The Sun.
London, England, 1859-09-30 00:00:00

STRAND THEATRE.

The corps dramatique of the Strand Theatre have done
equal honour to themselves and to the fair lessee of this
favourite little playhouse by presenting Miss Swanborough
with a valuable testimonial, designed to express their high
sense not only of her great professional abilities, but also of
her genuine private worth. This tribute, which all who
know Miss Swanborough will admit to be richly deserved,
consists of a silver tea and coffee service, of very elegant
design, and bearing a suitable inscription. The testimonial
was presented in the presence of the whole company, who
assembled on the stage for the purpose; and the offering
acquired peculiar grace, and derived its true value from the
circumstance that it was quite spontaneous on the part of
the donors, and altogether unexpected by the lady herself,
who, before the evening when the gift was presented, had
no idea that any such honour was intended. After an
excellent speech from Mr. Parselle, who was chosen to
express the feelings of the company on this interesting oc-
casion, Miss Swanborough rose amid a scene of affecting
enthusiasm to return thanks, which she did with manifest
emotion. She entreated their indulgence, and hoped they
would excuse her emotion in being placed for the first
time in such a novel position. (Cheers.) She assured
them that she did not feel equal to the task of ade-
quately thanking them ; yet it was such a pleasing duty
that she could not allow any one else to take it off her
hands. (Cheers.) She was prepared to reply to an expres-
sion of their thanks, but their costly gift was quite unex-
pected by her. She needed scarcely to dwell on the success
of the little Strand Theatre, under their united exertions,
as that was a fact now too well known to require comment
there. (Cheers.) She felt that was a fitting opportunity
for expressing her heartfelt thanks to everyone, not only
for what they had done for the theatre, but for their
zealous co-operation in everything connected with her
and hers. (Cheers.) She felt that had they not done
so her efforts would have been unavailing indeed.
(Cheers.) She begged most gratefully to thank the gen-
tlemen of the press for the kind and encouraging words
she received from them at the commencement of her man-
agement. She was beset with difficulties, and their kind
words were an encouragement to her, and acted as incen-
tives to future exertions. (Loud cheers.) She felt that her
language was poor and weak for the occasion, especially
after the able and charming manner in which Mr. Parselle
had addressed them. (No, no, and cheers.) But her heart
was full, and they must take the will for the deed.
(Cheers.) She felt that honour deeply, and she assured them
she would ever cherish their costly gift as one of the most
precious mementos of her life. (Cheers.) It should never
be parted from her, as it would remind her of bygone times,
when they had fought hard and won success. (Cheers.)
Again thanking them from the inmost recesses of her
heart, she wished them all health, happiness, long life, and
prosperity. (Great cheering.) A round of applause, fol-
lowed by a merry dance, concluded a ceremonial creditable
to all parties concerned.