Daily national Democrat., 1859-03-11
NO. "a.
4ailp 3(atiOnal Democrat.
Humors of Fanny KembIe.

committee of ladies from the Mount Yer
non Association lately waited upon Fanny
hemole, at her apartment in the ST. Denis
MOTEL New York, to solicit the proceeds of
oHe ol her 9hakspeareian Readings in aid of
the Monument Fund. The case was elabo.
rately stated by the Chairman Of the Com.
mittee, and the Last of the Kemblos" " oAor
hearing all that was to be heard. drew ber.
self up to the entire longitude of her mac.
nihcent proportions, and said, with frowp
which must have caused the Committee Of
Five to feel intensely cheap:
Ladies, respect your motives. but bava
no federation for the means YOU are resortinp
to to perpetuate the memory of George
Washington. If your country is too poor,
or too mean, or too ungrateful, to take upon
itself, through the National Legislature so
obvious duty better that Mount Vernon be
sold Tor cattle market than that it should
be purchased blythe proceeds Of charity balls,
flash newspapers and quack doctors Nv
! humble abilities are at your service. but with
the proviso, that whatever amount of money
they may yield, it shall be presented to Con.
gress, as the first donation to enable them to
discharge duty which ought to be dicharg
ed by them or not at ALL
This was "pretty Fanny's way :" but she
was to suffer for it. Some of the Eastern
presses forthwith began to pitch into her for
naednmess. For instance, the Cincinnati En-
quirer says:
She cannot help being mean it is heredi-
tary. Her aunt, Mrs. Siddons, was the em-
bodiment of parsimony Once she conplin.
ed OF some actors holding hands at rehear-
sails, which would have been largely benefit
! ed by those common commodities soan and
water, and she hinted that the conpanv
should wear gloves. Dicky Suett who bore
this request to the company, returned her
their answer, which was perfect willing
ness upon the part of the ladies and gentle
men to wear gloves at rehearsal provided
Mrs. Siddons would furnish them. This
was siencer. 1t struck a KeInble on vi
tai part viz; the pocket, and the rehearsal
went.otf without gloves.
Here is an illustrative story told by nm
eastern writer of this unhappy lady, who re-
fused to give her capital, her professional SER
vices for the benefit of the Mount Vernon
Fund-except on conditions.
A certain distinguished authoress, who had
)
ble gave note of introduction TO a rather
clever young Irishwoman, Miss Teresa Es-
monde AS Miss Esmonde was a Shakspear-
can reader herself, she very naturally thought
that personal interview with so transcen-
dent genius land a free ticket or two for
her "Readings') would improve her powers
of elocution and so. buoyant with anticipa-
ton, she drove to the Union Square Hotel,
where the said transcendent genius was then
stopping, The letter of introduction from
the distinguished "blue stocking" was sent
up. But five, ten, fifteen minutes passed
away, and no message or messenger came
back. 1t was bitter cold day, and the love-
ly Teresa, left alone in an open passage way,
with the street door open, began to feel un-
comfortable as well as awkward. AT last the
long agony was over. The waiter, instead
of the expected apology for not showing the
fair visitor into the paror, handed her back
the Introductory note, with something like
the following penciled on the back:
'Alrs. Frances Ann Kembe's compliments
to Mrs. -, distinguished authoressl and
would beg leave to say that she has no desire
for any immediate addition to her circle Of
acquaintances; also to say, that tickets to
Mrs. kemble's Shak-pearion Readings may be
had at Mr. Growers bookstore, corner of
Broadway and Fourth street; price, ST."
Miss Esmoude, it is superhuous to add, did
not "stand upon the order Of her going" but
went at once.