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No. /2 3. 
 
SKETCH OF THE LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 JAMES WILLIAM WALLACE, 
 
 (senior,) 
 LATE ACTOR AND MANAGER. 
 
 " * * * ; and the elements 
 
 So mixM in him, that nature might stand up 
 And say to all the world, — Thin wan a Man .'" 
 
 Shakebpkark. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 T. H. MORRELL, 
 
 184 Fulton Street. 
 
 1865. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, by 
 
 T. H. MOEBELL, 
 
 In the Clerk's Oflice of the District Court for the Southern District of New York. 
 
 ..*„*"". . Edition, 250 Copies, of which 50 are on Large Paper. 
 
 StROEN I TP.IPP, P*INTe«». 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 THE following pages have been compiled and printed in this 
 shape, at the solicitation of a number of the friends and 
 admirers of the late lamented artist whose name appears upon 
 the title page, they being desirous of preserving a suitable me- 
 morial in some neat and durable form. 
 
 The compiler makes no pretensions to originality in the prep- 
 aration of this sketch ; a great portion of the matter having been 
 gathered and transcribed, with some variations, and numerous ad- 
 ditions, from the various obituary notices that appeared in the 
 newspapers of the day, and more particularly in the columns of 
 the New York Tribune and Herald. 
 
 He has, also, had recourse to several journals, cotemporary with 
 Mr. Wallack, when in the " zenith of his popularity," and also 
 to a number of volumes of dramatic reminiscences published in 
 this country during the past few years. 
 
 Should, therefore, this hurriedly-prepared Memoir, in its imper- 
 fect state, meet with the commendation of even a few of such as 
 are interested in a history of the professional career of the late 
 Mr. Wallack, the desire of the compiler will have been more 
 than gratified. 
 
 New York, January, 1865. 
 
 R5S750 
 
>■ 
 
 -I 
 
 -A) 
 
MEMORIAL. 
 
 AMES WILLIAM WALLACK was 
 
 born in London, at Hercules Buildings, 
 Lambeth, on the 24th of August, 1795. 
 His parents had both attained distinc- 
 tion upon the stage ; his father, Wil- 
 liam Wallace, being a celebrated coin- 
 median and vocalist, while his mother, 
 whose maiden name was Elizabeth Field, had 
 played the leading female characters with Garrick 
 for several years. 
 
 It was their intention that their son James 
 should enter the navy, and at an early age he 
 received his appointment as midshipman; but his 
 fondness for his father's profession, to which he 
 was irresistibly attracted, induced him speedily to 
 renounce all ideas of following the perilous for- 
 tunes of a sea-faring life, and he therefore became 
 
b MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 soon after a member of the Academic Theatre, 
 established by Queen Charlotte, in Leicester 
 Street, where English and German children ap- 
 peared on alternate nights. 
 
 It is said that when only four years of age he 
 ';:;< made.' his: first appearance on any stage, at the 
 Royal .Circus^in a fairy spectacle. It was dur- 
 '• 'ih'g' one of the performances of the 'Academicals' 1 
 that his earnest and vigorous impersonations at- 
 tracted the attention of the distinguished Irish 
 orator and dramatist, Richard Brinsley Sheri- 
 dan, who, in consequence, was influential in ob- 
 taining for him, then only twelve years of age, an 
 engagement at Drury Lane Theatre. He here 
 remained attached to the regular company, stead- 
 ily rising in public favor, until the destruction of 
 that building by fire, which occurred on the night 
 of the 24th February, 1809. 
 
 He soon after went to Ireland, but shortly re- 
 turned, and at the age of eighteen, appeared on 
 the occasion of the opening of the New Theatre 
 Royal, Drury Lane, as Laertes to the Hamlet of 
 the eccentric Robert William Elliston. 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 7 
 
 He subsequently, during the engagement of 
 Edmund Kean, supported him with great ability, 
 having been assigned such characters as Iago, 
 Edgar, Macduff, Richmond, and others, second 
 only in importance to those of the great tragedian 
 of the day. 
 
 About this time, 1817, his marriage with the 
 daughter of the celebrated actor, Mr. John John- 
 stone, familiarly known as "Irish Johnstone," 
 took place, and he shortly thereafter, through the 
 intervention of his personal friend, Lord Byron, 
 who was a member of the Drury board of direc- 
 tors, having obtained two years leave of absence 
 from that Theatre, departed on his first visit to 
 the shores of America. 
 
 He made his debut in the city of New York, 
 at the Park Theatre, in the character of Macbeth, 
 on the 7th of September, 1818. His success was 
 instantaneous and decided, his reception by a 
 house crowded to its utmost capacity, being of 
 the most enthusiastic description. 
 
 On the 30th of November, he appeared, for the 
 first time, in Boston, as Folia, (in Sheridan's 
 
8 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 popular play of Pizarro,) his impersonation of 
 which character being pronounced one of the 
 finest specimens of melo-dramatic acting ever wit- 
 nessed in America ; and, with the exception of 
 John Philip Kemble's, probably unrivalled on 
 the other side of the Atlantic. Commended by 
 the warm admiration of his own countrymen, and 
 with the advantage, too, of the endorsement of 
 the New York public, with whom his popularity 
 was convincingly established, he was flatteringly 
 received in the "Athens of America, 11 and was, 
 on all occasions, greeted by full and appreciative 
 houses. 
 
 During this season he also performed engage- 
 ments in Baltimore and Philadelphia, appearing 
 as Rolla, Macbeth, Octavian, Richard, etc., and 
 playing in the latter city for thirteen nights, re- 
 ceiving at his first benefit the handsome sum of 
 fifteen hundred and twenty dollars. 
 
 Renewing his engagement in that city, ( Phila- 
 delphia,) for seven additional nights, he gave, 
 with great approbation, Bertram, Richard II., 
 Don Felix, etc., etc., and on his benefit, the fol- 
 lowing imitations: Keinble as Rolla, Munden..&9 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLAOK, SEN. » 
 
 Peter in "The Cabinet, 1 ' Betty as Young Norval, 
 Matthews as Buskin, Rae as Ordonio, Cooke as 
 Richard, Fawcett as Blanchard in "John Bull," 
 Kean as Shylock, and Incledon as Hawthorn. 
 
 His elder brother, Mr. Henry Wallack, also 
 performed in Baltimore, in this year, it being his 
 first appearance in the United States. 
 
 This gentleman still survives, at the age of sev- 
 enty-two, and is now, I believe, residing in Lon- 
 don. 
 
 In 1819 Mr. Wallack played a prosperous en- 
 gagement in Savannah, Ga., and in the same year 
 his eldest son, Mr. John Lester Wallack, (the 
 stage manager and leading actor, and now the 
 sole proprietor, of his father's theatre in Broad- 
 way,) was born. 
 
 For two years Mr. Wallace appeared in almost 
 the entire range of his characters, among which 
 were Hamlet, Richard, Coriolanus, Don Felix, 
 (in the Wonder, ) Martin Heyivood, (in the Rent 
 Day, ) and Massaroni, ( in the Brigand, ) a role so 
 admirably portrayed by his talented son above- 
 
10 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLAOK, SEN. 
 
 mentioned, a few years since, at the old theatre on 
 the corner of Broadway and Broome street, and 
 which produced at the time so great an impression, 
 electrifying his audiences, and reviving in the minds 
 of old play-goers the halcyon days of his father. 
 
 . Mr. James H. Hackett, so well known from 
 his original and able representation of Falstaff, in 
 his recent work published in this city, and entitled 
 "Notes and Comments on Shakespeare, 11 referring 
 to our actor 1 s first appearance in this country, 
 says: 
 
 "Mr. Wallack then seemed not more than 
 twenty-five years of age, came directly from Drury 
 Lane, where he had already attained a high rank 
 in a profession then graced by many eminent 
 artists; and the season of 1818 was Mr. Wal- 
 laces first in America. His figure and personal 
 bearing on or off the stage were very distingue ; 
 his eye was sparkling; his hair dark, curly, and 
 luxuriant ; his facial features finely chiselled ; and 
 together with the natural conformation of his head, 
 throat, and chest, Mr. Wallack presented a re- 
 markable specimen of manly beauty. He at once 
 became, and continued to be, — during visits which 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 11 
 
 were repeated, occasionally protracted, and were 
 seldom separated by intervals longer than a theat- 
 rical season or two each, and for a term of more 
 than twenty years, — one of the greatest and most 
 invariably attractive favorites furnished the Amer- 
 ican by the British stage. 
 
 " With particular reference to Mr. Wallaces 
 Hamlet, which, as it has happened, I have not 
 had an opportunity to witness since my youth, 
 when my ideas of the character were crude and 
 superficial, and which, therefore, it would be un- 
 just in me now to criticise retrospectively, I did 
 then very well note that Mr. Wallaces action 
 was easy and graceful ; his voice and articulation 
 were clear and distinct; and though from the 
 impression it made, and which I still retain of 
 that early-seen performance, it might, according to 
 my later and more matured ideal, have lacked a 
 sufficiency of weight in the philosophical portions, 
 and also of depth and intensity of meditation in 
 the soliloquies, it was then unanimously approved 
 and a special favorite with the New York public. 
 .Mr. Wallace:, besides being popular in a number 
 of leading tragic parts, was esteemed without an 
 equal as Don Felix in the comedy of The Wonder, 
 

 12 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 and throughout the range of genteel and high- 
 spirited comedy generally, as also in a number of 
 melo- dramatic characters. 
 
 "His Martin Hey wood in "The Rent Day" 
 Massaroni in "The Brigand" and his Don Caesar 
 de Bazan in later years, manifested a high and 
 exquisite order of art; while those who in Mr. 
 Wallaces early days saw his Rolla in the play 
 of "Pizarro" can never forget that it was unap- 
 proached by any other performer, and the most 
 remarkably picturesque, fascinating and continu- 
 ally attractive performance then known to the 
 American stage. 
 
 "In versatility of talent, probably the stage has 
 never had any other actor capable of satisfying the 
 public in such a variety of prominent characters ; 
 his costumes, too, were remarkably characteristic, 
 and always in admirable taste, and Mr. Wallack, 
 in every respect, has proved himself a complete 
 master of the histrionic art." 
 
 " His was the gifted eye, which grace still touch'd 
 As if with second nature ; and his dreams, 
 His childish dreams, were lit by hues of heaven — 
 
 Those which make Genius." 
 
 Mist London. 
 
 V 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 13 
 
 After realizing considerable in amount, and his 
 popularity much increased, he, after two years of 
 unprecedented success, returned to England, again 
 appearing at Drury Lane, where he was cordially 
 welcomed by the friends and companions of his 
 earlier days. Remaining, however, but a single 
 season, he again visited America, in the year 1822, 
 to be as before the recipient of a most brilliant and 
 flattering reception. 
 
 It was during this visit that while journeying to 
 Philadelphia, having been announced to appear 
 at the Walnut Street Theatre, as Hamlet, the 
 stasre-coach in which he travelled was overturned, 
 and he suffered a compound fracture of the leg, 
 Avhich incapacitated him for his professional duties 
 for the space of eighteen months, and the effect of 
 which was always partially discernible throughout 
 his life. When he had sufficiently recovered from 
 this unfortunate check to his labors and his tri- 
 umphs, he again departed for England, leaving 
 however, his wardrobe, etc., in New York, in 
 which city he resolved only, if ever again, to make 
 his re- appearance. 
 
 And kind Fortune, his patron Saint during a 
 
14 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 long and honorable life, destined that he should 
 again appear on the boards of the old Park, after 
 an absence of nearly two years. 
 
 The New York public had evinced profound 
 regret at his misfortune, and now assembled in 
 overwhelming numbers to express their sympathy 
 and to extend to him an earnest welcome, all the 
 more hearty and sincere because of a general con- 
 viction that his thorough recovery was impossible, 
 and that his future career must be limited to the 
 representation of a few exceptional parts. 
 
 He was announced to appear in two plays, and 
 as he hobbled upon the stage on crutches, in the 
 character of Captain Bertram, (an old sailor,) the 
 apprehensions of his friends seemed realized, and 
 there were audible manifestations of pity from the 
 audience, who were moved with grief to see the 
 favorite artist thus apparently deprived of the free 
 use of his limbs. 
 
 The expression of surprise and enthusiasm may 
 be readily imagined when, in the second piece — 
 " My Aunt 11 — he bounded upon the stage, as Dick 
 Dashall, with the elasticity and vigor that had 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 15 
 
 been wont to distinguish him in his earlier en- 
 gagements. 
 
 About this period Mr. Wallack, during his 
 stay in England, became stage manager of Drury 
 Lane ( Booth having retired ) under Elliston, occa- 
 sionally playing leading parts; and, it is said, he 
 was several times honored by invitations to act at 
 the royal palace. 
 
 He also belonged at this time to the Garrick 
 Club, at which a fine bust of him is still preserved, 
 and he was associated with some of the most dis- 
 tinguished men of the time. In 1827 he played 
 Othello to the lago of Edmund Kean. 
 
 A memorable event in the history of the Eng- 
 lish stage occurred in the year 1828, (in which Mr. 
 Wallack was one of the prominent movers, ) and 
 which is but another proof of the kindly feeling 
 evinced by the members of the dramatic profession 
 towards their brother actors when in the hour of 
 need and distress. 
 
 It was the occasion of the farewell benefit and 
 last appearance in public of poor old Joe Grimaldi, 
 
16 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 the Gar rick of clowns, who was compelled, on 
 account of severe and protracted bodily infirmities, 
 to bid adieu to the profession to which he had been 
 attached for so many years. Among those who 
 took an especial interest in making arrangements 
 for this much needed testimonial, no one was more 
 indefatigable in his exertions, and rendered more 
 efficient aid, than our young actor, who exerted 
 himself as much as he could have done if the night 
 had been his own. 
 
 The affair came off at Drury Lane on the night 
 of the 28th of June, 1828, the performances con- 
 sisting of a number of popular pieces, concluding 
 with the Harlequin Hoax, in .which Mr. Grimalm, 
 after repeating his famous rendition of the jester, 
 sang his last song, and with the delivery of a fare- 
 well address made his final bow to the public. 
 
 The benefit exceeded the most sanguine expec- 
 tations, realizing a clear profit of two hundred and 
 seventy pounds sterling. 
 
 The old man survived but a few years, and died 
 in 1837, having left as a legacy to his profession 
 the memoirs of his life, which he had written in his 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACE, SEN. 17 
 
 latter days, and which have since been published, 
 running through a number of editions. 
 
 Shortly after, in 1828, Mr. Wallace again 
 meditated making a trip to this country. 
 
 On the occasion of the closing of the Drury 
 Lane Theatre for the season he was presented by 
 his fellow actors of that establishment, over which 
 he had presided as their manager for three years, 
 with a handsome service of plate, accompanied by 
 a feeling address, which was delivered by the cele- 
 brated comedian, Mr. Charles Matthews. 
 
 It was indeed a deserving tribute of respect and 
 esteem, and the highest compliment to the impar- 
 tial and honorable manner in which he had dis- 
 charged his arduous and numerous duties. 
 
 He was accompanied on his voyage to New 
 York, in September of this year, by the favorite 
 and distinguished actress, Mrs. Barnes, and soon 
 after his arrival appeared, as usual, at the "Drury 
 of America," drawing fuller houses than any pre- 
 ceding performer of that season. 
 
18 MEMOIR OE JAMES WILLIAM WALLACE, SEN. 
 
 In November he played an engagement in Phil- 
 adelphia, at the Arch Street Theatre, under the 
 management of Mr. Wood, that gentleman offering 
 him two hundred dollars per night for his services, 
 Mr. Forrest being the counter attraction at the 
 Walnut, receiving the same compensation. 
 
 Cooper, the tragedian, was then also performing 
 at the Chestnut Street Theatre. 
 
 Thus were three theatres struggling in that city 
 for existence; a bitter spirit of rivalry existing 
 between the managers, who were striving with 
 ceaseless and unflinching energy each to outvie 
 in attraction and popularity the establishment of 
 the other, and making the most fearful sacrifices 
 to overthrow professionally his opponent. 
 
 In December, the J war of the managers, ' hav- 
 ing ceased, Mr. Wallack played for a few nights 
 at the Chestnut, and then returned to New York. 
 
 On the 7th of January, 1829, was performed 
 for. the first time in America, at the Park Theatre, 
 Miss Mary Russell Mitford's new tragedy of Bi- 
 enzi, introducing Mr. Wallack in the role of the 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACE, SEN. 19 
 
 hero — and quoting from a periodical of the day, 
 devoted to "literature, the drama and the fine 
 arts, " we find the following : 
 
 ********* Mr Wallace's 
 Rienzi was good throughout — often excellent — 
 and some passages given in a style that we con* 
 ceive could not well be improved by any man. 
 His conception of the character appeared to us 
 correct — his action free and graceful — his articu- 
 lation clear and distinct ; and at times there was 
 a fire and energy thrown into some of the spirit- 
 stirring harangues that went home to the heart, 
 whilst the domestic scenes with his daughter were 
 replete with delicate touches of nature and feel- 
 i n g ******* j n characters of an 
 
 heroic or romantic cast, when the moral feelings 
 of the audience are enlisted on his side, there is 
 no man like him, — 
 
 " A love of right, a scorn of wrong, 
 
 Are written on his manly brow and in his manly eye," — 
 
 while a voice, " rich in its mellow depth, " pours 
 forth the glowing sentiments of his author with a 
 fervor and feeling that well nigh approach per- 
 fection. " 
 
 
20 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 Rienzi was revived by Mr. Wallack at the 
 same theatre, in 1836, in all its original splendor, 
 and subsequently at his charming little house in 
 Broadway, corner of Broome Street, where it at- 
 tracted for a succession of nights immense audi- 
 ences, including many old play-goers, who had 
 witnessed its first representation. In 1832 (in 
 the interim visiting his native land, ) he played a 
 number of engagements in this city ; and the fol- 
 lowing brief extracts, from an article written for 
 the Sunday Times, entitled " The "Old" Park 
 Theatre, by an Ex- Reporter" and appearing 
 in the columns of that journal a few years ago, 
 may not be uninteresting at this time. 
 
 "On Monday, September 3d, Mr. James Wal- 
 lack — the Wallack — commenced an engagement 
 with * Pizarro ' and * My Aunt, ' and drew 
 eight hundred and twenty dollars and fifty cents. 
 * * * * * On Wednesday, Mr. Wallack's 
 second night, ' The Rent Day ' and ' Spring 
 and Autumn ' were performed to six hundred 
 and fifty dollars and seventy-five cents. On 
 Thursday, he, with the Ravels, drew a fair 
 house — five hundred and fifty dollars and sev- 
 enty-five cents. On Friday, Mr. Wallack play- 
 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 21 
 
 ed in the ' Rent Day ' and ' Spring and Au- 
 tumn,' to six hundred and eighteen dollars and 
 twenty-five cents, and on Saturday he appeared 
 to four hundred and forty- seven dollars. 
 
 On Monday, September 10th, Mr. Wallack 
 repeated ' Pizarro ' and 'My Aunt, 1 to four 
 hundred and ninety-six dollars. On Tuesday, 
 ' The Rent Day ' and ' The Adopted Child ' were 
 played to five hundred and twenty dollars. On 
 Wednesday, Mr. Hackett played to seven hun- 
 dred and fifteen dollars and twenty-five cents, and 
 on Thursday Mr. Wallack appeared to four hun- 
 dred and ten dollars and seventy-five cents. 
 
 On Friday, 'The Brigand, 1 'The Rent Day, 1 
 and 'The Adopted Child, 1 drew one thousand 
 forty- eight dollars and fifty cents, being Mr. Wal- 
 laces benefit. On Saturday, Mr. Hackett play- 
 ed 'Rip Van Winkle, 1 Brother Jonathan, etc., 
 to three hundred and fifty-seven dollars and twen- 
 ty-five cents. 11 
 
 4f 
 
 He was succeeded by Mr. Charles Kemble, 
 and subsequently by Miss Fanny Kemble, and in 
 October was re-engaged, performing his usual line 
 
 m 
 
 i 
 

 22 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACE, SEN. 
 
 of characters, and appearing in connection with 
 Miss Clara Fisher (now Mrs. Maeder,) for 
 whose benefit he performed Don Felix in 'The 
 Wonder 1 on the evening of the 1st of November ; 
 Master Burke playing also on the same night. 
 Receipts eight hundred and twenty-five dollars 
 and seventy-five cents. 
 
 In 1835 Mr. Wallack made a professional trip 
 to Baltimore. His engagement at the Holiday 
 Street Theatre lasted however but a few nights, 
 the good people of the 'Monumental city,' for 
 some unaccountable cause, not extending to him 
 on this occasion the cordial and enthusiastic pa- 
 tronage that had uniformly been accorded him. 
 
 This apparent coolness, so unexpected and un- 
 called for, without having any tendency to dis- 
 hearten our actor, did not fail to produce a strong 
 impression on him ; his not too sensitive, yet im- 
 pulsive nature, prompted him to speak, on the 
 evening of his last appearance, his own views on 
 the subject, unreservedly and with frankness. 
 
 His address to the audience is here given ver- 
 batim. 
 

 Vtfjmr 
 
 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 23 
 
 & 
 
 J 
 
 
 "Ladies and Gentlemen: — I appear before 
 you at your call. I am unaccustomed to extem- 
 poraneous speaking ; but however reluctant I 
 may usually be to address a public audience, I 
 am free to confess, that I never felt more embar- 
 rassment than on the present occasion. I am but 
 a plain man, and speak the words of truth, not- 
 withstanding my profession leads me to assume 
 the garb of fiction. If I were to tell you that I 
 leave Baltimore gratified, I should tell you a lie 
 — for, of the ten nights I have played in this city, 
 this is the only audience I have had the pleasure 
 of witnessing, and you have my sincere thanks for 
 honoring my name by your appearance this even- 
 ing. I am aware of the duties — of far more 
 importance to you than my poor services — that 
 have prevented your honoring me with your at- 
 tendance, which otherwise, if I may be allowed to 
 judge by the audiences I have received in other 
 cities, would, I doubt not, have been more gener- 
 al. I therefore repeat, that I thank you most 
 kindly for doing me the honor you have, by ap- 
 pearing here to night ; and, with the hope that 
 when I may come among you again I shall at 
 least occasionally see such an audience as the one 
 before me, I bid you farewell. 1 ' 
 
24 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACE., SEN. 
 
 He then returned to New York, and appeared 
 at the Park Theatre. 
 
 From the " Ex- Reporter 's Journal" we again 
 extract : 
 
 "On Wednesday (Oct. 21st, 1835,) Mr. Wal- 
 lace: commenced another engagement, and played 
 in ' Pizarro ' and 'My Aunt,' to nine hundred 
 and nineteen dollars and fifty cents. * * Miss 
 Phillips appeared with Mr. Wallace on Satur- 
 day, in 'The Hunchback, 1 ('The Brigand 1 being 
 the after-piece,) to eight hundred and eighty-four 
 dollars and seventy-five cents. 
 
 Monday, Oct. 26th, ' The Wife ' and ' Spring 
 and Autumn, ' with Mr. Wallace and Miss Phil- 
 lips, drew five hundred and seventy-two dollars. 
 
 On Tuesday, Mr. Placide took a benefit, and 
 paid Mr. Simpson five hundred dollars for the 
 house, etc. The receipts were about six hundred 
 and twenty dollars. 
 
 The ' Merchant of Venice 1 and the ' Brigand ' 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACE, SEN. 25 
 
 on Wednesday drew six hundred and nineteen 
 dollars. * * * * 
 
 Mr. Wallack took a benefit and closed his en- 
 gagement on Friday. 'The Rent Day, 1 'Spring 
 and Autumn,' and 'The Adopted Child' were 
 played, and although a heavy storm prevailed, 
 the rain falling in torrents, the receipts amounted 
 to one thousand and forty dollars and twenty-five 
 cents." 
 
 Re-appeared in November for a few nights, 
 Yankee H'dl performing alternately with him. 
 
 On the evening of the 21st of December, 1835, 
 while the public mind had scarcely recovered from 
 the shock occasioned by the recent dreadful ca- 
 lamity which had visited the city in the form of 
 the most extensive and terrible conflagration that 
 had ever occurred in this country, Mr. Wallack 
 again commenced an engagement, and though ap- 
 pearing in two of his most popular characters, 
 Bolla and Dick Dashall, the receipts were only 
 three hundred and seven dollars and seventy-five 
 cents, undoubtedly owing to the still depressed 
 state of the public heart, and the excessively cold 
 
26 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 weather combined, the thermometer being, during 
 that memorable month, frequently down to zero. 
 
 It will not probably be amiss to here state that 
 the receipts at the Park Theatre on the night of 
 the fire, December 16th, were only one hundred 
 and fifty-four dollars, the weather being the cold- 
 est of the season. 
 
 On Christmas night, just twenty-nine years ago 
 from the date of the death of the lamented subject 
 of this memoir, he appeared in his favorite role of 
 the \ Brigand,' which, — together with the specta- 
 cle of the 'Virgin of the Sun, 1 and a ballet, — 
 constituted the evening's performances, and drew 
 one thousand one hundred and forty-three dollars 
 and twenty-five cents. 
 
 But too many statistics may weary the readers 
 of this little sketch, and we will therefore briefly 
 refer to Mr. Wallack's subsequent career. 
 
 On the 11th of January, 1836, he appeared in 
 Philadelphia for the benefit of his friend, Mr. 
 William B. Wood, another distinguished veteran 
 actor and manager, "now gone to his long home." 
 
 m 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 27 
 
 In the same year, played in New York several 
 engagements, ( always at the Park, ) appearing as 
 Shylock, St Pierre, etc., and reviving Rienzi as 
 referred to above. 
 
 Mr. Hamblin also produced the same piece at 
 the Bowery Theatre, in gorgeous style, and we 
 believe it was also brought out about the same 
 time at the old Franklin Theatre. 
 
 In the month of May of this year, Mr. Wal- 
 lack took passage for Europe, previous to which 
 however he adopted the example set him by oth- 
 ers of his profession, and more particularly the 
 then rising "Star of the American Stage," Mr. 
 Edwin Forrest, ( through whose munificence and 
 patronage our dramatic literature has been so en- 
 riched, and to whom the American stage is in- 
 debted for the popular plays of ' The Gladiator ' 
 and 'The Broker of Bogota, 1 by Dr. R M. Bird, 
 'Metamora, 1 by Mr. John Augustus Stone, etc., 
 etc.,) and offered a premium for an original play 
 to be constructed especially in view of his peculiar 
 style of acting. 
 
 The following letter addressed to the editor of 
 
28 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 the New York Mirror, the late General George 
 P. Morris, will be read with interest in this con- 
 nection. 
 
 Packet Ship Sheffield, i 
 May 28^, 1836. \ 
 
 My Dear Sir : 
 
 I am most anxious to procure, on my return to 
 the United States, an original play by a native 
 author, and on some striking and powerful Amer- 
 ican subject. Of course, I am desirous that the 
 principal character should be made prominent, 
 and adapted to me and my dramatick capabilities, 
 such as they may happen to be. Will you be 
 kind enough to offer for such a production the 
 sum of one thousand dollars, which I will pay to 
 any writer who will present the best piece of the 
 description alluded to. All manuscripts will be 
 submitted to a committee of literary gentlemen of 
 your city, and to the author of the play selected 
 by them will be adjudged the premium just speci- 
 fied. Be kind enough to insert the enclosed ad- 
 vertisement in the Mirror ; and, with very many 
 thanks for the kind manner in which you have in- 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 29 
 
 terested yourself in this matter tor me, I am, my 
 dear sir, your obliged and faithful servant, 
 
 James Wallack. 
 
 To George P. Morris, Esq., 
 
 Editor of the Mirror. 
 
 The following is the advertisement referred to: 
 
 To Native Dramatick Authors. 
 
 The subscriber offers the sum of one thousand 
 dollars for the best original play upon an attrac- 
 tive and striking subject in American history. 
 The principal part to be adapted to his style of 
 acting. A committee of literary gentlemen will 
 be chosen to decide upon the merits of such plays 
 as may be submitted to them for this premium, 
 which will be awarded to the writer of the best 
 production of the above description. It is re- 
 quested that all manuscripts may be sent, (post 
 paid, ) on or before the first of October next, ad- 
 dressed to George P. Morris, Esq., New York 
 Mirror Office. 
 
 James Wallack. 
 
30 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN, 
 
 Whether in desiring thus to encourage the dra- 
 matic talent of this country, his generous offer 
 met with its merited appreciation, and the antici- 
 pated result at this time, the compiler is not 
 aware, although several years after Mr. Wallack 
 appeared in an original play, written expressly 
 for him by Mr, N. P. Willis, and which will be 
 noticed hereafter in these pages. 
 
 On his return to New York a few months after, 
 he played an engagement at the National Thea- 
 tre, corner of Church and Leonard Streets, and 
 in the following year undertook the management 
 of this house, selecting the finest company proba- 
 bly ever gathered together in any place of amuse- 
 ment in this city, not excepting, I think, even 
 that subsequently congregated at ' ' Old Wal- 
 lack 1 s. 11 This theatre, (the National,) was re- 
 opened under Mr. Wallack 1 s auspices, on the 
 28th of August, 1837, his brother, Henry, acting 
 as stage-manager. 
 
 To those familiar with the sterling ability, ju- 
 dicious taste and liberality displayed by Mr. 
 Wallack in his managerial capacity during the 
 past twelve years, it is hardly necessary to state 
 that the 'drooping fortunes of the old National 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 31 
 
 were again revived,   and that it was soon establish- 
 ed as one of the favorite resorts of our amuse- 
 ment-loving citizens. And to the enterprising 
 spirit of Mr. Wallace: alone could be attributed 
 the signal success achieved at this theatre. 
 
 At the National, during our manager's control- 
 ling influence, appeared among others, the charm- 
 ing opera troupe, so favorably remembered, and 
 consisting of the Seguins, Miss Shirreff, De 
 Begnis, Wilson, etc., etc., Madame Celeste, 
 Vandenhoff, Hackett, etc. 
 
 And besides Mr. Wallack himself occasionally 
 acting, his brother Henry, together with his son 
 J. W. Wallack, Jr., (now one of the finest 
 melo-dramatic actors on the stage,) also frequent- 
 ly performed. 
 
 In April, 1839, Mr. Wallack produced at the 
 National N. P. Willis's new play of ' Tortesa 
 the Usurer, 1 himself sustaining the principal 
 character, which, as before stated, had been writ- 
 ten especially for him. 
 
 This play was presented in superb style, the 
 
32 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 scenic arrangements evincing in all their appoint- 
 ments, the same liberal spirit of profuse expendi- 
 ture which had characterised every production of 
 the season, and it met with marked success, keep- 
 ing possession of the stage for several weeks. 
 
 Prior to his leaving for England, in this month, 
 he was tendered by his friends and admirers a 
 complimentary benefit-, at which the inimitable 
 comedian, Mr. W. E. Burton, volunteered to per- 
 form, coming from Philadelphia expressly for that 
 purpose, and appearing as Sir Simon Slack in 
 'Spring and Autumn,' Mr. Wallack playing al- 
 so in the same piece. , u/ 7, :i y 
 
 The beneficiary, then, as on every similar occa- 
 sion, had no cause to complain of the brilliant 
 ovation accorded him. 
 
 Mr. Wallack immediately sailed for England, 
 in the steamship Great Western, returning in $ 
 few weeks after in the same vessel. He soon how- 
 ever made another trip, introducing at the Surrey 
 theatre 'Tortesa, 1 supported by the accomplish- 
 ed actress, Mrs. Vining; and although he was suf- 
 fering from illness, it is said " he played with far 
 
MEMOIR. OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 33 
 
 more fire than usual, and drew down thunders of 
 applause." The play was also highly successful, 
 and was repeated for many nights to large audi- 
 ences. During the ensuing season, Mr. Edwin 
 Forrest played a brilliant engagement at the Na- 
 tional, under Mr. Wallack's management, the 
 house having been completely renovated and re- 
 paired, and presenting, on its re-opening, a beau- 
 tiful appearance, "resplendent with glittering dec- 
 orations of gold, and tasteful paintings.' 1 
 
 Mr. Charles Kean (son of the eminent tragedi- 
 an,) played an engagement at this house at the 
 close of Mr. Forrest's, but was unfortunately 
 compelled to temporarily relinquish it, owing to a 
 sudden fit of illness. 
 
 In September of this year, resulting thus far so 
 prosperously for the management, this beautiful 
 theatre, — which Mr. Wallack had endeavored so 
 arduously to render one of the most attractive 
 places of amusement in the city, introducing as he 
 did the most refined and elevated entertainments, 
 and rivalling in popularity the old Park Theatre, — 
 was totally destroyed by fire. And in no better 
 terms can an idea of that unfortunate event be 
 
34 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 conveyed to the mind of the reader, than by the 
 insertion here of the following graphic account by 
 an eye-witness, published in one of the weekly 
 journals of that period : 
 
 "Seldom is it that we are inclined to visit the 
 scene of a conflagration, but so strong an interest 
 did we feel for those who would suffer from the 
 destruction of the once beautiful National, that so 
 soon as we learned it was that edifice on fire we 
 fell into the current of thousands who were has- 
 tening to the spot. 
 
 "We found the entire house completely envel- 
 oped — the flames flashing upward, fifty feet above 
 the Avails, and roaring like a cataract. The safety 
 of the adjoining buildings, now occupied the at- 
 tention of the intrepid firemen, who were making 
 every exertion in their power to rescue them from 
 the raging, devouring element. As yet the beau- 
 tiful French church was untouched, and its mar- 
 ble walls and zinc dome, it was hoped would save 
 it, though so much exposed. 
 
 "With a friend, who from boyhood has clamber- 
 ed the giddy mast, we passed up through the 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 35 
 
 house adjoining the church to a flight of steps 
 leading across an alley to the roof of that classic 
 model of a Christian Temple. From this eleva- 
 tion we could see down into the very interior of 
 the Theatre, which presented the appearance of a 
 huge cauldron of molten gold, bubbling and sway- 
 ing from side to side with terrific fury. 
 
 "The summit of the dome of the church was sur- 
 mounted by a "lantern, 11 that has been the admi- 
 ration of all lovers of architecture. Fatal to this 
 classic edifice was this crowning beauty. While 
 we were standing on its roof, this wooden lantern, 
 heated almost to ignition, took fire from a spark. 
 At this moment to an unmoved spectator the 
 church presented the most beautiful sight imagin- 
 able. Totally uninjured stood this specimen of 
 the simple Ionic architecture, graceful in all its 
 proportions, with an air of purity divine, from the 
 whiteness of the marble, well suited to the worship 
 to which it was devoted, when there burst forth a 
 vivid light from the summit of its lantern, that for 
 nearly one hour was the only portion of the build- 
 ing on fire. A true " fire- worshipper 11 would 
 have unconsciously fallen on his knees in adoration, 
 could he have seen this manifestation of the god 
 
36 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 he worships. We never saw anything more beau- 
 tiful and impressive. 
 
 "At length this treacherous ornament conveyed 
 the fire to the dome, and we now found it getting 
 uncomfortable to remain longer at this dizzy height, 
 and the excitement for a moment was somewhat in- 
 tense, when we recollected that the flight of stairs 
 by which we came must be cut away to prevent 
 the fire being communicated to the adjoining house, 
 occupied by the worthy Pastor of the church. 
 
 "We hurriedly passed this bridge, — not "of 
 sighs," — though it reminded us of that Venitian 
 structure, and met the energetic fireman, with axe 
 in hand, to demolish this connecting link, which 
 purpose he soon effected. 
 
 "Three churches, as many private buildings, to- 
 gether with the Theatre, were now on fire, and 
 the scene, from an adjoining house-top was grand 
 in the extreme. 
 
 "It is from no lack of sympathy with the unfor- 
 tunate sufferers, that we have thus alluded to this 
 sad catastrophe. Most sincerely do we participate 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 37 
 
 with the entire community in sorrowing for their 
 loss, and most ready shall we be found to lend eve- 
 ry aid in our power to further any plan adopted 
 for the relief of those so suddenly deprived of the 
 means of exercising their profession. " 
 
 A few evenings after this lamentable occurrence, 
 some three hundred of the most enterprising citi- 
 zens of this city, met at the Astor House to testify 
 their sympathy and continued friendship for Mr. 
 Wallack, and. with the intention of devising some 
 plan where by a new Theatre could be erected, 
 and placed under his management. 
 
 Thus encouraged, Mr. Wallack immediately 
 transferred his company to the theatre connected 
 with Niblo's Garden, and it is needless to say that 
 his commendable course, which displayed, under 
 the trying circumstances, an uncommon degree of 
 fortitude and perseverance, was promptly respond- 
 ed to by the public, and he was, with his company, 
 greeted by an immense concourse of sympathizing 
 friends, eager to demonstrate their appreciation of 
 his talents as manager and actor, and his worth as 
 a man. 
 
38 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN, 
 
 His prosperity, however, was of short duration. 
 Mr. and Miss Vanderhoof, having been previous- 
 ly engaged to play at the old theatre, soon after ap- 
 peared here, achieving considerable success, by 
 their original and finished representations, and were 
 followed by Mr. Charles Kean, etc. but after an 
 energetic struggle of a few weeks only, against a 
 then unfortunate location, the disadvantages of a 
 cramped house, and the severities of the times, Mr. 
 Wallack threw open his theatre for the last time, 
 on Monday evening, November 18th, 1839, Mr. 
 Forrest appearing on the occasion, as Macbeth. 
 
 At the close of the tragedy, Mr. "Wallack an- 
 swered the call of the audience, by coming forward, 
 evidently much affected by the enthusiastic cheer- 
 ing, yet sufficiently self-possessed to make a lucid, 
 earnest, and feeling address, in which he explain- 
 ed very satisfactorily to his friends, after recount- 
 ing the misfortunes that had befallen him, the 
 causes that compelled him to abandon all further 
 attempts to continue longer so disastrous an ex- 
 periment. He soon after played a short time at 
 the Chatham Theatre, and subsequently returned 
 to England. 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 39 
 
 For the next ten years, Mr. Wallace: played 
 star engagements in the United States and Great 
 Britain, in the meantime accepting the position of 
 leading actor and stage-manager, at the Princess's 
 Theatre in London, and there achieving one of his 
 greatest triumphs in the year 1843, as Don Cea- 
 sar de Bazan. 
 
 N. P. Willis, Esq., in writing from London, in 
 this year, says: "I have passed one evening of 
 great amusement at the Princess's Theatre, — Wal- 
 lace; playing in the two principal pieces. ' Don 
 Ceasar de Bazan,'' which you have had in Amer- 
 ica, was one of them, and it seems conceived and 
 written specially for this fine actor's peculiar pow- 
 ers. The high-born Spanish gentleman, in pride 
 and rags, indomitably gay in his worst perils and 
 extremities, and preserving his elegance through 
 all his trials and tatters, could never be represent- 
 ed with more admirable truth and attractiveness. 
 The abandon with which Wallace: plays, seem- 
 ingly carried away by the gaiety of his part, yet 
 always true to nature and to the poet's meaning, 
 gives his performances, to me, a charm irresistible. 
 He was the attraction of the night, and the theatre 
 was crammed to suffocation." 
 
40 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 Mr. Wallack afterwards became stage-manager 
 of the Haymarket, where, in 1851, he introduced 
 to a London audience his nephew, Mr. J. W. Wal- 
 lace, Jr., before referred to, and who resembles, 
 by the way, in a remarkable manner, his uncle, af- 
 ter whom he was named. The likeness will ap- 
 pear still stronger to those who remember the lat- 
 ter twenty-five or thirty years since. 
 
 It was at this time that Mr. Wallack was vis- 
 ited with a severe affliction, in the loss of his esti- 
 mable wife, and he himself was shortly afterwards 
 laid upon a couch of sickness, from which it was 
 feared he would never arise. 
 
 So serious, indeed, was his condition supposed, 
 that his son, Mr. Lester Wallack, then perform- 
 ing at Burton's Theatre in New York, received a 
 summons to London, urging his departure in the 
 mail steamer without delay. 
 
 But our actor's life was then spared, although 
 many months elapsed, before he could be pronounc- 
 ed convalescent. 
 
 Mr. Wallaces last appearance in his native 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALL ACK, "SEN. 41 
 
 land was at the Haymarket in the same year, per- 
 forming among other characters, St Pierre, (in 
 Jas. Sheridan Knowle's play of the Wife,) to the 
 Mariana of Miss Laura Addison, since deceased. 
 
 This brings us down to a period fraught with-so 
 many pleasant memories connected with the thea- 
 tres in which we of this latter day, have been so 
 wont to associate the name, genius, and liberality 
 of him who, as the "buried old man of seventy," 
 our minds now and will ever, revert with mingled 
 regret and sorrow. 
 
 In the year 1851, he decided to permanently 
 make his home in this country, the scene of his 
 earlier joys and triumphs, and over nearly every 
 part of which he had travelled, steadily and deserv- 
 edly gathering around him hosts of friends. 
 
 In 1852 he took possession of, and became the 
 manager of the theatre on Broadway, near Broome 
 Street, (formerly Brougham's Lyceum,) which he 
 conducted with uninterrupted success, and to the 
 advancement and improvement of which he unceas- 
 ingly devoted nine years. 
 
42 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 The first performance under Mr. Wallace's 
 management, at that popular place of amusement, 
 took place on the evening of September 8th, 1852, 
 the whole interior of the house having undergone 
 marked improvements, and presenting an elegant 
 and inviting appearance. 
 
 The theatre was crowded to excess, and intense 
 interest and enthusiasm was manifested in the suc- 
 cess of our manager's undertaking. 
 
 At the conclusion of the excellent comedy, u The 
 Way to Get Married" which was finely represent- 
 ed, having in the cast Messrs. Lester Wallack, 
 Blake, Walcot, Mrs. Buckland, etc., etc., there 
 was a unanimous call for Mr. Wallack, and his ap- 
 pearance on the stage was a signal for the most 
 vociferous and long-continued applause from the 
 audience, many of his personal friends standing up, 
 waving their hats and handkerchiefs, and shouting 
 most energetically. Having at length obtained 
 silence, Mr. Wallack addressed the audience as 
 follows : 
 
 " Ladies and Gentlemen : You are perhaps aware that 
 I have suffered very much from ill health for the last two 
 years, and this is the first time I have trod the boards of 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 43 
 
 a theatre for seventeen months. But, thank God, I am 
 well again. ( Cheers.) 
 
 " I feel that respect for my audience should have induced 
 me to prepare a speech on this occasion ; but I have not 
 studied one, and even if I had done so, it would have all 
 vanished from my brain when I came here among you, 
 and heard your applauses. Therefore, ladies and gentle- 
 men, you must take it for granted that I mean sincerely 
 what I say, and you will forgive my want of eloquence 
 since you have taken my feelings by storm. {Loud Cheers.) 
 It is now thirty years since I first appeared before a New 
 York audience. I was" then in the young blood of life, and 
 I met with a reception like that which cheers me to-night. 
 
 " They hailed the young man with enthusiasm, and en- 
 couraged him as they do now the old man. He owes his 
 success to your kindness and forbearance, and, for thirty 
 years, in all the visits he has made, in all the branches of 
 his art, your enthusiasm and encouragement, your great 
 kindness and forbearance bore him up and furnished him 
 with greater power. He is happy to find the same feeling 
 towards him continued. 
 
 "Ladies and Gentlemen, I became a manager, as you 
 may remember. I am sure there are many here who re- 
 member the old National. You were pleased to approve of 
 my management then, and I trust experience as a manager, 
 in the little village of London, has since made me a little 
 
44 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 more worthy of jour patronage. ( Cheers.) It is now thir- 
 teen years, since, — and I am certain yon all regret it, — we 
 lost that beautiful building by fire. It is, therefore thir- 
 teen years since I addressed you in the character of a man- 
 ager, and it is five years since I acted before you. The 
 National was a fine, gallant, first-rate old ship, full of all 
 kinds of accommodations ; but we have no doubt that this 
 nice little frigate, with the noble and industrious hands 
 to support her, will sail in the full favor of your approba- 
 tion. {Cheers.) 
 
 " My object was to bring together those whom I knew 
 to be established favorites with you. Most of them are 
 here, and I will present to you soon, very soon, new can- 
 didates for your favor, and a few old ones, for I will act 
 in a few days myself. {Cheers.) The style of our per- 
 formances, ladies and gentlemen, will be high comedy, the 
 highest and best class of farces, vaudevil, etc., dramas of 
 . stirring interest, such as the " Rent Day," " Don Ceasar de 
 Bazan," etc. And we will give you novelties, new pieces. 
 but no tragedy, much as I love it ; for it was a tragedy I 
 played in for the first fifteen visits out of nineteen, that I 
 made to the United States. 
 
 u But my object is, to make you laugh, not to make you 
 weep. It now remains to see how I will perform my prom- 
 ises to you. I know you will support me, and that I will 
 be well supported by the company ; I know that if I de- 
 sire it, that I will get a portion of that favor which others 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 45 
 
 in the city so desevedly receive. All I ask and sue for, is 
 a fair share, if I deserve it. I go with the times ; but though 
 I have not the vanity to go before them, I am too quick to 
 be left behind. {Cheers.) If I gain your approbation, I 
 shall be content. You will be satisfied, and I will see your 
 smiling faces till the last of the season." 
 
 Mr. Wallack concluded this characteristic 
 speech amid tumultuous applause from all parts 
 of the house, and withdrew. With the amusing 
 farce of the Boarding- School, in which the whole 
 company appeared, the entertainments of the even- 
 ing terminated. 
 
 After inaugurating his own little play-house and 
 playing there a brief engagement, he, in November 
 following, appeared in Boston at the New Nation- 
 al Theatre, (the old house, like its New York name- 
 sake, having been burned down a few years before. ) 
 
 Mr. Wallack had been engaged to perform at the 
 new theatre early in September, but the opening 
 night had been postponed, owing to a number of un- 
 foreseen circumstances, resulting most disastrously 
 for the worthy lessee, Mr. Joseph Leonard. 
 
 Mr. Wallack, with that courtesy which had ev- 
 
 «*fe 
 
46 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 er distinguished him, wrote to the management, 
 regretting that circumstances were as they were, 
 and concluded by saying, " when you want me, let 
 me know." At the appointed time therefore, No- 
 vember 2 2d, he was not found wanting. 
 
 Being always an especial favorite in Boston, he 
 attracted on this occasion the most fashionable au- 
 diences and astonished his oldest friends, those who 
 recollected him a quarter of a century ago, by his 
 acting, which, in its artistic finish, seemed but little 
 impaired by time. 
 
 His benefit was attended by the elite of the city, 
 and being honored with a call before the curtain, 
 he acquitted himself in a handsome manner, by 
 speaking a good word for the management, a flat- 
 tering notice of Mr. G. V. Brooke, the well-known 
 tragedian, whose engagement was to succeed his, 
 and extended an invitation to all to visit him at 
 Wallace:' s Theatre in New York. 
 
 In the clever sketches of eminent performers, 
 entitled "Actors as They Are, 1 ' published in this 
 city by Mr. Roorbach, a few years ago, we find 
 the following : 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 47 
 
 " Mr. Wallack opened his theatre on Broadway 
 under the most unfavorable circumstances. The 
 company he had engaged was a large and expen- 
 sive one, — the inauguration of his season had been 
 unpromising, — thousands of dollars had been lost 
 before the possibility of realizing one dollar had 
 been presented. In this dilemma, Mr. Wallaces 
 company stood manfully by him. Theirs was a 
 zeal removed entirely out of ordinary relations ; 
 and the result was, that the season terminated 
 triumphantly. " 
 
 As an evidence of the high esteem in which he 
 was held, by those by whom he was surrounded in 
 his professional duties, he was again, in the year 
 1855, tendered by the members of his own compa- 
 ny, together with numerous other artists, — several 
 of whom occupied the foremost position on the 
 American stage, — a complimentary benefit. 
 
 This "Testimonial" took place on the afternoon 
 and evening of May 29 th, at the Academy of Mu- 
 sic, on Fourteenth Street, and was one of the most 
 successful demonstrations of the kind ever gotten 
 up in this city. 
 
 Probably on no other occasion was so large an 
 
48 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 audience ever convened within the walls of this 
 magnificent building ; the seats being all taken, and 
 every available inch of standing-room closely con- 
 tested. 
 
 The programme for the evening, included the 
 names of Messrs. Edwin Forrest and E. L. Dav- 
 enport, Miss Vining (now Mrs. E. L. Davenport, ) 
 etc., etc., and consisted of Banim's well-known and 
 popular play of "Damon and Pythias" and the 
 fine English comedy of " The Poor Gentleman" 
 since one of the standard attractions of "old 
 Wallack's." 
 
 The acting of the first piece was undoubtedly the 
 best ever seen in New York, — Mr. Forrest's per- 
 formance of Damon, grand, dignified, noble, and 
 impassioned, — while Mr. Davenport's Pythias was 
 a truly beautiful and judicious rendition of that 
 favorite role. 
 
 Miss Vining played on this occasion, the difficult 
 part of Calanthe with a great deal of power. Be- 
 tween the acts, and at the close of the play, Mr. For- 
 rest, Mr. Davenport, and Miss Vining, were sev- 
 erally called before the curtain to receive the accla- 
 mations of the delighted audience. 
 
 * 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 49 
 
 Mr. Wallack then being vociferously called for, 
 the veteran in a few moments appeared before the 
 footlights, looking as hearty as ever, and acknowl- 
 edged the plaudits of the audience with that ex- 
 quisite grace which was one of the greatest charms 
 of his acting. 
 
 When the excitement and enthusiastic demon- 
 strations had subsided, he made a brief and pertinent 
 speech, saying that he "had trusted to the occasion 
 to inspire him, and that he was, therefore, alto- 
 gether unprepared. Such triumphs as these, 11 he 
 continued, "were most grateful to the heart of the 
 actor, who, by the peculiarity of his vocation, was 
 prevented from having any test, other than the 
 public voice, of the merit of his efforts. 
 
 " The painter or the sculptor could see and judge 
 of the effect of his work after it had left his hands, 
 but the successes of the actor were entirely ephem- 
 eral. After the triumph of a night, they passed 
 away; therefore, the brilliant scene before him 
 was the more gratifying to him, (Mr. Wallack,) 
 because it was a proof that his efforts had been ap- 
 preciated. 11 
 
 In passing, he paid a graceful compliment to 
 
 
50 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 Mr. Forrest, whom tie called "the great tragedian 
 of the American stage, 1 ' and returned thanks to 
 Mr. Davenport, Miss Vining, and other artists, 
 who had volunteered their services. " He closed 
 by saying that "this affair was a free-will offering 
 to him, by his company and others of his profession, 
 and he accepted it, not as some journals had hint- 
 ed, as a mendicant, ( it having been so represented 
 in several of the newspapers of the day, ) but as a 
 gentleman. He had been over forty years con- 
 nected with the stage, and thirty- seven years with 
 American theatres, as an actor and manager. 
 The public had had ample opportunities to judge 
 of his merit in both positions, and he intended 
 they should see more of him. ,, 
 
 Mr. Wallack then retired amid the most deaf- 
 ening applause. 
 
 The "Poor Gentleman," concluded the evening's 
 performances, and was admirably played by the 
 "Comedy company," the charming and accom- 
 plished comedienne, Mrs. Hoey, (so long the leading 
 actress of Wallack's theatre,) being substitut- 
 ed for Miss Rosa Bennett who had been cast for 
 Emily Worthington, but was prevented by illness 
 from appearing. 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 51 
 
 The receipts on this occasion were variously es- 
 timated to have been from three to four thousand 
 dollars, and must have been highly gratifying to 
 Mr. Wallack and his friends. 
 
 In the fall of this year, he made his re- appearance 
 for the first time, professionally, in twelve months, 
 on the occasion of the complimentary benefit ex- 
 tended to Mr. George H. Barrett, (who does not 
 remember poor " Gentleman George" as u Sir 
 Harcourt Courtly ? ) on his final retirement from 
 the stage. 
 
 The voluntary aid proffered for this praiseworthy 
 object, numbered over one hundred of the princi- 
 pal performers in the country, the services of ma- 
 ny of whom the committee were necessarily obliged 
 to dispense with, and those accepted were contrib- 
 uted chiefly by the Broadway and Wallack' s the- 
 atres. 
 
 Mr. Wallack, on this evening, (it being at the 
 Academy of Music, November 20th, 1855,) ap- 
 peared in his beautiful impersonation of Shylock 
 in the " Merchant of Venice,''' 1 supported by Ma- 
 dame Ponisi, Mr. Henry Placide, etc. The after- 
 piece was Sheridan's splendid comedy of the 
 
52 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 " School for Scandal" Messrs. Blake, Lester 
 Wallack, Brougham, Charles Fisher, T. Placide, 
 Mrs. Julia Dean Hayne, etc., performing, form- 
 ing altogether a perfect and unequaled cast. 
 
 Previous to the comedy, Mr. Barrett appeared 
 before the curtain, having his children by the hand, 
 arid took leave of the public, in a short and feeling 
 address. 
 
 As before stated, Mr. Wallack enjoyed at his 
 little theatre near Broome Street, an unvarying 
 success for over nine years, during which period 
 he was the acknowledged leader of dramatic art 
 in America, and his theatre rose to a rank which 
 no other had held in this community. 
 
 At this house closed his career as an actor, 
 having performed there, within the above time, 
 many of his principal characters, among Avhich may 
 be enumerated, Shylock, Benedict, (Much Ado 
 About Nothing, ) Jaques, (As You Like It, ) Mar- 
 tin Heywood, (Bent Day,) Erasmus Bookivorm, 
 (The Scholar,) Rover, (Wild Oats,) Sir Edward 
 Mortimer, ( Iron Chest, ) Dick Dashall, ( My 
 Aunt,) Don Ceasar de Bazan, etc., etc. 
 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 53 
 
 The first piece, "The Merchant of Venice, 11 he 
 produced on the night of the 9th of December, 
 1858, as a great Shakesperian revival, with new 
 and superb scenery, costumes, properties, etc. 
 
 It had an unparalleled run; his rendition of the 
 character of the "merciless Shylock" being uni- 
 versally commended, and eliciting the warm ad- 
 miration of thousands who witnessed it, including 
 representatives from all the departments of litera- 
 ture and the drama, and it was pronounced by all 
 a chaste and beautiful performance. 
 
 The last representations in which he took part 
 were at this theatre, where in 1859, he performed 
 most of the above parts, besides sustaining for up- 
 wards of a hundred nights the leading character 
 [Colonel Delmar,) in an exciting military drama, 
 written by his son, Mr. Lester Wallack, entitled 
 " The Veteran.' 1 ' 1 
 
 In 1861, he built his present Wallack's Theatre, 
 on the corner of Broadway and Thirteenth Street, 
 producing on the opening night a new play with 
 an apropos title, ("The New President, 11 ) himself 
 appearing at the close of the piece, in citizen^ 
 dress, to deliver a brief managerial address. 
 
54 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 At the close of this season, (in 1862,) which was 
 marked with the most unprecedented prosperity, 
 he again appeared before the curtain, to address a 
 few words to his numerous patrons and friends 
 who assembled on this, as on all like occasions, in 
 overflowing numbers. 
 
 This was his last appearance in any public ca- 
 pacity, and although it had been hoped that he 
 might once more be enabled to delight and charm 
 his many thousand admirers, by a repetition of his 
 many beautiful impersonations, still, the increasing 
 ailments attendant upon advanced age, and the 
 too apparent symptoms of declining health and an 
 impaired constitution, forbade all chances of the 
 wishes of his friends being consummated. 
 
 Mr. Wallace had been for several years in fe- 
 ble health, suffering from a complication of diseas- 
 es, among which gout and asthma were most prom- 
 inent, and only a naturally strong constitution, and 
 the most careful medical attendance, had enabled 
 
 
 
 him so long to survive. 
 
 Several times within the past four years he had 
 been pronounced at the point of death ; but he 
 rallied with unusual vigor after every attack, and 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 55 
 
 regained strength from the sea-breezes of his Long 
 Island villa. 
 
 It had been only within the past two or three 
 months, however, that any serious apprehensions 
 had been felt concerning the result of his illness, 
 and until the beginning of the last week previous 
 to his decease, he was in the habit of receiving 
 visitors, and of personally directing the affairs of 
 his theatre, so that the immediate occurrence of his 
 death must have been almost entirely unexpected. 
 
 That mournful event, however, transpired but 
 too soon and he died at his residence in Fourteenth 
 Street, near Third Avenue, early on the morning 
 of the 25th of December, 1864, "while the Christ- 
 mas bells were chiming, ' 1 and on the following 
 Tuesday, his remains were consigned to the family 
 vault in Greenwood Cemetery. 
 
 The funeral was conducted unostentatiously, and 
 in a quiet manner, it being in accordance with the 
 special request of the deceased. 
 
 Mr. Wallack was about the medium height, 
 gracefully proportioned, and possessing an air of 
 dignity and intelligence. His dress was always 
 
56 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 scrupulously neat, and with the most fastidious 
 taste, having somewhat of a Parisian appearance. 
 
 Of late years he walked with a cane, and a care- 
 ful observer might have noticed that he pursued his 
 steps toilsomely and with apparent difficulty. 
 
 He was, probably, up to the time of his retiring 
 from the stage, the best of the old school of actors, 
 and although critics might be disposed to question 
 his genius in the highest walks of tragedy, still his 
 eminence was a well-established fact, and his 
 reputation was greatest in dramas of a romantic 
 and picturesque order, in which his vigor, fire, and 
 dashing energy, are said to have produced the 
 most extraordinary effects. 
 
 His Bolla was great, — and universally pro- 
 nounced an unrivalled performance of its kind, — 
 his Julian St. Pierre, unapproachable; — his Ru- 
 ben Glenroy, superb; — his Benedict, a master- 
 piece ; — his Shyloch and Don Ceasar, admirable. 
 
 In comedy and farce he also displayed great 
 abilities, and the above characters will convey 
 some idea of his peculiar and versatile talents. 
 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 57 
 
 As a manager, he has given us the best Comedy 
 theatre in the country. 
 
 To say that Mr. Wallack attained perfection in 
 his theatrical management, would be crediting him 
 with the accomplishment of an impossibility; but 
 to say that he always aimed at perfection, and 
 strove by every legitimate means within his grasp 
 to secure it, and that the result of his endeavors 
 was an elevation of theatrical intelligence and cul- 
 ture to a standard much higher than that achieved 
 by any of his predecessors or cotemporaries, is the 
 simple and universally recognized truth. 
 
 Mr. Wallace's theatre has won the just repu- 
 tation of being superior to any other in which the 
 English language is spoken, and for this we have 
 Mr. Wallack alone to be grateful. 
 
 The material had all along been ready here, but 
 the enterprise to rightly adjust and control it was 
 wanting until he came. 
 
 He had learned, by long and varied experience, 
 that the true way to command success in his pro- 
 fession is to thoroughly and honestly deserve it ; 
 and that although transient prosperity may follow 
 
 
58 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 startling departures from the golden theatrical 
 rule, endurincf fortune can only be gained by 
 faithfully maintaining it. 
 
 The sense of his obligations and duties as a 
 manager never forsook him, and he resolved that 
 the last remainder of his failing strength should be 
 devoted to the interest and protection of the art 
 which he had loved and adorned, and which he had 
 planted here in New York, upon the firmest basis 
 ever known. 
 
 As a man, Mr. Wallack had hosts of friends, 
 and deserved them. 
 
 Cultivated and honorable, nothing offended him 
 more than vulgarity, and nothing exasperated him 
 more than over- reaching. 
 
 His dignity and simple courtesy were no less 
 familiar to all who approached him, than the affa- 
 bility and generous feeling which inspired all his 
 words and deeds. 
 
 Fond of a jovial, intellectual life, he delighted 
 in merry, intelligent companions, and no one knew 
 
MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 59 
 
 better than himself how to entertain others with 
 wit, humor, and interesting conversation. 
 
 He was greatly attached to the profession of 
 which he was such "a well- deserving pillar," and 
 was full of reminiscences of the distinguished mem- 
 bers of it, with whom he had come in contact in 
 his long career. Possessed, too, of a kindly heart, 
 his private charities were very large. 
 
 Among the members of his company he was 
 held in the most enthusiastic^ affection, to all of 
 whom his death will come as a personal affliction. 
 
 His fondness for children, too, was proverbial, 
 being devotedly attached to his young grand-chil- 
 dren ; and God, in his infinite mercy and goodness, 
 ordained that he should close his eyes in death 
 with his favorites near him on Christmas day. 
 
 To those to whom he was thus endeared, and to 
 his eldest son especially, — whose bereavement is 
 nearer and more grievous, — the deepest sympathies 
 of the community will be unfeignedly accorded. 
 Thus has passed away from this earth, after "life's 
 fitful fever," James William Wallace, the most 
 
60 MEMOIR OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 
 
 accomplished of actors, and one of the most pol- 
 ished gentlemen on the stage. 
 
 " Peace to his ashes ! Distant realms combine, 
 
 Lamented artist, thus to honor thine ! 
 
 Friends of the drama ! Be it yours to mourn, 
 
 And place fresh chaplets on the funeral urn ; 
 
 For your applause he ploughed the Atlantic wave, 
 
 And found a welcome where he found a grave." (1) 
 
 In concluding this brief memoir, it may not be 
 improper to add that into the hands of his eldest 
 son, Mr. Lester Wallack, an American by birth, 
 and for so long the efficient stage-manager of his 
 theatre, has now passed the sole control of the 
 "comedy theatre, " and that in those hands there 
 is every assurance of the same career of well- de- 
 served success being continued. 
 
 The following tribute of respect to the memory 
 of one whose loss as an artist it will not be possi- 
 ble to repair, any more than to fill the void as a 
 man, will not, I trust, be inappropriately append- 
 ed: 
 
 "At a meeting of managers of all the theatres 
 and places of amusement in New York, specially 
 
MEMOIR 'OF JAMES WILLIAM WALLACK, SEN. 61 
 
 convened at the Everett House, on Friday, De- 
 cember 30th, it was, — 
 
 "Resolved, That as a tribute of respect to the memory 
 of James W. Wallack, who did more than any one of his 
 time to advance and elevate the drama, and who equally as a 
 gentleman, a manager, and an artist, was/or so many years 
 the bright, particular ornament of our profession, and also as 
 a mark of sincere sympathy and regard for his son, Mr. 
 John L. Wallack, the worthy inheritor of his cul- 
 tivated taste and refined feeling, the managers of all the 
 other theatres in New York will attend in a body at 
 Wallack's Theatre, on Tuesday Evening, January 3d, 
 being the occasion of the first appearance of Mr. John L. 
 Wallack in a position in which we feel assured he will 
 preserve the traditional honors that surround his name. (2) 
 
 "W. Stuart, Secretary: 1 
 
NOTES. 
 
 (1) These lines, so appropriate at this time, are from a Monody written by a 
 gentleman of Philadelphia in 1811 or 1812, on the occasion of the death of 
 the celebrated tragedian, George Frederic Cooke, and which was deliver- 
 ed at the old Chestnut Street Theatre by Mr. Dcff. 
 
 (From the New York Times, Wednesday, January 4th, 1865.) 
 (2) Wallack's Theatre. An enthusiastic welcome was extended last 
 evening to Mr. J. Lester Wallace:, who, after an absence from the stage, the 
 cause of which every one laments, returned to it in the play of "Money," 
 sustaining his well-known part of Alfred Evelyn. The event was celebrat- 
 ed by various marks of favor, which those who were present could appre- 
 ciate more delicately than we can record. All true kindness, like sympa- 
 thy, is unspoken. Suffice it that the house was crowded to its greatest ca- 
 pacity, and that Mr. J. Lester Wallack's reception was so warm and 
 significant that for a moment he was choked with an embarrassment, 
 which, according to an old saying, brings the heart into the mouth. With 
 a delicate geniality, which we cannot sufficiently admire, the proprietors 
 and managers of all our principal places of amusement lent their presence 
 to the occasion, extending, as it were, their hands — in a moment of mingled 
 affection and consolation — to a comrade whom they have known long, and 
 learnt to respect. The gentlemen referred to were Mr. Stuart, of the 
 Winter Garden ; Mr. Wueatley, of Niblo's ; Mr. Grau, of the Italian Opera ; 
 Mr. Fox, of the Bowery Theatre ; Mr. Barnum, of the Museum ; Mr. Dan. 
 Bryant, of Bryants' Minstrels ; and Mr. Wood, of Wood's Minstrels. 
 
 The performance was in every respect admirable, and the satisfaction ex- 
 pressed was complete. We shall, on another occasion, refer to the distri- 
 bution. We desire now merely to join the common voice of satisfaction 
 that receives Mr. J. Lester Wallack as the new manager of the theatre 
 that his late father has made honorable to the art, and memorable in the 
 annals of the American stage. 
 
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