FREDERICK MACCABE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2178, 17 February 1881, Page 3

FREDERICK MACCABE.

This gentleman, whose interesting illustrations of character have afforded much amusement to the patrons of art for over a quarter of a century, is about to proceed to Australia. He may be said to stand pre-eminent as an artist in his peculiar line, and in his entertainment of "Begone Dull Care" I have no doubt (says " Anglo-Aus-tralian " in the European Mail ") that those who go to see him will find an inoentive to be merry. In this entertainment he personates some dozen characters with an individuality that is truly surprising, and his rapid changes excite as much surprise and applause as do tho distinct characteristics with which he is careful to invest the oharaoter under treatment. Mr Maooabe has recently been playing at Birmingham, where a few kindred spirits entertained him at a farewell dinner. Mr George Bigaold was among the guests, and he created much laughter by retailing some of his early experiences in the profession. Everybody knew, he said, that he was a Birmingham man. He began his career at the Theatre Royal, being engaged by Mr Simpson's father at the weekly salary of a guinea, tho terms of his engagement running " to play general utility, to go on with the mob, and to play in the orchestra when required." He never was required to play in the orohestra, but he was such a nonentity that he was discharged by Mr Mercer Simpson for incapacity. He was, however, reengaged at an increased salary. It was, therefore, the greatest delight to his personal vanity when, upon his re-appearanoe in Birmingham with " Henry V.," he was dubbed " every inch a king." He loved his art, and he felt a consolation in giving a wholesomo performance whatever the "house," for he felt he was doing good all the time, and he felt perfectly satisfied in going on with " Henry V.," as long as the publio likod to see it.