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.
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