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New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue XII, 19 September 1896, Page 368

Taken as a class, women learn their parts much more quickly than men do, but, in accordance with the usual rule as to ‘quick studies,’ they are generally said to forget them much more quickly. In nine cases out of ten the women of the stage commit the words of their parts to memory by copying them out in their own handwriting, and amongst other distinguished disciples of this method are Miss Ellen Terry and Mrs Patrick Campbell. As regards learning parts in the open air, whilst walking, driving, and so on, the system has fewer advocates amongst women than it has amongst men ; but Mrs Bernard-Beere and Mrs Langtry are both accustomed to this form of study, and many younger actresses adopt it, railway and even ’bus journeys being utilised. Both Mrs Kendal and Sarah Bernhardt sit down to serious study, and allow nothing whatever to interfere with them during the time they are learning a part by heart. They study and consider every word as they go along, and mark and score the book containing their words in every possible manner.