Life and art of Joseph Jefferson, together with some account of his ancestry and of the Jefferson family of actors

Front matter

LIFE AND ART OF JOSEPH JEFFERSON j£*m

JOSEPHJEFFERSON IN 1804.

With, nis Grandson.

Preface

About fourteen years ago, at the kind suggestion of my thoughtful friend Laurence Hutton, I wrote an account of the Jefferson Family of Actors, which was published in 1 88 1, under the name of The Jeffersons, as one of the American Actor Series, projected and supervised by him. [ The present Memoir is a complete revision of that biography. The story has been rectified, augmented, re-an'anged, and in part re-written, — so that this work is, practically, new. It certainly is more ample and more authentic than its predecessor, and therefore more worthy of its interesting subject and of the public favour. In the composition of it I have drawn ttpon my dramatic writings in the New York Tribune, since 1865, and in other publications, notably my Brief Chronicles. The beauty and greatness of the dramatic art and the possible dignity and utility of the stage are better known and understood now than they were in former times, and I have assumed that the achievements of an exceptioiially talented family of actors may be deemed worthy of commemoration. The Jefferson family has been upon the stage, continuously, for five generations, and in this narrative an effort has been made to trace its Jiistory along one tmbroken line, throughotct that time. The English historic period traversed by this biography begins with the reign of George the Second, in 1727. The American viii PREFACE

period extends from 1 794 to the present day. The first Jefferson had his career in England, in the time of Garrick. The second was famous in the days of the old Chestnut Street theatre, in Philadelphia. The third did not attain to eminence. The fourth is the Rip Van Winkle and the Acres of contemporary renown, whose sons are also on the stage. Other members of the race have been distinguished actors, and their names and deeds are recorded in this chronicle. The Garrick period has been so fully described by many writers that, in recounting what is known of the first Jefferson, I have preferred not to linger zipon it. Select quotation from old chronicles has, however, been deemed essential, as a basis of authority. The career of the second Jefferson recalls the storied days of the Chestnut Street theatre, — an institution which has not been surpassed, if ever it was equalled, in the history of the American stage, for dignity, intellectual resoitrce, state liness of character, and opulence of association. Ample materials exist, no doubt, in the manuscript journals of the elder Warren, for a minute account of that theatre and its dramatic luminaries / but they are not accessible. The third Jefferson, his sister Elizabeth, his wife, and his stepson, Charles S. T Burke, are commemorated in this book, and mention is herein made of all the known scions of the Jefferson race. The design has been to portray this family in its relation to the times through which it has moved, and thus to make an authentic basis for the researches and illustrative embellishments of future inquirers. Attention has been chiefly given to the career of the fourth Jefferson, and to his impersonation of Rip Van Winkle, — an artistic achievement which has fascinated the public m indfor thirty years. No single

PREFACE ix

dramatic performance of our time, indeed, — not Edwin Boot/is Hamlet, nor Ristoris Queen Elizabeth, nor Lester Wallaces Don Felix, nor Marie Seebacti s Margaret, nor Charles Kean s Louis, nor Adelaide Neilson s Juliet, nor Henry Irving s Mathias, nor Ada Reharis Rosalind, — has had more extensive popularity, or has in a greater degree stimulated contemporary tJwugJit upon the influence of the stage. The wish to honour it will be recognised in these pages, although the power may be missed. Every writer upon the history of the drama in America must acknowledge his obligation for guidance to the thorough, faitJifid, and suggestive Records made by the veteran historian Joseph N. Ireland. In the composition of this biography reference has frequently been made to that work. Oilier authorities, likewise, have been consulted, and' they are duly mentioned. I have profited by the personal recollections of several members of t J te Jefferson family, and by use fid suggestions of friendly corj'espondents, — among whom should be named Thomas J. McKee of New York, L. Clarke Davis and George P. Philes of Philadelphia, and my old, honoured, and lamented friend, the late John T Ford of Baltimore — by whose sudden death I am admonished that the number of persons to whom any writings of mine can appeal with the confident expectation of sympathy is growing smaller every day.

" Like clouds that rake the mountain summits, Or waves that own no curbing hand, How fast has brother followed brother From sunshine to the sunless land!"

W. IV.

" In giving an account of the stage a good story may sometimes be admitted on slender authority, but where matters of fact are concerned the history of the stage ought to be written with the same accuracy as the history of England" — GENEST.

" The longest life is too short for the almost endless study of the actor. Barton Booth.

" A name Noble and brave as aught of consular On Roman marbles." — Byron.

" First, noble friend, Let me embrace thine age ; whose honour cannot Be measured or confined?' — SHAKESPEARE.

Noble he was, contemning all things mean, His truth unquestioned and his soul serene. Shame knew him not, he dreaded no disgrace, Truth, simple truth, was written in his face; Yet, while the serious thought his soul approv'd, Cheerful he seem'd and gentleness he lov'd ; To bliss domestic he his heart resign 'd, And with the firmest had the fondest mind.

Were others joyful, he looked smiling on, And gave allowance where he needed none.

Good he refused with future ill to buy, Nor knew a joy that caused reflections sigh. A friend to virtue, his unclouded breast No envy stung, no jealousy distress 'd; Yet far was he from stoic pride remov'd, — He felt humanely, and he warmly lov'd!' — CRABBE.

" He is insensibly subdued To settled quiet : he is one by whom All effort seems forgotten ; one to whom Long patience hath such mild composure given That patience now doth seem a thing of which He hath no need"

He is retired as noontide dew,

Or fountain in a noon-day grove ;

And you must love him, ere to you He will seem worthy of your love!'

— Wordsworth.

We are a queen {or long have drea?ned so) , certain The daughter of a king." — SHAKESPEARE.

" Upon my word, thou art a very odd fellow, and I like thy humour extremely:' — Fielding.

" With all the fortunate have not, With gentle voice and brow.

— Alive, we would have changed his lot — We would not change it now:'

— Matthew Arnold.

" If he come not, then the play is marred." — SHAKESPEARE.

" // is difficult to render even ordinary justice to living merit, without incurring the suspicion of being influenced by partiality,, or by motives of a less Honourable nature. Yet, as what I shall say of this gentleman, whose friendship I have e??joyed for many years, and still possess in unabated cordiality, will be supported by all who are acquainted with him, I am under no apprehension of suffering by the suggestions of malice." — JOHN TAYLOR.

/ marvel how Nature could ever find space

For so many strange contrasts in one human face :

There's thought and no thought, and there's paleness and bloom,

And bustle and sluggishness , pleasure and gloom.

There's weakness and strength, both redundant and vain ; Such strength as, if ever afflictio7t and pain Could pierce through a temper that's soft to disease, Would be rational peace, — a philosopher s ease.

There's indifference, alike when he fails or succeeds, And attention full ten times as much as there needs ; Pride where there's no envy, there's so much of joy ; And mildness, and spirit both forward and coy.

There's freedom, and sometimes a diffident stare, Of shame, scarcely seeming to know that she's there : There's virtue, the title it surely may claim, Yet wants heaven knows what to be worthy the name.

This picture from nature may seem to depart,

Yet the Man would at once run away with your heart :

And I for five centuries right gladly would be

Such an odd, such a kind, happy creature as he."

— Wordsworth.

Contents

PAGE

I. Thomas Jefferson. 1728-1807 ... 1

IV. Joseph Jefferson. 1804-1842 131