IX.
Eliza O'Neill
(Lady Becher)
1791-1872.
THE Irish-American actress, Miss Nance O'Neill, has attracted a good deal of attention in London, so that some notice of her famous predecessor, the great Miss O'Neill, whose dramatic power was so extraordinary that she made strong men faint, ought to be of special interest. Eliza O'Neill's phenomenal career which, on the London stage, barely lasted five years, was terminated by her marriage into a most influential and highly respected Irish family, and with her the race of real tragedy actresses was said to expire. Helen Faucit, was, however, one instance that proves the contrary, and this new Miss O'Neill may turn out a worthy successor of the name that once attracted admiring crowds, who hailed the rising star "as a younger and better Mrs. Siddons."
Eliza O'Neill was born at Drogheda in 1791. Her father was stage manager of the Drogheda Theatre, and her mother, whose maiden name was
