[4] He died in 1832.
[5] So the memory of Burton in New York to-day may still be a warning of the danger of inviting comparison.
[6] Henry Curwen, "Sorrow and Song." London, 1875.
[7] "When Edwin Forrest was in Europe on a visit, he was asked whom he deemed the best American actor; he promptly and unequivocally replied: 'Henry Placide is unquestionably the best general actor on the American boards, and I doubt whether his equal can be found in England.'"—Henry Dickinson Stone's "Theatrical Reminiscences."
[8] The first appearance of Mrs. Russell (whose maiden name was Shaw) in Chambers Street was made September 3, 1849.
[9] Lester Wallack's first appearance in New York was made at the Broadway Theatre, Sept. 27, 1847, as Sir Charles Coldstream in "Used Up."
[10] An amusing experience may be related apropos of Mr. Norton. Not liking a part in which he was cast, he addressed the following letter to the manager:
"Mr. Burton, My Dear Sir:—It was not necessity which drove me to America. I wished to travel, to see the country, and, after having satisfied myself as to whether it pleased me, professionally or otherwise, to arrange either to remain in it or return to England. I consider myself greatly insulted by being cast for the part of Scaley in 'Nicholas Nickleby.' To offer such an indignity to a gentleman who has held a good position in the Olympic Theatre, London, under the management of so great an actor as Mr. W. Farren, where he has played Sir John Melville, Sir Lucius O'Trigger, Sir Arthur Lascelles, etc., I consider a great insult, and positively request you to take me out of the objectionable cast, and in future to keep to the promise you made on engaging
"Yours, W. H. Norton."
Shortly he received the following reply: