The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-11-13
RECEPTION TO Mr.. KEITH.
The Great Amusement Caterer Given
Hearty Welcome Home.

Mr.. u. II. Keith, the great amusement
caterer, was In this city yesterday after
noon and evtning, and his coming home
was made pleasant by the hearty greeting
of a large number of friends in the parlor
Of the Narragansett Hotel, whore an in
formal reception was Leld from Z To y
o'clock. Ladies and gentlemen well
known in social, political business and
professional Lille, and representatives OF
the city press, uaid their respects To the
famous pLr,efcr of popular amusement,
who was looking in the uest OF physical
ana mental condition altar his long So
journ in Europe and Great Britain.
Mr.. H. II. Albee, general manager OF
MIR. keith's several enterprises, was also
present, coming from Boston 10 greet his
chief, and he assisted in the pleasure OF
tho reception In his characteristic,
thorough and agreeable way. Mr.. Fynes,
the local manager of Mr.. Keith's hand
some tt eatres i'm this city was also prom
inent Ia the unOstentatious ceremony of
the evening. IL was Sociable and per-
fcctly at ease company of friends and
well-wishers, who graspcd tho hand Of
the wanderer in many lands ana eX-
pressed satisfaction at his safe return. =.
A reautiful floral piece OF generous al
mensiOns, representing fOur-leaf clover
and horseshoe, Of violets, roses and other
choice blooms, adorned the west side OF
staff of Mr.. kcith's theatre in this city.
and while IL had not the privilege OF Ian
guagc il said welcome, in the most
charming manner.
Air. Keith said that il did not seem
possible looking back at it, that he had
been absent from home for the past 10
months lie had duri NJ that time visited
nine Kingdoms and empires and had
crossed the English chanueI eight times.
OF all the places visited Venice held the
central position in his memory. Paris
was brilliant and at first it made a strong
impression, nut the Thought gradual y
came TO him that 10 was, after all, hardly
anything but big pleasure ground for
ali sorts Of people OF course, tie tourist
could not become familiar with the real
inner life of the great french capital and
its surface life was not really attactiNe
when it WAS duly considered. Mr.. Keith
was especially Interested in London, he
cause be felt that be was in closer touch
with his countrymen there than any
where else. The stars ana stripes were
frequently seen. even more so than in
this country. Scotland surprised him
with its rugged and impressive scenery,
but tho Kline lost some of its charm be-
cause of the bcidRes and tbe wine presses
along its banks. The wine presses looked
like factories and the association OF COM
mercal life and grandeur ofsceIeIy seemed
somewhat inharmonious.
While IN Rome ne saw rope Leo MIL.
twice. Once at "A ceremony tnat only &C.
ours once in hundred years IL was at
cononization. He smiled as he remarked
that 'over there was well enough to
look at. but this country WAS the place TO
liv, in. If Americans could visit tho
older countries they would appreciate
their own better. Yet il was wonderful,
that product OF centuries.
In briefly alluding To the theatres of the
old country be said that the parisOp. ra
House was incompatible. as there was
nothing like it in tge world. OF the other
great playhouses ne said that they ap.
pcared gloomy in comparison with the
bright and attractive amusement temples
of this country The result was mainly
brought -abaut-Ly- the difference In cuff-
structiop. The boxes aud stalls OF the
old country theatres prevented the open
and attractive features of the theatres
here. Mr. Keith stated that he was glad
that he had made the visit and ne was
glad TO get home again.