Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 July 1895 — AN ACTOR KNIGHTED. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AN ACTOR KNIGHTED.

Henry Irving Receives Evidence of Queen Victoria's Favor.The honor that was recently conferred on Henry Irving is one that his friends have long expected for him. Various explanations why he has not received it before have been made He was born with the patronymic of Brodribb and assumed the more picturesque name of Irving for stage purposes. As an explanation why Irving was not knighted when Augustus Harris and Arthur Sullivan had been so honored, it was said that it was contrary to precedent to dub a man a knight by any other name than that which his father bad carried before him. If a popular choice for the honor had been made among English actors for the past ten years there is little doubt that it would have fallen to Irving.

Mr. Irving went on the stage in 1856, but it was not until his appearance as Matthias in “The Bells,” in 1871, that he achieved a success that placed him easily in the front ranks of his profession. Critical opinion has differed widely as to the artistic merit of Irving’s Matthias, but there has never been any reason te doubt its effect on-an audience. When he appeared at the Lyceum in 1873 as Richelieu he gave a performance that added to his fame, though he was severely criticized. In 1874 Irving took the boldest step in his career, and played Hamlet at the Lyceum with an original conception of the part. The critics resolved themselves into two parties and waged a fierce battle in the public prints over the merits of Mr. Irving's Hamlet. Public opinion may still be divided on that subject, though there is no doubt that Irving has admirers enough of his Hamlet to fill his, theater when he chooses to play it. His harmonious stage management added not a little to his success. In his tours through this country he has been received with favor, and by his scholarly mind and pleasant personality he has won many friends who will rejoice with him in his new honor.

SIR HENRY IRVING.