Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1875-03-25
Written for the Herald
Personal "reminiscences.

CHARLES KRAS-THE TOWER OF LONDON.
first met the late Charles Kean al
Mrs. Cowan's boarding house In Murray
street, New York, some thirty years OF
more since. Miss Ellen Tree was at that
time living there, and Dir. Kean was 8
constant visitor, and shortly afterwards
married Miss Tree. They were at that
time both playing at the Park Theatre
Becoming somewhat intimate with them
/ was frequently on the stage of the
theatre during rehearsals and at other
times. MIR. Kean was then engaged in
producing one of Shakspeare's plays.
don't now reeollect which. he always
insisted upon having all scenery, arms,
armor, costumes, etc., historically cor
rect. Being at one time present when
he was giving some instructions to the
scene painters, boy like, I was, suppose
rather inquisitiVe as to his motives, etc
He told me that in producing any piece
he always looked up all authorities, Wis
tied all localities at which any thing re-
lating to the business had taken place,
had sketches made and the same copied
in the scenery, had all the armor and
arms copied as closely as possible. This
led to my asking some questions about
Richard Ill, the Tower of London, etc,
and was answered that if could come
to London he would show me the tower.
Several years subsequently, | visited
London, and one evening, noticing
that the Keans were to act
at one of the theatres, Drury Lane i
think, strolled in during the evening,
and sent my card to Mr.. Kean by an
usher, thinking that possibly he might
recollect me. The usher returned quick
ly saying that l could not see Mr.. Kean
at present but that Mrs. Kean desired
to see me il the green room. / there
fore went and was most cordially re-
Set Sselyefee 90 Sas lnn1Enaa i s n 9 ia nek esa
would be glad to see me, and presently
he came in. His first exclamation was,
''Have you come to see the Tower of
London 2" / saw but little of him that
evening but had very pleasant call on
Mrs. Kean. He made an appointment
to call for me the following day and
take me to the tower
In due time be arrived. 1t was my
first visit TO the Tower and l think but
few have visited il Under more favorable
circumstances. We spent nearly the
whole day there. He told me that the
wardens were ordered 10 give him sc-
cess TO any and all parts of the premis-
ses, and he appeared to have as much au-
thority as in his own house. At his re-
quest all doors usually closed to the pub
lie were thrown open and of every nook
and corner he had something TO relate.
1t is so long since that the details have
passed from my memory, but / have not
forgotten that at the time l thought il
one of my red letter days When
we passed into the apartments
thrown open to the public there were
many visitors present and Charles kean
was soon recognized and We had a
goedly escort his every word and look
and motion were watched and followed.
If spoke of any particular arm or 9th
er curiosity the accompanying warden
would hand il to me for examination,
thing never permitted 10 visitors. As
we were about leaving, my attention
was attracted by a singular looking wea-
pom IL was an iron ball, probably
inches in diameter, with steel spikes
about } inches long, hristling all over
its circumference, and an iron chain
probably IS inches ia length attached 10
It. / took it and examined and handed
il 10 Mr. x he took il by the chain.
swung II backwards and heavily struck
out with it, driving the spikes into a
partition or post, leaving IL in that posi-
lion, quietly remarking that that was
the manner in which il was intended 10
be used, with the difference that it was
to be used on beads.