THE LIFE OF CHARLES JAMES MATHEWS Chiefly Autobiographical with Selections From His Correspondence and Speeches

2 volumes. First edition. With a portrait frontispiece in each volume and three other engravings. 8vo, bound in early half green morocco and marbled boards richly gilt in the panels of the spines, t.e.g. ix, 324; viii, 336. Index. A very good set.

Edizione: scarce work on this popular actor and dramatist. a son of the actor charles mathews, he achieved a greater reputation than his father in the same profession and also excelled at light comedy. he toured three times in the united states, and met and married his second wife there. as an actor in england, mathews held an unrivalled place in his unique vein of light eccentric comedy. he had an easy grace combined with "imperturbable solemnity", a combination which amused people; his humour was never broad, but always measured and restrained. it was as the leading character in such plays as the game of speculation, my awful dad, cool as a cucumber, patter versus clatter, and little toddlekins, that he especially excelled.<br> mathews was one of the few english actors who successfully played french-speaking roles. in 1863 he appeared in paris in a french version of his play cool as a cucumber, and was received with praise. he played there again in 1865 as sir charles coldcream in the original play l'homme blasé