The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-03-16
LINCOLN AT THE THEATER.

Lincoln liked to go to the theater. 1t
gave him an hour or two of freedom from
care and worry and what was better. free
dom 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 i'll privately 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 a box directly under
the one in which he afterward was assassi-
mated. He was in rema kable flow of
spirits, aud made many comcal remarks
on the progress of the play. Edwin Booth
was playing in 1.-The Merchant of Venice, :"
and, as we sat, two or three of the super
Gumeraries, who wore scarlet hose, We're
constantly in the line of sight. Finally,
the President said, Il wonder if those red
legged, pigeon toed chaps don't think that
they ale playing this playe They are
dreadful numerous
Just before the act-drop went up, each
time, he consulted his programme and said,
"This is Act two eyes, or, "Act eye V"
as the case might be. AS we went home,
he said, 1T was good performance, but
l had thousand times rather read it at
home, if it were not for Booths playing.
A farce, or a comedy, is best played; a
tradegy is best read at home"
On another occasion, at the same thea
ter, Lincoln saw Forrest play Lear But
he was more impressed by John McCul-
lough's playing of Edgar, than by the
great tragedian's acting. With n certain
simplicity of manner, he asked, Do You
suppose he would come to the box if we
sent word ?" Ireplied that the actor would
undoubtedly be graiified to hear a 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 cordially, and with discriminating
praise, for the pleasure which he had re-
ceived from the performance.
]. H Hackett, in his part OF Falstaff,
was another actor who gave Lincoln great
delight. With his usual desire to signify
to others his sense of obligation, he wrote
genial little note to the actor, expressing
his pleasure az witnessing his performance.
Mr.. Hackett, in reply, sent book of some
sort, perhaps it was one of his own author
ship. He also wrote several notes to the
President. One night. quite late, when
the episode passed out of my mind. went
to the White House in answer to message
Passing into the Presidents office, | no.
ticed TO my surprise. Hackett sitting in
the anteroom, as if waiting for an audience
The President asked me if any one was
outside On being told. he said, halt
sadly" Oh, ] can't sec him; can't see
him. | was in hopes that he had gone
away" Then he added, Now. this lust
illustrated the difficulty of having pleasant
friends aud acquaintance in this place.
You know how | like Hackett as an actor
and how wrote to tell him 50. He sent
me that book, and there | thought the
matter would end. He is a master of his
place in the profession, l suppose, and well
fixed in it. But Just because we had
little friendly correspondence, such as
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
Landau oh da,,r,