The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-12
OBITUARY..
ra Aldrldg go, ths Negro TragsdIan.

A cable despatch announces the death OF Ira
AGTGg the S sI0Te1 Whose on
name IS said to have been Hewlett, was born in
a village called Belatr, near Baltimore, Mary
land, about 1910. and was apprenticed to ship
carpenter. learning mis- trade IN the same yard
with MOlyneuX, the notorious negro puglliSL
and prize fighter From association with the
German population, which is very large on the
western shore Of Maryland, he learned 10 speak
the German language famiitarly, aud also
picked up degree of education rarely obtained
by those of African descent. When Edmund
Kean was In the United States after the troubles
that occurred during 1926. in consequence OF
the Cox difficulties. Aldridge became his per-
sonal attendant, and is said to have accom-
panied him 70 England. where natural talent
the United States after a short absence, aud
sometime subsequent to 1880 appeared at Balti-
more, where he appears not to have been sue
cessful. Returning short time thereafter to
England he began his career in some OF the
minor theatres OF London. and then went to
6S pr drawing large henseS 10 A. Se
"lago," and also "Orozembo' to the same
artists "Alban." He thence proceeded to che
continent, appearing In most OF the leading
cities and personating characters OF every style
and nationality, and frequently receiving sub.
Prussia, at Berlin, wrote him an autograph
letter, accompanying the hrst-elass medal OF
art and science: The Emperor Of Austria con
ferred on him the Grand Cross OF leopold, aud
at Berne he received the medal of merit. In the
shape of a magnificent Maltese cross. In Ger
the shak espearlan characters with marked
ability; but in England he has not appeared In
any OF Shakespeares plays, except OtteHo and
the Merchant CJ Venice. In "Zanga." "Oro-
zembo, "Rolla," }" "Hugo" lin the Pddlock) and
other characters, the physiognomy of which
suited his color, he is though TO have displayed
rare excellence After returning from his con-
tinental tour, Aldridge appeared at Covent Gar
den in 1857, and after the engagement at the
Britannia was about to visit Sweden. A
few years since law procedure affecting
his domestic relations (his wife being a white
woman) attracted much attention in London.
Aldridges decorations prove him to have been
reigntng sovereign of SAKE Meiuingen, and
brother of the late Queen Adelaide, of Eug-
land; member OF the Prussian Academy of Arts
and Sciences, and holder OF the society's large
gold medal first CLASSY, presented by his
Majesty Frederick William w, at Berlin, jan
uary 1858; member of the Imperial and Arch
ducal Institution of "Our Lady of the Manger;"
member OF the Russian Hof Versamlung of
Riga; and honorary member OF the Imperial
Academy of Beaux Arts and Science of st.
Peterburg, and holder of the Imperial Jubilee
Medal, &C.
Aldridge is described as being a full .blooded
negro, with crinkly wool, fiat nose, thick lips,
and skin of the blackest hue. He had been
engaged TO appear at the Academy of Music in
this city next month, and public expectation
was on tip toe to witness his acting. Had he
lived to appear here he doubtless would have
created a profound sensation among our
theatre-goers and the novelty of the engage
ment would most likely have attracted many
persons who are not hG6itues of the theatre
NJ uynrId