Typos And Actors

It is a faot not generally kuown thnt a great many of the prominent actors of the day have soared froin the printer's case to the stage. In an interview with Stuart Eobson, the comedian (himRelf an ex-printer), a New York reporter asked : " Who of the actors of tho present day are printers by trade ?" "Let me sec," said Mr. Robson, muBingly. " ïhere's J. H. Stoddart, one of our best ' old men ;' he was a typo, and a good one too. Then there's Montugue, of Wallack's; one wouldn't thiuk to see him bowling up Fifth avenue behind his span of bang-teil thoroughbreds that he was once a printer." "Is that so?" queried the reporter. " I heard that ho was in some way connected witli a nobleinan, and thet lie had the exceptional advantages of good surroundings and a university education." "You've been misiiiformed my boy. Montague, the gallant that half Murray Hill is breaking its heart over, was a type-setter on the London Era, and that at not a very remote period, either. Then there's Harry Crisp and Lawrence Barrett; both were printers. Barrett had an humble origin, but he has been studious, and is now one of the bestread men in the profession. John Moore, of the Fifth Avenue Theater, is another typo. Joe Jefferson, the best actor of modern times, once earued his bread at the caso. So did that capital comedian, W. H. Crane; as did William Warren, of Boston, and Charlie Burke, of Philadelphia. Of dead actors who achieved world wkle fame, William E. Burton and James W. Wallack, Jr., belonged to the craft. John Parselle was a compositor. So was your humble servant ; but I think I was a better printer thaii I am an actor. I believe Neil Bryant was a ílyboy; and I am sure Barney Williams was one. Steve Fiske, of Üie Fifth Avenue Theater, had something to do with newspapers, but I am not eertnin that he was ever employed in a composing-room. Theodoro Hamilton, another good actor, was a ' sub' printer for years. I had almost forgotten Charley Fisher. He nsed to stick type like a race-horse. Not long ago lie told me that he wentinto a printing-office for the iirst time ie thirty years. He said he found the pituation of all the boxes readily, except the receptacle for the interrogation marks: and that ' wanted to know what the mischief I was doing there ?' " To this list might be added the name of that fine actor and successful manager, James H. McVicker, of Chicago, the proprietor of the finest theater west of New York. McVicker was a compositor on the St. Louis licpublican when the writer occupied the honorable post of "printer's devil."