Life of Edwin Forrest, the American Tragedian. Volume 1 (of 2)Alger, Horatio, Jr.
General
Life of Edwin Forrest, the American Tragedian. Volume 1 (of 2)
Alger, Horatio, Jr.
Forrest, Edwin, 1806-1872
Another document from his pen at about the same time will certainly
interest readers who recall the circumstances of his situation then,
and the facts of his subsequent career. It is the earliest application
he ever made--and it was in vain--to the manager of a theatre for an
engagement.
"PHILADA., Dec. 6, 1820.
"To Mr. JAMES H. CALDWELL, New Orleans.
"SIR,--Having understood you intend to open your theatre in the city
of New Orleans some time during this month, I, by the advice of a
number of friends, have taken the liberty of addressing you relative
to an engagement. I am desirous of performing in your company for six
or eight nights, in such parts as I shall name at the foot of this
letter.
"I acted last season in Messrs. Warren and Wood's theatre for a
few nights, and drew respectable and profitable houses, which is a
difficult matter to do at this season in Philadelphia. For my capacity
I refer you to the managers above named, or to Col. John Swift, of
this city. Should you think it troublesome to write to these gentlemen
on the subject, I will procure the necessary papers and forward them
to you. If you conclude to receive me, I should like to hear on what
terms, and so forth. Address care of John R. Baker and Son, 61 Race
St., Philada.
"Yours truly,
"EDWIN FORREST.
"Characters:
Douglas,
Octavian,
Chamont,
Zanga,
Zaphna,
Tancred."
Among the first letters ever written by Edwin were three addressed
to his brother William, who had given up working as a printer and
become an actor, and was then absent on a professional engagement at
Harrisburg, Reading, and York. When we remember that these letters were
by a boy of sixteen, we shall not think them discreditable to him.
They throw light on his character at that time, and show what he was
doing. They also draw aside the veil of privacy a little, and give us
some glimpses of the domestic drama of his home, the bereaved family
industriously struggling to maintain itself, watched over perhaps from
the other side by the still-conscious spirit of its departed head.
"PHILADELPHIA, 4th Feb'y, 1822.
"Mr. WM. FORREST, Harrisburg.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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