It was a pathetic incident, and yet the cloud had its silver lining.

How often are we called upon to pity players who linger before the footlights long after they should have made their exits; instead of departing at the right moment, leaving behind them charming memories, they die by inches in full view of the audience.
[Footnote A: "Mrs.Bracegirdle was perhaps a woman of a cold constitution," says Genest.] [Illustration: MRS.

ANNE BRACEGIRDLE] Perhaps poverty keeps them at work, but, be that as it may, the public gives a sigh of relief when the few remaining sparks of genius are at last snuffed out.

When one of them is taken from us, and we read of the death in the morning paper, we murmur, "Poor old Jones! Well, it's certainly time he shuffled off." Then we drink our coffee placidly, turn to some other news, and never think of him again.

Many a once-beloved actor gets this cruel epitaph.
There was nothing superannuated about Bracegirdle when she made her exit, for the actress still displayed that comeliness which had, until recently, held the attention of London.