John Howard Payne, Dramatist, Poet, Actor; His Life and Writings

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1885. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV. There's a divinity that shapes our ends. PAYNE AS A DRAMATIST. During Mr. Payne's visit to Paris, he became particularly acquainted with Sir John Cam Hobhouse, tbe celebrated friend of Lord Byron. The suicide of Mr. Whitbread had made a change of the directory of Drury Lane Theatre. Some of Sir John's most intimate friends had got into power there. The Hon. Douglass Kinnaird was chairman of the managing committee, and Byron was one of the leading and most influential members. Payne was already acquainted with Byron, and Sir John gave Payne a very earnest introduction to Mr. Kinnaird. It happened that, during Payne's abode in Paris, the well-known melodrama of the Maid and Magpie appeared there. As an exercise in his study of the French language, and without dreaming of ever turning his attention to dramatic writing, Payne made a free version of the piece in question. He took it with him to London, and, by the merest accident, while in a conversation with Mr. Kinnaird, he mentioned that he had been making a translation of the Maid and Magpie. Mr. Kinnaird was delighted with the idea, looking it over, and regretted that they had one made which was far inferior. Mr. Kinnaird also congratulated Mr. Payne on the hopes of his re-appearance at Drury Lane. The chairman decided, however, that it was expedient to secure the advantage of a more favorable moment than that selected on the former. In the course of the conversation, the general interests of the theatre were discussed, questions were asked about Parisian novelties. The Maid and Magpie was naturally a subject of very anxious inquiry, especially as Drury Lane had obtained a translation, and meant to bring it out almost immediately. Mr. Kinnaird was so much enlightened by Mr. Payne's knowledge...