, 1872-12-16
A NDRT,E CHARITY.

DIS HaIt4TOu6 aUQ largo uaIuatlc ubEdI4, ahu
sixty acres Of ground within the limits Of Phi1a-
dalphia, to be used for the foundation and main
tenance OF Home for Disabled Dramatic Ar
lists, Will create even a greater and more genu-
inc admiration for his memory than his dramatic
genius inspired while be VAS living. The good
that he has done will thus live after him; the
evil will be inferred with his bones. 1t wns 3
fayorite ambition Of Mr. Forests to establish g
national school Of acting and national drama,
and his life was de7oted to that purpose, with q
partial success in the one direction and q failure
in the other. In his death, however, he has ae-
complighed something nobler and grander than
either. The announcement will strike the gen
eral public with surprise for his brusque and ras-
eible disposition, and his rugged and sometin'es
almost brutal character, gave little indication
that be was possessed OF those finer and more
execution Of q deed so generous aud sympa-
thetic. And yet those who were intimately
acquainted with him, who knew that, notwith-
standing his oVerbearing and sometimes bully
ing way, he was an honest, outspoken man, and
that, Notwithstanding his rude repulses Of some
charitable appeals, he Was often very generous,
and never refused to aid his own profession or
to respond to any appeal which had not q creed
behind it, will not be surprised. 4 character
istc incident is related OF him in this connection.
He waB once acting in Western city, and was
greatly annoyed BY one OF the minor actors, who,
night after night, repeated the few lines he had
to say in very dull, ust1ess manner.
At last, during rehearsal, Forrest
got in q towering rage, and stopped
the actor, ordering him to repeat the lines as he
would -enunciating them with the full strength
OF his majestic voice. The actor, in sheer de-
spair, retorted: "1t had $50 per night, in
stead Of SO per week., would Talk that way"
Forrest asked: 'Is that all you get Z" The
actor replied in the affirmative. "Say them as
you please, then," said Forrest. The next day
he sent him check for $40, with q recommend
alton to act up to the worth Of it, The little
incident is Characteristic OF the man. Although
he was very impeGious and exacting upon ths
stage, and often bul1ied managers and company
alike, he had an intense pride in his profession,
family, or near relatives, and, in lieu thereof has
adopted the entire profession, Of which
he VAS SO distinguished q member,
and, henceforward no actor in America
need have the fear OF coming to want or being
unprovided for in his old age, Such shining
deed as this crowus the great actor's life with
beautiful halo, and makes ample atouement for
whatever hey have seemed harsh and cruel in
his career. His last role is his grandeat, and,
when the curtain rang down for the final time, it
shut out his past misdeeds, whatever they may
have been, and left with the public only this
graceful and blessed act which had been an in
tention Of his life for thirty-hve years; for
charity coreroth multitude Of aims.
OF the neceaaity for an asylum Of this kind
there can be no question. There is no such IN
etitution in this country, although England has
long possessed one, which has accom-
p]ished q great amount Of good, in
the management and success Of
which Mr. Dickens was always deeply interested.
Actors, as class, are peculiarly liable to come
to Tant in their old age, from the surroundings
OF their profession. Few Of them have talent
enough to make their profession remunerative.
The large majority Of stock actors labor very
hard, lead lives which arc naturally wearing and
unhealthy, draw small salaries and are careless
in expenditure. Some OF them cannot lay up
anything, as their stage expenses are very
heavy, aud others who can, do not, while the
less and careless in the present. Their lite is iso
lated from society. Their only relations with the
public are those Of the stage, on which they ap~
pear as fictitious Kings and Queens, heroes and
slaves, between whom and the public there is no
affinity beyond the thin relation Of applause.
Out Of their mimic world they live comparatively
by themselves. Now and then, one, by the
sheer force Of genius, compe1s an admission
into society, but the great majority by reason Of
= cruel prejudice, are debarred from society
The result is not only social exclusion, but an
absence Of any sort of provision for actors when
they become INDECENT or disabled. although
every other class Of the community can find an
asylum. ..
h1r. Forests noble bequest supplies this
want, and it is to be hoped, for the sake Of
charity and common humanity, that no litigation
wm be allowed to interfere with the operation
OF his last benefcent act, but that every detal
Of it may be carried out according to his instruc~
tions. He can have no nob1er Or more enduring
monument. Not al the triunphs Of his career
upon the stage can so beautifully or lastingly
pezpetuate his memory as the erection OF this
home for actors, to which he has devoted the
accu1nulations Of bis LIFE, His fortune, which
he has left, amounts to nearly q million Of DOL
lars.
Death of John Frederick kensett.
The news Of the death OF John Frederick Hen
sett, which was brought by the telegraph yes
terday, will be received with sadness in the art
circles Of this country, and by all who take pride
il the prQgress OF American art. As land