Rensselaer Union and Jasper Republican, Volume 8, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 April 1876 — Marshal Stalk—A Shakesperean Character. [ARTICLE]

Marshal Stalk—A Shakesperean Character.

Adrien de Montfort says In h» reminiscences of actors in Wilkes' Spirit: It was very generally known in the community, particularly among scholars and the journalistic profession, that the celebrated comedian, Wm. p. Burton, had one of the finest Shakesperean libraries in the country, and it was not an unusual thing for him to receive applications for the privilege to examine some particular work, apropos Of some question of construction or debatable point of peculiar meanings of phrases, etc. These privileges. were generally accorded, as. they, flattered the very pardonable pride of the owner of such valuable text-books. On one occasion a young gentleman was admitted with an introduction from a weLknown legal practitioner at the New York bar, who desired to “ read up” on certain points about which a wager had been made. * “ The bearer,” the letter went onto say, “is a student at Columbia College, and to him has been left the decision of the moot question. You will permit him, I feel assured, to examine the authorities.” The comedian introduced the stranger to his library, and as. he had “buslfiess abroad,” left him among the precious volumes. Later in the day, when Burton returned to his house, he found the student still occupied in hjs researches. He judged, from the number of displaced volumes, that he had been busily engaged in the search. At last, thinking he might be of service to the young gentleman, an offer of assistance was made and accepted. “What particular passage do you seek ?” inquired Burton. “ I am looking for one of the dramatis persona,” was the reply; “ but thus far I have been unsuccessful. The assertion has been made that there is one character mentioned in some one of Shakespeare’s plays that is never cast; indeed, that although it is always named, no one has ever been known to perform it.” “And what may the character be?” “Marshal Stalk,” replied’the verdant youth. The “Governor” at once perceived that a practical joke had been perpetrated upon the student, and so he came to his relief. “You will find it in Hamlet,” he said; “ but you will perceive that, although he accompanies the Ghost to the wings, and even to the spot from which he is seen by other characters, he never comes upon the stage.” “Then,” inquired the victim, “how do we know that he really exists?” “ Simply because those who see him record the fact. Here is the line: ‘See where he comes with martial stalk.’ Of course, did they not see him, they could not mention him.” The argument was convincing, and the young man went away to settle the wager according to the light that had been given him. Burton used to relate the incident with a keefi appreciation.