[lrustrated [ulerviews.

NO. XV.—-DMR.

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RAITON Street, Bond Street, 1s not a particularly attractive thoroughfare, yet the opening of the door of No. 154 sceures admission to one of the most interesting domiciles in the 1s the home of the leading Here lives 2 man whom

country. It actor n the land. to mect and talk with means a real privilege.

Once whole long day with Henry Irving s something to be remembered. Te 1s the worst possible actor in his own home—there 1s no suggestion of the theatre whilst sitting talking with him; yet the romance 1se- parable from the player’s life pervades every nook and corner of his house. He tried his utmost to deceive me—he worked hard to conceal the kindly nature which is written i cvery feature of his face. Tt was a failure. [ remembered those “hittle cheques.” 1 thought of his pensioners ; of folk who were kind to him in those struggling days— ol the story of the Christmas dinner which a worthy

ITENRY

1IN THE

IRVING.

STUDY. { Elliott £ Fry.

old Scoteh couple gave him when, on that day of goodwill and good things, he was almost without one, and mnumerable small but weleome acts which to-day are being repad

back a hundredfold. I never met a man who talked Tess about himscell and more about other people than Henry Trving.

With delightful diplomacy he evaded my questions which would meriminate himself of kindliness. My deseription of the great actor 1s of the simplest character. He has the kindest face you cever saw, but—you must look mto it first,

I passed with him one long day, first at his home and then in a convenient four-wheeler to the theatre. The staircasce of his house 1s re- plete with grand bronzes. Once of Don (Quixotc 1s just opposite the diming-room door. Here, too, arc many views of Veniee, and a number of sketches by Sceymour Toueas. The dining- room overlooks Dond Street. It i1s a (,]islin(‘t]y comfortable room. A bust of Kemble is over the hookease, with another of