| Show FONDNESS FOR PLAYS senator mark hanna has the following interesting reminiscence of the late president mckinleyl McKin leya fondness for flajs and actors in the february number of the national magazine the late president was particularly fond of a good play and when he would come to stay with me at cleveland over night he would always inquire Is there anything good at your opera house tonight mark we enjoyed many pleasant evenings together he delighted in meeting the prominent actors and was very fond of jefferson many an leour hare they chatted and jefferson never failed to call aal see him when in washington sol smith was another friend the drama of high standard was to him a relief from borri ments of the day and thoroughly enjoyed as a relaxation lie delighted to discuss with these play folks their art and how actors like men in public life had to cater to public wishes and how much their influence meant in producing plays of healthful purpose ind moral teaching mrs mckinley McKinl py was adso very fond of the theat rehe always delighted to indulge her anil they spent many happy evenings together witnessing the best plays that were on alie boards he never tired of seeing kip van winkle and the cricket on the hearth which were undoubtedly his favorite plays mark you meet as many distinguished men as owner of an opera house as you do as senator lie would jokingly remark after a chat with an actor he always to have a keen scent for talent in any profession and was quick to recognize genius the psychological study the actor made in portraying human nature before the footlights was to him fascinating the personality of men on the stage he believed had a potent influence on the public mind he never tired of high class dramas he was especially fond of Shakespea refi plays and always attended thoroughly read up he would often chide me for not being more thoroughly posted on the original shakespearean text but I 1 was more concerned in the play as staged how well I 1 remember how ho enjoyed witnessing tho play entitled the politician during hii second campaign for governor of ohio wo sat together in a box bloland reed alio played the politician and who is now dead directed his remarks straight at us and mckinley McKin loy enjoyed his hits immensely tho actor brought in impromptu points and so genero baly improvised the speaking part that it seemed aa if the actori and audience were having an aside all to themselves at our expense |
