By Isle of Wight Observer
The moral of this story published in the Isle of Wight Observer on 18th August 1888 is that if you are teetotal your bones will mend quicker. Hmmm…
TRICYCLE ACCIDENT. – Only a few days ago, a London contemporary referred, in flattering terms, to the distinguished relatives of the promising young actor, Mr Arthur Playfair, who services have recently been secured by Mr and Mrs Kendal. We regret to state that the young gentleman in question, who only reached Ryde on Thursday last week, on a month’s holiday (after having, with much success, acted with Mrs Bernard-Beere at the Opera Comique, in London, for about nine months), has met with an accident of a serious nature whilst riding down the steepest hill in this neighbourhood on a tricycle. It appears that the vehicle, which was going at full speed, came in contact with a large stone, which threw him down with such force that it broke the principal bones on his right arm, and caused other injuries. Two medical men shortly afterward performed an operation on his arm, under chloroform, and they hope that, as Mr Playfair is a strict abstainer from all wines and spirits, he will have recovered sufficiently to be able to take up his engagement with Mr and Mrs Kendal early next month. We understand that Mr Playfair is the youngest son of General A. L. Playfair, of H. M. Indian Army, who is now staying at the Bellevue Hotel.