New-York tribune., 1908-10-04
JOHN HARE ON AMERICA

Sir John Hare. the English actor. closes in the
current number of THE Strand Magazine the
"reminiscences and reflections" his career has sug-
gested to him in these his years Of comparative
leisure He calls the closing chapter I'm America
Sir John came here in the middle OF December
1895 and before he had appeared on the stage-on
the eve in fact. of his first appearance-PTesident
Cleveland issued his message threatening England
In its quarrel with the Venezuelan government Sir
Henry Irving was then acting in New York On
the Saturday of the week of the message he was
make his final appearance The following Mon
day was appointed for Mr.. Hare's debut
~ shall not readily forget that memorable week,
writes Sir John. Irving and I felt so sure that
war was imminent that we actually discussed the
probab blity OF having 10 leave the United
States before its declaration The attitude, how
ever of the Americans to Individual Englishmen
although the yellow press was teemtng with abuse
Of our country. most kind and sympathetic
This revealed to a trait in the American char
acter which inspired me with the greatest adrnira-
ton It quite impossible TO describe the state OF
feverish excitement which prevailed in New York
during that eventfuI week The sensational papers
endeavored TO incite rather than alay the belcose
feelings Of the people Anti British speeches were
made in every direction. and in the excited condi-
ton Of the community I dreaded the scene that
might occur on the occasion Of Irving's last sp-
pearance which to take place on the Saturday
night Of that week.
II was of course. present. Irving played Water
loo and the usual English patriotic airs identified
with that little masterpiece were performed during
the evening. I quite prepared 10 see the audi
ence rise en- masse and tear the seats from their
surroundings. But, not The innate courtesy OF
the nation and the respect invariably extended TO
our greatest English actor regned supreme. and
they received Irving with the same enthusiasm as
when the sky was clear and unclouded- could
not help rejecting on this, and wondering what
sort Of reception Englishrnan would have re-
ceived under similar circumstances in certain coun-
tries nearer home Indeed. good taste and cour-
tesv seem to be characteristic qualities OF the
American people. as is also in marked degree
their extraordinary sangfroid"
BRUSH WITH MR.. ROOSEVELT
Sir John. of course entertained with the
usual hospitality with which the clubs OF New
York are wont to ply eminent foreign actors. and
at one OF these dinners while the Venezuela ex-
citement was still seething, he was the chance wit
ness Of Mr.. Roosevelt. then police commissioner,
in combat The actor recounts the episode IN
this wise: Irving sent an invitation TO dine
at the anniversary dinner Of the Cloister Cluo
"a little club of newspaper men and artists that
is now extinct, whose president had asked him 10
convey the invitation to me. though was per
sonaHy unknown to it's members Irving. being
himself unable to go, strongly advised my at
tendance. as polite and diplomatic step, ana ac-
cordingly-whtle not unnaturally a little 1earful
Il went 1t was at this dinner that 1 had the
meeting
commissioner of police in New York. who was my
their extraordinary sangfroid.
AT the end of the proceedings. when the chair
man had vacated his seat Mr.. Roosevelt also left
the table and I could him through the open
door being helped into his greatcoat prior to his
departure At this moment up rose a well known
American orator CMr. Wise. 1 believe). who iS-
uored the Charman's directions that politics should
not be discussed. owing to presence as an Eng
Ush guest He made a remarkable speech, IN
which he pointed out the crime of journalists who,
with their irresponsible pens, stirred up the angry
uas5ions OF war and belcOse feelings Of mankind,
instead of subduing them when their country was
at a crisis He proceeded to say that he himself.
having fought in the Civil War. realized the hor-
rors of the battlefield. and finished by declaring
that all that territory south of the Isthmus OF
Panama was not worth one drop OF Anslo-Saxon
bIoodr
This grafton caught the OF Mr.. Roosevelt,
who in a towering passion tore off his overcoat,
returned 10 his chair next 10 mine. and, having de-
clared that the speaker had violated the rule laid
down by the chairman stated that he was no
To make A most impassioned patriotic speech. IN
the course of which he thanked God that he had
not drop of Anglo-Saxon blood in his veins Mr..
Roosevelt probably anticipated my emotions 81
dsmay and discomfort. every and again
raused in his denunciations. bowling in apologize
vay to assure me that personal affront n
tended. 1 need hardly say. however, that the