Arizona republican., 1892-01-09
Mrmolues OF rLonnNcE.
Anecdotes illustrative of tho Character
 of This Kindly, Much Loved Actor.


 the late Billy Florence, as he was gener. ally called. That he should be so called denotes the quality of the man, and the estimation in which he was held. Every.
 body liked him, and with reason. never knew any one to speak ill of him.
 Like Dickens Mir. Twemlow. he had 10000 dearest friends, and he deserved them all, His personal acquaintance in Great Britain as well as in his own country was enormous, and included every class. It was actually beyond enumeration. He was aifable and cor dial to all, taking as much pains to please a poor porter as prominent statesman or an English lord. There was not a particle of the snob or tuft hunter in his composition. He was democrat of the true and best sort, and thorough paced American to the core.
 "I like to carry the national bird," have heard him say, lon my shoulders in every part of Europe, though don't want to make him scream unless there be occasion for it. But when he screams want to help him, and I'll go a note higher if I can"
 Florence was the embodiment of gen iality, which was an essential property of his and illuminated his entire being, What he appeared to be on the stage he was in reality. One reason that he played so well and so acceptably is that he Sel- dom personated parts with which he did not fully sympathize, and which reflected his own nature. He was as much liked by his fellow actors as by those outside of his profession-being in this respect a notable exception to many of his calling. Two members of his craft, who frequent ly boasted that they did not associate with players, he found it hard to ap- prove, but still he could not hate them. They've got the big head, he remarked one day, "but they are big hearted, too, and the latter virtue will in time no doubt cure the former disease"
 l remember, when 1 was boy, that he used to be thought less clever than his wife. That was in his period of Irish melodrama, in which the whisky bottle and shillalah were potent ele- ments. But he was ambitious and steadily improved, while she stood still, and after he had become a high tone comedian they were no longer compared. She adored the theater, like most of her profession, and was positively unhappy when not filling an engagement. He was devoted to her, and though recog- nizing her limitations never could be persuaded to acknowledge as much. He was kept back by her for years, and con sciously, because he was unwilling to wound her feelings by acting pieces she could have no part in.
 ''The Mighty Dollar was never to his taste; he knew it to be unworthy of his fine talents, but he bougSt it and pro duced it, because it furnished her with a congenial character. She was severer in morals and judgment than he, and prone now and then to censure his con- viyial habits and late hours. But he listened amiably to her reproofs; made some joke or told funny story that set her laughing. Then she would throw her arms around his neck and say, be- tween kisses, Well, you're dear, good fellow at any rate, Billy; nobody could help loving you" They were a most affectionate couple.
 Florence was eminently companion able to various grades of persons, having in common with them all politicians, club men, authors, travellers, wits, sporting men, priests, epicures and philosophers. He loved and indulged his love freely; was great diner out and giver of din ners; fond of cracking 6 bottle, and tell ing or listening to good story--after midnight, particularly. One who saw him SO often at dinners, suppers, clubs, entertainments, assemblies, would have thought him wholly pleasure seeker But he found time, in spite of such di- versions and dissipations, to read and study, as his conversation showed. He to be up at all hours, and yet he was rarely a minute late at rehear- sal and was scrupulous in keeping his 
 There was system in his conviviality, in his whole life indeed, careless and oyerstrained as it seemed to be. Many persons wondered how he got leisure to do so much, and do it so well.
 "How do you manage it? some one asked him. Easily enough" he replied. 'The hours l waste after midnight I paste on the next day and so catch up. Do you seeg"
 He had vigorous constitution, excel lent health, light heart and buoyant spirit, and with these, as he was fond of saying, man may accomplish anything.
 He was an earnest, ardent Roman Catholic, but did not allow his church i to trespass on his man-of-the- world hood. l His friends were of all creeds and no creed-iniidels no less than ecclesiastics | and in his eyes they ranked alike.
 The comedian, though quick of tenn per and belligerent in his wrath, was very amiable. He was very chivalrous also. He often knocked down | for rudeness to women, be- 1 ing muscular and ready with his fist.
 While he had made great deal of l money, he was careless of it, giving or lending to any one and every one in need, or pretending to be in need. He | was addicted, likewise, to speculation in | Wall street, whereby he lost much of | course. He probably left but little. Life he enjoyed greatly, and thousands enjoyed it through him. He was truly a good fellow, and will be sincerely | on both sides of the sea.
 Dear Billy Florence, loved him." must have been spoken by thousands when his death was announced, Friday with moistened eyes.