New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-06
THE DRAMA.
THE MARK SMITH MEMORIAL BENEFIT.


1t has become known since Mark Smith
died-n a sudden and forlorn and under CIR
cumst.nces so lamentsbe that his widow and three
children have been left in poverty Knowledge OF this
fact strikes with surprise persons wh" happen 10 DO
aware that upon the death Of his father old Sol smith,
few years ago, the comedian inherited property and
who also remember that he has played remunerative
engagements in various Cities It huld be considered
though when he found himself possessed OF an in
bertancesmall though 1t was-Msrk Smith felt justi
fed In making certain changes In his plans OF life ana
labor. His ambition had always been high. He wished
to attain ON the American stage emnence like that
Of Munden or Farren the stage Of EnRland and,
when he was able to follow an independent path. he
accepted. as q rule, only those engagements thas
suited his purpose. In this way It happened
that he missed business opportunities Of the merely
sordd kind and drfted out OF the current OF steady
and continual professional employment Likewise he
devoted himself with paternal enthusiasm and unsned
beray, to the important and costly work OF educat-
ing his daughter for the lyric stage The residence OF
his family, for several years, has been established Ia
Switzerland or Italy, and his daughter. Miss Kate
known as Katharine Marco-has
been provided with every advantage that wise ana
loving could prescribe, or money purchase, In the
pursuit Of her studies and labor vocalist She was
the pet aud the pride Of her fathers heart and oil his
hopes the future conferred In her success. In
what o worthy and devoted way Mark Smith expended
his money, tme labor, and best endeavors will readily
be gathered from these statements He was at the time
Of his death-a catastrophe foreshadowed in several
serious attacks Of Illness which kept him long disabled
and confined at intervals during the past year-on his
way from Milan st. Louis, TO fulfill engagement In
the latter city The actor who had poured into thou
sands Of hearts the balm of innocent JOY and over
thousands Of faces the happy light Of laughter, died
in q hospital among strangers. leaving bis work
unfinished his highest ambition unfuflled his cher
shed art enterprise but half completed and those dear
est to him penury and and the morning after
he died. about the dawn Of day. his widow and dauRh-
ter standing at the hospital gate, were roughly denied
admission blunty told Of his DEATH and so committed
to the darkness of grief in which they stil wander
scarcely yet realizing the bleak days that have come.
The remains Of this unfortunate gentleman still rest In
their temporary grave Paris whence they are to DO
brought for final burial alongside OF those Of his father,
in Bellefontaine Cemetery. at st. Louis The widow and
children have returned to Milan, where the daughter 10
under professional engagements that must keep her
there till Spring. 1t s now purposed to give. In
this CITY, benefit performance aid Of these bereaved
and afflicted persons and, by way OF noting and urging
the Importance Of Its success, we can say nothing
stronger or significant than the statement which
freely made by close friends OF the I'M
less some practical aid be secured the musical studies
of Miss Marco must be abandoned In that case since
the young lady possesses lovely voice and has already
developed remarkable talents, the lyric stage
will lose prma donna, and American art o native
and brilliant ornament How deeply Mark Smiths pro-
fessonal friends interested In this project may Do
gathered from observation Of the extraordinary array OF
volunteer artists set forth tn the Mark Smith Memorial
Beueft Programme Such combination OF attractions
a. will be offered next Thursday afternoon, at Booths
Theater and at walack's, has seldom or never been
eauaed on the stage. 1t is the attraction, In these
cases. that wins the victory; yet it may not be nsppro
pirate or useless to try fory this with readers.
by word OF sympathetic remembrance for ono whose
public career Illustrated high principles fine abilities.
and tender humanity and whose virtue and gentleness
nlead from the grave for those loved on EARTH ana
for the success Of that good work to which he had do
voted his all. The following is the programme:
p,Is rnh-avs Company the comedy NJ gnes, wh or IN.
q IL roos and wal'eks Company In the comic ''-~' -
Gd .s;. 9ss gs. L. lae a..d sS
n noe. sna i Is, A., Mars,seh . ~. ou,..
JoSn r RAYMOND an the Park Theaser company i"' ~
s. San Fi,na.co Mins.r,la H.
I'M DRAMATIC NOTES. . .r
Mr.. Jefferson is acting in Milwaukee, at the
Academy OF Music. go
MIR. Thorne. at Niblo's Garden, will shortly
supersede q the DEUCE" with tn TahsmAn
Miss Jane Coombs acted Is, aHehs In Iho
SPHINX" ut De Bars Theater, st. LOUIS ass "ccA'
Mr. Palmer continues "The ST. oinx Upon
the Union square stage and finds its ptS"SnV '"'
creasinG. .. U+. l.'ui
There is remarkably active dema I'd ior
seats at waaeks TAests which opens for the 'eSu'A'
season tonight.
The National Theater at Washington, II udef
the management OF j. H. ssville reopened lass n~A'
with Janauschek. playing to . crowded house. l- ,
There Is lively demand for places at
Boolhs and wallaok'a on Thursday afternoon. whsA
Htu b kixsa The hAraa q rnnAkkAhh stxaesiSs ~