Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-01
THE OLD COMEDIAN
HOnOred by the Tributes OF People,
Players and POet-A Testimonial
TO William Warren, Who
For Fortnight Years Has Delighted
Successive Generations Of Ameri-
cans, and Instructed Them.

Boston on Saturday night gave a rich testi-
monIal benefit 10 the veteran comedian, Will
liam Warren, the son of an actor and man.
ager of ability and repute In Philadelphia,
Baltimore and Washington. He made his
first appearance on the stage Of the Arch
Street Theater, in the role OF "Ioung Nor
val" in Homes tragedy of Douglas. The
Young man was William Warren, whose
name ranks with the foremost in the galaxy
of bright particular stars in the dramatic
armament Eight days previous TO the date
alluded to his father had died, leaving a
widow and four children in very destitute
circumstances. The managers and actors Of
Philadelphia organized a benefit Tor the poor
woman, and young Warren was put on the
bill. Junius Brulus Booth was TO play with
him, but failed to appear. 1t was notable
dramatic performance, and it led to the
brilliant hIstrionic career OF the youthful
de6utant if il did nothing else. Forty
eight years before, his father had COM
menced his dramatic history by appear
ing in the same role There was some
thing in this fact which led people to
speculate on the prospects OF tue young
man, Whatever direction their specu latIons
took matters not now. The results in the
Two cases were quite different. The elder
Warren died a poor, broken-down and disap-
pointed man, without friends. His son is
seventy years of age, has hosts OF friends,
admirers and enough money to live luxuri-
ously on for the balance of his Lille, and
tokens of affection and esteem which make
his coy quarters on Bulfuch place regu-
lar museum of curiosities and rare bits OF
art and brio a-brGc. The citizens OF Boston,
before ~..S1m he has appeared on the mimic
stage foI thirty-seven years, to-day joined
with him in celebrating the hf,ieth annlyer-
ssry of his first appearance in the profession
to which he has done 30 much honor. Mail
nee and evening dramatic performances
were given in the Museum, in which Mr..
Warren took part, assisted by many we'll
knos n actors and actresses. 1t was nota-
bic occasion, and one OF which any man
might well be proud. 1t is not given to
IN any men 10 look back on career of fifty
years in a profession. Mr.. Warren's privi-
lege in this respect is very highly sppre-
ciated by a man who is not only q finished
actor and accomplished scholar, but gen
ileman-a real gentleman OF the old school.
Mr.. Warren had but common school edu-
cation, for his father wished him TO lead Il
commercial life, but once on the boards he
studied earnestly and patiently until to-day
ne is one of the best read men in the pro-
fession. His career has been one OF hard
work, reverses, disapp0lntments and TIT
umphs. His Teverses only stimulated him
TO more persistent effort, and his triumphs
alone will last; they are permanent. Alter
his debut he went out a member OF a
strolliRg company, and was obliged to
trough it" in the Western States, the min
ing camps Of Pennsylvania and Ohio and
border towns further toward the setting
/ sun. He had a good chance TO study char
1 acter and 10 get n course OF salutary and
useful discipline. He acted in log cabins
barns, vacant stores and sometimes in sheds
He met all sorts of people-cOal miners
l frontiersmen. traders, etc.-and his mind
was gradually filled with stores OF ludicrous
| scenes and episodes, with "reminiscences Of
l queer characters and odd circumstances. All
| these have stood him in good stead since
| He played for two seasons in Pittsburg, foI
a season in Philadelphia and the neigh Dor
| ing towns, and, his reputation becoming
more extended, he went to New York. Ii
| 1871 he inside his first appearance in thai
| city. at the Old Park Theater, as ''Gregory
| Grizzle" in Webstel's farce, My Young Wy
| and Old Umbrella, and scored moderate
| success. He then went 10 Buffalo and spen
| the next four years in That city and the In
terror portions of the State. In 1S45 Mr.
1 Warren went to England, and while in tina
L country made a single appearance at tins
Il Strand Theater, in London, the occasion be
l ing the benefit OF Mrs Coleman Pope. III,
l enacted the part of "Col. Gormley" in Lo
cams farce Of The Ve,monter, with, we imag
/ inc, his brother-iu-law, Danford Marble, II
/ his original mart OF deuteronomy Dutful.'
| While abroad this tour being one OF pleas
| IRE rather than of business) Mr.. Warner
| visited the most noted places in England
l having. as a matter OF course, his devotlon
/ OF the shrine of alford-upou-Avon, anc
l he also made a brief "trip TO Paris and thu
Continent. He returned in 1916, and wa
l engaged. by Hackett & Ford, lessses oil thu
Howard Athep@um, in this city. Here h'
| M de his bow to Boston in the comedy o
| The RiuaIs
The New York HeralGs Boston correspond
| ent telegraphs that paper that the audlto
l rum of the Museum was packed to Its ut
most capacity long before the curtain wen
up on this sfttrnoon's performance. hi
| piay selected WAS The Her-dt-LqW, Mr.
l Wren appearing in the role of "Dr. Pan
gloss. LID. aud A. S. S." He was sup
ported by Messrs Barron, Hudson, Wilson
l Mason and Nolan, Mrs. Vincent, Mis-
/ Clarke, Miss Bartlett and others OF The regu
lar compsny. As the veteran comedian
| walked slowly on the stage he was met with
q storm of applause, which lasted seyers
minutes. He seemed for a few moments uu
neryed by a reception of such extraordinary
/ warmth and heariiness, and his voice trem
| bled perez ptibly as he began 10 render hi
! lines, but he quickly recovered his self pos
/ session and acted his role with more fnisi
l and effectiveness than ever before. The sup
| port was excellent, and the fine old comedy
ran smoothly from beginning 10 end A
l the close of the fourth act Mr.. Warren wa
called before the curtain and was rendered ;
| perfect ovation. After the applause ant
| cheers had subsidized he made a brie
l speech, which was hardly audible on accoun
l OF the actors emotion. He said he hsd beef
accustomed so long 10 appear before hi
l auditors and kind friends somebody els
kthat he felt greatly embarrassed when pre-
ssnting himself IN ptop'ia persona. ID
| Alluded in graceful terms 10 the shower o
Letters and kilograms of consratulation whicl
had poured in upon him, and expressed nj
| gratitude for the kind thoughIfulness OF hi
l friends, aynong whom he especially m n
toned Melsrs. Wallack, Jefferson, MpCul
| Tough, Barrett and Mss Mary Anderson. A
the evening perform ance the house VS.
| again packed. The boxes were gayly deco
rated and filed with distinguished visitor
who came TO pay their tribute TO me ACTOR
/ genius. The play presented was Sheridan,
School for Scandal. Mr.. Warren assumed hi
favoriIe role of "Sir Peter Teszle," and wa
supJoft-I ty the entire stock company
The enthusiasm was greater, if possible, tina
| in the afternoon. The veteran comedia
was at his best. His seventy years scenes
to sit lightly upon him. He ssid his line
Il with the same JUNCTION anu gave Tue sam
| expressive force and effectiveness to tn
character that has always marked his dra
matte efforts. s2He was The recipient Q
| many floral of finss-spd- xas again obigs
| 10 make a speech.
T. GIFT TO MR.. WARREN.
From The New York Tribune we learn tina
after the performance had ended at tn
1 Museum q committee called upon MI
WarreH at his residence, No. Bulfnc
Tplacp, to present TO him 4 testimonial from
| absent friends. The committee was header
by Mr.. William Winter, of the New Yorl
| Tribune, and it comprised Mr.. james r. o.
| good, Mr.. Nathan Appleton, Mr.. Fred A
| Viuon, the artist who has painted Mr.. War
| reni portrait, Rassell Stillwell and Mr.. +
II NJ. Field, OF the Boston Museum. Mr.. War
rem WAS found at supper With a large mum
Der of guests, both ladies and gentlemen
The esentation was made with it'll
| rmality as possible. The gift 10 Mr.. War
rem is 8 m assve and beautiful Loving Cup
made OF beaten silver, lined with gold-th
| work of Tiffany, of New York-and it bear
| the following iDgcription: ITO WilliaI
| Warren. Commemorative OF the completio
of His Fiftieth Year upon the Stage. Augu;
q, 1882. From Joseph Jefferson, Edwi
Booth, Mary Anderson, john McCulloug
| and Lawrence Barretf.D In presenting
Mr.. Winter made an address and read tn
I following poem;
---'~s,es OF aat4mn strew the sod,
Red e., snSds wear crimson Shields
| The bannereu So
1 The sster and the golden-Iv-
4 Deck all the fields.
Il