, 1882-03-04
TIE SOTHERNS.
The Unhappy Domestic Life of Soth
crn. the Actor.

Few, if any, of the thousands who
were wont to gather in theaters al over
the country when the late E. 4 Scthern
was announced to appear as Lord Dun
dreary were at all aware of What a world
of renation and annoyance the laughter
making comedian endured in his marital
relations.
Mrs Sothern has painfully gone over
to the large majority during the past
week, and her death has revived conver-
sarion On a topic which has always been
of interest to those who know the parties
Each accused The other Of marital iniidel-
ity; both were handsome, witty and adj
mned Constant differences very likely
estranged husband and wife, bu. both werc
extremely fond of the children, of whom
there were four-three boys and girl
Living with their mother during their
fathers long absences III America. it was
natural they should cling To her anu es-
pouse her side of the quarrel Being
misunderstood and unappreeia,ed by them
was gall and bitterness TO poor Sothern,
for he was not only very fond of them,
but exceedingly fond of home Lie, and
domestic in his tastes, despite of his years
OF rowing. After the separation he went
TO live with his sister, Mrs Cowan, his
dear Polly, of whom he was always
talking She Is highly intelligent, re-
tined, and elegant woman, the widow of
an Episcopal clergyman, but entirely free
from bias and prejudice concerning the
stage life. Without her. care and pro-
lection it is painful to think of what poor
Sothern dying days would have been,
for his family, particularly his eldest son,
Lytton, kept up meroiless persecution
of him to the end. Dramatic papers pub
lished in America, of that stamp whose
very breath Of life is personal cllumnla-
tinn, and which naturally selected the gay
comedian as target, were sent to SGthern
for his perusal by his family, as he be-
lieved, during his final hours of pam,
when even an enemy might have been
generous for simple humanitys sake
Thus placed between two fires, Mrs
Couan has had delicate part To play,
but she has played 1t nobly and with en-
tire Justice 70 all. Had she desired she
might have induced Mr. Sp,hern to dis
inherit his children, and, though lac made
her the executrix If his viii, he provided
equally fo: al, without rIncor- With
one exception the children have all tahen
to.the stage, and it is very possible that
in view of higher salaries they may all 90
to America, now the mother is dead
There was curious complication about
the furniture which the late Mrs. SOthern
had in use in the house she occupied in
Colosseum teIIdCe- Nhch 'ptA'th anu
his wife were last living together they bad
a superb house in Harley street, beautl-
fully furnished in the richest manner,
and full OF raluihle works of art. After
the separation Mrs. S,thern moved this
furniture to the smaller house, where she
died. and Scthern wen. to hive IN We're
street. III a house where the latch string
was always out to Americans, and which
was furnished with articles belonging tn
his sister. Fearing that by some quibhle
Of the law Mrs Cowan might he deprived
If her own belongings by his bitter faIni-
". MIR. Sothern left all his ,urniture, car
rianes, horses, works OF art, etc, to Mrs.
Cowan, with the proviso that Mrs Soth-
ern SHOULD continue in possession of that
she was using during her lifetime ThIs
should be an additional reason Why the
children should 90 to America They
have now Il free foot, ana 1t would doubt
less be an advantage g. them, as 1t was
in such a marked degIe. to their father.
to cut loose. fron, The limited Opportuni-
ties Of the london sta.e-lfe, aud try
their fortunes in the United Sta,es--Lon.
don Letter