The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-21
THE IRISH DRAMATIC GIFT.

The death of that delightful comedian
Florence recalls the debt the world owes
the Irish race for its generous contribu-
ton of superior talent to the dramatic
stage. Mr.. Florence was of Irish blood,
the blood of Brougham, Barrett, Kate and
Susan Denim, Mary Cannon, Barney Will
Jams, John McCullagh, Thomas W. Keene,
John Dillon, John Drew, Boucicault, Will
lam E. Sheridan, John T. Ray
mond, Rose Coghlan, Charles Cogh-
Ian, Barry Sullivan, James E. Muir
doch, Maurice Barrymore and Edward
Harrigan. The annals of the English
stage include many brilliant actors of
Irish blood, viz: Richard Brinsley Sheri-
idan, who was also in the first rank of
modern playwrights: Macklin, Peg Wof-
fngton, Tyrone Power and Miss O'Neil.
Among Irish dramatists are John Banim,
Gerald Griffin, 'Keefe, Sheridan Knowles
and the composer Bale.
The late Mr.. Florence was not only
charming comedian, but he had all the
qualities of mind, manner and heart that
make man at once most delightful and
estimable companion. He started with
nothing to help him but his Irish genius
for comedy. In his long and brilliant
career he achieved fame, property and
hundreds of friends of the highest charac-
ter, including the late President Arthur.
with whom he was for years on terms of
the most intimate and aifectionate COM
partnership.
Mr.. FlOreace's name was once proposed
for membership of the Union Club, of
New York, endorsed by August Belmont.
but he was rejected not on the ground
that he was not an agreeable. gifted and
upright gentleman, but on the plea that
1.-The Union was not founded for or
run for actors" There was no pretense
that Mr.. Florence was personally obiec-
tionab,e 70 any member of the club; that
he was tainted with any social scandal
but the drawing, dawdlinG dudes of the
club declared that they drew the line at
actors" which was IN effect a sweeping
insult to the whole dramatic profession,
if 1t is possible that anything we'll
dressed ninny, who has barely brains
enough 10 be permitted to inherit
money, may DO or say can be
taken rs an insult TO a profession
in which no man can rise high without
most superior brains and tireless industry.
Probably on the whole roll of this
MON Club that rejected him there was
not man who could intellectually match
Mr. Florence; not one who was his su-
perior IN good breeding or social charm,
not 10 speak OF the innate force of charac-
ter by which he lifted himself from OBJ
security and poverty to the top Of his art.
The dudes OF the Union Club drew the
line" al profession that includes among
its dead such men rs Garrick. who was the
friend Of Burke. Johnson and Sir
Joshua Reynolds; includes such men as
Ta,ma, the friend Of Napoleon. Washing.
ton Irving and John Howard PAYNE;
IS John kemble and his great sister, Sarah
Siddons, whom the highest society in
England made weleome as Sheridan, the
great actor. whose bosom friend was the
great statesman Charles James Fox; as
Edmund Kean and the elder Booth,
whose tragic genius thrilled both England
and America. These dudes and dough
koys who drew the line at actors" and
rejected Florence belonged to the class Of
worthless, Idle rich; the silly creatures
that Florence had ali his life smiled at in