New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-03
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
CHARLOTTE CUsHMANs GRAVE.

A recent pilgrim to the grave of Charlotte
Cushman was guided to the place Of her rest by Of
the workers employed about the cemetery, who Incl
dentally pronounced upon the deceased comprehen-
siye and remarkable eulOgium. "she was" he said
"considerabe of woman, for a play-actress" Well
she was; and It is all the more to be regretted
that her grave is not marked by o Donu-
ment, noble III design and stately in character,
memOrave OF her massive genius and her splendid life.
The place Of her seputue is the eastern slope Of the
principal hill In Mount Auburn Cemetery. Hard by,
upon the summit OF the hill stands the gray tower which
overlOOks all the surrounding region, and constantly
symboizes, to eyes both far and near the perpetual
peace OF which it is both guardian and image.
All around the spot tall trees give shade and music
the streams their branches, and the winds Of
Summer murmur in their leaves. AT little distance,
visible green meadows and the river Chailesfn
and calm between Its verdant banks-rse the "dream-
ing spires" Of Cambridge. Further away. crowned
with her golden DONE towers old Boston, the storied
city which Charlotte Cushman much loved. Upon
the spot where her ashes now rest the great
aetI Pas stood and, looking toward the city OF her
home and heart chose that TO be the place OF her grave
and there she sleeps IN peace after many conflict with
her own stormy nature, and after many sorrows and
palms What terrific ideals OF the imagination made
by her to be realities of life What burning
eoQuFncc Of poesy by her was made to blaze
What moments Of pathOs she lived! What
MOODS OF holy selfabnegation and OF exalted power
she brought TO many sensitive soul! Standing by
her grave, on which now the myrtle grows dense and
dark and over which the small birds swirl and tWier
In the breezy silence remembrance of the busy scenes Of
branlife wherein she used to mOvethe pictured stage
the crowded theatre, the Wild paudts Of delighted
multitudecOmes strongly the mind and asks, III per
plexy and Sadness what the good Of 1t all. To her
but little Fame and wealth were her cold rewards,
after years OF privatiOn and labor; but she found
neither love nor happinesand the fullest years OF her
life were behted with the shadow Of fell disease ana
al impending DOOM To the world, however her career
was Of great and enduring benefit She was noble in
epeter OF the nObOs minds OF the past and thus she
helped to educate the men and women OF her ume-to
enn0blo them in mood to strengthen them IN
duty, 10 lift them up I'm the hope OF an immor-
tal life; and therefore she did not live IN vain.
It's but little likely that the American people viii ever
lose her name out OF their remembrance; aud II Is a
name that never can be erased from the rolls or
honorable renown. All the same, there should be
suitable memorial at her grave-marked now
only by q small, white stone, bearing her name
On Its surface Such memorial would come with
grace from the people-hOnOring their fidelity to be-
neheent life ana illustrOus memory, ana testying
70 all the world that genius and virtue not forgotten
BY those whom they dignity and bless.