New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-16
NOTES FROM LONDON.
MIR. SAM WARDS DEATH-MR. IRVING AND
THE THEATRICAL FUND DINNER.


Mr.. Sam Wards death is widely and sincerely
lamented in England. doubt whether his friends
In this country knew or cared much about his per-
sonal history in America beyond the one fact that he
took care of them when in the States as nobody
else ever did His dinners. his introduetions, his
advice TO the travelling Briton, were the foundar
ton of his extraordinary popularity among the
Britons at home and very sufficient foundation
II was. They all said when they came back that
they had never had so good time as when under
Uncle Sans care. He even. as you perceive, taught
them to speak American. and in this also they de-
lighted almost as much as they did in the banquets
with which he RECALLED them at Demonico's. He
really did much to make America and Americans
better liked in England, and that is a service which
may be set off against considerable catalogue of
faults which, in common with other mortals, he
undoubtedly was chargeable with. The fact that
he did il by what called Inequalities neither en-
hances nor diminishes the merit of his service Din
ing was with him one of the most serious functions
of life and a criticism of dish opinion upon
vintage was never lightly delivered Nobody can for
get it who beheld the series Of calculated evou
tons by which he first acquired for himself and
then conveyed 70 the company, his judgment on
glass of caret The keen eye upon the latter to see
that ne wrought no harm upon the precious fluid as
he let it flow from crystal to another the deli
cate adjustment OF EuSer anu JHulho W els,o,
the pose of the glass be lifted it the coucentra
ton of his whole being in the sense of smell as the
bouquet of the wine reached the nerves which trans
nitted il to the brain the touch of the lips which
followed, and the instant, subtle, decisive com
parison of bouquet with flavor; the delicious con
tent which spread his features if both senses
were satisfed the appeal to friends hard by to
share in the delight; the graceful invisible lines
which the glass described In the air as he set it
- -
h the simple act of tasting and testing new bottle,
has never seen Uncle Sam III his best estate.
He had definitely taken up his residence in Eu-
rope and in England for choice. A friend who was
hunting in Central Tartary lent him his chambers
n Piccadily and there he nominally lived. But he
ealy spent most of his time under the roof of some
me of those friends who gladly opened their
houses to him. suppose he was more with Lord
2osebery than with any other single host; at Dal-
neny at Mentmore at the Durdans; and next
fter him he may have given the preference to the
Duke of Sutherland. He had only to choose where
e would go and any number of doors were wide
pen to receive HIM.
The secret of popularity like this is not easily to
Ne explained. and no single explanation is ever
nough That he was charming companion In
us best days most agreed. He had plenty OF
slk-aneedote. experience, quotation, sometimes
sit or repartee of his own. He had charm of man
,er. He had that confidence which a French
Erter has declared to supply more talk than wit
loes He could make himself heard and lead the
augh at his own joke. STILL there Were plenty OF
nen as brilliant he. or more brilliant, who had
,ot a 1.-THE of his fame am disposed TO sum up
he whole secret In the word sympathetic He
lways gave you of his best and gave il with infinite
GOODWILL If it was a pleasure to you, it was at
east as great a pleasure to him. He lived good
art of his life III sweetening the lives of other
eople in what he called little things; gifts, atten
IONS messages of congratulation or confidence
ie was curousy considerate of others wishes, and
e had withal shrewd perception of weaknesses
f which he knew how to avail himself. lie would
axe infinite pains to Oblige or please friend and
pent money to the same end with little or no
hought. The French have a word which hits him
If exactly He was serrG6Ie. And he was not
nly liked but really loved by many of those whom
,e loved and with whom he lived. The kindness
# his nature called out the kindness of Others.
While he lay III in Rome a striking proof OF the
,ffecAon his friends bore him happened to become
Known TO me- 1t is purely personal and perhaps
might not to repeat it, Yet why should notf 1t
. only that Lord ROsebery, hearing suddenly one
morning that his life in danger, made ready TO
tart that same night for Rome three days Jour
aey by rail. During the day, however, came an
sther telegram to say that all fears were at an end
What brought him so near his end in Rome was the
Roman fever. He succumbed at last, hear, to
heart disease and long as bis illness had been his
death was sudden. l could tell you many stories
If him and quote much English eulogy OF him pup
isbed since the came But It IS TO be SAID thaJ
nobody who had not known Sam Ward personally
will ever know him from description. Nor 90
think he cared for general fame. What he would
have cared for and what he has in supreme degree
h the tribute of aiectionate and regretful remem-
brance among his friends.
Yesterdays dinner of the Royal General Theat-
risal Fund Ia cumbrOus title gave MIR. irving the
ounortnuity of making his first appearance before
The British public since his return from America.
Go the advertisements told The dinner is one at
bicb celebrities are often to be found IN numbers
Last night they were mostly absent Possibly 1t
nos Thought best to let Mr.. lryings star shine by
tsef its radiance all undmmed by the brightness OF
~val luminaries Dr. Russell and MIR. I00Ie were,
,arhans the most distinguished of those who sup
norted Mr.. Irving each of them at the head OF his
own branch of bis own profession
use the word support in its technical sense
When in this country you are asked TO support the
chairman of big public banquet. it means com
monty that you may look forward 10 eating an I'M
,ommonly bad dinner. in a hot unventilated hall,
.ittno between two men neither OF whom you know
and one of whom you hope never TO meet again
NJ no, snnpose am recOunting and ayenging my
o,vn exnerieuce of last night. The dinner was bad
odmt but | am Of Mr.. Gilbert's opinion ut Is one
of his unpublished opinions that what Is on the
,obIe matters less than what is on the chairs. And
I eat last night next to good friend and good
,aIker and we protected each other as well as we
could against the shower of cold potatoes ana
greasy sauces which fell about u.s. and reduced the
amounts of our subscriptions to the Iheatrcal
Fund by the estimated cost of repairs to our eoa'S
and trousers.
Mr. Irving. of course made a speech; indeed he
.,ade two; not counting those in which he intro
aced the regulation toasts to the Queen the Prince