The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-11
BEFORE THE FooTuGHTs.
COLLECTOR BECKWITHs FUTURE
CAREER WILL LEAD HIM.

Expects TO Go to New York About
Sept. 1-WiIl he Associated With
the Ward-James-Rhea COmbina-
tiOn-TO Rend "HamIet" In Atlanta
For Charity in Few Weeks--Has
High Recommendations Will
Relinquish His Office to His suc-
cessor at 1890 O'clock This Morn
ing.
The commission of Col. John H. De-
veaux as collector of customs of the dis
trict Of Savannah arrived yesterday morn
ing, and with it the oath he is to take on
entering office.
The new collector addressed a letter to
Collector Beckwith asking him when it
would be convenient to turn over the
Custom House to him and the property
connected with it. Collector Beckwith
replied at once fixing the hour for 80
o'cNck this morning, at which time Col
Deveaux will take the oath of office prob
ably before Clerk II. H. King of the
United States court, in the office of the
collector.
the reins of his Office with the warm
personal friendship of all with whom he
has come in contact during it's occupancy
He has conducted the affairs of the office
with ability and entire satisfaction 10 all
who have had dealings with it, and his
courteous and affable manner on all &C.
casions made him generally liked.
1t VIII be no small surprise to Collector
Beckwiths friends to learn that his fu-
ture career will lead him before the foot
lights.
When asked yesterday what he would
do, Collector Beckwth replied that he
would for the present continue the prac-
tice Of law with his partner, Mi. A. S.
Way.
But it is reported that you expect to
go upon the stage?" was suggested inter
negatively.
The question was no small surprise to
Mr. Beckwith, who was wholly unaware
that his intention had become public. He
was not at first inclined to say anything
about the matter, but said finally:
1t is true. l do expect to go upon
the stage, and have been making some ar
rangement with that object in view. 1t is
likely that l will go to New York about
Sept. L.
1t is said among Mr.. Beckwiths most
intimate friends that he had an offer from
collin Kemper, who was here with Louis
James, to go with that company within
four weeks to play the King in Ham
let but Mr.. Beckwith could not make
arrangements to leave Savannah within
that time. Mr. Kemper il is stated, was
much pleased with Mr. Beckwith's work
and told him he was one of the best ana
most satisfactory readers who has ever
come before him
An arrangement was made it is said. by
which MIR. Beckwith is to go 10 New York
about Sept. ], and take a part in the Ward
James-Rhea combination, which is expect
ed to be one of the greatest theatrical
| companies the next season will afford The
King in Hamlet is one of the particular
| parts Mr.. Beckwith expects TO take up
| with that company.
Mr., Beckwith has recently made a pro-
fessional study of Shakespearean plays un
| der Alfred Ayers OF New York, one of
| Americas most famous readers and teach
ers, and the following from Mr.. Ayres is
| considered a rare testimonial:
TO Those That Are Interested: Inas-
| much as Mr.. ]. F. Brockenborough Beck
| with of Savannah, Ga, has supplemented
| his natural gifts with careful study of
all that part of Shakespeare's Hamlet
that usually is read in public 1 shall be
| disappointed If he be not found at the
least, quite the equal, as a reader of the
said tragedy, of the best of our profession
| ais.
EARLY in November of this year, Mr.
! Beckwith was in New York long enough
to take thirty-two lessons on the reading
| of Hamlet" which, 1 am confident. is
more time than any public reader of to-day
has ever spent, under the guidance of an
] expert, on any one of the Shakespeare
! plays. Alfred Ayres'
| Mr.. Beckwith will read Hamlet" in At
| lanta the latter part of this month, or
sometime early in April for the benefit of
| the Grady Hospital, or some other public
| charity. He expects to continue his stud
les and be prepared to enter the profess
sional arena early in September next