The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-07
THE PLAYERS CLUB.
The Splendid Gift of Edwin Booth to
the Actors.

w.
the Actors.
STAFF Correspondence Of The Appeal.
New YoRg, Jan. 2.-As the old year
was about to take its leave, there was
scene OF activity around the staid and dig
nifed corner OF Gramercy Park where the
Tilden mansion stands wrapt in the soli-
tude OF its magniicence. Carriages drove
up to the door OF II quantity pretty house
brightly lighted within and strangely
ominous OF forthcoming festivities. Men
were hurrying along the streets in this
direction, and only men were being set
down by the carriages. The rustic Of silk
or the sight OF dainty satin bottina were
foreign TO the occasion. The big oak door
of the gay little house was opened, and
within there was brilliant scene. White
and gold and oak harmonized beautifully
and under the effect OF strong light were
most pleasing as an adjunct TO the
living picture Edwin Booth stood in
the center Of the big reception room
surron led by one OF ths mp,t interesting
groups Of men. DAILY stood behind him,
Barrett, Palmer and Gen. Sherman TO his
right, and facing him were Mark Twain,
Gen. Horace Porter, Whitcaw Reid and Il
hundred others equally distinguished
Mr.. Booth made the opening address or
rather the presentation speech in his own
supremacy charming manner. Al the
conclusion he took the deeds TO the prop
erty from his pocket and handed them TO
Mr.. DAILY, thus making an actual pres
ent Of 100000 to the players Club"
Great enthusiasm and long applause fol.
lowed which were acknowledged in his
usual modest way by the eminent actor
Mr.. DAILY in his awkward, stumbling style
accepted the noble gift and then proposed
Long Life and Every Honor 10 Edwin
Booth" A whoe-souled and mighty
cheer rose from that notable throng and
filed the rcmotest nook and Granny of the
house. Lawrcnceliarctt then stepped for
ward and read alettcr he hal just received
from Mr. Booths daughter, Edwina Il.
Gr0ssman. Mr.. Barrett was 30 moved he
could scarcely read the letter; particularly
was this the case when he came 10 the
passage In which Mrs. Grossman asks
him ito place the accompanying wreath
on the dear brow ! 50 love" As Mr..
Barrett handed this wreath % Edmond
Booth the great deep toned musical clock
in the Banquet Hall struck II and Edwin
;. Conner, the Oldest living American
actor. then kissed both OF the hands OF
Mr. Booth. The loving cup, massive
silver ilagon, which belonged Ia Junius
Brutus Booth, WIS filed with champagne.
and, after Mr. Booth drank from Il. was
passed around. The lnle log, another
offering from Mrs. Grossman, was lighted
by her father and blazrd cheeriully in the
huge Il c.placc Oi the reception room. The
big doors TO the dining room were
thrown open aud splendid array Of
good things dazlled the ewes Of
the gourmet Everyone then settled
down TO good timo aud mirth and merri
mcnt were absolute rulers ill the new
year was we'll started on It's way To use
Mr.. Booths word, the admirable recon
struction aud establishment Of the club.
house IL Mr.. Stanford Whites, and the
name Of the club was given by the poe:
Aldrich. Mr.. Whites scheme Tor the ex-
terror OF the house may not meet with gen.
cral admiration. for in the arrangement of
balcony running along the front Of the
iirst story, with the entrance door in the
basement, lac departs from the stcrcotypcd
rules Of the metropolitan architect. For
this Mr.. White deserves credit, partcu-
/ larry since the uiililaitOn OI the lower door
ns an entrance hcighicns immcasurahy
the appearance OF the interior aud gives q
| great dra' more room. The basement With
its marble flooring has large billiard.
room and all the culinary departments
| On the tlrst loOr, which is reached by n
broad oak staircase, there il reception
room in front, large, square rccep-
ton hall nnd then handsome
dining room. Hanging from the center Of
the ceiling here In remarkable chande.
Her made OF dccr's antlcrs. The second
floor Is almost entirely taken up by the
library. which already has fine collection
Of books and prints. aud some IT the most
interesting old play bills. Augusiin DAILY
has given the club his valuable collection.
II was amusing MONDAY night 10 see John
Gilbert, Conner aud several more old men
past three scun aud ten recalling tho day
when they used 10 play together thirty
aud forty years ngo. Above the many big
iiwplacrs aud over some OF The doors are
quotations from Shakespeare, selected by
Aldrich. Mr. Booth has suite Of rooms
ON an upper floor The players" have ~
comfortable aud tasteful home M amy
club In the city. W. V. X.