SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
[Under this heading we notice such 'Books of the weak as hare not been reserved for review in other forms.]
From Studio to Stage : Reminiscences of Weedon Grossmith Written by Himself. (John Lane. 16s. net.)—As might bo expected from the joint author of the immortal Diary of a Nobody there is plenty of entertainment in- Mr. Weedon Grossmith's book. His- first profession, as may be gathered from the title, was painting, and he studied in the Royal Academy Schools. It was only lack of success that sent him on to the stage. In London >his first appearance scarcely promised a better future. The play was a farce called "Woodcock's Little Game "—"very antiquated stuff," Mr. Grossmith calls it. "One of the worst faults of the play was the tag" which it was my misfortune to speak. I advanced to-the footlights in the conven- tional manner and said ` I am now going back to " Stow-in-the- Wold," ' which gave the opportunity to the comic man in 'the gallery to reply, And a jolly good job too.' (Bosse of laughter.)
I proceeded, 'That is, if our kind friends in front will assure me that success has crowned " Woodcock's Little Game." • The gods shouted 'No, no.' Go home, 1Veedon." Stick to your paints; don't act.' " Mr. Grossmith made his first London success with Irving, about whom he tells many amusing stories. Old theatre- goers will not need to be reminded of Irving's appearance in the last scene in " Macaire." "At the wing some bullock's blood was squeezed over his head, and when he made his appearance at the door with a horrible scream and a groan, the blood poured down his hair en to his face and clothes as he staggered down and fell dead on the stage." The effect was so "realistic" that on the first night three ladies fainted in the stalls. As Mr. Grossmith perspicaciously observes, "The Lyceum was permeated with art, absolutely regardless of the business aspect."
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