He was a master of his craft as well as a leader in society and letters.

To look at him when he came upon the stage was to laugh; yet he commanded tears almost as readily as laughter.

In New York City particularly he ruled the roost, and could and did do that which had cost another his place.

He began to take too many liberties with the public favor and, truth to say, was beginning to be both coarse and careless.

People were growing restive under ministrations which were at times little less than impositions upon their forbearance.