Miss Genevieve Ward. 219 



summate tact of which he is a master, been present to restore 

 harmony. He was the real, though vicarious, leader of the 

 party, the members of which were so influenced by his un- 

 selfish kindness and winning manners that they treated 

 his suggestions as orders. He was led into this speculation in 

 a round-about manner. Being well and favourably known at 

 the Cape as he is in England, he, out of pure good nature 

 and with the desire to promote sport, allowed his name to be 

 used in arranging the terms of the trip with the South African 

 cricket authorities. Within a few days of the time appointed 

 for starting, the gentleman who was to have financed the 

 team failed to produce the passage money, so Mr Ashe, feel- 

 ing that he had unwittingly bound himself to the engagements 

 made, joined in with Mr Read. Though the team won all 

 its matches in South Africa, it was not, as might have been 

 expected, a success. The Ward-Vernon troupe were, on the 

 whole, a capable lot. Miss Genevieve Ward is a Jewess of 

 romantic history. She has a grand style and has a rich, deep 

 musical voice to aid it. Years ago she made a great sensa- 

 tion in London by her playing in Forget-me-not. Old play- 

 goers consider that since the days of Mrs Siddons no actress 

 has played the part of Queen Catherine, the hapless wife of 

 Henry VIII., so powerfully as Miss Ward has done. Her 

 last success was at the Lyceum as Queen Eleanor in Tenny- 

 son's Becket. She reminds me a good deal of that great 

 tragic actress, the late Miss Glynn. Mr Vernon and his 

 fellow player and passenger, Mr Gofton, are clever, and have 

 no ' side.' 



