R,CHARD MONCKTON MILNES was born in the year - OUDL Home

148 Sir Arthur PineroWhose name, in connexion with the 'seventies, ranksnext to Gilbert's in importance? Undoubtedly, Albery's.James Albery, author of Two Roses, Apple Blossoms, TwoThorns, Forgiven, and a few other comedies was born in1838, and died, disappointed and embittered, in 1889.His original profession was that of an architect; butjoining an Amateur Dramatic Society when quite a youngman, he took to writing up the parts allotted to him, withthe result that he developed a taste for dramatic authorship,and in the end threw everything aside for it. Thatthere was a moment when he questioned the wisdom ofthis proceeding is evinced by the fact that out of theroyalties accruing to him from his first successful play—Two Roses—he invested a considerable sum of money ina business owned by his family and known as the ' RopeWalk'. The rope business came to grief, I believe frommismanagement, not from any lull in the infliction ofcapital punishment. This was a sad mischance to befall aman of Albery's desultory habits and want of the powerof concentration. I think it was Gilbert who said thatanybody can write a first act of a play. Certain it is thatlbery left behind him a great many first acts of playsr to be completed; and that supplies the keynote ofcharacter. He could begin, but he could seldomh. He could write with ease; it was the planning—spade-work—that was irksome. His initial successhis undoing; self-indulgence led to the gradual lossmuch will power as he possessed, and the attractions oflemia did the rest.Two Roses was produced at the Vaudeville Theatren June 4th, 1870. In it, making a distinct mark inthe serio-comic part of Digby Grant, appeared a zealousyoung actor who was shortly to take the town by stormat a neighbouring house, and whose ashes are interred inWestminster Abbey. Two Roses filled the Vaudeville