DEATH OF MR J. C LAMBERT.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2056, 6 August 1875, Page 3

DEATH OF MR J. C LAMBERT.

The mail brings the news of the death of that fine old actor of the too-rapidly passing away high school of comedy, Mr J. 0. Lambert, which took place on the 30th April last, at his native place—Wells, in Norfolk. Mr Lambert, it will be remembered, took his farewell of the stage at the old Theatre Hoyal in this city on February 27, 1868, and sailed for England on the 22nd of the following month. He hai then been 42 years an actor, and had made a first-class reputation, in the old country, in the United States, and in this colony, where he arrived about 20 years ago. Since his return to England he had resided at his native town, and - for Some time he enjoyed good health, his letters to friends in this city being of the most cheerful and assuring kind. But for many months prior to his death he had, we understand, been confined to his bed from rheumatism, and He finally sank from heart disease. This affection he was under the impression was originally^ caused by an accident, for in a letter received from him about a month ago by a relative in this colony, he said his medical attendant had informed him he was suffering from heart, disease, and "Strange to say," he remarks, " it originated at the old Royal years ago. I was playing ?n a drama called 'Fazio,' the part of a miser. I had placed in my doublet for concealment a bag of gold (pebbles) just over the region of the heart, when Henry Edwards came up to me, and in a kind and playful manner said, •My dear old, friend, how arc you?' at the same time striking me directly on the pebbles, driving them right on to the heart. I nearly fainted, and ever afterwards suffered great pain." In the same letter he says that for two years he had been, with slight intervals, veryjll. As an actor of old men's part Mr Lambert had no rival in this part of the world. He had studied his art at a time when aotdrs graduated in their profession, and did not, as now they too often do, leap at a bound into foremost places. His acting was distinguished by remarkable. finish and naturalnesss. He was most fastidious in the employment of characteristic details, and yet he never sacrificed dramatic breadth to over-elaboration. His humour was pprfect, and his power of facial expression wonderful in its intensity. As Sir Peter Teazle, Sir Anthony Absolute, Sir John Vesey, and parts of a like kind, he was inimitable, and in charactere of which Dogberry is the type ha was at home. N.Q actor was ever a greater favourite than he in his own line, and none was ever more deservedly respected in private life. The whole p\iblie were his friends, During the last twelve months of his residence in this colony he was joint lessee of the Theatre Boyal, being one of the five who undertook its management after that of Mr Barry Sullivan-terminated. i&

Mr Lambert, before leaving this colony, had written his biography, and it was his intention to publish it in England. It was, we believe, _ full of interesting matter, and it is possible it m,a.y b,e given to the world by -h.^ au^vivors.. -*. Aus. tralasian.,