The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-09-28
Titled Negroes.

There have been many negroes in
Europe aud the West Indies who have
received distinguished considerations
in the way Of decorations from the
crowned heads of the Old World.
The Black Roscius-Ira Aldridgc--
who created such Juror IN Europe
many years ago as tragedian, and
who was frequently carried from the
theatres in which he performed upon
the shoulders of his enthusiastic
auditors 10 his hotel, WIS loaded
down. with medals, the insignias of
various royal orders, the gifts of
kings and queens whom he had
charmed aud delighted by his magnifi-
ceut approximations of the characters
he assumed.
Aldridge was q Maryland negro,
and first went to Europe some time in
the forties in the capacity Of valet to
a distinguished American trsgedian,
who, discovering his talents aud bent
of mind, encouraged him TO become
an actor. He performed in the princi-
pal cities of Europe, and it is recorded
OF him that when he played Iago in
the city Of Moscow, in Russia, a num-
Der Of students who had witnessed
the performance unhitched the horses
from the actors carriage after the
play was over and dragged him in
triumph to his lodgings. In Sweden
and Germany and England his name
was household word. He stood in
the front rank among The greatest
actors of his day, and the nobility of
Europe held him in the sans regard
and treated him with the same con-
sideration that Americans bestow
upon Keene or Barrett or Booth or
any other great actor who has
made himself famous. Ira Aldrjdge
gave no performances In Europe
which were not witnessed by one or
more members of the royal family of
the country he was in. lie was very
dark in complexion, with full, round
face. He was nearly six feet in
hoight. He had large lustrous eyes,
and resonant voice which he kept
under perfect control. AS Aaron in
"Titus Andronicus" aud as the Moor
in "Oihcllo," he established his fame
as the most realistic actor who up to
that period had ever essayed those
roles. .rne newspapers of that period
showered unstinted praise upon this
remarkable negro, and be was lionized
in fashionable society and fetcd by
the nobility; the King of Sweden
knighted him, and the Emperor OF
Russia conferred decoration upon
him. His medals aud decorations
from other personages were estimated
at the time of his death, 1857. 10 be
worth over 1886, 900. Aldridge owned
nine villas situated 10 varioue parts OF
Europe, and each of them handsomely
furnished. His principal residence
was in the city of London, England,
where he entertained in q royal man.
ner the legions of friends who sought
his company and that of bis charming
wife, Swedish baroness, by whom
he had three children. He died in
1867 az Sir Fra Aldridgc. X. G. NJ,
aud host of other titles given him at
various times.
Queen Victoria has recently con-
ferred the Victoria Cross upon a
coal-blrck negro, corporal in one OF
the West India regiments, for having
saved the life Of his commanding
officer by throwing himself IN front OF
the latter aud receiving in his own
body the bullets that would have
otherwise found Judgment in thai OF
his Captain. Peter Salem did some
thing like this during our Revolution
AIRY War.
In 1873 or 1879 the President OF
the republic ofLiberis conferred upon
the American Minister. the lion. John
II. Snyth, in consideration of friendly
services to the republic, tic title Of