The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1883-07-13
Anecdotes Of Edmund Kean.

In the biographies of Kean severa
instances are given of the style of the
great actor in the character of a re.
buker. On one occasion, when fulfill
ing a starring engagement at Ports.
mouth, he accepted an invitation t.
luncheon at one of the chief hotels OF
the place. The landlord waited on the
party in person. Kean no sooner
caught sight of him than his manner
altered. ''Stay, is not your name
-" The landlord answered IN the
affirmative. ''Then, sir, viii not eat
or drink in your house. Eight years
ago went into your coffee-room, an1
modestly requested glass of ale. !
was then astrolling player, ill-clad and
poor in pocket. You surveyed me
from top to toe, and having done so
heard you give some directions to youI
waiter, who looked at me suSpiciouslys
and then presented to me the glass
with one hand, holding out his other
Tor the money. l paid and he
gave me the glass. l am better dressed
now. can drink Madeira; | am
waited on by the landlord in person
but am | not the same Edmund Kean
that l was then, and had not Edmund
Kean the same feelings then as he has
now?N The landlord stammered au
apology. Apology exclaimed the
tragedian scornfully. Away with
you, sir. / will have none of your
wine. With this he hurriedly left the
house.
On another occasion a manager, who
in former days had dealt hardly with
Kean, had fallen into reduced eircum.
stances and asked Edmund to play
for his benefit The latter consented.
On the night before the performance
Kean and large party of actors were
seated in tavern parlor, when the eX-
manager, thinking the remembrance OF
ancient indignity buried, got up and
made a speech about Kean's generosity
and informed the company that the
| great tragedian, who had known him in
his prosperity, was not averse to prove
himself friend in his adversity. This
was too much for Kean; he rose to his
feet and, directing q whitening glance
at the manager said to him: ''Do not
let us misunderstood each other | am
bound to you by no ties of former ac-
quaintance. | do not play for you be-
cause you were once my manager, or
manager. If ever man deserved his
destiny it is you; if ever there was a
family of tyrants it is yours. | do not
play for you for former friendship, but
play for you because you are fallen
man." Afterward Kean, when excus-
ing his warmth of temper, said: 81 am
sorry 1 forgot myself, but when I and
mine were starving, that fellow refused
to let subscription for me be enter
tanned in the theater"
Nobler, however, than any of the re-
| Dukes directed against those who had
wounded his feelings in the days of his
poverty was that which, when fame and
fortune were smiling upon him, he adj
/ ministered to the Earl of Essex. That
nObleman, who was one of his most ar
dent admirers, demonstrated with him
for being seen arm-in-arm with Incle.
don, the singer, telling him that il
would initiate againsthis being received
in aristocratlc circles Kean replied
''My lord, Mr.. Incledon was my friend
in the strictest sense of the word, when
[ had scarcely another friend in the
world; and if | should now desert him
in the decline of his popularity, or fall
of his fortune, | should little deserve the
friendship of any man and be quite un
worthy the favorable opinion your lord
ship has done me the honor to entertain
of me. AL the Year Round.