The New York herald., 1872-12-15
EDWIN FORREST.
His Home and Daily Lifs-The Closing Acts Of
His Life-The Moral Of His Death-His
william Asylum for Decrepit
Actors To Be Established.


Seated at the desk where the dead tragedan has
so often sat. and grasping in my hand the pen 30.
often directed by that hand now neryeless, look
around Forests "homer-his library-and en-
deavor to fathom that austere existence. the
secret of that life, the causes OF the things
that were, through the medium OF the
things that are. his books, his pictures
and the many "reminiscences OF that stormy
life. The library was emphatically Forests home,
other apartments OF the large, rambling mansion.
on the southwest corner OF Broad and Master
streets being nothing to him save as parts OF a.
great whole. doubt If he visited his picture gal
lery more than once week, and then only be-
cause the central figure there marble statue OF
himself, by Ball. His library all in all to him,
and 1t was here alone that he out OF the shell Of
his melancholy, and lived and thought his nature
out. long room running from east to west across
the south wing OF the mansion. having on either
side ten rows Of book shelves inclosed by glass
doors. contained his literary treasures This library
is said to be the finest private library in America,
and, with the exception of the British Museum con-
tans the best collection of dramatic works in the
world. 's feaHs
Near the east window on the table at which he
often sat and pored over his books, lays an open
book, the fifteenth volume OF Halnwell's "Criti-
cisms and Commentaries on Shakspeare's The
Il nsd a. his
Forrest, on Wednesday last, had received
HERALD containing adI, q criticism on his read.
Nj: Nj: Rees C"Coliey Ciboer'1 he had been
comparing the aforementioned authority with
"Notes on Shakespeare" also lay on the table,
| opened at the index page. Both books remain as,
Mr. Forrest ''died in harness. Scattered around,
in reckless proiusion, on the tables, chairs and
main shelf OF the bookcases, lay letters, notices,
papers, books, articles Of vertu, wearing apparel,
and one or two tin boxes containing valuable
His writing table, where l. am seated as write,
was used as receptacle for anything and every
thing or RTnted II s
| ary," q check book, receipted bills. letter-the
last one he ever wrote-addressed to gentleman
In glass case on the outside shelf Of one OF the
st prnted bearing date sa ike copy
was recently sold in London for fsO0, or $4,000l
But Shakespeare abounds here in many forms. For
rest worshipped the great bard as his life and
reading amply testify.
extremity the visitor steps into the bathroom
ana M thence INTO the sleeping apartment where Mr.
20 been mpe
mahogany bedstead, dressing case Of antique de-
sign bureau and two or three chairs complete the
| furniture. portrait OF his mother hangs near the
this room be died alone. The circumstances Of his
lessons, At nine O'Clock yesterday morning the
breakfast bell rang, and Mr.. Forrest an
BY sort Of Affirmative ahemI katie"
his tried and trusted domestic OF many
his coming As he did not appear Katie became
little impatient and went up stairs to ring tne Deil
% s n
alarmed, she called out, ''0h! Mr.. Forrest, Mr.. For.
rest are you sicks What is the natter"
and, thinking both the the library and bedroom,
doors were fastened. she stood spellbound
Of his death she said, ~ was almost crazy-the
poor man dying and not able to get near him." him.
and 1t opened. She rushed through the library to
the bedroom, and found Mr.. Forrest stretched on
his back and apparently suffering intense tense
is the matters'' she Called but still no answer.
and apprised her sister the cook. ..Mr. Forrest is
almost gone !" she said. ''Send for Mr.. Rees! Tel
MT oakss G sd dot TOR int saq er or
ter dropped whatever was in her hands and ran up
stairs TO the dying man. & she M raised a. his feet feet
on a chair She sponged his head with cold water
and opened his collar and tried to get word from
| him. He could not speak, but gave her q look OF
such unutterable meaning. in which despair, desire
TO speak and mental suffering were combined. He
Even as he looked in the face OF his servant the
nm OF death settled on the "wind0ws or his SOULS
and with one last despairing sigh he settled back
The immediate cause Of his death is not positively
determined DE- Cross surgeon Of note IN tins
parently ap0plexy of the brain" From what can
learn from the servants incline to the belel tnat
Mr. Forrest must have burst blood vessel. 1t was
very favorite habit Of his to dress himself in the
morning with the exception Of his coat,
and stretching himself on his back
in bed in front of movable mirror,
exercise with pair Of eightpound dumbbells.
When found yesterday the dumbbells were lying at
his side The cook says "a red streak' appeared
at the side of his neck Just before he died. IL
would appear from that that he had been taking
his accustomed exercise, and possibly with more
violence than usual, and had burst blood vessel
when attempting rise from reclining position
Thus he died, without word, without one parting
glance from the eyes OF love- surrounded by all that
wealth and taste could give; deprived or that in
his last moments that all the wealth and all the
power Of the world could not have given him-a
friend to return the last pressure OF that stGening
hand.
Mr.. Forests worldly affairs were in good condi
ton. His will was made in 1866. The bulk OF his
property goes to establish hospital for worn-ont
actors. am not at liberty to say anything 1urther
about the disposition of his property at present.
The funeral will take place Monday next and
will ne OF private nature.
ED Atm ON 16TCcTcCYpDY