Of all Italian actors, Gustavo Modena was the most renowned.  He is to the stage of his native land what Garrick was to that of England, and his conception of the various parts in classic drama, his “points,” and even his dress, have become traditional, and are almost invariably retained by his followers.  I never saw him act, but I once heard him recite in a private salon his famous role of Saul in Alfieri’s tragedy of that name.  In person he was tall and largely built, His countenance was not prepossessing, and, like Michael Angelo, he had a broken nose.  His eye could assume a terrific aspect, and his voice was rich, powerful and varied in its tone.  At times it rolled like thunder, while at other moments it was as soft and tender as the sweetest notes of a flute.  Signor Modena died some years ago.  He was the master of Salvini, and to him that illustrious actor does not hesitate to attribute much of his fame.

Rossi, the only living rival of Salvini, is still a young man, and doubtless has great talents.  I think him even more impetuous and ardent than Salvini, but he is less intellectual, and his elocution is decidedly inferior.

Majeroni is an actor of the same school, but he is becoming old, and has a tendency to rant.

Tommaso Salvini, our late visitor, is of Milanese parentage, and was born in the Lombard capital on January 1, 1830.  His father, as I have already said, was an able actor, and his mother a popular actress named Guglielmina Zocchi.  When quite a boy he showed a rare talent for acting, and performed in certain plays given during the Easter holidays in the school where he was educated, with such rare ability that his father determined to devote him to the stage.  For this purpose he placed him under the tuition of the great Modena, who conceived much affection for him.  The training received thus early from such able hands soon bore fruits, and before he was thirteen Salvini had already won a kind of renown in juvenile characters.  At fifteen he lost both his parents, and the bereavement so preyed upon his spirits that he was obliged to abandon his career for two years, and returned once more under the tuition of Modena.  When he again emerged from retirement he joined the Ristori troupe, and shared with that great actress many a triumph.  In 1849, Salvini entered the army of Italian independence, and fought valiantly for the defence of his country, receiving in recognition of his services several medals of honor.  Peace being proclaimed, he again appeared upon the stage in a company directed by Signer Cesare Dondini.  He played in the Edipo of Nicolini—­a tragedy written expressly for him—­and achieved a great success.  Next he appeared in Alfieri’s Saul, and then all Italy declared that Modena’s mantle had fallen on worthy shoulders.  His fame was now prodigious, and wherever he went he was received with boundless enthusiasm.  He visited Paris, where he played Orasmane, Orestes, Saul and Othello.