The New York herald., 1872-12-13
EDWIN FORREST.
Death at Philadelphia of the
Veteran Tragedian.
SUDDENNEES OF ELS TAKING OFF,"
1.-The Noblest Roman Of Them All'
Departs the Scene.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE

PurLApKLPnIA, Dec Il, 1872.
This morning, nc haifpast ten O'Clock Edwin
Forrest was found by his servant In Q dying con-
dition. Not appearing at his usual hour at the
breakfast table had excited the anxiety OF the
household, and repairing TO his room they dis
covered him lying on his bed gasping for breath
and struggling for life with all the power OF his
unusual vitality. Physicians were at once sum-
moned to his bedside and every appliance was used
for his relief but In hair an hour from the dis
covery OF his Illness the body OF
THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAGEDrAs WAS ccRrsr
IL was Mr. Forests habit daily TO exercise with
dumb-bells in the morning before breakfast and
he had been evidently engaged in his customary
exercise when he was seized with an apoplectic
ht His nccktic was partially adjusted. and he had
otherwise completed dressing for the day. When
the news spread throughout his native city num-
bers OF his friends nockcd TO his residence,
corner OF Broad and Masters streets, ard
Mr.. Forests bedroom, which is on the
second story, was soon throngcd They viewed with
sorrow the relics OF the departed actor which flied
the chamber and betokened his professional call
ing. Your correspondent was among the number
and shared in the general grief Familiar objects
met MS eye on every side, and strikingly, though
sorrowlully. reminded him OF
THE DISTINGUISHED CAREER
OF the departed. over the head OF the bed he no
ticed q fine portrait OF Shakespeare, and on the
walls hung perhaps the choicest collection In the
country OF dramatic pictures. Mrs. Siddons,
George Frederick Cooke, Garrick Edmund Kcan,
the KembIes. Conway and the senior Wallack oc-
cupied prominent places in his sleeping apart
ment, and, lastly as instancng the ten
der and sympathetic nature OF the man,
uno v,fat OF
his fortunes and followed him faithfully
in his younger days, when he was poor actor,
without money or friends, and had himself filled
role on the stage as the Dog of Montargis. lie was
one OF the great actors lavortc "reminiscences,
and Oftentimes he would point out the picture to
visitors, remarklng:-
"Look at him wen. loved that dog as human
being and priced him dearly.n
The necessary preparations, however, demanded
by the stern presence Of death, would not permit
LINGERING WITH THE DEAD,
and your correspondent reluctantly left the cham
ber whose occupant had so Suddenly crossed the
threshold OF another world.
Descending to the parlors lie TOOK parting
glance at the various evidences OF the taste and re-
fnement OF their late owner. The library
especially indicated the culture and peculiar traits
Of the great mind which had there found resting
professional toll. 1t is needless to say that 1t con-
tains, probably the finest
sHAKsPEARIAN COLLECTION
in this country. The various volumes were bound
in the highest style of art but all gave evidence OF
close and frequent perusal. The scattered volumes
reposng on the escrtoire, many OF them with
marginal notes in pencil, showed that up to the
last moments they had been his study and that
room his chosen resort.
The house itself is large and substantial build
ing, with a brown stone front, and occupies a CEN
tra position in the lot whereon it stands some two
hundred feet square, the building alone presenting
front OF fty feet and reaching in depth about one
hundred and thirty-fve feet. The surrounding
grounds are highly ornamental, and the shrubbery
was the object OF its proprietor's most particular
care.
THE LAST TINE
your correspondent gaZed on the features OF the
living he was engaged in supervising the labors OF
the hortculturist In trimming and beautifying the
lawn In fact, everything indicated the presence
OF some Invisible agency preserving order and
beauty throughout and nothing was suffered to lie
neglected or mar the symmetry OF the whole.
1t is understood that Mr.. Forrest leaves no sur
viving relative an only sister having already pre-
ceded him to that "b0urne whence no traveller re-
turnsu
He is also reported to have left no will,
but this rumor lacks authenticity. 1t is highly i'm
probable, as MIR. Forrest is known to
have been very precise and careful in
the conduct Of his legal affairs, and he
could hardly have neglected so important mat
ter, the more SO as the leisure his means enabled
him to enjoy gave him ample time for that pur
| pose.
He is supposed to have owned considerable pro.
perty In New York and to have been large holder
of United States securities. NO arrangements
have as yet been made for the funeral, but the
death Of the Nestor or
THE AMERICAN DRAMA
will doubtless bring together vast concourse OF
its represent tatves from all parts OF the Union lie
was always friend to the members of his own
profession, and many times lent helping hand to
its struggling and INDECENT members. .sThe old
man," as he was fondy called. leaves many sincere
mourners
Sketch OF Mr.. Forrest.
Edwin Forrest was born in the city OF Philadel
phia March Q, 1906. HIS father was Scotcnman.
who at one time carried on large business on his
own account; but, falling, was compelled to take
situation in the United States Bank and afte rward
In the Girard Bank conducted by the millionaire
Stephen Girard. Being man Of marked piety he
educated his son with the strictest religious dis
cipline and intended the future actor for the
Church. The death Of the elder Forrest however,
defeated these plans, and having left behind him a
large family with slender means young Edwin was
left to care for himself. He was placed in a busi-
ness house, where Tor some time his education
was interrupted; but about this time he made the
acquaintance Of Wilson, the distinguished ornithol.
ogist, who had known and esteemed his father.
Wilson encouraged his talent for imitation, and,
m n fnr rpct tati wa FIJI a
time both his patron and his critic. further step
toward his future career was in becoming men,
ber OF o company Of very young theatrical anna
tuers where, according TO one Of his biographers.
he was gratihed by making his maiden plunge at
personation.n
MR.. FORREST MAKES HIS DEBUT.
1t Is just fifty years since Mr.. Forrest made his
first appearance on the stage. At that time he
was only sixteen years old. Throngh the kindness