The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-12 00:00:00

Mr, and Mrs, Charles Kean in America.

(From the New York Herald, of April 27.)
After an absence of many years from America,
Mr. Charles Kean, the last of the great Englisli,
actors, and his accomplished wife, made their firs"
appearance last night at the Broadway Theatre, iu
this city, before a large, fashionable, and highli
appreciative audience. Although the house was ,
crowded to excess, it was comfortably and sent-
ciently filled. The pieces selected for represents-
e
tion were Shakepere's tragedy of " Henry the,
Eighth," compressed into three acts, and Colman
popular comedy of " The Jealous Wife." As CAIa
dinal Wolsey, in the first piece, Mr. Kean exhibit t
some of the most finished and perfect acting ths,o
has ever been witnessed on any stage. His stPA
was vigorous and intellectual, as well as chaste an
polished-to the highest degree. Some of the 01(1t
touching passages of the tragedy were transcend"
ently grand, and utterly sets rivalry or competitioa
at defiance. Mr. Kean is indeed the last of the
illustrious race of actors whose accomplishinellts
have made the drama famous in their own count
and throughout the world. He stands to-day 00°'
fessedly without a peer in his profession in Europe'
Mrs. Kean was very effective in the part of Queen
Catherine, and frequently moved the audience
she
tears by the deep pathos and tenderness which (3:4,
threw into her words. In the scene in court
the King and Cardinals she was greeted with War'
and cordial applause.
When the curtain fell, at the close of the tragealei
the audience loudly called for the distinguish,,
artists. Mr. Kean then made hid appearance, leau
ing his wife by the hand. The applause was there
i
upon redoubled, and some ladies threw bouquets of
flowers at the feet of Mrs. Kean. She gracefulli
acknowledged the compliment and retired ; but, °o
Mr., Kean attempting to follow, loud cries °0
" Kean," " Speech," &c., arose. Mr. Charles
ea
responded to the invitation in the folloWl3°
words :
„, ot
Ladies and Gentlemen—Accept, I pray, the wur;„•eop
thanks of Mrs. Kean and myself for the cordial receP"b-i0
and for the brilliant assemblage with which you hare t'aer
evening honoured us. We return to this great city 1111.0
the influence of strong and various emotions, as our sup
brings to us a train of thoughts and feelings, recalling in
interesting associations and awakening many grateful 05,
membrances. Years have elapsed and not a few of DV ea„,,.
w acquaintances have passed away, since, almost at the cii'o.s
mencement of my professional career, I landed, a friers
youth, on your hospitable shores, there to receive that gtio
plause and encouragement which kindled within oe.
first glow of hope that I might one day attain sutore
That career is now drawing to a close, and I once ;ied
come among you, for the fourth and last time, aceeue, $o
by my wife, whom, as Ellen Tree, you regarded Wit' bid
much favour and encircled with so many friends, relifo
farewell, before we shake off the care and toil of Put° atal
for the calm enjoyment of rest and retirement. Laclierstfelt
gentlemen, once again permit me to offer our Ilea"
acknowledgments. iris
The afterpiece was admirably performed,
Mr. and Mrs. Kean a fine opportunity to show 'or
talent in comic parts. On the whole the per