boston Stage," and Stone's "Theatrical Reminiscences." The writer also gratefully acknowledges the assistance given him by members of Mr. Burton's family, and their loan to him of old play-bills, engravings, letters, etc. Mr. Matteson, of New York, may also be mentioned in acknowledgment of friendly aid.

The illustrations accompanying the memoir will be viewed with interest. The frontispiece is from a daguerreotype, and has been chosen as a faithful likeness of the comedian. The Bob Acres is from a painting by T. Sully, Jr.; the Dr. Ollapod from a portrait by Henry Inman; the Captain Cuttle and Aminadab Sleek from daguerreotypes; the Timothy Toodles from a photograph. All the above were family possessions. The picture of the Chambers Street Theatre is from a water-color drawing in the collection of Thomas J. McKee, Esq.

Many shortcomings will doubtless be found in this book, and readers of it who are old play-goers may think of many things the author has missed. But we are told by Ruskin that there is "no purpose so great but that slight actions may help it," and by Wordsworth that

"Small service is true service while it lasts."

December, 1884. W. L. K.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

CONTENTS.