The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-13 00:00:00

Presentation of a One Hundred Guinea
Nugget to Mr. and Mrs, Charles Sean

(From the Ballarat Evening Post of Marsh 4.)
The theatre was again crowded to overflowing on
Thursday evening to witness a repetition of Mr.
Kean's historical portrait of Louis the Eleventh.
Having fully noticed the lifelike picture upon a
previous occasion, it is only necessary to say that
the points of the character were taken with the
same intellectual appreciation, on the part of the
audience, that so strikingly marked its first per-
formance. The event of the evening, was however,
the handsome presentation of the nugget of gold
to Mr. and Mrs. Kean, and the enthusiastic ap-
plause, cheers, waving of handkerchiefs, and other
demonstrations of approval that endowed the de-
livery of the address, is a very satisfactory proof
that the compliments it contains is in strict keep-
ing with public opinion.
Mr. Robert Lae Poor Trench read the following
address :

To Mr and Mrs Charles Kean.
Your friends and admirers in Ballarat cannot permit
you to leave this town without conveying to you the as-
surance of their respect and esteem, and expressing the
extreme gratification you have afforded them in the display
of your genius during your present visit.
The crowded audiences which have nightly witnessed
your admirable performances afford the best evidence that
your noble art is justly appreciated in this goldfield. It
cannot be the less gratifying to you to know that the suc-
cess which has attended your dramatic performances in
Ballarat, as well as throughout the colonies, has been en-
hanced by the public appreciation of the private worth and
social virtues which you have brought to the adornment of
your profession. (Cheers,)
We feel that the success to which we have referred is no
less honourable to ourselves than to you, and we are espe-
cially proud that in no portion of the colony has that sue •
cess been more marked than in Ballarat, (Loud cheers,)
We beg you to accept this nugget taken from our auri-
ferous soil, as a remembrance of your visit to our goldfield.
(Loud and prolonged cheers.)
We cherish the hope that when you have retired from
the arduous labour of the profession you have so long and
worthily adorned into the ease and comfort of private life,
accompanied, as you sarely will be, with that which you
have already so well secured, "Honour, love, troops of
friends," the recollection of your short sojourn in the metro.
polis of the goldfields will not be the least pleasing re-
miniscence of your professional career, (Cheers.)
In now bidding you farewell we cordially wish you the
enjoyment of health and happiness, and subscribe ourselves,
with every feeling of respect and esteem,
YOUR FRIENDS AND ADMIRERS,
Mr Kean who was most enthusiastically received,
and who was delayed for some time by the repeated
plaudits of the audience, delivered the following
address ;

Mr. Trench, Ladies, and Gentlemen—
I fear that I can but very inadequately express how gra-
,fied and honoured Mrs. Kean and myself feel at the com-
pliment you have paid us. We are truly proud of such a
mark of your favour and esteem, and beg to assure you that
this will remain indelibly impressed upen our memory as
one of the brightest days in the calendar of our lives.
I arrived in Ballarat much enfeebled by a severe and
serious illness; but its pure and invigorating air, combined
with the warmth of our reception, and aided by the exhi-
larating influence of the most brilliant success, has acted
like a charm, and almost restored my wonted health and
strength. (Cheers.)
It is a matter of self-congratulation that we have been
enabled to visit this extraordinary and most interesting
city, with the hill of gold and mines of wealth—where all
appears so new, so strange, so wonderful. (Cheers.)
It strikes the stranger with astonishment to walk
through your wide and spacious streets, adorned with hand-
some stone buildings, substantial shops, and noble edifices
for the sick and poor ; to see the town teeming with life
and animation, occupied by an active, industrious, and in-
telligent population; and to be reminded that scarcely more
than 12 years ago this place was a lonely wilderness. Yet
upon this spot, so recently a wild and rugged bush-land,
now stands a temple dedicated to the drama, whose director,
through the liberal spirit of the inhabitants, is enabled to
pay us £lOO for each performance. (Loud cheers.)
On Monday next we commence a farewell engagement
in Melbourne previous ,to our final departure from the
colonies. After which we purpose on our way home to
visit another land of gold. Although I have passed
nearly six years of my life, at different periods, in the
United States of America, I have never yet had an op-
portunity of seeing California, but judging from the
cordial reception extended to my wife and myself in all
other parts of that vast continent, we have every reason to
anticipate a generous welcome professionally and socially.
But go where we may, we shall never, never forget our
kind friends here, from whom we shall part with deep re-
gret. Let me assure you, Ladies and Gentlemen, that the
precious gift you have this evening bestowed upon us will
be retained with feelings of pride and gratitude while we
live. When we are no more it shall descend as an heir-
loom in our family, to be regarded by those who follow us
as an emblem of the "golden opinions" won by us in
Ballarat." (Enthusiastic Applause.)
Mr Hoskins then came forward, and said, "Mr Kean, I
cannot permit this occasion to pass without thanking you
for your liberality in playing for my benefit this evening,
and at last consenting to remain fur to-morrow and Satur-
day, after repeatedly refusing my offer of £230 for the two
nights. (Cheers.) The deputations at last prevailed with
you, and I am most happy you have consented, because I
know the general satisfaction it will give the patrons of this
theatre to behold yourself and Mrs. Kean in two such
Shaksperian plays as King John and Macbeth. Indepen-
dently of the pleasure you have expressed at your visit to
Ballarat, it must be most gratifying to you to find here so
much appreciation of histrionic talent and such wealth to
pay for it, particularly as Mr Coppin informs me that you
have played one night here to larger receipts by nearly
£5O than in Melbourne or Sydney. (Loud cheers.) The
rememtrance of your visit will ever be a pleasing one to me,
and I would fain express a hope that you have re-esta-
blished the taste for dramatic literature here, and that the
theatre may onco again proudly hold its own among the
temples dedicated to art in this young and flourishing
colony."

The curtain fell amidst the most enthusiastic
applause and waving of handkerchiefs. The nugget
presented to Mr. and Mrs. Lean was a specimen of
gold and quartz, found about six months ago in
New Chum Gully, and bought by Messrs. Witt-
skowski Bros. and Co., from whom it was purchased
by the presentation committee for one hundred
guineas. The specimen measures 42 inches by 3$
inches, and is of a rough oval shape, the intermix-
ture of white quartz and pure bright gold being
very beautiful,