Evening journal., 1910-08-18
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
A Visit to Congress- With
Sir Henry irving
BY "HOlIand."
By "HOlIand."

v
long after his debut as Matthias, in
The Bells I had the pleasure Of
meeting the great English actor-man-
ager at a little breakfast in Wash
| ington. During the course of the
meal he asked me if / could take him
into the House of Representatives,
I then in session.
Il should like very much to make
a study of the members of your House
OF Congress from a seat I'm the gal
leries where / will not be observed"
he went on to explain. Il have al
ways found great pleasure in studying
the faces and manners of men who
are prominent in public life when
they are not aware that any one IN
particular is studying them. Then,
after I have made my studies. | am
glad to be told their names, for it
frequently affords me great pleasure
TO learn that my impersonal observa-
tions have enabled me to read ac-
curately the characters of some of my
unconscious subjects"
That afternoon it was not difficult
to secure for Sir Henry Irving-then
plain Mr.. Henry Irying-a seat in the
visitors gallery where he would be
! fairly safe from observation. and yet
could see everything that was taking
! place on the floor of the house As
soon as he was seated he became in
tensely interested I'm the proceedings
upon the floor. At first he scanned
the whole House. seeming to take it
in with one broad sweep of the eye.
Then his attention became fixed upon
one member and he sat silently OBJ
serving him for perhaps five minutes.
At last he spoke, In a whisper, so as
not TO disturb our neighbors.
Il should say that that man is very
bright, a very clipper person, with
considerable literary ability | notice
that he has a very observant eye. !
should think, however, that he is more
superficial than deep--that he might
write or speak attractively without
saying much. Have | judged him
correctly? What is his name?"
THAT is Samuel S. Cox, commonly
known as Sunset Cox, and your es-
innate of him is probably not far out
OF the way" Sir Henry was informed.
And then he was told of Representa-
tive Cox's literary career and par
ticularly of his gorgeous description
of sunset which won him national
literary fame and his lifelong nick
name.
Sir Henry thought a moment.
81 should think he would be more
accurately described as Sunrise, " he
sai6. blandly.
A moment later the great actors
attention was held by a man round
whom were gathered four or FIVE Of
his fellow members, to whom he WAS
apparently speaking. in some excite
ment. about measure before the
House.
THAT man." whispered Sir Henry.
after studying him closely for sew
eral minutes. "is a typical American,
/ should say, as many of us in Eng
land typify the American character
He is very alert-minded and knows
how to shake hands, and is COM
pletely absorbed in politics ! should
like to hear him sVaak I Judge that
he has a high and possibly rasping
voice Have ! judged him correctly?
What is his name?"
"A fairly accurate judgment" was
the reply. His name is Cannon, and
he has a hobby of pairing down APP
preparation bills He is very popular
In his home district, has a good deal
of influence in the House, and is re-
ported TO be a very keen politician" :"
Does he want to be Presidentg'
sir Henry asked. But almost before
he had time to receive an answer, he
suddenly leaned forward excitely and
exclaimed abruptly: "Ah. there is a
man I should like to study" And
thereafter he sat in silent observation
for perhaps a quarter Of an hour.
'I cannot quite fathom that mans
intellect" he said at last; "appar-
entity. he is lethargic. physically. yet
OF wonderfully keen intellectual
powers But what interests me IN
him is the fact that mis- head Is Il
perfect copy. In contour. Of the head
Of Shakespeare The similarity is
marvellous have never seen any
other head 80 closely approach II, its
characteristics the best bust that we
have Of Shakespeare. Is he a leader
in this body? He should be with
such a head. And what Is his name?'
He IS one Of the leaders IN the
Housel he is one Of the most brill
liant men in public life to-day, and
his name is Thomas Bracket Reed, -
was the answer
Wonderful wonderful Is the like
ness between HIS head and that Of
the bust Of Shakespeare" exclaimed
Sir Henry under his breath And dur
ing the rest Of the hour that the
himself so excellent a reader OF men s
characters. stayed IN the House. his
gaze was constantly rivieed on
Thomas r. Reed
Copyright. 1910. by F. j. Edwards.
All rights reserved.)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell Oi
"a Prophecy of Gold That Was Full
filed"