The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-28
RemembraBceS and Traditions Of the
Great Tragedian.
THE PROPOSED "HOME FOR ACTORS
His Habits and Manners-IIs Personal and
Professional TasteS-HOw He Lived
and How lie Died.
The Closing Scenes Of a Gel
ebrated Life.

PHILADELPHIA, March 25, 1875.
For the last city years there has been no figure
more conspicuous in the streets Of Philadelphia
than that OF the great tragedian who was born In
this city, and whose bones now rest with those OF
his fathers IL the quiet little churchyard OF st.
Pauls. There were occasional absences pro-
lessiOnal errands, but Edwin Forrest always
returned to Philadelphia. and never aban-
d0ned his affection for It, On sunny morn.
Ing he was sure to be seen on Chestnut street,
"tne observed Of all Observers" his powerful
form and marked face, swarthy, and rldged with
heavy expressive muscles, dashed with purple
or blue neckrie with plain apparel his eyeglasses
swinging across his breast, and in later years
Tyine heavy cane. Sometimes you would meet
him sturdily numbering through the suburbs;
some times he would ride horseback slowly
down Chestnut street at midday. Now and
then you would catch glimpse OF him at
some theatre, the Walnut Street especially (which
his iavorte resorp sitting In the shadow
OF box, looking with deep, critical. lower
ing glance upon the stage. No figure was
more widely known. When Forrest appeared
there would be in his train, at respect
fnl distance, shOal OF admiring boys, who
had probably worshipped HIM from the lofty re-
cesses OF the gallery, and VINO feased their eyes
upon the greatness that had made known to them
Richard ana Lear and Coriolanus. Although a
most conspicuous figure in Philadelphia. Forrest
led shy life. But little was known OF his habits
and associations. The interest taken in his for
tunes and fame however have led me to follow up
some interesting threads OF narrative and Obser-
walton that may not oe without value to readers
OF the HERALD, especially as throwing light on the
career OF an extraordinary man.
THE HOME OF FORREST.
Forests home in Philadelphia was on the south
west corner OF Broad and Master street. When
he purchased this dwelling nearly thirty years
ago, it was far removed from the centre OF busy
HE in Philadelphia as Fort Washington or Ford
ham would be from the Filth Avenue Hotel. The
world had not gone pleasantly with Forrest in
personal and domestic ways He had followed the
bent OF his ambition to England He had aimed
TO found home IN New York, and to rival On the
Hudson the castellated splendors OF the noble
houses Of England. But cloud came upon hts
life, whether from his own fault or the fault
OF others It Is pr0htless TO inquire now.
After the overthrow OF his family he returned
TO Philadelphia, and, evidently desiring to shun
observation and society. he retired, like Timon OF
Athens, to what was then a lonely, oul-ol-the-way
section OF Philadelphia. and built him large
dwelling. Here he resided during the better part
OF the closing years OF mis- life. The building stands
upOn the corner OF a lot about an acre in extent
II Is a large, struggling, double house OF BRICK
trimmed with stone. On the Broad street side is
picture gallery and theatrical room some hundred
feet long. On the Master street side the BRICK
buildings occupy more space. Seen from the street
The house, even IN its masters days, always had
q gloomy look. the windows were never opened,
there seemed to be life society about 1t.
occasionally from the second floor window, look
ing out from his study, the well known face Of the
tragedian would be studying the life which
sunny days surged up and down the broad and
beautiful avenue. the house gained reputation
Tor mystery, its loneliness excited wonder, and
and then strange stories would float into our
ears. something like those which attended the
retirement OF Lord Give at Charemont,
concerning the lonely, angry, irasclbe old man
who quarreed with mankind, who had been sui
leny defeated III the contest who lived in grow-
ing. moody cynical retirement, seeking no one,
A0Oking with contempt upon all manhind. recog.
MIXING neither virtue in women nor integrity IN
men. These were the whispered rumors oil the
time, ana the home Of Forrest became one OF the
curious places IN Philadelphia, and when a
stranger was escorted through our streets it was
Always pointed out as OF peculiar interest.
FoEREsT's HOME AS
And yet, to those who knew the inner life Or
Edwin Forrest nothing could be unjust
than this public reputation. 1t all came
back to your correspondent as he sauntered
mp Broad street the other morning, marveliing at
the changes that had taken place In Philadelphia
IN ten years, and recalling the sunday afternoon
strons which Damon and himself were won't to
take to visit the tragedian. TO those who were IN
any way welcome FORESTS house was always open.
II was my privilege during some years to be
among those who were admitted on terms OF per-
sOna friendship into the lonely mansion on Broad
street. A curious custom about Forests house
was that II you desired to Call upon him 1t was
necessary to send him word in advance, for he
IN tatp cd lv I,v
all visitors we're denied admission. But no one
could be gracious IN the dlspensation OF hos
pitaities. You named your hour, say at five In the
afternoon, and at five, upon ringing the bell, 4.
Forrest himself, would open the door. There
seemed TO be no servants in the house. With she
exception, think, OF gardener, who attended to
the grounds. there were none, His two sisters
took charge OF his Housekeeping. One OF
ms peculiarites was the dislike OF SER
wants, and he w0uld not have them
around the house. until after his SISTERS
death, when he was compelled to seek their
AID HIS favorite room was the library. anu
H. was certainly noble chamber. He was proud OF
mis- books. There was the 1923 Shakespeare,
bound In red morocco, which he kept under n
glass case, as the holy OF holes, and whicn was,
perhaps, the only thing earth that ever extorted
from Forrest sentiment like that OF worship.
try 70 recall many evenings that were
passed IN this apartment. but only the
shadows remain; the hearty although somewhat
austere greeting OF the great actor his lofty way of
asking you what wine you preferred, adding gener.
ally. "be sure and name what you want, for I have
oil the wines OF the world in the cellar;" the de- |
light with which he would dwell upon his fsvorte
pictures; has bootA; the memcntoes OF past days; |
his collection OF c1riosties, not varied or large,
hut all full OF interest Ana then the charm OF mat
wonderful voice. II was never heard upon she !
stage In the PERFECTION and beauty 1t possessed in
his library. I remember the finest passages OF |
even the farewell speech In "Othellon which was |
perhaps his Hottest piece or declamatIon--to equal
his reading OF Sheey's 'Sky,ark," or the Lines
30 Cloud" or that marvellous bit OF color from