The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-22
To Mark .Ienerson's Birthplace.

on the southwest corner OF Firth ana
Spruce streets, Philadelphia, stands an
old Colonial building OF the model Phil-
adelphia form so we'll known that IN the
past it has had no interest for the pass
er-by. In the future it will be pointed
out as the birthplace of the Dean OF
Living Commpdans." There, on FeD'
- $50 Joseph jefferson was born.
Within the last week three friends OF
Mr.. jefferson have decided TO mark APP
proDriately the birthplace Of the famous
actor. Dewitt Miller. ID. .. W. Whelp-
ley. and Francis Wilson viii within two
weeks cause to be erected over the door
of Jcmcrson's first home bronze tablet,
which, by the courtesy Of the designer,
Mr.. Charles Lamb, of tho firm OF j. and
r. Lamb, The New York Times Is able
to reproduce. IL devcked upon Francis
Wilson 10 tell Mr.. jefferson OF the in
tentons Of his friends. and the actor
who for fifty years has received the
praise and applause Of millions, broke
down and could only stammer his appre-
citation OF their thoughtful Kindness.
The modosty of jefferson compelled
him 20 protest against this public DEM
onstration Of esteem. and. as Mr. Wilson
remained o1lurate. Jefferson's humor
asserted itself. Don't do 1t. my boy;
don't do ii. I'm young yet; wait until
die: 1 may be i'm the penitentiary before
long: better wait" But Mr.. Wilson re-
fused to wait. and convinced MIR. Jeifer-
son that all efforts 20 dssuade his
friends from such a testimonial would
be- useless. Mr.. Wilson left him without
obtaining the desired permission, but he
was promised a letter concerning II IN
a few days
Several days passed. and, the letter
not having arrived, Mr.. Wilson took
..silence to mean consent" and ordered
the tablet. eve want this tablet" says
MIR. Wilson. "to be a slight token OF the
love we bear Mr.. Jefferson. Numborless
are we who have Deen helped and adj
vised by him. Personally Mr.. jefferson
has done much for me. his advice has
often been the one solution Of some
difficulty. ] could not. II l would. re-
move the obligations under which | am
10 him. and | am but one Of many. An
other thing. bis example and life have
given US an ideal TO which we aspire,
and the good he does would put ambi-
t!on into the man whose whole life had
been a failure.
"Our intention is 10 get about twenty
from the profession 20 assist IN the GER
emony Of hnve.ling the tablet, ana,
though there will be little 20 be done.
we mean to have each one tap the tablet
with the trowel and use some appropriate
uuaatiOn from Jefersons works or
PLAYS. This, however. Is undecided-in
fact. the whole plan is i'm embryo The
reason we selected this style of tablet
was that we desired something artistic
10 mark the birthplace OF one whose
whole life is in art. The olive branch
a symbol of peace is as his genial char
acter: the lamp recalls the midnight oil,
so often buried in those studies which
have placed him in the enviabie position
he holds; the whole is but an unostenta-
ticus tribute TO the living man. We do
not know just when we will have the
tablet placed in position, but it will be
not later than two weeks We hope to
have Mr.. jefferson there, but have not
vet heard from him.-New York Times.