Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-09-19
VANDERBILT AND IRVING.
The American Crmsus' Patronage of
Music, Art, and the Drama.


| am puzzled to know how the inter
viewers are going to get at Mr. Henry
Irving. If Mr.. Irving is going to be the
guest of Mr.. w. IL. Vanderbilt. certainly
no muddy-hoOted reporter would have the
temerity to brave Mrs. anderbit's draw
ing rooms. Mr.. Irving is an excellent ad-
Vertiser. There is hardly better one on
the stage. But tn nix that he never did
a better piece of advertising for himself
than when he accepted Mr. Wander
bits invitation. An actor who can he
the guest of the wealthest man ia
America is an actor that everybody will
want to see. 70 most people here he will
not be Henry Irving, the great English
actor, but he will he the English actor
who stopped at the Nanderbilts. | won
der what will be the topics of his con
VersatiOn with the famous millionaire
certainly not the drama in its widest
sense, for 1 don't think Mr.. Vanderbilt is
very deeply read in the literature of the
stage; but, then, Mr.. Irving is a man Of
infinite tact, and he will talk well on anv
subject,-sO Mr.. Vanderbilt will find him
the most agreeable man to talk with that
has ever been inside his house. He will
discuss stocks and bonds and fast horses
with as much enthusiasm as though
stocks and bonds and fast horses We're
the only things that he cared for in this
life
Another thing | would like to know. is
Miss Ellen Terry going to stay at the
Nanderbilts also? Miss Ellen Terry is
not Mrs. Irving, for two excellent reasons.
One because there is another Mrs. Irving
in the field, and second, because there Is
Mr.. Ellen Terry somewhere. In fact. !
believe there are two Mr.. Ellen Terry,s
Under these circumstances the disiin-
guished actress can hardly be a guest of
Mrs. Vanderbilt, though believe there is
agnI In 20
being on the most intimate footin,e
with the ladies of the family,
There is no man in England more popular
among ladies than Mr.. Irving. AS al
ready intlmated, he can adapt himself to
any circumstances. When a guest of the
wealthy and pious Baroness Burdett-
Coutts aboard her yacht, he read morn
ing and evening prayers. There is no
emergency, in fact, for which Mr.. Irving
is not ready. lie is going to be a great
success over here. There is no doubt
about that. Whether he would be sue
cessnl for two seasons am not sure. but
for one he is certainly going to be the
rage.
Mr.. William II. Vanderbilt. altbouoh
not possessed of any special fondness for
music, art, or the drama, aspires to be n
patron to all three. OF his picture-buying
we have read enough in the papers To
know that he does not stint himself in
that regard. His patronage Of the drama
is shown by his invitation to Mr.. Irving.
Through Nine. Christine Nilsson he shows
what he thinks Of music. | suppose that
Thomas symphony concert would bore
Mr.. Vanderbilt beyond expression; but
for a simple song, particularly an old
time negro melody, he has "a great deal
Of appreciation. Nine. Nilsson, how
ever, has as much tact as Mr.. Irving.
She was at the VanderbiIts while she was
here last year with Mr.. Abbey and sang a
number Of her free and easy sonQs TO the
railroad king and a few Of his friends. He
was so delighted that, bringing his fist
down ON one of the fragile mlaid tables
with force that almost broke its legs. he
exclaimed, ''YOu shall open that new
opera house, 40 matter what it COSTS
and as that was just exactly what Nine.
Nilsson wanted she won the day and Mr..
Vanderbilt at the same time by her little
song. Had she sung an aria from one of
Wagners operas, instead Of "Way Down
Upon the Suwanee Riyer,' she would
probably not have been invited 10 open
the new opera-house. This shows what
song can accomplish.