The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1872-08-07
Edmund kean and Edwin Forrest.

Edmund kean and Edwin Forrest,
During one Of Edmund Kean's Wis
its to this country, Edwin Forrest,
then a boy OF eighteen or nineteen,
was leading man at the Albany New
York; Theatre. Forrest had never
seen the great tragedian, and when,
therefore, it was made known to him
that Kean was coming to old Albany
for a week, the young actor trembled
at the mere thought Of playing with
him. The play announced was Goth
ello," Kean as the Noor and Forrest
as lago. The bills were out; and as
! Forrest walked the streets, they star
ed at him in the face from all sides.
The eventful day at last arrived. Re
hearsal was called at 11o'clock, and
Forrest was promptly on hand. They
waited long and impatiently for the
star, but he came not. 1t was known
that he was in the city, and had TAX
en- a suite Of rooms on the second
floor Of the leading hotel. Kean had
not even sent representative to the
theatre, for the present custom of the
''star" absentlng himself regularly
from rehearsal and having his bust
ness explained by some actor who
travels with him and understands
his ways and moods had not come in
vogue. At this day Forrest seldom
attends rehearsal, but depends al
together upon his chief Support" to
see that all is arranged and at night,
too, the support" invariably goes
upon the stage before the rising of
the curtain upon each act and fixes
things according to the well-known
wishes Of the tragedian. At the time
we write of, however, the star was al
ways at rehearsal; and Forrest sank
into his boots when all hope of Kean
was given up that morning, and it
was determined to go ahead without
him. They did the best they could,
but lago was far from satisfied that
things would 60 smoothly in the even
ing. At the close he walked towards.
the hotel in which the great man was
shut up. Kean had eeen nobody, but
had gone direct to his apartment and
closeted himself with his books, at
least SO thought the trembling youth,
as he gazed from the other side of
the street upon the building. 1t was
positively necessary that he should
see Kean before his performance, for
every star has his "stage business"
his peculiar place of standing during
certain scenes, and frequently chang
es exits and entrances. At last he
screwed his courage to the sticking
point" and crossed over. At the Of
fee he wrote upon a slip Of paper,
"Mr. Forrest for MIR. Kean," and
handed the paper to a servant, who
went off, presently returning and
bowling low, said, "This way sir. !"
Forrest followed, with no brave heart,
it must be confessed, as he was soon
to be in the presence of Edmund
Kean. He was little, old man, with
black eyes and very white face, his
form covered with q long dressing
gown, and almost hidden away in a
huge armchair.
II. am Forrest, sir, your lago of
this evening"
''Glad to see you, sir: take seat.
What will you drink ?" Numbered
Kean.
II never drink" replied Forrest
timidly.
"Never drink. Bah! Well, I do.
Please ring that bell"
The bell was rung, and at the COM
ing of the servant, Kean ordered a
gin punch, which was quickly
brought and placed upon the lid of
the open piano. This lid gave sat-
isfactory evidence, by numerous
sticky rings which marked it's polish
ed surface, that the present gin
punch was by no means the first. As
Kean took the glass in his hand he
turned round, and addressing For
rest said:
"Did you ever hear me sing, sir ?"
"No, sir" was the reply. "This is
the first time I have seen YOU"
"True, I forgot. Well, you shall
hear me sing" and seating himself
at the piano, he played an accompan-
iment to, and sang with power and
beauty, the overwhelming stanza Of
Moore closing with the words:
"You may break, you may shatter the vase
if you will,
The scent of the roses will cling round il