New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-05
ACTOR SEES DOLLAR
SIGN AS ART AID
Sir J. Forbes Robertson
Lauds Generosity of
Americans.
SAYS WORK IN u. S.
GAVE HIM FORTUNE
At Farewell Dinner He Asserts
He Is Glad to Retire While
Still Successful.

IT was American enthusiasm and Amer
lean dollars. Sir Johnston Forbes-Rob-
ertson told the friends assembled in tho
Hotel AstOr last night 10 wish him Cod
speed, that had enabled him to realize
his ambition and retire from the stage
while still able to do the best that was
in him
1T is America, American audiences and
encouragement, both financial and artis-
TIC" he said. that allow me TO retire
from the stage. This it is that permits
me to quit at a time when believe a
man should quit | had dreamed OF lin
gering on until my faculties were inn
paired. How much better it is to retire
feeling still capable of doing the best
that is in me? And this / owe TO Amer
.ca."
He reviewed very briefly his stage
career, which began forty years ago, say
ing that in that time the drama had ad-
vanced further than the kindred arts
painting music and sculpture. In great
measure he attributed the advance to the
genius OF the great actor-managers.
And Of them ALL" he said, Bernard
Shaw is the greatest"
THE stage, both as regards inter-
prefers and authors he said, has taken
great strides. The dramatists here are
allowed to deal with subJects-and l think
very properly-whlch burn at the present
time. The spoken word upon the stage
has an enormous influence. and, correctly
treated, such subjects convey no hint Of
indelicacy."
At the close OF his speech he dramati-
cally clasped in a single hand the folds
OF the British and American flags which
draped the speakers table. exclaiming:
1T would be my chief pride if ! could
think that had done something 10 pro-
mote the alliance of the English speak
ing races"
Isaac y. Selgman was the presiding
spirit of the evening, and at various
times he called on Winthrop Ames. DR..
Felix Adler, Henry Clews. Henry w.
Taft, Mrs. Beatrice Forbes Robertson
Hale. niece of the actor and herself for
merly we'll known on the stage; Mrs.
Sarah Cowell lie Moyne. veteran of the
footllghts, and the distinguished guest
himself.
All spoke in an intimate vein of the
achievements OF him they had come 10
honor. and Henry Clews got close 10 the
real spirit of the gathering when he said
Every actor thinks he can play Ham
let. but Sir Johnston Is Hamlet when he
appears in that character. The stage Is
the greatest pulpit in the world II prop
erly used Sir Johnston in The Passing
OF the Third Floor Back preached one OF
the greatest sermons that any one ever
heard"
Mr.. Seigman read many letters ana
kilograms of regret. one was from Mayor
Mitchell and others were sent by OH
Cecil Spring Rice. the British Ambassa-
dor at Washington, Andrew Carnegie
Ida NJ. Tarbell. Or. Nicholas Murray
Butler, Ben Greet. Professor George +.
Baker Of Harvard. Seth Low and Will
lam Winter.
Among those present we're Mr.. ana
Mrs. Douglas Robinson. Professor and
Mrs. Henry Fairfield Osborn, Mr.. and
Mrs A. A. Anderson. Mr.. and Mrs. \.
Barton Hepburn. MI. and Mrs. Charles
.. Hnles. Mr.. and Mrs. f. II. Blashheld,
MIR. and Mrs. Karl Bitter. Mrs. Edward
MacDoweIl Mrs. Ernest Thompson
Seton. General and Mrs. Theodore A.
Bingham. Or. NJ. Allen Starr and Mr.
and Mrs. j. Kennedy Tod.