THE MAD ACTRESS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3488, 11 September 1882, Page 4

THE MAD ACTRESS.

An Anecdote oi , Mes Montfobd,

The story of the life of this justly celebrated actress, as told by Colley Cibber, in his 'Apology," &c, is full of startling interest. She lived a life of strange vicissitude, —something of sunshine and very much of shadow. Taken as a whole, her life might be said to constitute a living tragedy. Towards the end, through the perfidy of one dearly and passionately beloved, and the accompanying treachery of another Tfhom she had held close in warmest friendship, she was thrown in such paroxysms of suffering that her reason was dethroned, and from that sad bereavement she never α-ecovered. After the first wild burst was over she settled down into a calmer and more tranquil state, but was never suffered to go unwatched. Though never raving, and seldom passionate, she had a disposition to wander away in search of ' the t which was lost.' One day, during a remarkably lucid interval, Mrs Montford asked her attendant ■who was playing at her favorite theatre, and what was the play for that evening. The play chanced to be ' Hamlet,' and she was so informed. That had been her chief love, next to ' Romeo and Juliet.' In the character of Ophelia she had won some of the warmest applause that had marked her histrionic career. The circumstance impressed her; but with the cunning habitual to the insane, she shut her thoughts closely up within her bosom. That evening she complained, at an early hour, of headache, and was accompanied to her chamber, where an attendant remained with her until she appeared to have sunk into a profound sleep. Mrs Montford had retained the best part of her theatrical wordrobe, and had been allowed to keep it where she could look it over when she pleased. On the present , occasion, as soon as she had been left alone, ! she arose, noiselessly fastening her door upon the inside, then drew forth the dress in which she had last enacted the character of Ophelia, with a little basket containing a few faded sprigs and flowers; and thus habited she managed to steal away by a rear passage, and gained the street, where she quickly called a cab and was taken to the theatre, reaching the ladies' dressing-room only a few minutes before it would be time for Ophelia to go on in the crazy scene in the fourth act. Mrs Bracegirdle was the Ophelia of the evening. From peculiar circumstances in the past she did not dare even had she had the heart, to oppose the mnd ■woman. And further, she was impressed ■with the belief that Mrs Montford would not fail in the part. So at the proper time for tho appearance of Ophelia, in her strangely fantastic garb, with her basket of grass and flowers, appeared that well-remem-bered form and face. For a brief space there was tho hush of death upon the overflowing house. Then the dear old tones

sounded once again upon their ears. And now Ophelia was crazy indeed ; but it was Ophelia to the life—a representation of madness which no mimic art could have produced. The astonishirent of the performers upon the stage, and the final enthralment of the audience can be better imagined than described. And it was to be her last effort.