Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-03-28
Mr.. 1fyrrend1s EgrereU --Nr Mocready

the sta.e, on the boards OF Drury Lane Thea,
tire. The announcement of this event hadi
natural influence, and, as soon as the doors
were opened, not vcstage of scat was dis
covered in any part of the house "Macbeth"
was the play chosen BY Mr. Macrcady for this
interesting occasion. The enthusiastic wei
come which he received when he entered can
easily be imagined. Hats and handkerchefs
waved i'll all directions, and nothing could ex-
ceed the vehemence OF the demonstration, re-
newed several tunes during the progress of the
tragedy. MIR. hlacready never played with
greater force and ability; and this evidence
ofpowers yet undecaycd, only added to the re.
gret which his determination to retire has uni
versally generated. Mr.. Phelps, Mrs Warner,
and Miss p. Horner, who respectively filled the
parts of Macduf, Lady Macbeth, and Hecate,
were almost as loudly cheered as Mr.. Macready
when they entered, in consequence of the kind
spirit they exhibited III offering their profession
al services-an act of grace publicly acknowl-
edged by Mr.. Macrcady in the printed bills
At the conclusion of the tragedy, the loudest
calls were made for Macready, who at length
came before the curtain, divested, forever, OF
the habilinents of the Stage. 1t would be im-
pOSSiDic W VtSCIlJc CASttSNCut thut p
vailed Mt the moment. 1t was long before he
was permitted to say word, will! such pro-
tractel vigor did the audience indulge i'll tire
plaudts which the event suggested. Silence
was at length restored, and he then delivered
the following speech under very obvious emo
ton: ~
My last theatrical parts played, and, in ac-
cordance with long established usage, appear
once more before you. Even i'll were without
precedent for the discharge of this act Of duty,
it is one which my own feelings would irresis-
tably urge upon me; for, as look back on my
long professional career, | see in it but one
continuousrecord of indulgence and support ex-
tended to me, cheering me in my onward pro
gress, and uphoidiug me in most trying elner-
gencies. have therefore, been desirous of
offering you my parting Acknowledgements for
the partial kindness with which my humble
efforts have been uniformly received, and fora.
life made happier by your favor. Tue distance
of more than FIVE and thirty years have not
dtmmet my recollection of the encouragement
which gave fresh impulse to the experienced
essay -ofmy youth, and stimulated me to per-
severence, when, struggling hardly. for equality
opposition against the genius and talent OF those
artists whose superior excellence lungrudging.
ly admitted and admired and honored. The
encouragemenfhelped to place me, i'll respectto
privileges and emoluments, OH tootiug with
my distinguished competitors. With the growth
of time your favor seemed tn grow and, undis-
turbed in my hold on your opinion from yea
to year found friends more closely and thickr
ly clustering round me- All can advance to
testify how justly | appreciate the, patronage
thus literally awarded me, is the devotion
throughout those years, of my best energies to
your SERVICE b. " ambition to establish u the
atre, in regard to decorurn and tast,, worthy OF
our country, and to have in it the plays OF our
divine Shakespeare iftly illustrated, was frustra-
ted, by those whose duty it was, in virtue of the
trust committed to themselves to have underta-
ken the task. But some good seed has yet
been sown; and iithe zeal and credible produc-
tions of certain OF our present managers we
have assurance that the corrupt edition and
unseem!y presentations of the past days will
never be restored; but that the purity ofour great
poets text will from henceiorWard, be held on
our English stage IN the reverence it should
ever command Ilhave little more say. By
some, the relation OF an actor to his audience
is considered as slight aud transient. do not
feel it SO. The repeated manifestation, under
circumstances personally affecting me, Of your
favorable sentiments towards me will live
among my most grateful memories; and be!
cau.e would not willingly abate one jot in
your esteem, retire with the belief Of unEail-
ing powers, rather than lnger Oh the scene to
set in contrast the feeble style of Words-at
least such as can command-are Intellectual to
convey my thanks. In offering them you will
believe that | feel far more than [ can give ut
torrance to. With sentiments OF the deepest
gratitude take my leave, bidding you, ladies
and gentlemen, in my professional capacity,
with regret, and most respectfully, a last fare
well. ,l
Nothing could parallel the tunult which arose
when this neat aad appropriate address had
The audience, including many of:
the most eminent individuals of the day, up.
plauded again and again to the very echo; and
the excitement continued for some time after
Mr.. Macready had retired from the public sight.
CASE OF PoIsoNING.-Un the 18th inst, we
earn that Mr. Daniel GLADDEN. and lady par
took OF poison, administered in coffee by their,
cook, who Immediately thereafter absconded.
MIR. GLADDEN. very soon discharged from his
stomach the poison, by vomiting but not so his
.,dy, to whom msdical aid was speedily secured
without success however, for she survived but a
,hor fi,no