National Republican., 1882-12-25
JOHN MCCULLOUGH ANGRY.
A Scene in the Dining Room Of a New Haven
Hotel.
Calling n Clergyman 60 Account for an Az
front 60 Lady OF His Company.
spectnl DLspatch 70 Ne " Y snn.

NEW HAVEN, Dec. 23.--Last evening John
Mccullough played here in "Virginius.n
This morning he assumed new role at his
hotel, and created more excitement than he
did at the theater last night. 1t seems that
some uncomplimentary remarks relating to
Mr.. Mccullough and the theatrical profession
had reached Mr.. McCullough's cars, supposed
to have been uttered by the Rev. F. s. Hyde,
an Episcopal clergyman of Wcstville and
former resident of Lockport n. Y. The ira
gedian laughed at the stories until told that
Mrs. Augusta Foster, member of his com
pany, who appears as Servia, had been SUBJ
jeCtcd to indignities onaccOunt of the clergy
mans remarks. Mrs. Foster, it seems, after
taking her seat at the same table with the
keV. Mr hyde, went to get her pocketbook
which she had left in her room. On her re-
turn she attempted to resume her seat but the
head waiter placed her at another table. She
inquired the reason why, and was told that
the clergyman objected to her presence
When Mr.. Mccullough entered the dining
room he found Mrs. Foster in tears. He in
quired the cause and on being informed went
toward the Rev. Mr.. HYDE and in A voice
that could he heard throughout the room said:
You have taken the liberty TO use my
name in public in an unwarranted manner.
You have gone further and cast u slur unon
u lady member of my company, q lady
whose character is above suspicion Any
one who would be guilty of such an act as
yours is unworthy of tho profession you fol-
low"
Hero Mr. Mccullough became excited, and,
raising his arm in threatening attitude, con-
tinued in a voice so distinct that it could be
heard all over the spacious room
" If it was not for the clothes you wear and
which you so dishonor, l would give you a
personal chastisement that you would never
MI ra n ttnfc Ia la,
Mr.. Mccullough said soon afterward to tho
SUNS correspondent that an apology had beeN
made to him by the Clergyman, who said that
no affront to Mr.. Mccullough, the lady, or the
dramatic profession was intended by him
Tho man apologized in such an abiect
manner to me-" continued Mr.. Mccullough,
"and asked me to apologize to Mrs. Foster
that | am forced to the charitable conclusion
that he is a mild species of crank. He is so
utterly devoid of any principle that could
protect him that l wish to say nothing. [
assure you that l never was SO angry in nv
life before, and you can imagine my feelings
when | say that talked to him before a whole
room full of respectable people in language
that would never allow any man to address
to me without resenting it, / wouldn't in
jure any one under any circumstances. This
mans situation, after his apology, is some-
thing really pitiable. I told him that the
slur he had cast upon onr profession was un-
worthy the noble calling he had seen fit to
represent"
MI Hyde was profuse in his apologies, and
to Miss Forsythe, the leading lady member
of the company, he said:
" ] apologize to you, and I beg of you to
apologize to Mrs. Foster and explain it to her
As u church member | never attack the
drama. Yourlife is one of temptation, but--'
Here the lady stopped him, and with an air
of dignity said:
That is an exploded notion. If woman's
heart is right she is exposed to no tempta-
ton, and runs no risk. Our life is one of bus
mess, and we are constantly on the go. The
temptations of the stage are an exploded idea.
| know that had more foolish scrapes as a
school girl than have had since l followed
my profession"
Mr.. Hyde continued to apologize, and added
that he was not an enemy of the stage. Il
consider that the higher the ability the bet
ter and more instructive the drama" he said.
Il think the drama more beneficent and
instructive to the public than the pulpit" was
the lady's reply.
Mr.. Hyde then made adieus, and retired