New-York tribune., 1908-10-04

only Euzlishnnan present I felt extremely uncora.
Portable and was very glad TO make my exit
Mr. Roosevelt has since shown, during his shis
and brilliant diplomatic career as President of tbs
United States policy OF tolerance and good feel
ing toward this country which has clearly
bibited a better understanding and sympathy with
Great Britain. and long since banished from my
mind any unpleasant "reminiscences Of that event
full evening and my first meeting with that remark
a0Ie and powerful statesman
OF his visit 70 Boston. he writes:
@As an instance OF the many kindnesses sxper-
fenced In Boston 7 might give cne example Ot
the many clubs OF which enjoyed the priviIazs
OF being an honorary member. the Union Club
modelled on English lines, was perhaps my psr-
ticuar favorite- In taking my dinner at the
comfortable and inconvenient hour OF % clock tnY
custom always. of afternoon) was struck by
the fact that my simple dinner was always
ouisitely cooked. In reuarking this 70 my sou.
was told the reason that the chef had orders
NOT to leave the club in order that he could niu-
ister to my comfort and convenience I vas
anxious 10 make some return for this hospitality.
and inquired how 1 might best reward the servants.
It was strictly against the rules for any
ceive gratuity. but I was informed that passes
to the theatre where was playing would be very
acceptable
There were seventy servants IN the club. but
thev were told of in detachments and seats allotted
TO them in order Of their positions On the last
evening Of my engagement, on entering M dress
ing room at the theatre on Saturday night found
TO my surprise a superb trophy six FEET
In height consisting chiefly Of exotic flowers tcar-
nations and rosesJ from Florida. for II was then
r1idvinter and the ground was thick with snow.
Thinking this tribute was intended for the actresses
Of the company. I told nv dresser 70 take them
from my room 70 theirs. but he informed ne that
a card was concealed within the garland. which
was evidently meant for me II inscribed:
From the servants OF the Union Club vas
naturally much touched by this Every New Years
Day since have received a cable OF good wishes
from the members Of the Union Club, and. %
course have sent one in reply
THE AMERICAN STAGE
Here I must conclude my recouections ot
America for the present but cannot take leave ot
that wonderful country without recording briefly
, my. impressions Of their stage, the condition
OF their theatres and the ability of their actors
impressions which were confirmed on a subsequent
visit I made under the able and enterDrising d.
rection Of Mr. Charles Frohnan. whose attitude u
me throughout was not so much thar Of hard
headed impresario as that of a kind and consider
ate friend. In the first place. the chief American
theatres are models Of artistic design, convenience
and good taste, and erected on important and
dignhed sites. The arrangements fo- the comfort
OF the actors are almost IDEAL Their stages ara
heated by hot water coils, which are a boon %
both actors and audience. enabling the former 10
pursue their duties in comfort and under healthy
conditions and protecting the audience from tnoss
biting blasts which felt in many English the
atres directly the curtain separating tie audlencs
from the stage is raised Indeed. everything con-
nected with theatrical art in the United states
points to keen interest in It, and promises unli-
tied development in the future on the establish
uent Of their National Theatre. which IN the time
to come will place the American stage on foot-
ing with the best in Europe
sHThe Americans fond a theatre loving
peopIe perhaps still little Puritanical, and though
IN some parts their taste may be primitive ana
simple they have great desire for the best tnss
can be given them. Their stage suffers. Ike ours
from lack Of concentration and cohesion. and me
actors want proper training They also suffer nom
the pernicious system OF every promising young ae
tor being converted into a 'star'-InakEs nan
general before he knows his goosesteD-
But there is a mass OF ability on the American
stage II sometimes IN immature form Iheis
actresses as a whole. if not always indtvduaIy'
srpass our own style. distinction. temperament
and ability They have many excellent charac's4'
actors and not few jsUnes prerliers with ensas-
ing personalities and winning methods. Ano1S
their great actors who have passed away nlsH' .
mentioned Booth Warren, Gilbert, WallacA aAo
Forrest and in recent times Mansfield and Jens4
son-the former a tragic actor OF Sreat power a.
versatility and the latter 10 my mind the mess
comedian in the English speaking languags. II no.
indeed in the world His incouparaole KIP va
Wrinkle will live forever in the memory or tnos
who had the good fortune TO witness H. anu =
Bob Acres was a thing Of joy remember WllA9 -
ing his performance OF that part IN company W
Irving who asserted that it was the most pellV
piece of comedy acting and The finest rsall...
of the character he had ever seen Another Ts--1
ton of the strange statement that Irving ccu1 ~
appreciate another's srt'