The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-11-13 00:00:00

MR CHARLES MATHEWS' BENEFIT.

Mr. Charles Mathews took his farewell benefit at the
Gaiety Theatre, in London, on Mondtty afternoon, when a
crowded audience assembled to do him honour Being sum-
moned before the curtain after the performance of his
amusing play, "My Awful Dad," Mr. Mathews sr oke as
follows :

"Ladies and Gentlemen,—l have promised a few
words, and I am hero to redeem my promise. An
actor has always this advantage—he not only promises
but performs. 'A few words' is a vague expression.
The few words of some men would fill a column, while
those of others would scarcely make a paragraph.
Mine are of the latter description. lam a man of fsw
words, and never trouble you with them, except on
particular occasions, when I really have something
particular to say—and this is one of them. Of
course the nature of the few words depends upon
the circumstances. A few words with one's sweet-
heart are worth a week's talk with one's mother-in-
law, and when a man has a few words with his
wife, however much he may love her, the consequences
are anything but agreeable. Now a few words at
parting are naturally expected to be of a lachrymose
character, but I am not sentimental, nor given to the
melting mood. 80 you will excuse the non-appearance
of my white handkerchief. As I have observed, I
never say a few words except when I am going away,
but as I am always going away, you may think that I
am always saying a few words. But then I am
always coining back again, and I hope this will be no
exception to the rule, so t ,•.•re really is no occasion for
tears on either side. I am going on a little pleasure
trip. The weather here is very far from tempting,
and I cannot do better than step out of it. A severe
winter is predicted, so I avail myself of the oppor-
tunity of avoiding it, and, as the major would say,
of 'enjoying my Indian summer.' It is a trip I
have long contemplated. Three years ago, I had
nearly accomplished it, and got as far as Ceylon,
but my foot slipped and I drifted over to Aus-
tralia. I then determined to take India on my way
back, but the wind shifted, and I found myself in the
Sandwich Islands. This, however, I did not regret.
for I there passed one of the most memorable evenings
of my life. I played 'by command and in the presence
of his Majesty Kame-hame-ha, the Fifth King of the
Cannibal Islands,' before an audience of Kanakaa ;
black gentlemen, who, a few years ago, would have
supped off me with pleasure, and who find it difficult
even now to resist the occasional delicacy of a fat
baby on the sly. If all goes well I calculate upon
reaching Calcutta at last, and shall probably play
there about Christmas time, under the patronage of
the Rajah Ram Jam Cuttery Poo, or the lovely
Begum Catty Fatty Bunkum by, and on my return
you may expect to see me riding up to the stage-door
of the Gaiety on my favourite elephant. Where my
next trip may be is not yet settled-. I am balancing
between a provincial tour to the Arctic P,egions and
to the interior of Africa, but have to wait till the
theatres there have opened for their regular winter sea-
son. However, before Igo you shatl as usual have
another few words, so that you may be kept informed
of my movements. I think I see before me several
wellknown faces, constant attendants, who have
listened to a number of few words on numerous occa-
sions. I hope Ido not misinterpret them. There is a
story told ot a man who went away every night to see
Van Amburgh put his head in the lion's mouth, in
order that he might be sure of not missing the
moment when it would be bitten off. Who knows
but that the same sort of feeling may exist with
regard to my few words, and that the hope that
the/ may be my last may animate the listener? If
so shall try and baulk his morbid desire and do
my best to outlast him. I have beaten him so far
and will make a struggle for it still. I have enjoyed •
the favour of the public for forty years, and have
grown all the stronger for its support. Who knows