Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-23
REcoLLEcrIoNs OF FLORENCE.

The EVENIl
REcOLLEcrIONs OF FLORENCE
Tho Comedians Kindly Nature-His ProSes
| sional and Domestic Relations
| The death of Mr.. VIM. J. Florence, or a. he
was Familiarity known, BILLY" Florence, will be
deeply regretted in this city. where he had
many warm personal friends. His genial, com.
panionable nature attracted people to him and
he probably had larger circle of friends and
ncquain tances than any man upon the Ameri-
can stage. He probably also numbered in his
list OF friends more titled foreigners than any
other American, no matter what his station.
The death Of Florence and Lawrence Barrett
| during this year has removed from the stage
two men that could lily be spared. Though
working in widely different lines there wer
| points Of resemblance in their careers. Both
| were Of humble origin and commenced their
theatrical life with but little pre- paration Both
started at the bottom of the profession and
each worked to the position he he'd at the time
| OF his death by laborious effort
Each studied hard, read extensively and
| gained professional recognition on account of
his sterling worth. Florence had more of the
creative power and was closer in touch with
the more generous attributes of human nature
he saw life from fts pleasant side and those
| characters in which he gained his greatest sue
cess were of q broadly humorous type
he ID best remembered in this city BY his
Bordtcea Stote, Governor and Cdp'n Cutie
There Is certain similarity between the first
two, for they are but exaggerations Of types Of
men whom every one has met, but the unctuous
humor Of the old captain in Mr.. Florence $
hands was as pure and rich as Dickens
intended. But there was vein of
pathos in Mr.. Florence's nature which
found forcibio expression in Bob Br,e{y in
THE Ticket Of Leave Man." which, by the
| way, was the FIRST character in which Mr.. Flor
ence won q pronounced success in New York,
aud In Zekiel HoDitspun in 1.-THE Heir at Law
which WAS the last character the dead comedian
played
A LAWYERS STORY.
THE only time ever spoke to Florence, said
an eminent Chicago lawyer, who is now in the
city, to q STAR reporter last night, twas when
was quite young man. He was playing at
McVicker's Theater and had seen him in
Handy ANDY the night before. He was walk
ing along Clark street apparently undecided
whether be was taking the right route or not,
and when he reached the corner where was
standing he turned to me and in the rich Irish
brogue which l had SO much admired the
night before he said: Young man wull ye
place tell me how dim to git to MacVickers'
thealterS' Now there was no necessity for his
using the brogue. but came to the conclusion
that he had been thinking over his part and
unconsciously spoke as Handy Andy"
FLORENCE AND BIS CONTEMPORARIES
When Mr.. Florence was last in this city a
STAR reporter had quite pleasant conversation
and brought to his mind an incident Of years ago
wnen the reporter was q member Of dramatic
association i'll Boston. While the Question OF
name for the organization was being discussed
Mr.. and Mrs. Florence commenced an engage
ment at the Howard Athen@um and
the whole club attended their OPEN
ing performance, and at the meeting the fol-
lowing night 1t was unanimously resolved to
write Mr.. Florence for permission TO call the
club the Florence Dramatic Association. The
comedian replied giving the requisite permits
sion, wishing the members the best sort of sue
cess and inclosing his check for $50 to
start the organization. Mr.. Florence said that
he remembered the incident and spoke of the
pleasure he afterward had Of meeting one of
the members OF that association who had be-
come an exceptionally good comedian, but
whose career was brought to an early close
Dy death at the age Of twenty five
Then Then Mr; Florence spoke Of the many
known, but who had played their last act and
on whom the curtain of death had been rung
down. Edwin Adams, E. l., Davenport James
W. wallack, jr., E. A. Sothern, VIM. Warren.
Lester Wallaek, Charlotte Cushman, John Nc
Cullough and others were named. all of whom
be had known well and Of each he told some
pleasant "reminiscences. 1t was noticeable
that he spoke kindly Of every
one, praised their professional efforts and men,
toned their best personal qualities Their
weaknesses he did not want to remember. 1--WE
are none OF US perfect" he said, land only
want to remember what is good Of those whom
have known, but who have now passed away"
FLORENCE AS AN OFFICE SEEKER
1t may not be generally known, but it is a
fact that during the administration of Presi-
dent Arthur Mr.. Florence made a serious at
tempt to be appointed in the diplomatic ser
vice. He thought he would like to rest from
his professional labors for awhile and live
abroad. His acquaintance in England and on
the continent was quite extensive, and he felt
the government as its representative
in some prominent European CITY, His
| recommendations were very strong, but Mr.
Arthur failed to appoint him, not being sure,
as one Of his intimate friends said whether the
comedian was serious in his application or
| simply perpetrating one OF his familiar practi-
cal Jokes.
Mr.. FIorence's friends, however, thought
that the President was afraid to appoint him
because Of the comments that would be made
by those who did not know the real abilities
possessed by the comedian but who consid-
cred him simply as an actor.
Mr.. Florence was peculiarly happy in his
domestic relations. He retained the tender
sentlment IOr his wlIe Wnlcn he felt for her in
the days Of their courtship, and as they had
no children they were very closely at
tached to each other. In all their pro-
fessional life they were constantly as
ISOLATED until he associated himself with Mr.
Jefferson, and he did this more particularly
that Mrs. Florence might have rest from the
trying work of Mrs. GilfOry and the other
characters in which she is so well remembered
The death Of Mr.. Florence leaves Mr.. Jeffer-
son as the sole representative of the old school
of comedians who were reared in the
school Of the stock company and who became
prominent only by the possession of native
ability and as a result of hard work.
Mr.. Florence was not rich. He had made
good deal Of money in his professional career,
but he had not the faculty Of keeping it, His
generosity was proverbial and he gave away
great deal in charity. His own wants we're lux
urious and they were generally gratified. He
has not left large fortune, but he has left the
memory of q noble man and a great bene-
factor.
Governor General Stanley to Resign.
A report in current that Lord Stanley will
resign the governor generalship Of Canada
next month. 1t is understood that Lady
Stanley find their position here very irksome
and would be glad to leave.