The L'Anse sentinel., 1911-09-23
Gratitude Of Famous Actor

came upon Davenport he sometimes
said to his friends that II there were
any memories or memorials of his ca
reer as an actor. those would be pre-
Served through the artistic triumphs
OF his daughter. Fanny Davenport,
and It might also be recalled that he
was one of those who took part in .
tribute Of acknowledgment to the
great service that had been done
them by teacher. John q. Lowell.
Sixty years ago the name of John
e. Lowell was widely known through
the publication of his school reader
and book of rhetoric which was COM
piled by him. As old age came upon
this teacher, whose school was at
New Haven. Conn. In the early part
Of the past century. he found himself
in very straitened circumstances.
II was once playing a portion of my
repertoire at New Haven" Mr. Dav-
export said, explaining the part he
took In the memorial to Lowell. when
I was told that my old teacher was
in. great poverty. It had been my
habit a few years earlier. when upon
professional visits to New Haven. to
call upon Mr.. Lowell. but for some
years my visits to New Haven were
rare and of short duration. so that I
had not been able to see him. But 40
soon as heard that he, was in pc
cuniary distress. I searched him out.
and l found that the story had not
been exaggerated. But the little man.
for he was of very diminutive stature.
would not complain. He insisted upon
talking about my professional career.
of which he had been very proud.
"At last told him that II he were
as proud of my career as he said he
was he was justified in that. for I
owed very much Of my success to him.
Mr.. Lowell seemed surprised to hear
me make that statement. He said that
he remembered me as good scholar
although sometimes little mischiev-
GUS, but he could not understand what
he had taught me that was Of service
to me after had become an actor.
I'm reply I said that he had taught
me how to use my voice. and that he
had first impressed upon me the fact
that the speaking voice 10 as admir-
able an organ as 10 the singing voice.
Il recalled how many times he had told
his scholars that 1t was sin TO neg.
lect the voice--how he had frequently
said to us that II was more important
to speak distinctly and In tones that
were free from nasal twang. then
called Yankee characteristic, than
1t was to speak with grammatical cor
rectness. even.
These were the instructions which
received from my old teacher to
which I owed much Of my success az
an actor, for whatever other criticism
may have been made upon my acting
had never heard any but words Of
commehdation for my enuntiation and
the manner In which used my voice.
SO told Mr.. Lowell that was going
to try to repay him for what he had
done for me. And I went out and
found some Of my old schoolmates and
we began plan for a subscription
sufficient to buy or build q home for
Mr.. Lowell. having in mind also
FUND from which he could receive an
income sufficient to care for him
MANY and hearty were the r.
sponses to this appeal The money
was raised. house and plot Of ground
in the suburbs Of New Haven not fnr
from East Rock were bought. and the
little school teacher received Il -
tribute from the men who, even In
their schooldays, had learned % ~
spect him greatly and aftsrwards %
look back upon their experiepc6s at
his school With ansctionate rscollso-
tion. " &. ~ y. n, \; &. z. y
"a tor ny part n this tsstimonIal.
4 wns 6lmply 3 rop1Sm6ut & uon1o
pottlon * ~ debt &hloh ! ovno6 ~
4. 4 g q = z; ~ Z