The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-12
In FORREST HOME.
A Charming Retreat For Old and
Disabled Actors.
Welcome Rest when Sickness and In
trinity Creep on Apace.

The name OF Edwin Forrest has passed
into the history OF the stage, but aside
from the fame that he achieved as an ac-
tor, he viii always appear in another and
kindlier light to the mem bers of the pro-
fession-a generous hearted man, who re-
spected his co-workers. He left behind
him monument-much misunderstood
the Forrest Home, near Philadelphia.
1t is a quiet manor house, a short dis
tance from Holmesburg Junction, aim ost
completely shaded by trees. II is a spot
prepared for infirm or disabled actors by
the great-hested tragedian as a stopping
place, with all the comforts and conven-
iences OF home life, until they are ready
to 60 on that mysterious journey from
whose bourne no traveller returns.
s.Winding pathways and carriage drives
lead to the wide portico in front OF a
large, square, yellowish-tinted building.
This Is the home. Forrest bought il and
fitted II up with lavish expenditure, for,
like the generality of actors, he was gem
erous to fault. II was here that his
maiden sisters lived and died, leaving
q rare old house without an occupant,
and famous brother without a near rel
ative. Then 1t was that Forrest, who had
no brother In the flesh, remem bered his
brothers OF the sock and buskin; and
when his executors came to look over his
last Will and testament they found that
he had left the place In trust forever to
be nome for the aged and INDECENT OF
the profession. Ever since little handful
OF ladies and gentlemen have had refuge
here in the days OF their old age and
weakness.
"If were an actor" said a writer
some time since, "old and gray, lingering
superfluous.on LIES stage, do not know
place where would prefer to end my
days to this self-same home-unless It
was in home OF my own, boon which
many actors never seem to possess.
NOT FOR THE OLD ALONE.
1t requires brave faith to gain admis-
sion, tor the number of pcssl BILE inmates
Is very small. The managers have always
list.of applicants whose names are never
made known, unless admitted to the
home. Mr.. Forests project TO form a
homo for disabled sctors Is said by the
Philadelphia "Bulletin" to have been
received by the profession and laity with
various degrees OF approval and dissent.
A good deal OF the judgment visited upon
II has been made through insufficient
acquaintance with the facts. Thus plaus.
able account has been made against the
working OF the scheme on the supposit ion
that there are never enough old actors TO
furnish material for the working OF snch
an institution. IL is known that tho fra
ternity IL limited one, and that the pro-
portion OF people I'm IL of advanced age is
very small. "Old men" are not piayed
by old men, as a rule, since 1t requires
full bodily strength TO simulate the in
tirmities OF age and yet give the requisite
force to theatrical work. Then taxing
the few old men In the profession. but
very few indeed are found TO be proper
subjects for such help. Men like Jonn
Gilbert, William Warren, Charles Fisher,
John Brougham are far removed fro m
the possibility. Where people of this class
have not saved money, they have friends
and connections who assure them main
tenance In other ways. This is the argu-
ment OF the obicctors they say there is
not sufficient field 10 work upon.
IL Is remarkable that such a misnppre.
honsion should exist when the Will had
been widely published and IT'S provisions
are supposed 10 be known. In point Of
fact. the provision Is not for old men
slone. but Tor all who are incapac itated Tor
duty, from whatever cause. The only
qualifications made by Mr.. Forrest arc
that the applicants IL American born,
shall have been upon tho stage for at least
i've years, and ~ foreign born they
shsll have been actors for ten years. three
years OF which time shall have been pass-
ed I'm America. Indeed the testator
hoped TO have among his bcneficiaries
persons OF marked mental vigor. SO
that this objection may be regarded as
disposed OF.
WORK MADE OBLIGATORY.
We come TO greater obstruction.
There arc some strange passage, In tie
W III which make actors think that those
who accept the proposed livings will, IN
some measure. be fofred TO work for their
support-whiob would be ali well enoun b