New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-22
PROFESSOR HENRY ALMOST IN ACTOR.


A LETTER FROM THURLOw wEED-THE LATE sECRE-
TARY OF The SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Oh THE
POINT OF CHOOSING THE STAGE.
TO TIE Edftor of The Tribune.
SIR: l was alike gratifed and relieved by the
letter in this mornings TRIBUNE, recently written
by Professor Henry to Mr.. Patterson. ! had feaIs
that Professor Henry like many eminent scientists,
had drifted away from his early religious moOriugs
This letter recognizing with such clearness Of per
ceptiOn, and with such wealth of illustration, the
power wisdom and goodness of One. by whom all
things were created, and by whose providence ami
mate and inanimate nature is harmOnized and utll-
ized is therefore, qualification and relief. While
Professor Henrys letter was before me, my es-
teemed friend. Robert c. Winthrop, of Boston,
called. He had just read and was much pleased
with the letter. Mr.. Winthrop had known PROBES
sor Henry long and intimately. Being in Washing
ton recently and hearing of his friends illness, Mr.
Winthrop called upon him. The professor explained
the nature of his illness IA partial paralysis of his
right hand and ARM, but expressed a confident be-
lief that he should be able TO make his annual tour
Of observation along the coast in a small vessel
which the Government provided for him. In the
course of their conversation the Darwinian Theory
was spoken Of Mr.. Henry remarked that novel and
bold theories even if fallacous. productive Of
good, because in the research and discussion they
occaSioned the facts and arguments edhced to
expose error serve also to confirm and establish the
truth
In the sketches of the life of Professor Henry in
cidentis omitted perhaps, because none but myself
survives to relate it. As that incident gave to the
practical sciences one of their most distinguished
ornaments, it seems worth relating. My acquant-
ance with Joseph Henry, commencing in 1915,
rpened into a warm friendship He was then an
70 r n sill IN
Ct, Albany l was a journeyman in the Office of
The albany Register published by Henry G. South
wick, and edited by Solomon SOuthwck. During the
war with England, which had just closed, the Green
Street Theatre, with strong company, literally
parOnized by the officers of the army stationed
Greenbush, awakened much enthusiasm among the
young gentlemen of Albany several Of whom
formed themselves into an amateur theatrical com
psny. They fitted up a hall formerly used
for dramatic representations, then known as the
Thespan Hotel on the corner of North Pearl and
PatrOOn-sts. They attracted large audiences.
Joseph Henry became bright particular star"
His young Norral Damon and even Hamlet, were
pronounced equal in conception and execution to
the presentations Of experienced and popular actors.
Bis friends, charmed with his talents and genus,
urged him to adopt the stage as profession. His
own thoughts and inclination rendered him willing
listener Soon the manager Of the Green Street
Theatre offered him permanent engagement with
q liberal salary. With that the young aspirant for
dramatic honors was greatly delighted. But DR..
T. ROmeyn Beck, principal of the Albany Academy,
believed that there was a way opened to the young
man promising greater usefulness and more endur-
ing hOnors than the drama could confer After con-
sultatiOn with the trustees, DR.. Beck invited young
Henry to enter upon and complete q gratuitous aca-
demic course. While anxiOUsly considering these
conflicting offers three OF his intimate friends,
james Dexter alaw student, James Hunter, printer,
and myself, were called into consultation. Hunter
and myself saw for our friend in dramatic career
assured fame and fortune. Dexter less enthusiastic
preferred academic honors to those of the "sock
anu Ousklh'' lie urged. calmly but forcibly that
II the stage was to be ultimately adopted as a pro-
fession. an academic education would increase our
friends chances Tor enduring success and that after
completing his education he would be quite Young
enough TO become an actor. This argument, after a
long and anxious mental struggle, proved effectual
The following day Joe Henry" rejected Manager
Demands dramatic offer. and took his seat in the
Albany Academy. Mr.. Doty, when informed of his
apprentices desire TO become student in the Acad-
envy, generously surrendered his indentures 1t was
only few weeks before the "YOung ROscius" be-
came absorbed in and delighted with his studies
that the theatre with all its attractive associations
was forgotten. Long years afterward. when we met
In Washington or in his visits to Albany, while re-
calling the scenes of youth the grave Professor
Henry. with worldwide scientific reputation, re-
nembered this episode in his life as partaking more
81 o dream than as q reality. T.w.
Eer- York. May 20, 1873