be reassured. Mr. Carlisle followed with a most mathematical account
of some hobgoblins he had encountered in his law practice. Finally the
Chief Justice, Mr. Waite, related a series of incidents so fantastic and
incredible, yet detailed with the precision and lucidity of a master of
plain statement, as fairly to stagger the most believing ghostseer. Then
I said to myself again: "Let her go, Joe, no matter what you tell now
you will fall below the standard set by these professional perfecters
of pure reason, and are safe to do your best, or your worst." I think he
held his own, however.

IV

Joseph Jefferson came to his artistic spurs slowly but surely, being
nearly thirty years of age when he got his chance, and therefore wholly
equal to it and prepared for it.

William E. Burton stood and had stood for twenty-five years the
recognized, the reigning king of comedy in America. He was a master of
his craft as well as a leader in society and letters. To look at him
when he came upon the stage was to laugh; yet he commanded tears almost
as readily as laughter. In New York City particularly he ruled the
roost, and could and did do that which had cost another his place. He
began to take too many liberties with the public favor and, truth to
say, was beginning to be both coarse and careless. People were growing
restive under ministrations which were at times little less than
impositions upon their forbearance. They wanted something if possible as
strong, but more refined, and in the person of the leading comedy man of
Laura Keene's company, a young actor by the name of Jefferson, they got
it.

Both Mr. Sothern and Mr. Jefferson have told the story of Tom Taylor's
extravaganza, "Our American Cousin," in which the one as Dundreary, the
other as Asa Trenchard, rose to almost instant popularity and fame. I
shall not repeat it except to say that Jefferson's Asa Trenchard was
unlike any other the English or American stage has known. He played
the raw Yankee boy, not in low comedy at all, but made him innocent and
ignorant as a well-born Green Mountain lad might be, never a bumpkin;
and in the scene when Asa tells his sweetheart the bear story and whilst
pretending to light his cigar burns the will, he left not a dry eye in
the house.

New York had never witnessed, never divined anything in pathos and
humor so exquisite. Burton and his friends struggled for a season, but
Jefferson completely knocked them out. Even had B