The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-04

THE ILLNESS AND LOSS OF MEMORY OF A


KNOWN AcroR--A VERY SAD CASE.
Tho veteran actor and theatrical manager, Ben dc
Bar, is suffering from a singular attack Of illness.
which threatens TO suddenly end active and pros
porous life. Last season, which was an unfortunate
one for actors ard managers generally, Was dsas-
trous one for Mr.. De Bar, who the and man
ager OF q theatre In ST. Louis Stars failed draw,
people would not attend good representation and
10 addition 10 those troubles domestic sorrows
Mr. Do Bar was engaged travelling throughout tho
country as star. playing in shakesperean and other
parts The strain upon his mind began 10 tell, and
suddenly we'll remembered plays would be forgotten,
passages no formerly had by long practice particularly
well learned could not DO. rccoected and several
occasions he upon tho stage discover that he
could not recall the language of the character
lie was 10 assume. The consequence was that
his engagements had to be given up. Once. when he
tried 70 support Lolita In Musette his own theatre
In ST. Louis, he found himself unable TO do SO,
much to his own and the httc lady's disappointment
Later Mr. Do Bar lost tho names OF poopio and OF
Places He could not recall the Of bis most In
innate irends nor mention the best known stars He
could cot tell the OF large cities His fam
lily name was frequently forgotten, aud he could
not recollcct his own short Christian name OF
Bon. He placed himself under medical care.
and an examination resulted in the dccara-
ton that no was sound IN mind, but
needed rest and relaxation Mr. John Norton WAS M
dc Bar should have rcgaincd his health. Stars were
engaged tor tho coming 81 Louis season. but Mr. do
Bar could remember only their aces, net their Names
short lime ago Mr. Do Bar c.rne 70 New York, and,
by tho advice OF many friends. placed himself under
tho care Of Dr. Hammond. the we'll known physician
II Is said that examination proves that the actor
Is beyond hope OF recovery and may be sad 10 have
n aa Gu aSv said 10
be soenng OF the brain the muscles OF the right side
oil the body hong weakened greatly There is an ex-
travasaton OF mucus from the AMI tho nose, the
memory almost entirely gone and tho pupils OF tho
eyes d.latcd. Already there has been un attack OF
paralysis and there Is every probability That another
may To the ordinary observer the uniortu
gcntlcman's manner remains almost .hc same as
OF old. lie behaves and talks quietly and naturally,
dwelling principally upon his strange transformation.
Whatever topic no commences on lie gradually driNs
back into telling how he became affected and tho re-
suits
with friend; ~ know your face, but cannot tell
your name Mention your name aud I'll at once
recognize II, though forget 1t the moment after. II
you tell me a wrong name ! knowit Ny MANAGER"
YOU but than that his name IS johnnie cannot
remember. II you mention his last narnc vt once
that OF Lotta Lotta! who could forget ,nat. / can
remember as often as try but all else Is dark 10
me- My own name; now cannot say what II Is.
No; that. not IT,"
''rhomas?"
''No"
.Ben?"
'.Yos.''
"Ben DO Barr"
al have list OF stars for my theatre, but though
have engaged them do not know their names. en-
gagged them by their faces. expect soon TO got over
this. Try TO give up thinking altogether. and hope
soon to DO well aud about"
To that his still active II Is only neces
sary to relate that not long ago he VISITED time hon
orcd iriend In tho neighborho0d OF New York He
didn't know the name oil the place where he
was going, but its appearance was familiar
He found mis- way 10 the railway station, but didn't
know for what place 10 buy ticket The agent men,
toned several places. No. 1t was mono OF these He
mentioned the right one. Yes, that II. Tho
ticket bought and the visit made.
Mr.. De Bar whose Falstan Is we'll known
In New York and throupho tho country. His many
friends and admirers will hope he himself hopes
that his mind will soon DO as strong ever.