36 1829 THE UNIQUE. M. TALMA. THIS admirable actor was born at Paris in 1766, and died 1826 aged 60 years. His father was a dentist of that city, but settled in London. Talma passed his early years in a school at Richmond, but was afterwards sent to Paris, and there finished his education. He was only ten years old when a play, performed at his school, at once marked his destination. Young Talma had so identified himself with the personage he represented, that tears actually flowed down his cheeks. Having finished his studies, he returned to his father in London. Some young Frenchmen induced him to join them in playing several pieces in French, and the novelty of the scene drew much attention from the fashionable world. Talma was noticed by several persons of distinction, who endeavoured to engage his father to destine him for the London stage. On his return, however, to State University of lowa |