Henry Irving in England and America 1838-84 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII. THE AMERICAN TOUR, 1883-84. jR. IRVING and Miss Terry arrived in New York on October 21, 1883. They were welcomed in the bay by a large number of friends, and of representatives of the Press who favoured their readers next day with copious descriptions of the distinguished visitors. Nothing is sacred to an American reporter; but Mr. Irving had early reason to be gratified by the singular moderation of the scribes who kindly took charge of his personal appearance. It was no common ordeal. The actor must have felt that he was surveyed from his hat to his boots by eyes which are not accustomed to allow the minutest detail to escape them. He had been described often enough in England, but English readers are con "777.fi PECULIAR DIMPLE." 109 tent with a slight sketch of a remarkable exterior, whereas the American does not feel that he knows a man till he has an accurate calculation of the number of his buttons. But Mr. Irving came out of this trial very successfully. Probably he did not mind the allusions to his "careless" attire, or the statement that his hat was "purplish," and "slouched a trifle on the side." Nor was there anything irritating in this: "Long grey hair, thrown carelessly back behind the ears, clean-shaven features remarkable for their delicate refinement, united with the suggestion of virile force, and a pair of eye-glasses perched on the rather aquiline nose, combined to remove any lingering doubt that it was Henry Irving, the greatest living English actor." Perhaps he was a little troubled to learn that "a glimmer of a smile intensified the peculiar dimple on the lower lip;" for the eye which detected a dimple that had passed a good many years in England without becoming famous might magnify other and less pleasing peculiariti...