The Washington herald., 1908-01-04

In recent interview, when asked the
question when did you begin the study
OF Shakespeare" DR.. Stafford responded.
4 don't know. AS a small boy and all
through my college course. on rainy days.
or when / had the blues, took refuge IN
the great bard. I found him ever
eonsoiing. and gradually he became my
Wade mecum.
The words Of the great master seemed
10 impress themselves upon DR.. Stat
fords mind, and he absorbed them IN
consciously.
lie began to lecture on Shakespearean
topics during the first years of his priest
hood. His rare power Of dramatic ex-
preston attracted the attention of stu
dents Of religion and science many years
his senior
Bis Mastery Analysis.
lie continued in this city as he had in
Baltimore, a series of Lectures. on the
81 plays OF Shakespeare. His analysis of the
Characters of Horauo, Hamlet. and Mac
beth was always mastery. His acting
while delivering lectures held his audi
ences in suspense rs when the scene was
enacted with all the scenic accessories by
a corps Of great performers.
The shelves OF his library contained
scores Of volumes-texts of Shakesneara,s
plays and CONFERENCE.-The companions
Cor years.
II has been said that no actor on any
stage knew the lines Of Shakespeare az
he knew them. and that ne had twelve
plays on the tip Of his tongue. When in
reviewed on the subject several wears
ago, he said:
II Is true that inducements were Of
s fered me to go on the stage when I was
younger man, and before I had been
ordained priest. These have never en-
tertained, and I never made any special
preparation for the stage, as has been
5 said Although 1 have a great love for It
IN The highest sense. my heart was given
10 the church in the priesthood from my
earliest childhood, and / have never with
drawn IT,"
Lectures Earned Thousands.
He had lectured hundreds of times be-
fore large audiences in practically every
American city. except the far West His
name sufficed to pack lecture halls. The
proceeds Of his lectures have amounted
10 SlO0,o0o out Of this enormous sum he
had retained hardly anything. but made
large contributions to charitable and
s philanthropic causes.
lis best lectures were on Hamlet -"
Julius Caesar" and Macbeth DR.
s Stafford was always greeted by audiences
that filled the local theaters Of this city
S 20 their capacity. The peculiar charm Of
his discourses coupled with his keen
analytical powers. enhanced by an elo-
quent command of the English tongue.
entitled him 10 a high place among lit
tudents. Dr. Stafford once de-
re offer Of a prlncely sum TO lee
eason on the Passion Play" in
re New York theaters.
al purpose in lectures on Shakes
as to deduee the lesson and i'm
)on the minds of his audience
'iples Of that great poet.
as was his work, both for those
2ith and those outside of il, his
S. and Christian mnistrations
lrently but begun.
ifs Mastery Oratory.
linence tie cardinal once wrote.
no reason or excuse that puInit
should decline, or be less assid-
tltivated to-day than in anv pre-
age Of Christianity, since II has
a scope and as sublime a mission
had"
et Dr. Stafford appreciated. be-
employed his mastery oratorv
cture platform as we'll as in the
it'll the use of Well chosen words
what he said was within the
ansion Of the humblest as we'll
armed.
Charm OF Delivery.
Father staffords critics. in
of his power on the lecture
once quoted the lines OF
harm ia delivery, a magical art.
5, Ike kiss FROM the lip TO the heart
slancs-the exIEassion-the velcbossn
magic the depths Of the spirit are stirred
the mute gesIure-thc s0uI.startng
weet expression that melts while it awcs
oft persuasi0n-its musical tone
as the charm Of that eloquent onel
ficult for the student Of oratory
.e that of DR.. Stafford, and point
hat his power consisted. In him
combination of the acquire
lat make up the orator-grace-
ire. sweet voice that rang with
tone Ike silvery bell, perfect
on, dignity Of manner. fOrcible
"a deep earnesness, which i'm
ne that there was no striving for
shutting with words, no triHIng
ubject.
His Gift to Society,
ford did much to bring Shake
the people, and to enable them
his beauties and appreciate his
No one could listen to the
he depicted Macbeth" sound
'pths of the heart of tine melan-
ne presented poor, mad Lear"
bed the retribution of Richard
lout feeling the sharpness Of re-
Re danger Of uncontrolled ambi-
the bitterness of tngratitude.
that to know Shakespeare was
truth and hate falsenood 10
known good work. and in
e he is believed by all classes
and Protestant alike To have
shed much for the good Of So
ieF McGuigan In Charge.
ne appointment by Cardinal CHI
The successor Of Or. Stafford as
ST. Patrick's Church. the first
Rev. Thomas E. Michigan. who.
he absence and illness OF DIR
assumed charge as acting ~.