National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-12-31
EDWIN FORREST AND WIFE.


T. s. At Lee, esq, OF this city. sends THE REpuB-
L1cAs the following: The interesting article in
your issue of the 18th instant, headed Memories OF
Forney,' In which reference Is made to the unfOr.
tnnatc quarrel and divorce between Mr.. and Mrs
Forrest. brings 70 my mind some rccolleetions of
both, which at this time may not be wholly with.
out Interest to the public anu the theatrical pro-
iession. Many years ago, when l resided at my
Western home iii Michigan, and was busy with my
Sans included, Mr.. and Mrs Forrest visited Haln.
mazoo aud other parts of the Peninsula State, and
splendid models, physical and mental. of the
grander types Of man and woman and was
pleased TO note how happily they got on and over
the smooth and rough places In the matrimonial
Journey OF life.
IT WAS KATE AND NED ALWAYS
In my hearing between them In those sunny days
Of perfect loyalty and love. On one of Forests
calls at my house he found me putting the finish
Ing touches TO II play, and that naturally led to n
long ana animated conversation spon literary and
dramatic matters generally, which ended by my
promise at his particular request, to write PLAY
for him. To make u long story short and be as
little personal aspossible, may be permitted to
him completed o, X. to. the satisfaction of compe.
tent critics as well as myself Aud just here comes
in one Of the many odd writings OF the whiligig
OF time the little joker which makes aud mars
our aims and ends in this game of mortal lite.
Luck and chance are potent factors for good and
III to US ALL Shakespeare, the immortal bard and
seer, says:
There Is q tide in the afTllrs Of men
Which, taken at Its Hood, leads on to fortune;
but 1t was cub tide with me then, and my ship on
that uip got swumpcd, aud this was how II hap.
pened: l had Just written out for Forrest COPY
VI my original manuscript, when the newspapers
cameto hand filled with sensational and tragic ac-
counts OF
HIS SAVAGE ATTACK ON n. P. WILLIS
and his quarrel with and intended divorce from
Mrs. i. She was lady for whom then enter.
luined sincere admiration and respect. l thought
her innocent oithe cruel and scandalous charges
alleged against her, and ranged myself on her
side right orwrong at the start, MS ali brave men
ceTned. For that and other reasons made up my
mind to let my SdroH bide his time quietly, along
with other written lumber had On hand-and
There he 'bides to-day. From then until this
present writing saw nothing more of Mrs. r., and
met Forrest only occasionally on his professional
visits TO Washington. When last here and filling
his engagement at Ford's-his final appearance
there and elsewhere before lie shuflied of this
mortal coil -
iwEST TO SEE HIN IN vIRGISIUs
in response to kind note sent me, with his com.
plimcnts and regards. lie had been playing Il
round of his best ana heaviest characters for Two
weeks nightly, and was 0stonished and delighted
TO hnd how brilliantly his grand genius shone out
IN spite OF advancing years and iniTmities and the
hard overwork he had done, But he was not what
he hud been ut the high noon of his popularity
aud ihme, and ] remarked to n friend that ]
thought his great career was fastening 10 n close
life and glory went down with him into the gloom
and silence of the grave,
He gave his honors to the world again,
His better part to Heaven, and sleeps In peace.
But end this oyerlong communication by say.
Ing that, In my Judgment, Forests greatest
troubles were the result Of prCjudlces and passions
Unframed by 100 many lagos about him, on and on
tie Stage HIS nnbler nature, like OthellO's was
abused, and afer his wife was divorced he never
appeared 10 me TO be the same man had known
In former years. But he was q grand and great
actor, the marvel and model Of his time, and the
less we say by way Of aduation about his imtalors
the better for him and them,