The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-04-13
Lincoln at the Theater.

In ScribEcr for March is the second in
stallment of Noah Brooks Reminis-
cences of Lincoln" continued from the
midwinter number. After speaking of
the Presidents great delight in John
Brougham's Pocahontas," Mr.. Brooks
says:
Lincoln liked to go the theater 1t
gave him an hour or two of freedom
from care and worry, and what was bet
ter, freedom from the interruption of
office seekers and politicians. He was
on such terms with the managers of two
of the theaters that he could go in pri-
vately by the stage door, and slip into
the stage boxes without being seen by the
audience Concealed by the friendly
screen of the drapery, he saw many
plays without public observation. Once
| remember we were alone together at
Ford's theater, in box directly under
the ore in which he afterwards was as
sassinated. lie was in remarkable
flow of spirits, and made many comical
remarks on the progress of the play.
Edwin Booth was playing in The Mer-
chant of Venice" and, as we sat, tive or
three supernumeraries, who wore scarlet
hose, we're constantly in the line of sight.
Finally, the President said, az wonder
if those pigeon-toed chaps don't think
they are playing this play2 They are
dreadful numerous" just before the
act drop went up, each time, he con-
suited his programme and said, "Ths is
Act two eyes" or, "Act eye "" as the
case might be. And as we went home,
he said, " 1t was good performance,
but | had a thousand times rather read
it at home, if it were not for Booths
playing, A farce or a comedy is best
played; tragedy is best read at
home"
On another occasion, ut the same
theater, Lincoln saw Forrest play
Lear" But he was more impressed by
John McCullough's playing of Edgar,
than by the great tragedian's acting.
With certain simplicity, he asked, do
you suppose he would come to the box
if we sent word?' ! replied that the
actor would undoubtedly be gratifed
to hear personal commentator from
him. Mr.. Mccullough, accordingly,
was brought to the door of the box, all
dressed in stage rags and straw as he was,
and the President thanked him very cor
daily, and with discriminating praise,
for the pleasure which he had received
from the performance.
j. II. Hackett, in his part of Falstan
was another actor who gave Lincoln great
delight. With his usual desire to signify
to others his of obligation, he wrote
a genial little note to the actor, express
ing his pleasure at witnessing his per-
Torrance. Mr.. Hackett, in reply, sent
book of some sort; perhaps it was one
of his own authorship. lie also wrote
several notes to the President. One
night, quite late, when the episode had
passed out of my mind, | went to the
White House in answer to a message
Passing into the Presidents Office, ! no.
ticed, to my surprise, Hacket sitting in the
anteroom, as if waiting for an audience.
The President asked me if any one was
outside. On being told, he said, half
sadly, ooh, can't see him, can't see
him. | was in hopes he had gone
away" Then he added, CHOW, this
just illustrates the difficulty of having
pleasant friends and acquaintance
in this place. You know how liked
Hackett as an actor, and how wrote to
tell him So He sent me that book, and
there / thought the matter would rest.
He is master of his place in the pro-
fession, suppose, and well fixed in it.
But just because we had little friendly
correspondence, such as any two men
might have, he wants something. What
do you suppose he wants? | could not
guess, and Lincoln added" "Well, he
wants to be consul to London. Oh,
dear!"