The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-13
PAssINa oF BOSTON MUsEUM
Eloquent Farewell to Famous Play
house by William Seymour.

Delivered by William Seymour. the
eminent play producer. at the final per-
torrance in the Boston Museum last
Monday night:
In closing the long and successful ca
reer of this theater. which, established
by Moses Kimbau in the year 1841 has
now reached its grand climacteric or
age OF honorable retirement, it seems
fitting that few commemorative words
should be spoken to those who are as
sembled here for the last time
L need not remind this audience that
the record of the Boston Museum is
exceptional in the history of the Ameri-
can stage. But the wise policy Of its
founder can hardly be too highly COM
mended.
Through all its 60-odd years of life the
museum has stood steadily for the best
attainable in the dramatic art Here
have appeared the elder Booth. Edwin
Booth, his son and successor=whose|
first appearance occurred here in a mi
nor part-Boucicault, Sothern the elder,
Sothern the younger, Stuart Robson,
John Drew, William Gillette, Richard
Mansfield, Mrs. Barrow, Modjeska, Duse
and SalVini; others. like Lawrence Bar
rett, Adelaide Phillips and Mrs. ErVing
WinsloW, were once distinguished mem
bers of the company; or, like Jefferson,
the Walacks, Gilbert, Edwin Adams,
Brougham, James Herne. Mccullough,
Reed, Frank Mayo and L. L. Davenport,
from time to time played star engage
ments here. These are but a few names
taken at random from a long Hst-the
roll of honor to which they added lus-
ter. There is hardly a great actor of
the last two generations who has not
been seen on its stage. 1 shall be par
dOned / hope, for dwelling a moment
fondly upon the name 1 mentioned last,
that Of Davenport, since not only he,
but his wife. their sons and daughters,
and their granddaughter (my own
daughter) have all appeared at the mus
cum.
Here were performed creditably year
by year, week by week. often. at a mo-
ments notice, the master pieces of dra-
matte literature. new and old. Shakes
peare, Goldsmith and Sheridan alter
mating with the modern successes of
London and Paris and our native auth
ors. BY its faithful adherence to this
/ conservative course the theater win be
best remembered.
The Boston Museum was the last Of
the American theaters to give up the
old stock system, and it is worthy Of
note that associated with Charles Froh-
man and William Harris in its late
management still remains Bostons old
est manager, Isaac B. Rich l must
speak a word, also, for those behind the
curtain who contributed to its lifelong
success.
All theater-goers who are old enough
to cherish anniversaries must recall
with pleasure the annual revival here
OF the eighteenth century COnleQleS- II
was an admirable custom, which left its
debt of gratitude to the founders who
established it, and to the manager who
for so many years sustained the fine
tradition-the late r. M Field. The
dramatis personae varied with the
changing seasons, but some members OF
the company remained to grow in repu-
tation. Such was the actor OF leading
parts-able alike in comedy drama and
tragedy, Charles Barron; and the ac-
compIshed, graceful actress, who rose
from the ranks here to the position Of
leading lady, Annie Clarke. Such were
J. A. Smith, Shewen Hardenbergh.
Ring, McClannin, lie MOyne, Nolan, Ha-
worth, Burrows. Mason, George Wilson
the living and the dead-.all all are
gone, the old familiar facesN I would
revive them all If 1 could; but there IS
another of happiest memory, brighten
ing all the past like sunshine-Mrs. Vim
/ cents Her name survives in the noble
! charity-the Vincent Memorial hospital
Ito which the receipts of this perform
ance will be devoted
! Amid the many names. spoken and
/ unspoken, that we all remember, one at
! this theater rose always above the rest
the name of William Warren His
! strength his refinement, his infinite va
riety his wit his gentleness. his cour-
4 tesy as man, as actor, still make him
lovable. From 1S47 to 1SS3-for thirty
six years-he played upon this stage
many hundred parts, interpreting each
with that distinction for which the only
word IS genius
And now that the curtain falls forever
upon 1.-The scene wherein we play in, .
in the name of this dear time honored
house. that has lived to its good old age
without disaster. without single unsuc-
/ cessfuI seasOn-in the name of the old
management and of the new one, In
the name of each actor. of each actress
who made honor for the Boston Mu-
scum, and in the name of Charles F'roh-
man, ] bid you all farewell.
In the fleeing world we know all
partings bring regret, but mingled here