The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-12-18
THE LATE EDWIN FORREST.
Some PERSONAL Rem,p,..,,...

|
The news of the sudden death Of Mr.
Edwin Forrest, exciting much interest
among all those belonging to or inter-
ested in theatrical matters, q reporter
Of the World called upon a gentleman
who for many years was closely, even
intimately, associated with Mr.. Forrest.
He said: For many years Mr., Forrest
and 1 were constantly associated to-
gether, and from the time of our first
meeting up to the present our inter.
course continued tremendously without
flaw or break.
What was your estimate of his
character% l"He was one of the most
straightforward and most genially hon.
est men who ever lived. His word was
literally, in Scripture language, yea,
yea, and may, nay Sometimes, and
in many matters, bis honesty of tongue
and purpose were quite the reverse of
pleasant. But, although brusque in
general manner, now and then often.
sively towards those whom he did not
like, when conversing with friend and
delivering his opinion Of men or things,
he was as agreeable companion az
one could wish to find. l might, per-
haps, summarize him by saying that
his character was like bis acting, rugged
and irregular. He combined in him.
self many very different qua1ities-lib-
eral and at the same time very stingy.
No one ever asked him for aid to any
charity to which he did not promptly
respond, save only when that charity
was asked in the form of a relig-
ious demand. II freak took
him. or he thought the object a deserv-
ing one, he would give literally, some-
times from the mere humor Of the
thing. He was once PLAYING in West
ern town, when one Of the minor actors
annoyed him terribly by persisting in
reading his few lines incorrectly. For.
rest showed him several times how to
do it, but to no purpose and then COM
menced abusing him. Look here, Mr..
Forrest, finally said the poor fellow, in
sheer despair, it's all very nice for you,
with your $50 a night, to talk that way,
but what can you expect from me, VINO
gets Sc a week? Forrest said, only,
you are right; | ought not TO expect
much for that sum, and left him alone;
but at the conclusion of the engage
ment, sent him check for $40, with a
recommendation to act up to the worth
of that"
"You have said that he would not
contribute to religious objects2' Nor
would he, although essentially a relig-
ious man. He was not fond Of creeds
or formulas. Despite his i'll luck in
marriage, he was very fond Of the soci-
ETY. of women, and l never saw him in
a gentler mood than when he was talk
ing OF or with one. His respect for
truth in others as we'll as in himself
was singular. He had almost rever-
ence for facts-anything that was real,
actual-and l have frequently heard
him say in his forcible style that
the man who refused to accept any
truth was an ingrained liar. 1 have
referred to his outspoken honesty, a
quality which he appreciated in others
as highly as he valued it in himself.
For instance, at one period in our &C"
quaintance ! was the critic for daily
and weekly paper. At the time to
which | allude he announced Claude
Melnotte." l told him frankly that he
was not as young as he once was; that
the character was q very youthful
one-in short, that he was too old.
He did not take the hint very grace
fully, acted the part. The next day |
gave him six lines, referring merely to
the elocutiou Of reading. He did not
notice the absence of other comments,
but when he saw my extended criticism
IN the weekly paper he was slightly
irritated, and with good reason, for |
had told the truth-that his stage
presence was bad, and that it was
character which be could never per.
form. We did not quarrel, for be knew
that was IS outspoken as he, and the
matter dropped until some time later