The Washington herald., 1916-10-10
Seen and Heard by George Miner.

New York, Oct. o-Sir Herbert Beerbohm
Tree is back in America again smiling and happy,
He has good reason to be because his theater
in London although he has not appeared there
for a year, is playing to tremendous houses,
while he himself can come to the United States
and get enormous salary either a theatrical
star or before the moving picture camera. Last
winter, when he over it was experiment.
If I accurately informed, the moving picture
concern which has contracted for his services
paid him $4,000 week. They soon found out,
however, that Sir Herbert was not exactly adapt
able to their requirements and they tried to
get him to break the contract.
The means used I'm informed, were, in view
Of subsequent events, somewhat laughable. They
insisted that he should black up and pose as
Uncle Tom in a film presentment of Harriet
Beecher Stoves famous novel. Naturally, Sir
Acknowledgements leading actor, most dis
tinguished after-dnner speaker member Of all
the exclusive clubs and a personal friend Of
royalty-did not fancy playing a nigger part.
However, some compromise made and he
stayed to give the wonderful production OF
Henry VIII, which as every one knows was the
leading dramatic event OF last season.
Speaking of Sir Herbert naturally brings to
mind Mr.. Percy Burton who for many years has
been Sir Herbert's manager This summer Mr..
Burton was in England and happened to be visit
ing at Stratfors-on-Avon, famed for its Shakes
pearean associations. While he was there, two
American tourists from Dayton, Ohio, some
place in the Middle West, were there doing
Shakespeare's town. Mr.. Burton made their
acquaintance and was Immediately pressed into
service as their guide, philosopher and friend.
He showed them all the interesting places in the
town. Coming to the Shakespeare house-that
long, rambling old structure which so many tour
lists know-he said
This is where Shakespeare was born"
The American tourist whose business when at
home is that Of conducting a harness factory
looked at the historic old structure with amaze
ment and inereduty
you don't say so. Why always heard he
was born in manger"
When Sir Herbert was knighted by King
George few years ago. he made remark which
since that time has become widely quoted in
London, but, however, in very good natured
and unreflecting spirit. According to report, Sir
Herbert said:
80, l now Sir Herbert That is very
delightful and at last my wife will be a lady"
No sooner does New York get over its scare
Of infantile paralysis and people begin to return
to the city than Boston takes up the trouble.
The result is that all the New England resorts
are still crowded to the doors by fleeing Bos-
tonese l hear that in the White Mountains the
Berkshires and Green Mountains the hotels are
now quite as full they were in August While
this terrible epidemic is without question a very
serious atfliction to the big cites here, it has
been great help to the hotel keepers in the
country districts. They are reaping profits from
it much the same as the United States is reap
ing profits from the horror, suffering and terrible
conditions that have existed in Europe for the
past two years.