Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-23
TITLES FOR NEGROES
Some Of the Black Race Honored by
Royalty.
Ira AIdrldge, q Former Marylander,
Fame as q Tragedian.
I'm E. Bruce in Boston Transcript.

| John q. Bruce In Boston Transcript.
There have been many negroes in Europe
and the West Indies who have received
| distinguished consideration in the way OF
decorations from the crowned heads OF the
old world. The Black Roscius-Ira AID
ridge-who created such Juror In Europe
many years ago as a tragedian, and VINO
| was frequently carried from the theaters
In which he performed upon the shoulders
of his enthusiastic auditors to his hotel
was loaded down with medals, the insignias
of various royal orders, the gifts Of
kirgs and queens whom he had charmed
and delighted by his magnificent imper-
sonations Of the characters he assumed.
Aldridge was Maryland negro, and first
| went to Europe some time in the 4Os in
the capacity of valet to a distinguished
American tragedian, who, discovering his
talents and bent of mind. encouraged him
principal cities Of Europe, and 1t Is re-
| corded of him that when he played 1ago in
the city Of Moscow. in Russia, number
of students who had witnessed the per-
Torrance unhitched the horses from the
actors carriage. after the play was over,
and dragged him in triumph to his lodg-
1ngs In Sweden and Germany and Eng
land his name was a household word. He
est actors of his day, and the nobility of
Europe held him in the same regard and
treated him with the same consideration
that Americans beStow upon Keene, or
Barrett, or Booth or any other great actor
who has made himself famous.
Ira Aldridge gave no performances in
Europe which were not witnessed by one
or more members Of the royal family Of
the country he was m. In personal ap-
pearance he was very dark in complexion,
with full round face, which was covered
with closely shaver beard He was nearly
six feet in height. He had large, lustrous
eyes. and a resonant voice, which he kept
under perfect control.
HOnors for Royalty.
AS Aaron in Titus Andronicus," and as
the Moor in "Othello," he established his
fame the most realistic actor who up to
that period had ever essayed those roles.
The newspapers of that period showered
unstinted praise upon this remarkable
negro, and he was HoniZed in fashionable
society and feted by the nobility. The King
of Sweden knighted him and the Emperor
of Russia conferred a decoration upon him.
His medals and decorations from other
personages were estimated at the time of
his death, 1867, to be worth over $3.50, 600.
Aldridge owned nine Villas situated in
various parts of Europe, and each of them
handsomely furnished. His principal resi-
dence was in the city of London, England,
where he entertained in a royal manner
the legions of friends who sought his COM
pany and that of his charming wife, a
Swedish baroness. by whom he had thres
children. He died in 1867 as Sir Ira Aid
ridge. X. c. NJ, and a host of other titles
given him at various times.
An article in Wilkes Spirit of the Times
foz 1859. among other things. in speaking
of Aloridge, says that "he was one of the
most polished and modest of men,
thoroughly refined, unostentatious, and un-
obtrnsive In speech and manner"
In atnya
blooded negro born In the Danish West In
dies. was appointed by the president of the
republic OF Liberia minister plenipotentiary
OF that government at the court of st.
James and was received with marked con-
| sideration by her gracious majesty Queen
Victoria at Osborne. July 3d. 1878. The
Marquis of Salisbury, at that time secre-
tary of state for foreign affairs, and now
prime minister of England. introduced DR..
Blyden to her majesty. DR.. Blyden was
| soon after elected an honorary member of
the aristocratic Athenaaum Club of London.
He is an author and linguist of worldwide
reputation.
Queen, Victoria has recently conferred the
victoria cross upon coal black negro. a
corporal in one of the West India regi-
ments, for having saved the life of his COM
handing officer by throwing himself in
front of the latter and receiving in his own
body the bullets that would have otherwise
found Judgment in that of his captain.
Peter Salem did something like this during
our revolutionary war.
In Civil Life.
In 1873 or 10 the president of the re-
public of Liberia conferred upon the Ameri-
can minister, the Hon. John H. Smyth, in
consideration Of friendly services to the
republic, the title Of knight of the Order
of African Redemption"
In a letter dated at the Palace of Madrid
February II, 1882 King Alfonso Of Spain
itaS IN of nj
lows:
Great and Good Friend: Desiring to give
you public testimony of my royal appre-
citation and my particular esteem, l have
had special pleasure in nominating you
Knight of the Grand Cross of the Royal
Order of Isabel the Catholic. I am pleased
by this action also to furnish new proof Of
the desire which animateS me to strengthen
more and more the friendly relations which
happily exist between Spain and the repub-
lie of Liberia. And with this motive I re-
peat to you the assurance Of the affection
which I entertain toward you, and with
which I am, great and good friend. your
great and good friend, ALFONSO.
Palace at Madrid, February II, 1882.
There are few better lawyers anywhere
than are to be found among the educated
blacks CT the British West Indies. The at
torney general of the Island of Jamaica
ccme years Ago was a negro, by name
Burke, who was said to be as eloquent Of
speech and formidable in argument as
his great Irish namesake, Edmund Burke.
who it will be remembered, said on one &C.
casion, Great men are the guide-posts of
nation" The black Burke was famed not
only for his or1tory. but for the soundness
of his legal judgment and the fairness of
! his decisions while acting as attorney gen.
eral. He was knighted some years ago by
Queen Victoria.
In Freetown, Sierra Leone there lives a
very ordinary-looking little black man. who
| has the regular negro features and hair. In
| stature he is less than five feet in height
| Like the immortal Richard III, he shrugs
| his shoulders when he walks, but unlike
| him, he does not sing out. 'Shine on,
| bright sum-" etc He is Sir Samuel Lewis,
and was knighted by Queen Victoria about
| four or five years ago. He is one of the
ablest lawyers in Sierra Leone and repre-
sents the interests of some of the wealth.
lest firms in England. Sir Samuel was re-
Gently offered by a firm in London 5000
per annum to locate in that city and attend
| to its legal business, but he declined the
offer, preferring to remain with his people
| in Sierra Leone, with whom he is a great
| favorite.
The lord chief justice of Trinidad, WI,
| Sir Conrad Reeves is negro scholar and a
| cultured and refined gentleman, upon whom
Queer Victoria some years ago conferred
| the order of knighthood He is K. G. AS
| lord chief justice of Trinidad he wears the
wig and flowing robes with lowly grace and
| dignity. For many years he was queens
| counsel. He is greatly esteemed for his ur-