Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1838-02-03
rFrra.n,, EYrnAor.---At the late Eor-

rest dinner, given IN fhiiadeipnla IN non
or of the great American tragedian, the
distinguished actor made most elo-
,quent and happy reply 10 the compli-
nentary sentiment offered to him on the
occasion. bo The following beautiful ex-
tract from his speech, refers to althril-
ling incident in his life, and contains
valuable moral. Without the fostering
care which the generous patron of his
youth extended to him, pluming his
young wings for the lofty flights to which
he has scared, the great living master OF
the stage would no doubt have been hs
undistinguished man, as he was then
an "unfriended boy."--Free Press.
"The sounds and sights which greet
me here are linked with thrilling asso-
Citations. Among the voices which well
come me tonight, distinguish some
which were raised in kind appreciation
Of my earliest efforts. Among the ia
ces which surround this board, trace
lineaments deeply stamped on my men,
ory, in that expression Of benevolent en-
couragement with which they regarded
my juvenile attempts, and cheered me
onward in the outset Of my career. !
look on your features, sir, (said Mr.. =.
addressing himself to the Mayor of the
city, who occupied seat by his right,)
and my mind glides over a long interval
of time to scene / can never forget
Four lustres are now nearly completed
since that event occurred TO which |
allude.
A crowd was gathered one evening
in the Tivoli Garden to behold the curl
Gus varieties Of delirium men exhibit on
inhaling nitrous oxide. Several years
had then elapsed since the great chemist
Of England had made known the singu-
lar properties Of exhilerating gas and
strange antics performed under its in
fuence by distinguished philosophers,
poets and statesmen Of Europe were
then on record. 1t was yet, however, a
novelty for us, and the public expert
ments drew throngs TO witness them
Among those to whom the intoxicating
agent was administered ION the occasion
referred to) there chanced to be little
unfriended boy, who, in the instant ex-
stacy, which the subtle fluid inspired,
threw himself into tragic attitude and
commenced declaiming passage from
one Of Shakspeare's plays. What, no p
he cried, "young Richmond, no tits
Richard calls, hate thee Harry, forthy
blood Of Lancaster" But the effect Of
the aerial draft was brief as it was sud-
den and irresistible. The boy, awaking
as from dream, was surprised to find
himself the centre OF attraction" the
observed Of all observers" Abashed at
his novel and awkward position. he
shrunk timidly from the glances of the
spectators, and would have stolen in
haste away. But stranger stepped
from the crowd, and taking him kindly
by The hand, pronounced words which
thrilled through him with spell-like inAu-
ence. "This lad" said he, has the
germ of tragic greatness in him. The
exhilerating gas has given him no new
power. Ithas only revealed one which
lay dormant in him before. II needs
only to be cherished and cultivated, to
bring forth goodly fruit"
Gentlemen, the present chief magis-
trate Of our city, was that benevolent
stranger, and your guest tonight, was
that lnfriended boy. If the prophecy
has been in any degree ulflled-if since
that time / have attained some eminence
in my profession let my full heart ac
knowledge that the inspiriting prediction
followed as it was with repeated acts of
delicate and considerate kindness, exer-
cised the happiest influence on the re-
suit. It was word in season. 1t was
kindly greeting, calculated to arouse
all the energies Of my nature, and direct
them to a particular aim. Prophecy
oitentimes shapes the event which it
seems only to foretell. One shout Of
friendly confidence at the beginning of a
race, may nerve the runner with strength
to win the goal. "
h rOrrAwAs OF MAUMEE.--This band is