Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-03-30
THE MacREApy FESTIVAL.

The New Orleans papers are filled with tht
details of the public dinner given to the grea
Tragedian in New Orleans. IT was an elegan
affair; General Lewis presided, and severa
judges and most distinguished citizens being
present Prentss was there also, and made
one of his characteristic bursts of eloquence-
described by the Delta as "a gem of fancy and
poetry The fourth regular Toast was;
A. William C. Macready: Our distinguished
guest whose Gne taste, splendid art, and zeal
Gus devotion TO his profession, united win all the
qualities Of the gentleman and the scholar, have
made him the pillar OF the Drama, oil his age
and entitled him 10 the respect and homage oil
all lovers of the arts"
Mr. Macrcady' IS reply was received with un-
bounded applause. II is marked by SO much
beauty and true eloquence, philanthropy and
liberal feeling, that we copy it entire from the
Picayune The Wing will see that though Mr..
Bancroft may "s!ecp IN a garnet and eat IN
cook.shcp," we have Mr. Macready's evidence
that there is none ''welcomed with greater al
,eotion, received with higher honor, and treated
with more Aattering consideration and genuine
respect, than the wisely economical Minister q
the United States::"
Mr. President and Genticmen-I rise 10 ac-
knowledge The honur you have done me, WIN d
paintul cons, iousness 81 my inability Ia do JUS
nee 10 my feelings Few can be less ftied man
myself 10 answer - any lime the need oi an oe-
caslon such a. ,h>; and now am more than eV-
er embarrassed and al fault; but l have only
a and, .i.E,.ia pcIns
h. handy Judged. LII me then request you TO
accep, The assurance however ieebly il may be
rxpressed. u my ictyent gratitude. Stand
amongst YOU your Geblor III 30 large an amount
nt k;ndness that am al a loss where q begin the
summing up CT my obligations 10 you. But, indeed,
II would be ne.d,->s IL recount them even II l
mad he mower OF doing So. ] neither wish them
cancelled nor reduced; Ter am proud and happy
in acknow,e Ylns myse'! SO largely bonnd 10
vou. and shah preserve the recollection oil my VI
,is here aGd ut my intercourse win Ire citlZcES
al this community, among The few happy memo
res that cheer ami hlsnI, The review oi labo'
rous life, devoted 10 an uGlequltns art lCheeis.I
NV claims, il any, on your favor, nave oeeh
;ndetd tu! small, bul even had they been greater,
IN the nightly as-embldses that nave CROWDED
and she'd br ,sncy through your theatre nave
received most laeiins and substantial "s''iho-
mes OF your approval that call lotth anu eo'l-
nand nv earnest thanktulress. BuI as II this
were not enough, you pefseVere IN coh'sliins on
me- attentions and distinctions that impress me
srus,bIy w,th the conviction OF my own dispro-
nor,,ouatc deserts. Like The priest IN he Eas-
,.,n temrle | fancy intercept The oblailons cue
IN, aiylniiy serve. (Applau>e.l il is upon The
Altar Of our divine Shakespeare that The offerings
Of enthusiasm. The incense OF praise should he
hraped, which YOU so protusely lavish on his
uthciauus minister. [Cheers.l To him aud 10
the iusplla ION of his mighty ine 10 Inc sihsie'
ness OF pu,pcse with which have, however in
eGectual!y, sought and slriyen 10 extend The love
I and knowledge ii his works, restoring 10 Inc
Stage the puTl,y OF MS lexl and endeaVoflng y
pIesen, \ simple, severe, yet comprehensive IT,
us,ralioB ui his vast conceptions, owe The III
lie c,eci, that may be awarded me, and can make
,retensiou 10 no more. To hope and To believe
ina, | NAV BIZ occasionally associated hereafter
by yourselves, and perhaps by some oi your chill
dren, in your vacant hours OF muslns remem-
hrauce, with The sufrfings OF Lear, The remorse
of the usuIping Tbane, or The mental conflict OF
The pbilosophic Hamiel, IS 10 me sutilcIent re-
compense. tApplausel
would mol, however, be thought 10 diSsuise
in the least degree toe sraincaneh lhai lhis part
inc trbue OF your regard affords me. The gen.
nine hnnors paid 10 our declining art, are OF
rare occurrence, and emplicism> becomes daily
more intimately connected with lis pracnce. But
there are reasons beyond and above those mere
" PERSONAL and professional, Hhy reJoiee al re-
c.ivino mis- generous demons IaUoa al your
hau,,s--lhis demonstration, 50 closely iEdicslise
o. the urer absence OF any narrow aad exclusive
nationality among you-llodd applause)-s DE-
claralory OF your love OF art, Tor art alone-lne
biohes, evidence OF true refinement lCheers)
The e1clusiveness OF nationality differs little
from sec,arian bigory, whilst true patriotism
like true religion, the more faithful is its devo-