New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-11-15
JOIN GILBERrs REMINISCENOES.

| INCIDENTS IN HIS LONG SiAbE CAhEEh'
AN OLD POEM That RECALLED PLEASANT EXPfRi-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. FOR The VETERAN
COMEDIANS BENEFIT
John Gilbert the veteran comedian, viii re-
ceive testimonial benefit at waac's Theatre on the
afternoon OF Thursday December This Is intended as
celebration Of the fteth anniversary Of his espousa
OF the dramatic art Since the seats 10 no sold at
auction and since Mr. Gilbert holds large place IN the
esteem and admiration OF the public, It prom
ises to be u golden wedding" IL came
about I'm this way: Mr.. Wallack and n wealthy
gentleman OF the city were talking OF Mr. Gilbers long
career occurred 20 them that NIFTY such years ia the
lite Of q public ayore ought 10 he cUnmcmofned by
benefit Mr. Wallack took upon himself the theatrical
or's troop OF friends who would rally ut the word
The school for Scandal" !. the play selected
Charles X. Thorne IT,, OF me Union square ihear;
wiz play Joseph Surface and Mr. Charles II Coghana and
Miss Rose COehlan VIII repcat their presentations OF
The announcement Of this benefit caused old New
York resident, witty wellsockcd memory, TO send To
THE TRIBUNE the accompany ing verses preiaced Win
this note These lines were written twenty-five years
I'M Boston The author was the late Oliver
C.. Wyman, esq on od Boston bcs, m'n mayer, ior
ager TWENTY-FIVE 10 thirty years ago Mr. Nytnan was
frequent contributor 70 me Boston iost qnder the n9R
which many an old Bostonan will recognize and remem
Der with pleasure
OLD JACK GILBERT
ais old dog my reward P'-shak5.
Shall We with prodieal hand and tIrrless spirit,
Have we no nearer claim OF loftier merit
Sprung from Own hcarth-stOne
Shall NOT Old Dornton ella I'M our fond remembrance
Or Doctor DttoOrh gain one kindly smile
Or good job ThOrRberry with Tougfcast semblance
One grateful thought Dcguie
Isit"too late a week" for peerless Adomf
Since he has known MS, with his dear OLD Madam,
60 long a careless debtor
We whose tbcatrc days Nv fast and neeter
whose gaze along the past grow ialht ana dlm'
Have seen our last Str H0OcIt anu 81" Ie'T-
P0lHOas dies with hlm
Paw up, pay up the debt. You can't deny It,
q gentle pullicl Overdue for years,
Twill only cOst--you Won't be ruined By it
Al overflow OF heiS' BIN
Mr. Gilbert was found yesterday afternoon just after
rehearsal, looking hearty aud genial as ever. His
massive and erect figure carries and easy dignity, and
although he can count sixyeight years, he looks ten
wears Younger and still has to borrow seuilty from
cosumer HsPresence attract, and iDygorates. Wnen
he asked II he remembered the circumstance 81 the
verses he replied:
eyes very we'll It must have been In 1854 or 1855,
aoon after the opening OF tue Boston Theatre, when
received that benefit II customary then
TO receive a stated salary With the added privilege Of
benefit performance. But frequently happened, from
some cause other, that the receipts OF benefit
very small and sometimes irrespective OF the popularity
of the actor SO told the manager that he would give
me n certain sum for a salary would waive my right TO
a benefit. lie agreed. But that year wo had several
theatrical people from England; business was good aud
the benefits turned out extraordinarily Some or my
friends inquired when Il would be my turn told them
M nv i benefit.
But they wouldn't listen to my eSposluiation; they
said they would That had benefit performance
knew very wen. and who was In the Custom House at
one time, had these verses published think In The
Boston Post few days before the performance. His
nom DC plume of Baron NaD'en borrowed from "a
character the semibnresque comedy called Tom and
Jerry, written, beueye,by Alontcref The play ut
that lime wss very popular In England and America"
As he ran the lines, Nj. Gilbert made a few COM
Gut OF the mouth Of Adam In As You Lake IT,, part
frequently played, After years OF faithful service
stranger laps refers TO the English actors. Od Dorm
TOM Doctor Dorh and 100 IhoLn6'Tg were characters
same Adam. Sir Robert and Sir Peer are Bfdnbe aud
Mr. Gnbert's fame il so closely associated with old
Fnesh comedy hat many suppose he Is transplanted
Engshman. Tie purity ara quality oi Ills bronouncia,
If he began In London, no laughed and said
al considerable pride:
ION no ; Fla an American. TIA a genuine Yankee
for | was born ana ed IN NrwEngland. | fest APP
neared III the Boston fremont theatre Nov. 2s 1898
30 my benefit Will not happen precisely on the nnuyor-
sgry OF that date passed third OF my stage life at the
"In what character did you FIRST appeorw
Tragedy. You know every young man thinks De was
e29 70 aI ssssFsyS n SSSS Sg g, 4tS S
B,cr in The Iron Chest and Shsioek DO / share The
Sai has not ehanscd TOE the better rns bubble s sar
pleased uy moro trivial things now-a-days, and the
Nalaeks company j. now tHrrpiiouay strong in old
oomedics dousi ihe.r ''ea , pl.,s ~ @holc
NAM h.ud- of &c. rtrcri hutc afdr'sscd letter ~
him terena ihat be- voc rcehrle thc nf,h auuitrr.
s.f, of his Gai appearance hr stage bl accepting
benefit lo ilHs Hf Oiuru hatf responded as folorst
WWgss lmtuf Soy. i9. ls,s.
earts5 ia 0.nmtrnlais fHs nuat fa.tnstff % af
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