The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-28

will and more carefully studying the matter, Mr..
Forrest had resolved upon changing his whole
plan. Thus, by the terms OF the will, the city
house, which we are now describing, Is to be
sold, and his country place, Spring Grove,
about ten miles from the city, ia to
be set apart for the Home. II anything
could be more desolate 1t would De the
Punishment OF company Of old actors and
actresses to country dwelling, there TO live
all the year round. away rom their old haunts
and all that would bring back to them their own
trials and trfumphs. Mr.. Cakes tells story OF o
visit he made to the dramatic Institution near
London OF this character. and his asking one OF
the inhabitants how he liked his "HOmo" life. at is
the blasted heath, SIR" said the old comedian. who
went on mourning his absence from the city,
from Drury Lane and Covent Garden, and the
lonely. lonely life thrust upon him. The executors
are Of the opinion that Forests true intention
would be carried out If the city building could
be set apart for this purpose. IL IS
a question however, whether this could be done
either under the present statutes or by special
law. They will DO nothing that will IN any way in
jure the property or lead to litigation, and SO de-
stroy the purpose OF the tragedan The trustees are
men Of the very highest character. and as soon as
the estate is IN q lair way to be wound up the
business OF opening the Home will begin.
CLOSING YEARS.
have referred to the intention OF Mr.. Forrest
to open school during his lifetime Tor the in
structiOn OF young persons who wished to go upon
the stage; but this was not to be realized. Tow
ard the end of his life he became fond OF money and
applause. This rich man, who for years in the
prime Of his lie retired from the stage, he grew
old became possessed with the purpose or play
ing all the time. He seemed to have felt that he
could never de- compact, strong, lusty form,
vigor, activity health, he could not believe in old
age. There are many stories, touching, almost
tragic In their way. of how he battled with the
inevitable: His hair ana beard were as white as
snow. but we're as tenderly decorated as though
they were the locks of young man. He took the
utmost care OF his person. He bathed and scrub
bed himself until his skin shone IKE
FURNISHED marble. He believed that men
should live until they were 100 years old with
proper care HIS aim was to make money for the
home, to keep always in the eye OF the public.
Little necessary expenses In his household affairs
would sometimes throw him into Jury and there
Is q story OF his walking up and down the room In
hotel far Off in Southern Texas in a blazing
anger because he remembered that the fence
around Spring Grove had cost him $3.50. He would
not concede that his power was failing. He had a
premonition in Washington in touch of paralysis
ply sicians unanimously concluded his life hung by
q hair and that he might die at any moment.
His friends, OaKes and McArdle, consulted as to
whether they should tell him. but 1t was thought
best not to excite emotions which might lead
to fatal results. He had strong religious senti-
ments, without any special belief, his mind run
ming toward the Catholic faith, OF which he always
spoke with the utmost respect and reverence as
"the mother Church." But he never accepted its
sacraments or discipline. His mind, always accu-
rate and literal. never forgot line OF part, but
as age came upon him his memory began to fail.
and the prompter would be compelled to
follow him through his Rotations. One
who played with him said that ohe OBJ
served this first In the Academy Of Music,
Philadelphia, during performance. II had
retired up the stage while Forress was begin
ming the speech from 'Othelio.' The prompter
was sitting at the pack OF the stage reading q
newspaper, not dreaming that his ser vices would
be required oy one who had played the part for
fifty years. suddenly Forrest paused He looked
toward the prompter's box with sudden gaze OF
alarm and q clutching Of the fingers, which always
Indicated feeling on his part, and attracted my
attention at once. AS he was in the habit
OF making long pauses no one else OBJ
served this particularly. IN an instant
saw the situation, and, making some business,
walked toward him and whispered the cue.
'Wnat do you say?' asked he. l repeated 1t
louder. He caught the cue and went on, finishing
the scene. AS we came Off the stage he threw his
arms around me and said, You old scoundrel,
l couldn't have got on without those words FOR
hundred thousand dollarspn Other signs OF decay
became manifest. But he would not leave the
stage. He gave readings IN different cities; but
his skill as an actor failed him as a
reader, and he did not succeed. This preyed
deeply upon his spirit and wounded him,
although he was too proud to confess 1t. When
the public OF New York and Philadelphia wea-
ried OF him he even went to towns ike Whining.
ton and Peoria, always seeking the public, driven
by an Unsuitable impulse for fame work and
money.
Els LAST PERFORMANCE.
His last engagement was in Boston. He
had had an attack OF pneumonia which affected
one OF his lungs. Mr.. Cakes, his life long friend
mplored him not to 60 on the stage again. BE
was Ill all the afternoon, SO hoarse that ne could
scarcely speak. The play was "Richelieu." All
the entreattes OF his physicians and friends could
not Keep MIN from the theatre. Too feeble to
and arrayed himself for the part. me physician
had gwen MIR. Cakes q small phlal or whiskey
ing to to ni Forrest heard
tins he said: -"lfI die on the stage will die but
they shan't nnd any rum IN me.' char was
was led to 1t by Mr.. Cakes. When his cue came he
was raised to his feet. ''Steacy me.o he said,
"steady me, and let me 60 on" Tottering on the
stage. the sound OF the applause OF the multitude
seemed to put new life into him, and
and 30 to the end or the play. When he finished
he was led, half falntlng to his hotel, and he never
appeared upon the stage any more. The next
night the play was "virginius - but mis- physicians
and friends absolutely forbade his playing the
part. He struggled until the last moment re-
solved he would not be governed by either friends
or physicians Finally the doctor said, al you dress
Tor Vlrglnlus tonight, and go upon the stage,
you Will de-" He listened for q moment
burst into tears ike child and submitted
himself to be put to bed. This was at the Globe
Theatre, Boston, and ne never acted again.
DEATH.
Forrest LETT Boston aud came to New York next
day. Mr.. Cakes accompanied him to the train,
and as they drove along made appointment
with him TO come and spend the Christmas with
him and Forney and Dougherty, and talk over the
matter OF the actor's home and remodel II.
On his arrival in New York he was met
by Mr.. McArdle, his faithful friend who
took him to the train and babe him goodbv