The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-12


do so will be expected 10 work in the gar
dens, graperies, etc. The uncertainty OF
those CONCERNED upon the propriety OF ac-
cepting favors under such conditions can
be understood. Mr.. Forests idea, IL is
well known from his fiequent converse
tions with friends, was only TO add IN
every possible way,to the health and COM
fort Of the inmates OF the home. lie was
a great believer in physical exercise, and
ne no doubt hoped TO have his henetici-
aries reap the best results OF outdoor life.
1t is morally certain that he never intend
ed such work-honorabIe i'm itself. but
CALLING under these conditions-to be OBJ
ligatory upon the inmates; he respected
his profession too much TO make such
an idea possible
The act providing for the incorp oration
of the Edwin Forrest Home was sent 10
the Legislature about the middle OF
March. 1873. On March "a, OF the same
year the act became law. The act pro-
yidos that the home shall be established
at the country seat of the late Edwin
Forrest, known as Spring Brook, for the
support and maintenance OF actors and
actresses dccayed by age or disabled by
infrmity. Ii also provides for laying
out an orea of 90 acres of the land. to be
surrounded by street of 60 feet in width,
and TO include the buildings now on the
place.
The grounds are TO be laid out with
drives and walks, upon which the public
snail be admitted, under such rules as
may be adopted by the board of mana
gers. The corporation is authorized TO
sell the residue of the ground OF the
Spring Brook estate, the proceeds to be
applied 10 increase the endowment and
usefulness of the home. The Incorporate
ors named in the act are James Oakes,
James lawson, Daniel Dougherty, John
W. Forney James IL. Castle, John z.
k4g q IAIs
THE FORREST HOME FAMILY.
There are at present twelve sin the fam
lily of tbespians now in the home, as fol-
lows:
Simcoe Lee IS a man OF high attain
ments, both in literature and in the his
trionic art He IS the poet OF the family,
and his productions have appeared In
many leading publications. In the days
that have gone he played light comedy
that he retired from the stage, on ac-
count OF clip on the ice, which fractur-
ed his thigh.
Frederick Chippendale will be remem-
bered by theatergoers to have appeared
even as late as 1892, when he was with
Frohman's company. Deafness. was re-
sponsible for his retirement TO Spring
Brook among his fellow artists. He Is Of
the fourth generation of actors.
Harry l.. Bascombe trst appeared in
the Boston Museum. lie was later lead
ing man under John S. Clarke, and for
long time ho acted under the management
Of the we'll known Mrs. Garretson. lie
was disabled By having his feet frozen,
after which they were amputated.
Charles j. Fyffe is the Librarian at the
home, and he is as genial, as courteous,
and as interesting a gentleman as any one
would care to meet He has store of
knowledge concerning the founder, whom
h.. eAA NNarf hA Sestf hon
tour ma o by Mr.. Forrest. Mr.. Fyffe was
always a great favorite in the South, and
the patrons OF the theater in the South
land learned with much regret that he
had retired. He has always played In the
higher roles Of tragedy
Robert Johnston, one of the latest ad-
ditions to the family, is full of anecdotes
of thespian life, amusing, sad, yet always
interesting. His forte lay in the direc-
tion OF the tragic muse, and he supported
such men as Forrest, the elder Booth,
Kean and Macready. lie was also very
popular and efficient manager.
j. Alfred Smith Is now about SO years
old, and prides himself as being the orig
inal Francois to the Richelieu OF Forrest
at the Walnut Street Theater in Philadel-
phia. He gained fame also at the old
Boston Museum, as did many others.
Mrs. Jane English is one OF the most
pleasant old ladies one could wish to
meet. She occupies large room on the
second floor. in which stands Forests
old four-post bedstead. Like the hall
ways and other rooms of this manoral resi-
dence, pictures abound also In Mrs. Eng
lishs' room. She Is the mother of Lucille
and Helen Western, known to fame, and
mother-in-law of James A. Herne of
"shore Acres" celebrity. Mrs. English
is custodian OF the Forrest jewel box, q
present from his English admirers.
Jane Parker. in her younger days,
ranked with Fanny Ellsler and Celeste as
q pronounced exponent of Terpsichore
and won storms OF plaudits wherever the
best shows were given in this country.
Ameie Scrges made her debut before
an Austrian public in Vienna. She
came to America is 1852 and appeared in
"The Maid of Orleans at the Astor
Place Theater. She has played In every
German theater OF note in America and
in many OF Europe.
Eaie A. Wilde Daymond was seen re-
Gently with Miss Marlowe, and was very
favorably received in her rendition OF
Sbakespcaran roles.
Elizabeth Andrews is an actress well
and favorably known on the stage of two
continents-America and Europe. Mrs.
Ann Cowell IS n late conner to the home,
out she Is known quite we'll in every
theater OF note within the realm OF Uncle
Sam.
TUE FRoREsT POSSESSIONS.
Every nook, each wall, all the rooms,
the Railways, the staircases, in chests,
on bookshelves, and on the lawn are evil
dences OF the refined and artistic taste of
Edwin Forrest. He gathered rare bits OF
vertu, fine specimens of bric-a-brac re-
lating to things histrionic, armor, arms,
and furniture from the civilized countries
OF the world.
More than this he was an enthusiast
ot Shakespeare. and, I'm fact, the entire
collection might be termed and well
named Shakespearean. Whatever ne ad-
mired, counterfeit presentment bears
testimony to his exalted tastes. lie has
pictures and Dusts OF Shakespeare, OF Ma
polson, OF Kemble, Xean, Washington
and Forrest. A heroic-size statue by the
famous sculptor Ball, several busts. many
paintings. and not a few engravings OF
the founder show we'll that no was en-
dowed with pardonable self-esteem.
IL is In the library where MANY OF the
are treasures OF the home lie. Chief
mong them Is TO be fouud second TO-
io volume OF Shakespeare's wor ks,which
today would command price not easily
expressed In four figures. Here also are
the glass cases containing the blades used