Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-27
Mr.. COyle's Theatrical "Reminiscences.

To the Editor OF The Evening Star:
find in my box at your Office from time to
time letters from correspondents whom nv
"reminiscences have interested. There are two
this week for which beg space to reply. Mr..
Thomas Jewell is evidently a connoisseur in
theatricals and his memory goes back to a
period even anterior to my own. This gentle
man has lost great intellectual treat in not
having seen the elder Booths HIpLt as have
certainly half dozen times and always with
increased enjoyment. In failing to see the
HGH,trt of Mr.. Forrest he missed another in
tellec-ual feast, for FORESTS long study of
Shakespeare continued until his death. and in
deed, it seemed to have been his last thought,
for copy of his rare editions was found open
by his bedside. This lifetime study fitted
him to give such reading OF that great
work Us has not been surpassed. My other
correspondent, Mr.. John II. Welles,
confirms my memory Of Booths Hamlet as he
saw him in this character at the fremont
Theater in Boston in 1872 8. MIR. Jewell saws
he cannot realize that with his impetuosity he
(BOo.h) could have successfully sustained the
character Of Hamlet. The evidence of the
greatness of his genius in subjecting his emo
tions to the characters he represented was one
OF the marvels of his art. remarkable in
stance of this WIS afforded me once in man
ner so startling that its impression has never
faded from lny mind.
was a delighted listener one evening at his
room on Missouri avenue to Mr. Booth learned
criticism upon the master minds of English
literature
He summed them up in the expression,
AFTER all they are but human and have written
nothing that is not insignificant in comparison
with that divine utterance. The Lords
PRAYER" and then and there in tone Of the
deepest solemnity and pathos, recited this
epitome of Christian faith.
Mr.. Jewell mistakes my statement of Mrs.
Chapman. knew her too weli am happy to
saw, to have made such a miStake. :; long ner-
sonal acquaintance would forbid it, She was
the daughter of the elder Joseph Jeffer-
son. the grandfather Of the present jefferson
do not undertake to say who was The man
| ager OF the theater in 1889 but ut the period
| Of which am writing the second Joseph Jeffer-
| son was the manager and his father q member
| of the company. Tyrone Power relates in his
| delightful Impressions OF America an
| amusing incident of his first engagement here
about 1885. under this manager, who suggested
to Mr.. Power to give a nights performance at
Alexandria.
Acquiescing in the suggestion Mr.. Power,
| accompanied by the late Capt. VIM Ramsay
U.S.N.. rode down on horseback to the resi-
dence Of the late Dan Dulany, ESQ.,, Shutters
Hill. where they dined. and from thence to
Wise's Hotel Leaving their horses they re-
paired to the theater and found Mr.. jefferson
| and the company as the sole occupants. Look
/ ing through the curtain several times before
beginning to dress for his part he espied but
"a beggs.rly account OF empty boxes" Mr..
| jefferson said: .Oh, they'll come; they'll
come" But alasi they did not come. Wait
| ing some time after the hour for beginning
| the performance, Mr.. Jefferson concluded that
| they wouldn't come, and took the company to
| the hotel, where they had an excellent supper
| and Capt. Ramsay returned to Mr.. Dulany's,
| who accompanied them in pleasant canter 10
| the residence Of Capt Ramsay in this city,
where friends awaited them. JSo. F. CoYLE-