Omaha daily bee., 1891-11-24
TIE WORLD BETIERED BY HIS LEE.

Chicago Mail: The death of Actor w. j.
Florence at Philadel phia removes from the
American stage one of its brightest lights
and causes a loss which will be deeply felt
among the dl fanatic profession and will be
sincerely mourned by the entire American
people.
Washington Star: The death of w. j.
Florence robS the stage of an actor who was
universally esteemed personally and pro-
fessionally. 1t is the day of n new gener-
alton. The old figures of prominence in
every field are one by one passing away, and
in many cases it is hard to see how their
places are to be filled.
Minneapolis Tribune: There is no pathos
like the rosy light OF past joys, delights and
friendships stealing into the shadow of a
present sorrow; and they will most mourn
for the dead actor who hold memories of his
warm, frank, hearty companionship, and the
brave, cheerful, wholesome manhood shining
through his character.
Kansas City Star: 1t may safely be said of
Florence that he was the most popular man
in America. Certainly lie had not an enemy
on earth, ana he was probably personally
known by more people than any other man in
the country, and to know him was to love
him. The tears that will be went over his
grave will keep it green for many q long day.
Chicago Inter Ocean: 1t has been said of
the three great satirists of Rome that one
of them made men laugh in anger, another
in sorrow, and the third in sympathy. Flor
ence made his hearers laugh in sympathy.
His characters were as lovable as they were
quaint. He was made that way himself. A
wise ana healthful force has left the stage.
Peace be TO the memory of William j.
Florence.
st. Louis Globe Democrat: William J.
Florence never knew the luxury of an en-
miUy. His life was u monotonouS round of
friendships unrelieved by a single hatred or
even a mild dislike. Nobody ever spoke un-
kindly of "Billy'-as he was fondly and
universally ~called-and nobody ever heard
BILLY" speak unkindly of anybody else. His
profession made him genial on tho stage and
his nature made him genial off the stage.
Chicago Herald So Is he mourned; for
still, and for all the time of the generation no
entertained off the boards as on,
. = The mute wouderl urketh In mems ears
To steal his sweet and honcyed sentences.
Such as his art was, Florence made acting
worthy. lie began his stage career little
more than a despised buttoOn. He quits
stage and life esteemed and honored of men
in and out of his profession; a knight, not
perhaps of the greatest chivalry, but leal and
loved,
New York Commercial Advertiser AS
an artist Mr.. Florence had lived TO see the
tide OF American dramatic taste run out TO
the lowest ebb, and then visibly turn and
begin TO flow in the development OF a whole
some ana dlsCInctly American dramatic 1T
erature OF a high order, II makes his death
the more 10 be regretted that he was not al
lowed to live TO help along the good work,
but he did his share with profound consci-
entiousness, and who knows the extent OF
the debt the stage and society owe himi
Chicago News Florepce's death is a DIS
tinct loss TO the American stage, His meth
DDS were always free from that deteriorating
grossness that mistakes buffoonery for wit.
The high caste traditions Of the old school
found in Florence a sympathetic channel of
expression. His stage urt was at all times
modelled upon high ideals. The king OF
laugh-makers, his comedy at times ap-
preached the genius of classical EXPRESSION.
The American stage never had a truer friend
than this talented comedian, whose whole
career mas been free from yulgarity.