The National tribune., 1907-08-15

Richard Mansfield, the actor. who is
considered by many dramatic critics to
be the finest, most intelligent American
actor we have. Is lying in a very serious
mental and physical condition in a little
cottage in the heart of the North
Woods. Mr.. Mansfield broke down ner-
vously some months ago. and hurried
off to Europe in the early Summer. hop
ing in travel to recover his health. The
exertion was too much for him. and he
returned to this country far worse than
when he left. Touching stories are told
of his calling for the costumes of his
favorite parts, declaiming in a whisper
ing voice and with pathetically weak
gestures the lines of the roles he has
made famous, weeping il the costumes
are taken away. He Is said to be ter
ribly emaciated, weighing less than 100
pounds, and so weak he cannot raise
himself in bed. Consumption is feared.
Richard Mansfield has done a great deal
to elevate the stage, devoting himself
almost entirely to roles requiring a high
order of mentality. He possessed the
fortunate combination of a superior in
telligence and the power of taking infin-
ite pains, which, however. some one has
said Is nothing less than genius, and
each one of his many and varied parts
showed a brilliant conception. His man.
nerisms have been seriously objected to
noticeable in his Shaksperean roles.
when his voice, of which it is said he is
very proud, seemed wholly unsuited to
the lines, and his manner unsatisfactory
and unconvincing. But thru everything
could be seen the mans great intelli-
gence and mentality. and while his rem
dering of d part might not meet with
approval, no one ever denied that he
was "a great actor. He has been said
to be a man very much impressed with
his own ability. and stories have Crept
out from time to time of his tyrannical.
oyerbearing manner with members of
his company. He staged his plays we'll
and has given the public memories
which will lnger as long as life lasts.
Who can ever forget his Chorus in
Henry V or his staging of Julius Cesar :?
Altogether the stage will be much the
poorer if it loses Richard Mansfield.
and every one will anxiously await news
of his condition.
John d. Rockefeller's present condi-
ton of good health has cost him just
| IS 900, 900 in cold cash. In 1898 he
vas completely broken down in health,
and so low in his mind that he thought
he was going TO die. He consulted his
doctor, who told him TO drop all busi-
ness cares, take regular exercise. above
all to keep out of doors and enjoy him.
self all he could: the more he enjoyed
himself the quicker he would get well.
Mr.. Rockefeller followed this excellent
advice, and soon began playing golf.
which has had SO much to do in build
ing up his health, but in doing all this
and dropping business he lost $5,000,-
900. His family physician assures him
he will live to be more than "a: why "a
any more than 95 or SO the public is
not told; but, anyway. he Is promised
"a years of life. which ought to satisfy
even Rockefeller. The doctor says
Mr.. Rockefeller is the best-trained ath-
lete in the 60-year-old class in the
world: that he has been born twice. and
is really only IA years old now that he
is adding to his muscle, his lungs and
his heart power with every breath of
fresh air he inhales and with every
drive he makes with his golf club. all
of which must make Mr. Rockefeller
feel good as pie, and just like giving his
doctor a million or two. Mr.. Rockefel-
ler says there is no particular fun in
his job of richest man in the world"
and that he is working for the other
fellows quite as much as for himself
He says he just has to go on working
whether he wants to or not, for If he
stops the whole business will go to
pieces. He is harnessed into a cart in
which the people ride. The men who
have amassed the largest fortunes have
done SO not from the love of piling up
dollars, but for the business success, for
the keen delight of creating where
nothing existed, for the love of achieve
ment. Mr.. Rockefeller says that the
idea of taking his money and going to
England or some pleasant part of Eu-
rope where life is so organized as to
make things particularly pleasant for a
person of means has never occurred to
! him. 1t seems to him to be rather a
contemplate way of escaping the re-
sponsibilities and embarrasSments of
great wealth. He proposes to stay and
| fight it out right here.
| A good, natural, healthy enjoyment
of ones dinner is blessing apt to be
underrated. There was time when a
| hearty appetite was considered little
short of a disgrace, and in order to be
a person of elegance and refinement one
was obliged to follow the example of
our friend Maud, who
Never was able to eat at the table,
But when in the pantry-Oh, Lord!
However, nowadays all this is changed,
and the young lady of the goth century.
| frequently big, fine, athletic girl, has
anything but a dainty appetite, and il
rather proud of the fact. The English
are rather bigger eaters than we are,
and we are TOLD that the beautiful.
greatly admired and beloved Queen
| speaking of an ordinary person, IAN
awful appetite" She begins the day by
eating a very large, hearty breakfast in
her bedroom. Then at noon she in
dulges in a heavy luncheon of several
courses. At o'clock she has tea. sand
| witches and cakes, which is soon fol-
lowed by the real meal of the day. din
ner, with its numerous courses. to all
of which she does full justice. After
the theater or opera cold supper is
served in her boudoir, and in case she
should feel hungry in the night a cold
roast chicken, some bread and wine are
| left handy at her bedside. One wonders
how she can possibly do it, IL it really
all tastes good to her. and if she never
| has indigestion. all Of which is idle. II
England's great Queen chooses to eat
| 10 meals a day 1t is certainly no ones
| business.
One of the most beautiful and help
full organizations for the benefit of suf-
fering humanity is the Shut-in Society,
and yet SO quiet and modest is 1t in its
workings that in certain sections of the
country it is almost il not suite un-
known. 1t did not begin its career as
full-fedged society with officers. con-
| stitution, bylaws, etc, but the germ
| that started 1t growing was the tender.