The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-01-08
"Reminiscences of MIR. Forests
Early Dramatic Career.

We have been furnished by a friend IL
Hamilton with some "reminiscences of Mr.
Forests early career as an actor, whicl
can not fall to prove interesting at thi
time.
Our informant states that the grount
upon which the present German Roman
Catholic Church is now situated in the city
of Hamilton, was in the years 1s22-3-4 oc
cupied by large frame barn. A Thespiar
Society was organized, and the second story
Of the barn was fitted up in tasty style
with all the scenery, paintings, paraphcr-
malta and trappings of a regular theater
The Thespian corps had prepared two ol
three pieces, which went of to the salts
faction of the audience and the credit oi
the society. The Old Barn and the Hamil-
ton Thespian Society became conspicuous
In the annals of the stage, as It was here IN
1929 that Mr.. Forrest made his debut,
or rather commenced his career as an actor,
In company with the Misses Riddle, who
were distinguished afterwards for theatri-
cal talent. t-
"The writer says: ~ wish here to dlgress,
| to do justice to SAMUEL. M. LEE, who was a
compeer and contemporary with Mr.. For
REsT-then a poet, a portrait and landscape
painter, and fine vocalist. Many of his
pictures are TO be seen in and about Hamil-
ton. He has been dead q number of years.
When the great and good Lafayette visited
Cincinnati in May 1926. Mr.. LEE sang to
the air of the Marseilles, martial ode, of
which the last words of each stanza was
enthusiastically repeated by the spectators.
JosEPH $. BESHAM, Esq, then delivered an
eloquent address Of welcome to Lafayette.
The writer of this article was present and
an observer on the occasion. Mr.. LEE
painted all the scenery of the Hamilton
Thespian Society. He also painted the
views of the Western Souyenir for 1929
edited by Judge JAMES HALL, and published
by him and q. GUnFoRD at Cincinnati.
The views in the SouUenir were ''The Peas
SAINT Girl" views of Cincinnati, PittsbGrg
and Frankfort, the ''Shawane Warrior"
the 'Deserted Children" and an "IsIand of
the Ohio" When Mr.. FORREST was in Ham
ilton in 1929, performing in our "Barn
Theater," at the opening, c. r. SMITH re-
cited the following address written for the
occasion by the late DIR. JOHN O. Dun
LEVY"
Good cen kind folks-to all a kindly greetIngi
What a stable9 a strange place this, tqfmeet in.
No matter-we'll do our best TO please you,
Perchance the heart-achcs for an hour to case you.
Now, If you're sad, endeayor TO he CHEEKY;
For pleasure here consists in being merry
Since 10 difruse most delightful sadness,
To raise your passions almost TO madness;
To cause men to weep when hero dies
Or ladies whmper at feigned miscres, .e
with all the provinces OF the tragic stage,
Wen not attempt, perhaps for half age
Mean time, as suits beginners in the art,
With unhedged wings, we try an humble part,
In comic scenes Wen cause your mirth 10 rise,
And portray nature TO your laughing eyes;
In comic scenes, display the human heart
Arrayed in virtue and devoid Of art;
Or else invested with a roDe of vice,
Despised and hated by the good and wise.
1t is the province of the comic stage
To lash the foibles of the living age;
To picture vice, In all its odious hue,
And virtue fair and lovely TO the view;
Correct the manners and improve the taste,
Inform the mind and MI void-a waste
In life's duh round, to veneration due.
How e'er he spend his time, what c'cr pursue
Man needs some hours to amusement given,
Whether his thoughts be fixed on earth or heaven
Such is the object Of the comic scene,
And such the object that you seek ween.
The actor and the audience both may find
A pleasure each but different in its kind.
Yours is varied, the sceneayou view,
But ours consists alone in pleasing You.
Then judge not harshly Of our first attempt,
Repay not kindness with your cold contempt
f.g,