The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-10
PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
HIS Habit of Attending the Thea,

PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
HIS Habit of Attending the Theatre.
W. o. Stoddard, one of Mr.. Lincoin's Secreta.
RES, writes at follows to the New York Cltizen:-
80 much has been said about Mr.. Llncoln's
theatre-golng that a great many people have
lmOlbed the idea that his tastes we're dramatic:
but this was not so. With the exception of n
ieW OF Shakespeare's plays. ] do not believe that
ne ne ever read play IN MS life. have heard
hlm say that there were several OF even shake.
speares dramas at which he had hardly ever
looked. Macbeth was certainly one of his prime
laVOrltes, and went with hin one night to see
Cnarlotle Cushman as Lady Macbeth" II was,
OF course, grand impersonation but it was
Impossible 10 get MIR. Lincoln to make many
comments upon it. He seemed to have poor
opinion OF hts own powers as a dramatic critic
Another oil his favOrites was OtteltO and he
eagerly embraced the opportunity OF seeing it
When Davenport and Wdllack Brought it out
IN Washington. | was very mucn struck
w1th the keen interest with which he fol-
lowed the development Of "laeo's" subtle
ireachery. One would have thought that
such character would have had few
points OF attraction for a man to whose own
nature all its peculiar traits we're so utterly
foreign. Perhaps he was fascinated by that
very contrast He did not lose word or a
motion of Mr.. Davenport, who played his parf
exceedingly WELL and ConveTsed between the
acts WIN, tor him, very near approach to ex-
Cltement lie seemed to be studying what sort
ot soul born traitor might have. The strong
love of humor made "Falstalln a great fayorIte
with him, and he expressed great desire to see
Iackett IN that character The correspondence
between that gentleman and Mr.. Lincoln has
beCn already published. He expressed himself
greatly pleased with the representation, and
went more than once during Hacketts engage
ment' was with him the first night and ex-
pected TO see hIln give himself up 70 the merri-
ment OF the hour, although | knew that his
mlnd was very much preoccupied by other
things. 10 my surprise, however, he appeared
even gloomy, although intent upon the nIay
and IL only fc " tImpS rip tI,,, -
iormance that he went so far as to laugh nj all
and then not heartily. He seemed for once to he
studying the character and its rendering criti-
caiy as II to ascertain the correctness OF his own
conception as compared with that of the pro-
fesslonal artist. He afterwards received n cali
from Mr.. HacKeit, aud Conversed freely frankly
acknowledging bis want OF acquaintance WITH
dramatic subjects. Had his earlier education
been OF sort to develop more perfectly his
literary tastes, his keen insight into human
nature, and his appreciation OF humorous and
other ecCentrlcities of character, would have
enabled HIM to have derived the highest degree
of enjoyment from the creations of the great
masters. As 1t was, he probably understood
Shakespeare, so lar as he had read him. far
better than many men who set themselves I'D
for critical authorities. He himself deserves
to be depicted by some pen not less graphic
than the immortal bard's. When Mr. Lincoln
first came to Washington as President, there
was very little in the way of public amusement
to call out him or anybody else, and for long
time he worked away steadily in his Official
tread-mill, hardly caring for or thinking OF any
such thing as recreation. To such an extent
was his absorbed devotion to business carried
that the perpetual strain upon his nervous sys-
tenn, with the utter want of all exercise, began
TO tell seriously upon his health and spirits,
and oCCaSOned some alarm among hls friends
Mis-. Lincoln particularly remarked frequently
upon his gradually changing appearance. Even
his temper suffered, ana a petuence entirely
foreign 10 his natural disposition was beginning
to show itself as a symptom o! an overtaskpd
tha
OF new managers OF experience and enterprise
the crowded and excited capital was endowed
with several highly meTitorious places of
amusement, theatrical and musical A rood
degree OF healthy socablity was restored to
the various social circles of the city. The very
levees at the White House became more bril-.
liant, more conversational, and less insuiferaby
tedious. All other faces put ON a more
cheerful aspect, and though Mr.. Lincoln
never, 10 the day of his death en-
tirely recovered the old elasticity of his
spirits, he seemed to feel in some degree
the general reaction, and was willing to listen
10 the various plans suggested for relaxation
and amusement He never could be persuaded
to travel any distance from the scene of his i'm
mediate duhes-never out of close commmica-
ton with the army-but readily consented to
spend his summers at the Soldiers Home, and
was easily drawn into many little excursions
Gown the Potomac, which were planned from
time to time for his recreation. He was some
what iona OF attending military reviews, and
these always included good ride on horseback
or in his carriage. His most available resources.
however, as least interfering with his official
duties, was to spend an hour or so at the theatre
or the concert. Perhaps, too the drama nv
drawing his mind into other channels Of
thought, afforded him the most entire relief and
the most rigid enemy of theatrical representa-
tiOns could hardly have grudged him what
was to HIM, at least so harmless and innocent a
medicine. The prOprietors of Growers theatre
fitted up handsome and CommOdious box for
his especial use and there was always a similar
accommodation ready for him at Ford's. The
latter, alas is destined TO mOurntul immor-
tality in connection with the last sad tragedy of
his career. 1t matters little, however where or
when the malignity OF the assassin succeeded
IN reaching his victim whether working or
resting, though 1t is clear enough that the half
insane vanity of Booth found a species of bar
Darlan pleasure IN the dramatic surroundings
OF his cowardly deed, Just here may as well
record an anecdote which furnishes an al-sufi.
clent answer to more than one sneering libel
upon some OF the circumstances attending so
SAD an event One OF the excellent laf,ies who
gave their sympathizing attention TO Ms. Lin
coin at the time of the murder, and who has
frequently expressed admiration OF her con-
0uct, happened to be IN company where
some Individual, whose narrow and bitter
soul was unaffected even by such an event, had
induced III structures untrue as they were
uncalled for, and answered about in these
words;-" Suppose madam that you were at
suco place OF amusement, In company with a
husband whom you tendeTlY loved, in the en-
Joyment OF all that earth can give of prosperity
ana happlness-in the very hour of triumphant
success, after long continued sorrow and trouble
utterly unsuspicious OF any coming misfortune
ana IN one terrible moment found your hopes
ana your prosperity all crushed yourself a
.l..aa. O.. Ia a.