The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-23 00:00:00

MISS BATEMAN.

The retirement from the stage of so excellent an
actress as Miss Bateman is au event which, though
undoubtedly a great gain to her future husband,
cannot be regarded otherwise by the public than as
a severe loss to the dramatic profession. The high
estimation in which she is held by London play-
goers was elegantly testified last evening by the
vast numbers who were attracted to her Majsty's
Theatre to witness her last performance. Her ap-
pearance upon the stage in the character of Juliet
—such having been the part in which she chose to
take leave of her English admirers—evoked enthu-
siastic acclamations. Though the character is very
unlike those in which she has usually appeared in
the metropolis, she played it in such a style as to
give ample satisfaction to the audience, whose ap-
plause was fervid and frequent. She was well sup-
ported in Romeo by Mr. J. C: Cowper, an actor
whose fame is not equal to his deserts.

In the course of the evening Miss Bateman ap-
peared in front of the curtain and delivered the
following address :

"Ladies and Gentlemen,--ft is always a sad, hard task
to bid goodbye to friends. Can you wonder that it is very
difficult for mo to utter—not the simulated woes of a stage
heroine—but the earnest expression of what I feel in ad-
dressing for the last time an audience from whom I have
received so warm a welcome and such generous kindness
that I shall always think and speak of you as friends ?
While I say this, I think on more than I behold.' It is
not alone the London public to whom I wish to acknow-
ledge my deep indebtedness. In every place I have visited
—Liverpool, Birmingham, Dublin, Glasgow, Manchester,
Bath, and Bristol—the most liberal patronage, the most
unequivocal success has. met me ; but, more than all, a
social welcome so genial, so heartfelt, that I forgot I was
only a stranger and a sojourner, and have learned to
cherish with affectionate regret the remembrance of scenes
for ever associated with so much generous kiadness. In
all probability I shall see them and you no more. I return
to my native country, to the public that first cherished my
dawning abilities, to the home which early associations
have endeared to me. But the joyous thought of my wel-
come does not overmaster the deep sadness of my farewell.
Your great poet has sung of benefits forgot—mine will not
be of them. In the quiet hours of home life to which I
look forward at the close of my dramatic career, I shall
think of you often, very often, for 1 know there are those
here to-night whose faces I have never seen, whose good
wishes go with me to my distant home. Some of you will
perhaps like America for my sake. I shall always love
England for yours. Like your favourite, poor Leah, I
wander with my people.' Like her also I say God bless
I you—good bye.' "

This brief address, which was admirably spoken,
elicited loud cheers, and the favourite actress re-
tired amid the enthusiastic acclamations of the
audience.

The entertainment concluded with the come-
dietta of " Little Daisy," in which Miss Virginia
and Miss Isabella Bateman, two very clever little
girls, sisters of the be'ne'ficiare, made their first ap-
pearance on any stage. They experienced a very
happy reception.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.—On Wednesday night last
a large corn mill, belonging to Messrs. Szhoon and Jack-
son, Kirkstall, in the boroUgh of Leeds, was destroyed by
fire. The damage has been estimated at from £4,000 to
£5,000. The loss is covered by insurance in the Liverpool,
London, and Globe office.