New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-23
JOHN GILBERT, ACTOR.
SOME PERSONAL RECoLLECTIoNs.

II during several years spent In WaiiacKs
when Lester Wallack directed tho fortunes OF tho
theatre at the Of Thrteenthst and Broan~ay'
called the Star, that the writer came TO KNOW
John Gilbert we'll and to Admire his sterling IN
cSrity, manly force OF character and downrRhtneSs
OF expression OF feeling Everybody esteemed John
Gilbert, but he not man 20 generally inspire
warm affection, as outside OF the theatre ho nVed III
extremely retired fashion, not entertaining any WISH
tors At his apartments here, and even at MS suihor
home at Manchester on-Sea, whore ne hal pretty
cottage he rarely threw open his doors TO more than
a very few especially favored friends. MT. GllDerl
announced on tho programme OF WalacRs az
acting m anager, but he took scarcely any part IN
the direction OF the stage, and the position was given
TO him by Mr. Wallsck moro as marx OF hohor anu
distinction than with any Idea OF IT'S entaling active
duties. Occasionally Mr. Gilbert would be asRcd 10
rad a play and report thereon, but however admra-
bic was his taste In classic dramas Mr.. Wsllack did
not rcly implicitly the veterans opinion Of modern
work. which he usually inclined to regard unfaVor
ably.
whether called for rehearsal or not, Mr. Gilbert
used I'm those days to como down TO the theatre De
tween IL and l2 o'clock to hear the news ana have
chat. lie given to carrying an umbHIA anu
this he would put under his arm and occasionally
take from thero In emphasizing his nusrhs' eN
actly In the way he did when playing stout III
" Money! Indeed his Stout more nearly
reflex OF his personal pecularities than almost any
ethor part IN which | saw him. Few mon would give
vent TO an occasional mild oath with more elect
whether on or of the stage, than John Gilbert Inc
public used to like to hear him swear and " damn
from his mouth raised laugh, when from another IL
might have drawn forth signs Of dIsappnval Dur
ing these morning visits Mr. Gilbert would some
times tell us brief stories OF his visits to England and
Of his rerocctons OF Macready but no had not he
gift N mimcry which Lester Waack possessed. and
could not show us how the great actors he remembered
moved, looked and spoke. In those days The thea'o
was PROSPEROUS 1t was during the run of " Tho
shaug hraun,n and two or three sessons afbr mat
refer to- Mr. Wallack In good health and spirits.
and would frequently treat HIS business saf to iml
iaIons Of his father, MsCrshy, Charles k"an Ben
janin Webster, Old Bucftone, ke-lcy ana o'hor
famous English actors. No one better apprciatnh
or more enjoyed these than did John Gilbert inc
old gcntlcnan~-u thought him old then, though u
was nearly fifteen years ago--wsS remarkably ali
stcnious one glass OF toddy his way home af'er
the theatre being "a rule, the extent OF his lihafonS
He however IN the warm weather, wmild sometimes
take glass OF Rhine wine. and wouih always Kho"
Uhcr some that especially good was oo'aihao'.
Occasionally he would come 10 me, and IN q mys-
trrious whisper say There's now caSk on TAP III
Fuurt.cnth-st, let US 60 round the corner To be
lhus selected as his companion was esteemed grst
honor for he rarely INDUCED IN the American habit
of " trratinG7
Although Mr.. Gilbert then = rich man.
having had or two considerable fortunes eit NM
he was. while not mean, remarkably economical III
his expenditures, not only IN private Dut on Ms h'aE
wardrobe lie was not ignorant that this peculiarly
was known and one day he SAID 10 me- " They think
I'm prruy Close but hop" I'm not ~ bal As Forrest
was | rrmrnh,.r time Wien Thomas harry
WAS running the ihcairr IA Hos"n. We had had
Wv bad season and had accepted two t.rl, salary
an such time as Barry could pull out Of III" hole.
He was the soul OF honor aud "" knew Ia would pay
up as soon as he could. Things Kept g''tns w"r'"'
and A. last resort, Harry engaged Forrest FOR Nv"
weeks nj salary OF several hundred ii" lar. lut
even Forrest Gh not draw; ! question 1! tie total
~ cclpi, were a. much ~ his salary. harry V"r
sad ANYTHING. hut with gwai deal Of srrapns t"'
together the nrCc sary Tho treasurer paiH i u
Forrest and took his receipt. good deal II The
money was In rolls OF silver dollar. Ia about hhf
an hour FORREST came back, throw down dollar Anl
said They tell me at bank that dollar Il iGnt
and worth only 80 cents. Give me another for IL,
The treasurer gave him another AMI eyer after kept
that light dollar II mcmcntO Of tho great actor