o be ready to play any part from Hamlet to an imbecile
old butler in a fool of a farce, if asked to do so. I was not
downhearted. I felt I could play anything. The six weeks passed only too
quickly. Wybert produced three other plays within that time, and then
came the end of his lease and the breaking up of our company.

Our leading lady was Madame le Grand, who, I think, was (or had been)
Mrs. Kyrle Bellew in private life. Mr. Ireland was one of our leading
men, the father of that gifted young actress, Miss Harry Ireland. Maggie
Oliver, an irrepressible and most clever soubrette, was ever happy and a
source of pleasure to us all. Old Daniels, a Jew, was the funny man. He
was a first-rate low comedian who never overdid his part. Then there was
Hans Phillips, a polished actor, who, I think, married the daughter of
Gordon, then the best scenic painter in Australia. Poor Hans Phillips
unfortunately died at a comparatively early age. Then I remember those
two charming sisters, Constance and Alice Deorwyn, who afterwards became,
one, Mrs. Stewart, and the other Mrs. Holloway, the mother of another
charming young actress, Beatrice Holloway.

During this time I was introduced to, and became intimate with, many of
the leading managers and actors in Australia. There was Coppin, the doyen
of the profession. Maggie Moore and her husband, J. C. Williamson, had
"struck oil." The four Stewart Sisters were at their best. In a pantomime
the youngest of them, Nelly, then only about sixteen, was bewitching her
many admirers, singing "For he wore a penny paper collar round his
throat," and dancing like a sylph. What a favourite she became, and how
for many years she continued to be at the top of her profession, all
Australia knows. Who that saw her can forget her as Sweet Nell, and who
that had had the pleasure of knowing her but thinks of her, not as "Sweet
Nell of Old Drury," but as Sweet Nellie Stewart herself.

The friendships I made then have lasted till death has intervened. During
the many years I spent in Australia I counted many shining lights of the
theatrical profession as close personal friends--and I do so now. Violet
Loraine was the last. At the end of my first and short engagement we got
up a benefit on behalf of the two Deorwyn sisters.

The opening piece was a farce named _Turn Him Out_, in which I played the
leading part, Eglantine Roseleaf. This was my last public appearance as a
professional actor.

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