Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 179, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1920 — Longest of All the Arts. [ARTICLE]

Longest of All the Arts.

Let it be remembered that though all arts are long, the art of playwriting is the longest And after years given to the study and practice of lt< you will find —precisely as In acting, writing, painting, sculpture, music, only more so—that-lt. is never to be fullj’ mastered. Every time you attempt a drama you learn something more about how to do It; and something more—wholesome lesson for vanity!—about your own ignorance and' limitation. “I have played Hamlet now for 50 years,” exclaimed the famous old actor Betterton when somebody told him his performance of that part was perfect, “and I believe I have not got to the depths of all Its philosophy yet.” I began playwriting when I was a child. I have been at it now for not. less than 55 years, and I know I have nowhere near got to the depths of all the philosophy of it yet—and, what is more, that I never shall do so. —David Belasco in the Saturday Evening Post.