, 1872-12-21

Tho full text Of tho will of the 1ate trooadion
Edwin Forrest, providing for Permanent home
for decayed or disabled actors and actresses. bao
just been published in the Philadelphia papors.
| and will only add to the admiration Which waz
| expressed for his character at the time of the
| first announcement Of his nob1e CHARITY. After
bequeathing to his friends, James Oakes, ESQ.,.
OF Boston, James Lawson, Esq, OF New York,
and Daniel Doughezty, Esq, of PHILADELPHIA.
all his property, real and personal, to hold in
trust for an institution to be called the Edwin
| Forrest Home," to be established at his country
] place called springbrook, within the CITY Of
Philadelphia, Mr. Forrest details an outline
OF his plan for the Home. The first article de-
clares that the institution shall be for tina
support and maintenance Of actors and actresses
decayed by age OF disabled by infruity, subject
to certain limitations Of the time they have
served in the profession. The second declares
that the number OF inmates in the Home shall
mover exceed the annual net rent and revenue OF
tne institution, and, after twelve inmates have
been received, other applicants must receive the
approval OF the majority Of the inmates as well
Us OF the Managers. The third provides for the
appointment OF Board Of Managers seven in
number, including the Mayor Of Philade1phia
for the time being. The fourth names the Off
SSA93 FAAss - = AASoAA0AAk3 A4edSUGIs 0GCta[4TY.
Steward, Matron, Clerk, and Physician. The
fifth provides for the filing OF 7acan-
cies in the Board of management.
The sixth directs that his Ibrary
shall be placed in the home just
as it now stands, and that there shall also be a.
private theatre and picture gallery for the
preservation and exhibition Of his collection of
engravings, pictures, and statuary and such
additions as can be made to them from the reve-
nues of the Home. The seventh orders that
there shall be lectures and readings upon ora
tory and the histrionio art, and that, aa far as
possible, the inmates shall assist in farming,
horticulture, and the cultivation of flowers in
the garden and conservatories The eighth
sketches out plan OF lectures on science,
literature, and the arts. The ninth, aud last
directs that, On every Fourth Of july, thd
Declaration Of Independence shall be read to the
inmates, to be followed by an Grafton under
the folds OF tho National flag, and that, On
each anniversary Of the birth Of Shakespeare, q
eu1ogy upon his character aud writings shall be |
read, and ono OF his plays or scenes from his |
plays shall bo represented in the theatre. 1t
also directs that on the first Monday Of every
June and October the Edwin Forrest Home and
grounds shall be opened for the admission Of
ladies and gentlemen of the theatrical profession
and their friends, in the of social picnics
when all provide their own entertainments.
Mr. Forrest closes this portion OF his will with
the following remarkable paragraph:
The foregoing general outline Of my plan Of the in
stuton desire to establish has been aketcned during
my preparations for long voyage by and land
and, should God spare my life 1t is my purpose to bo
more full and definite: but should leave no later viii
coaici1 my friends who sympathize in my purposes
viii execute them in the best and fullest manner pos
aiblc, understanding that they have been long eat-
ed by me, and are very dear to my heart. They will
also remember that my professional brothers Sis
ters often unfortunate and that little has been
one for the either to elevate them in their profess
sion or to provide for her necessities under sickness
or other misfortunes. God has favored my efforts and
iyen me great success, and would make m; fortune
he means to elevate the education Of others and pro-
mote their success and to alleviate their sufferings
Ind smooth the pillows Of the unfortunate in sfch-
less or ether disability, or tho decay Of declining
years.
T1hn thoatrical nrnfosainn haa 1nnnr haa,, 4ha |