My Lifetime. By John Hollingshead. 2 vols. (Sampson Low, Marston,
and Co.)—We must own that the world into which Mr. Hollingshead takes us is not familiar, and that we have but little interest in some of the questions which he raises. We hope he may take it as a compliment that, though this was the case, we found his volumes pleasant reading. Now and then we came across a reminiscence which had a special attraction,—what he says, for instance, of Frederic Robson, a name of course unfamiliar to younger playgoers, but never to be forgotten by those who knew the Olympic thirty years ago. And there are, of course, some things outside the theatre. The orator, W. J. Fox, receives a due meed of praise. His eloquence has not caught hold of a posterity which has not heard him ; but as a speaker he was highly magnetic. It is amusing to see that Fox made great play with " Judas Iscariot." As Mr. Hollingshead remarks, "Political partisanship in these days cannot live long and do much, without dragging in Judas Iscariot." Passing on, we see that our author criticises, and we think, with perfect truth, the conventional " v " of dialect songs. As a matter of fact, people do not say " Villiam Vatts." However, we cannot pretend to give any idea of the contents of Mr. Hollingshead's two volumes. One notable experience of his with regard to the Comedie Francaise may be repeated. The theory of the Com4die may be called " anti-star," as the company is to be considered on the same level. But when the company came over, the British public lost no time in making a star out of Madame Sarah Bernhardt. A poor piece, not worthy of the Comedie, was advertised. The " star " was ill, and it had to be withdrawn for the evening. There was £500 in the house, but only ..R84 remained to see Tartufe " played as only that company could play it." Vox populi vox—what shall we say ?
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