DEATH OF MRS G. H. GILBERT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1717, 25 January 1905, Page 56

DEATH OF MRS G. H. GILBERT.

AMERICA’S VETERAN ACTRESS

(By “Lorgnette.”)

Mrs G. H. Gilbert, America’© veteran, actress, died suddenly at ber rooms, in Sherman House, Chicago, on the 2nd December, at the ripe age of 33 years. The cause of death was due to a stroke of apcplexy, brought on by the shock of at cold bath, in water said to be drawn at the temperature of Lake Michigan. It was Mrs Gilbert’s wonted custom to have a bath every morning at nine o’clock, and it was on her return to her room that she was stricken. Her maid, who was with her ait the time, summoned the hotel physician, Dr Owen, who did all that was possible to be done, but Mrs Gilbert died within an hour of the time she was stricken. Her professional career was in many ways a remarkable one. No jilayer on the American stage was held in greater regard than she was, both by public and performers, being a clever actress and a charming woman. Mrs Gilbert was born in Rochdale. England, on the 21st October. 1821, her maiden name being Susan Hartley. When little more than 20 years old she married the ballet master at the Royal Opera House, London, and entered upon her piofes-sional career as a dancer. The pair journeyed to America in 1844) and went West. Mrs Gilbert soon realised that an actress may enjoy fame a great deal longer than a ballet dancer, and so she graduated from dancing into comedy old won;an parts. Her first appearance in New York was in '‘Finesse,” a comedy by the Countess of Giffard, at the Olympic Theatre, on Broadway, near Bleecker street, September 10th, 1864. In 1869 she joined Augustin Daly’© company and made her debut as Mrs Kinpeck in Robertson’s "Play’’ at the opening of the original Fifth Avenue Theatre, on the site of the present Madison square, behind the Fifth Avenue Hotel. Mrs Gilbert remained under Mr Daly's management for thirty years, until his death. For three score years Mrs G. H, Gilbert appeared on the stage, and ner first appearance as a star at the Lyceum Theatre, New York, on the 23rd October, 1904, was described as a dramatic event long to be remembered.

Although one of the best known of stage women, this '’Queen Mother of the American Stage” never before had played at t'.io head of her own company. Her performance of the leading part in Clyde Fitch’s play, "Granny,” was a great triumph for this woman who had passed the four score mark in the race of life. The reception she received moved her to tears. The following is the original cast of characters of Clyde Fitch’s play "Granny”: John Allenby, Mr Emmett C. King; Mr Allenby. Mr Frank E. Aiken; Jack, Mr William Lowers; Henry Allenby, Mr Austin Webb; Jim Wells, Mr Sydney Rice; Pete, Mr Frank Brownlee; Boy, Herbert Marion; Mr 3 Thomson ("Granny”), Mrs *G. H. Gilbert; Helen Mason, Miss Dorothy Hammond; Dora, Miss Marie Doro; Jane, Miss Jennie Reiffartli; Katie, Miss Olive Murray. All the great actors and actresses of the latter half of the last century were contemporaries of Mrs Gilbert. When Edwin Booth and Lawrence Barrett and others who gained fame and died in the harness, were struggling for recognition, Mrs Gilbert was well known to theatregoers. More than a decade before the Civil Wair she was acting in New York and other cities. In her sixty years on the stage Mrs Gilbert had played in a hundred or more productions —so many, in fact, that she did not know the exact number. Yet her managers have been comparatively few, which is another way of saying that her success and her good humour went hand in hand always. Some of the more important plays in which she was cast are noted extensively in Col. T. Allston Brown’s *‘A History of the Stage.” She has played the following roles: Sairey Gamp, in “Martin Clnizzlewit,” Sep. 26th, 1864. Miss Tucker, iii “Time Works Wonders,” Nov. Bth, 1864. Dowager Duchess of Alberfels, in “Court Cards,” Nov. 15th, 1364. Mrs Sadrip, in “Milky White.” Nov. 21st, 1864. Mrß Somerton, in "Lolah.” Oct. 2nd, 1865. Betsy Trotwood, in “David Copperfield,” May 21st. 1866. Mrs Wilfer, in “Our Mutual Friend,” May 28th, 1865. Marquise St. Maur, in “Caste,” Aug. sth, 1867. Mrs Willoughby, in “The Ticket-of-Leave Man,” Nov. 11th. 1868. Mis 3 Melinda Aspen, in “Joe,” March 4th, 1868. Mrs Fallon, in “A Flash of Lightning,” June 10th. 1868. Unknown female in “No Thoroughfare,” Sept. 28th. 1869. (From 1870 until eight years later her work seems to have been overlooked by the stage historian.) Chandinesse, in “A Celebrated Case,” Jan. 23rd, 1878. Mrs Candour, in “The School for Scandal,” May 7th, 1878. Mrs Van Rensselaer. in “Our First Families,” Sept. 23rd, 1880. Dosie JlefFron, in “Needles and Pins,” Nov. 9th. 1880—her first appearance at Daly’s Theatre. Suzanne Dorsie. in “Fairfax; or. Life in the Sunny South.” Deo. 29th. 1880. Zenobia Tropies. in “Cinderella at School.” March sth. 1881. Baroness Conaro-Boria. in “Odette,” Feb. 6th, 1882. Countess of Carl, in "Lords and Commons.” Nov. 15th, 1935. Endoxia Qmitties. in “Love on Crutches,” Feb. 7th. 1885.

Mi-3 Xantippe Babbitt, in “A Night Off; or. A Page from Balzac..'' March 4th, 1885. Dame Quickly, in “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” Oct. 4th, 1886. Mrs Daugery, in “Nancy and Co." Feb. 14th, 1886. , „ . Mrs Tommy Chipper, in After Business Hours,” Oct. sth, 1886.

Mrs Joblots, in "Love in Harness; or. Hints to Hymen,” Nov. 16th, 1886. Mrs Eutycia Laburnam, m The Railroad of Love,” Nov. 2nd, 1887. Mrs Zenobia Sherrany, in The Lottery of Love,” Oct. 9th. 1888. . Mrs Hypatia Barges, m “Seven-Twenty-eight.” Deo. 4th, 1888. . Mrs Millicent Memday, m An International Match,” Feb. stli, 1889. Mine. Coralie Coraline, in “The Golden Widow,” Oct. 2nd, 1889. Aunt Penelope, in “The Great Unknown, Oct, 22nd. 1889. „ Mme. Filoche. in “A Priceless Paragon, Feb. 12th, 1890. Mrs Giilibrand, in Haroun A 1 Easchid and His Motlier-in-Law,” March 26th, 1890. Mrs Sackett, in “New Lamps for Old,” Oot. 7th, 1390. Mme. Pierrot, in “The Prodigal Son,” March 3rd, 1891. Dowager Countess of Drumdurris. in The Cabinet Minister,” Jan. 12th, 1892. Mrs Huldah Dangery. in “Nancy and Co.” Jan. 19tli, 1892. „ . m Mrs Doctor Tinkey, in A Test Case, Nov. 10th, 1892. , „ Confidante, in “A Tragedy Rehearsed, Jan. 31st, 1895. The Hostess, in “The Honeymoon, April 4th, 1395. Baroness von Wettinger, in “The Two Escutcheons,” Jan. 7th, 1896. „ Ursula, in "Much Ado About Lotlimg, Dec. 21st, 1896. . . „. Mrs Matilda Carbury. m “Number Nine; or. The Lady of Ostend,” Dec. 7th, 1898. Mrs Elsmere, in “The Great Ruby,' Feb. QMi 1399 Susan, in “Miss Hobbs.” Sept. 7th. 1899. The Queen Dowager, in “His Excellency the Governor,” Sept. sth, 1901. Mrs Chartris. in “The Girl and the Judge,” Dec. 4th, 1901. At the close of her "stellar’’ engagement at the Lyceum Theatre, New York, Mrs Gilbert came before the curtain and spoke these words; Dear friends in front, the curtain must not fall. , Until a grateful woman says good-bye to all. Just think of all the kindness that I've got of you! I’d like to be the “granny” of the lot of Old-age to bear becomes a happy load When love and friendship line tlie lengthening road. . And as I’ve lived long years m this dear land. I’ve never lacked the pressure of your hand. . Nor missed your smile the time 3 I tried to jest. Nor wanted for a tear when tears were be3t. So when the curtain’s down, the footlights out. Once and for all for me. I’ll turn about. And in my memories live again each day. Your hands and hearts made glad for me tny Way. When with Augustin Daly I acted many parts! And Jimmy Lewis, bless him, played with me at hearts! And Ada Behan, the dear creature, won her brilliant spurs. And Johnny Drew, cheeky darling, stole my heart and hers; And charming Annie Russell, and more than I can name/ — But I’ll keep them in my memory, every one the name! Dear days! so many, too, red-lettered ones and gold. The curtain falls on all of them—l’m eighty-three years old! Good-bye, old friends, new friends, my children, every one of you! Listen, for it’s true, I love each mother’s son of you! For wealth, for fame, my goodness, I don’t care a filbert! If only in your hearts you’ll keep old Mr 3 Gilbert. Funeral services for Mrs Gilbert were held iu the Bloomingdale Reformed Church on the 6th December, the Rev. Dr Stinson, who officiated, being assisted by the Rev. Walter Bentley. There was also a special musical service composed chiefly of hymns of which Mrs Gilbert was especially fond. This was under the direction of P. F. del Campiglio, who composed the organ prelude, '‘At Rest,” which was dedicated to Mrs Gilbert’s memory In his eulogy Dr S-tinson dwelt upon Mrs Gilbert’s Christian life, and said that in her acting she had brought comfort to many. Dr Stinson then read these lines, which he had written: Eighty years of hopes and fears, Eighty years of joy and tears, Eighty years of changes tossed, Eighty years by losses crossed. Eighty years of battles fought. Tell me not they were for naught. Eighty years of garnered love All that’s true the heavens will show, Eighty years of work all done, Cheery as when first begun. Out of respect to Mi’s Gilbert's memory the managers of all the New York theatres decided that no rehearsals of any plays were to be held, which enabled members of the profession to attend the services. The members of Mrs Gilbert’s Company occupied the front pews with her relatives and closest friends. The interment was at Greenwood cemetery, where Mrs Gilbert’s husband and son are buried. The pall-bearers were Dean Van Amringe, Columbia "University, Sir Charles Wyndham, Justice Joseph F. Daly, Mr Clyde Fitch, Mr Daniel Frohman, Mr George Gould, Mr Francis Wilson, M t John Drew, Mr Nat Goodwin, Mr Frank E. Aiken, Mr William Bispham, and Mr A. M. Palmer. Tlio company wnicli supported Mrs Gilbert in the comedy-drama “Granny” has been disbanded, Mr Charles Frohman, who was directing the tour, having decided that Mr Clyde Fitch’s play shall never be performed again.