National Republican., 1883-03-08

ton, Alfieri and others, arc dominated by the
superb heroic statue in which Thomas Ball
has perpetuated Edwin Forrest as Coriolanus.
This eloquent marble form still impresses the
visitor with the influence of the actors per
sonality-mOre so than the life-size portrait
in crayon which stands opposite, one among
numerous pictures of him who is still felt to
be the master of SpringbrOoS, the famous and
generous host of the house.
The register showed the names Of but few
actors; John Mccullough, Frank Chanfrau,
the late Il. l.. Davenport, Lotta, Clara Fisher
Maeder, Kate Meek, and others have been
guests for q few hours, but as rule, MEM
bers of the profession arc conspicuous by their
absence. On the other hand, an avalanche of
visitors from all parts of the country invade
this semi-public place and inscribe their
names in the triste and commonplace record
of the great unknown. The superintendent
of the home is Mr.. Rue, who is n living con-
tradiction to the popular superstition that
there is something in n name. Mr.. Rue is n
vivacious, animated, cordial and eminently
hospitable person. Unlike his late lamented
predecessor, he does not curdle the life blood
in the veins of professional visitors. The
family carryall awaited me at the station, the
family carryall conveyed me thence later in
the day, after an interesting inspection and
chat and bountiful dinner. well served in
the cheerful dining room ON the ground floor.
There are at present eight inmates of the
home; the law allows twelve at a time, and,
by the same token, four more are presently to
be received. As the mansion is full, at least
three of them will be lodged in the cottage
near by, where preparations are going for
ward for their arrival. | believe that one of
the now comers will be Mr.. Bascombe, the
actor, whose feet were frozen in his attempt
to
STRUGGLE ON HOME
last winter. Strangely enough, he had just
before then come to the Forrest home and APP
piled, not for admission, but " for something
to do" There was nothing to offer him, and
he moved on" Some of the inmates of the
home who have some little means are often
called on to lend helping hand to poor fell
lows in distress-sometimes, however, not
always the most deserving objects of charity.
The inmates can leave when they like to
visit friends their railway fares are paid,
and some money is given them TO spend.
Their wearing apparel is provided; in short
they have nothing to do but to content them
selves with the monotOnous round of peace
full and prosperous end of their days
To people in health and vigor even such
a comfortable asylum would prove, l fancy,
n prison. but to those in some way
untitled to struggle with the world and pre-
pared to rest from their labors, it must be a
delightful haven of rest. Finally, there is a
graveyard, where two mounds are already
within the inclosure, at the foot of the lawn
or meadow that sloped from the rear of the
two story mansion, with its turreted barn,
grapery, and ice house The Delaware shines
in the distance; one catches a sight of white
steamboats, plying between Trenton and
Philadelphia, and this broad domain Of ITO
acres must have seemed to the weary eyes of
some who alighted at the doors of Spring
brook the name of the estate comes from
little stream that gurgles through the
grounds-the very Mecca, the promised land
In the sunshiny reading room on the sec
ond floor very old gentleman was seated
with II paper in his hand he seemed feeble
to degree, and the writer was not surprised
to learn that he had recently arisen from
bed of illness. An old lady, very cheerful,
with purple ribbons in her white cap, came
in to welcome u.s. As she spoke of the awful
misfortune of her son-one of tho best
known property men her voice trem-
bled; he was preparing some red fire,
when an explosion occurred, and his cyesight
was lost forever Young active, industrious
what misfortune. He can do nothing but
had killed him; he was not even distigured.
His wife was the only bread winner for
their family. She is able to earn per-
haps 50 per week by going on in the bal
let. When she used to trip on at Booths,
people who knew her sad life pitied
0eT, inc llUllc dark woman WIN tne
retrOusse nose. A white and blue dress in Il
Greek pattern, white tights and blue boots,
and blue cap; rouge on her cheeks, sorrow in
her heart, doubtless with the blind husband
at home, the children to feed, the poverty and
uncertainty of the bitter and unceasng fight
for bread. The old lady worries about her
poor son, whose misfortune led to her COM
ing to the home, but she is grateful and con-
tented-a most deserving person. The gen.
tlenan with the florid face and the long
whiskers in the typical English style, was
once rope dancer his CHEEKY companion
is the son of far western manager. OF Mr..
Thoman, full of "reminiscences of Macready,
the elder Wallack, Forrest with whom he
played when only II years of age), have al
ready spoken he is a valuable member of
the family, and intends ere long to
CATALOGUE ALL THE BOOKS
in the great library. Beside Mrs. Burroughs,
an old member of the institution, and once
connected with the opera, l was cordially re-
ceived by one of the most popular and best
known members of the profession, Mrs. Jane
English, who spends her winters at the home,
bubher summers, as Il rule with friends else
where The mother of Lucille and Helen
Western has their pictures in her cheerful
room; there are two of Lucille-that gifted
actress whose fire and passion left an impress
sion which still endures. Mrs. English some
times speaks of her daughter, and apropos of
Camille" told how Matilda Heron for long
time refused to part with her original manu-
script of the play despite Lucille Western's
offer of 5000 for two benefit performances !;
finally, just before her derth, she sold the
right to Lucille for this amount. She was
determined that Lucille Western should not
play the part, and her wish was respected.
Nevertheless, the eccentric Matilda played q
version of East Lynne" under tho title of
"The Earl's Daughter mot, however, with
success. Lucille Western was playing her first
starring engagements on Forests OFF nights in
Baltimore when she first produced :" East
Lynne, u verson ofwhich had been constructed
by Clifton Tayleure. "Bah !" she said, "this
is food for babies !" and, going ahead, in course
of time made version herself, suggestions
being accepted at rehearsals from Barton Hill
and Il. X. Collier, who were playing Sir
Francis Levison and Archibald Carlyle. Mrs.
English has this original manuscript as well
as many others belonging to her daughter.
Some of these have been purchased by Fanny
Davenport, who will, however. not need to
produce them until Fedora" has lost its
vogue. At the Forrest SALE Mrs. English,
who had personally renovated many of the
costumes-some were almost rotten--made
several purchases, including the tragedian's
posset cups out of which, doubtless, many u
drop of cumfort had been drained. This
lady produced an interesting souvenir-the
wreath of laurel with which Nine. Methua
Schiller crowned Edwin Forrest in New York
nearly score of years ago, The satin ribbon
that binds it bears the inscription of homage
in gilded letters.
A not unfamiliar voice greeted me at
SpringbroOk. Years have passed since
heard the same tones in n remote town in
NnNNrN H.s1t