The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-18
LIT E r A T U r E !.



BY William Housewife Alger ia two volumes. Phil
adeipha: J. B. Lippfncott Co.
Tho theatrical and literary world has been The tip
of expectation for nearly two years past
it was lrst announced that the Rev. William II. Ager
intended writing tho life Of Edwin Forrest for IL is not
every day that eminent clergyman writes ihee or
an eminent actor Mr. Alser has long been iricrd
aud Of the stage aad his PLAN spoken aud
siblo words the subject have made him many
warm trends tho theatrical profession. 1t
is so much easier and so much moro popular
Tor a clergyman to malign tho stage that it Is
refreshing Of Mr.. Alscr's position
look ut the subject With just aud uaprei lcced eyes.
This gentleman close personal iriend Of tho lao
Edwin Forrest and knew ham in all his moods that
whatever he has to say about the famous ,ragedan
will be read with interest and respect. Tho book has
been delay ed puDnc,iion Tor ong time, owing
III health Of the author, but the advance sheets
lie before IN all their completeness No pains have
been spared 10 make the biography full IN ITS particu.
lars, and to the simple narration OF added
discussions Of the and teachings OF Hose
/ The author expects criticism from certain
i quarters on many OF the opinions expressed
in this book. He says, ana very truly.
| ''Thcra Is s,ill lingering in many minds. espc-
chilly in tho so-calicd religious world.
strong prejudice against tho dramatic profession.
Analysed down to its origin. the long warfare Of
Church and THEATRE tho Instructive aversion OF priest
snd player, Will DO found to DO rooted IN tha essential
opposition OF thor respective ideals OF lie. The
ecclesiastical IDEAL IS ascetic; Its methods, painful
Obedience and prayer; its chief virtues sr-rcstraint
and denial The dramatic ideal Is reo; its methods,
self.deycopment aud culture; its ruling aims grat,l
cation and fu!nln,ent. The votarics OF these dis
notive sets OF convictions uSd sentiments have, from
curly age, formed two hostile camps Accordingly,
when one known as . clergyman said TO
he a q an
created surprise and curiosity and cic.ed
serious comment. The question often asked,
slow can this strange conjunction DO explaincd?'
This statement Is TO DO taken as an explana-
ton not as apology The only justification needed
lies the belief that tho theatrical life may be US
pure and noble tho ecccsmstcal that the theatre
has sound claim to support the Church; that
the great actor properly equipped for his work, is the
most. flexible and comprehensive style of man IN the
world, master OF all types Of human nature and all
grades OF human experience and that the pricsily pro-
icssion in our day has learn from the his
trionic as II has to teach b."
great many clorts made to get autobog-
raphy from Forrest, hut without avail Mr. Aser YVES
suggested TO write biography and 10 this Mr Forrest
consented, Offering to lend him all the aid in his
power. In the first rsation held with HIM on
subject Forrest said "rel tho truth frankly. Let
there be whitewashng. Show mo just rs have
"A
shelf OF his library tho first volume of the 'Memoirs
OF Blunster the Comedian" by John Adoiphus and
read in rich, sweet tones mcdowell by The echoes OF
his heart, tho opening paragraph. AS the nd
mirins cadence of his voice died sadly away
he a'd down the volume and said TO
his auditor, sFor your sake, in tho work
which Sou have entered wish 1t with
as 1t was with Bannisier But IL IS otherwise My
faults many and deserve much blame Yet, after
every confession and every regret, feel before God
that have been man more sinned against than
SHINING; and II the whole truth be told am perfectly
willing to bear all the censurc the condem nation
that Justly belong TO Therefore Disgusting
varnish let the facts stand forth" THIS volume,
the words OF its author, has been written more from
the stage point OF view than from tho pulpit point OF
view, but most Of all from that popularized academic
phiosopnic point OF view which surveys the whole
field OF human life in spirit at Of scientific ap
| probation, poetic sympathy ard impartial criticism.
| OF tho parensags and family OF Edwin Forrest
enough has already been written 10 make the public
familiar with his belongings Edwin was the pride OF
tho family from his boyho0d aud a, an early age
showed striking signs of talent At the age OF ten he
developed taste for the stage, although apprentice
in shipcha ndlery shop Race street. Philadelphia.
The stage procvitcs OF the lad cropped out every
occasion. When In his fourteenth year he Glanced
one evening be In tho audience OF lect in the
old Tivo Garden Theatre, Market street, who dis
coursing tho properties OF laughing gas The lec-
invited any OF ms auditors who desired 10 come
forward and inhale the cxhilaratng aura. He seppcd
up aud applied his mouth and nostrils 20 tho bag In
a moment, ~ the air began 10 work. his ruling pas
sion broke forth Striking right and left, to the
no slight CONSERVATION of those dearest him, lie
advanced TO the front OF the stage and dccaimed
passage from the stage copy of Shakespeare:
what, OH young Richmond, no! It's
Richard calls.
hate thee for thy blood Of Lancaster,
with extraordinary energy and effect.
When Edwin nine years old be thin and
palo and had slight forward sioop OF the chest ana
shoulders and his family feared that they would
be able to rasc HIM Ills health however, improved
with age, aud whom he arrived ut manhood he a
fine specimen OF physical perfection. We will not fol-
low Forrest his MS an actor, but simply quite
few anecdotes and striking passages from The book.
FORESTS first interview with Edmund Kcan took place
at Albany and is thus described
About noon OF the day they we're 70 act together.
As Kcau did 10 the rehearsal Forrest celicd
AZ hrs hotel ana asked to see him. he told the mos
scncer 10 say to Nj. kesn thai the young man who
was play Isgo wished brief interview with m, 10
receive any directions he might like 70 give Tor tho
| performance in The evening Snow him mp. sald
the actor graciousy AS Forrest entered, with beat
! ing heart, Kean rosc ana welcomed him with great
kindness OF manner. In answer TO question MS 10
tue business OF the play he said .'lly boy, do
how you como on or 30 OIL, u whhc we arc on the
stage you always keep front Of me aud let not
! attention wander from NE" lie had not yet
! brcakiasted, late Us II WAS but was IN
! loose dressing gown, with tho marks OF excess
! sivc indulgence Ia dissipation and slccpess
hours too plainly revealed in his whole appearance
rosewood piano was covered with sph and sticky
! rings from tho glasses used In the dcbauch OF the
! night "Havo you ever heard mo srgY'' asked Kean.
| ''0h, yes, in Tom Tug the WaternIap'' ''Dd you
my Tom fugy' responded the actor IN pleased
OF curcssDg cagcrpess. II learned those songs
purely BY imitation Of my old friend lnclcdon; and
/ approached him $ closely that IL was said no
cuUid tell the singing oi ono OF Us from that Of the
other. But now You shat bear mo sing my iavoruc
pIccc.r lie down AT the piano. struck a CIV nOics,
/ and sang the well known song Of Moore Farewell,
but whenever you welcome tho horr." HIS face was
very pals au expression OF unuttcrubc
patnos and melancholy, his HAIR was lOating IN con-
fused and his eyes looked Ike two great inland
seas Both he and his auditor wcpt rs he gang with