New-York tribune., 1917-07-29

went up to him, put the handkerchief
in the youths front pocket, stepped
back, drew his hand across his brow OBJ
servingly and said: "Ah, | think that
looks much better!" But the tables
were turned on Tree by young lady at
an elocution contest, who, after doing
her bit, came up to the table where
Tree was sitting in judgment with
Forbes Robertson and other examiners
and said: 81 hope you'll pass me,
Sir Herbert, because if you don't
shan't love you!" And forgot to ask
Forbes Robertson, who told me the
story, if he did.
Like all prominent actors, and espe-
cially managers, Sir Herbert Tree was
the recipient of many strange letters of
all kinds, but particularly, Of course,
from those desirous Of going on the
stage. The writer Of one was a house
decorator by trade, but wrote that, as
circumstances over which he had no
control had recently subjected him to
epileptic fits, he would be glad TO take
a part in Trees next production. He
added that he had strong taste for the
literary drama, of which, indeed, he had
several samples on hand, and concluded
his letter thus: "To prove to you that
| am not lacking in dramatic instinct |
inclose a newspaper cutting, which
please return" Underlined In red ink
were the words: "The prisoner, who
denied the assault, conducted his own
case and defended himself in some
what dramatic manner" Another wrote
"Veneered Sir: | wish to. go on the
stage and would like to Join your valu-
able theatre. have been a bricklayer
for five years, but having failed In this
branch have decided to take on acting,
1t being easier work. am not young,
but am six feet tall without my boots.
| have studied Balls system of Ellacu-
tion and am fond of reading"
Still another ran: "Dear Mr.. Tree:
hear you want dark people for your
Antony and Cleopatra I should like to
come to you. am Mahometan. I have
great dramatic talent. Yours truly, Sar-
donspalus. P. S.-I can lift any grand
piano with my teeth"
Tree has no great love for sports,
though he enjoyed an occasional
game Of golf and played last summer
when taking the cure at White Sulphur
Springs. He was present at the annual
Army and Navy football match in New
York, ard could not understand the wild
enthusiasm of thousands of people, on a
wet day withal, clicking a ball when it
was down." as he described it,
lie was more interested in work Ian
play, and said: Every man should
have a pride in the particular work to
which he is called. Instead of thinking
only Of the reward which that work
brings, a workman should learn to love
and to take a pride in his craft; it
should be to him even more important
lHdU lOOlDhll.
Tree probably loved indoor life be yer
than he did that in the open, though
always fond of a drive and, occasion
ally, a short walk. He only trusted
himself to me once, however, on foot
in Central Park.
Both at home and abroad he loved to
entertain. He was never happier than
when host, and the dome at His Maj
esty's Theatre was a rendezvous of well
known public men, politicians and
famous actors, English and foreign.
Particularly generous TO his fellow art
lists, Tree was loved by all; being more
Continental than English in his tastes,
temperament and outlook, Tree under
stood both the greatness and little
weaknesses Of the foreign artist, who
understood him, too, often better than
his own countrymen. And Tree was al
ways In demand to take the leading
part at a public function, especially at