Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-02
Speech OF Edwin Forrest.

On the occasion Of Mr.. Forests benefit at
the Boston Theatre, on Friday evening, he
was called before the curtain, and addressed
the audience as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen-I thank you for the
welcome perfume Of these flowers. / thank
you for this hearty manifestation Of your re-
gard. / thank you for the kind manner in
which you have received me during my present
engagement
Cardinal Richelieu commended De Mauprat
for his discriminating taste, in always applaud
ing in the proper place. Now, if De Msuprat
really possessed this rare quality, he we'll de-
served the commentator Of the old Cardinal.
Applause always inspires the actor to higher
degree Of excellence, (applause,) and conse-
quently gives the beholder . more polished eli.
fort Of art. renewed cheering.) Thus ap-
plause, in this connection, somewhat resembles
the quality of mercy, which is
Il blesses him that gives and him that takcs.r
Applause is Just as necessary to the actor as
food is TO the hungry. 1t gives TO him what
wine can i'll supply-it gives TO him not only
physical, but an intellectual energy; and, be-
sides all this, it gives him--time 10 breathe
daughter and cheers.) And no one needs
Of whole life time into few brief hours
and this the tragic actor is often called upon 70
do. (Applause.)
have heard il said that the most hatterine
applause was that Of silence Now, / consider
that Just no applause at all. Cheers, and cries
Of Good, good" Why, misplaced applause
remember, remember l do not say illjudged
applause-but misplaced applause il always
better than this silent admiration loud cheers;)
for the true actor is supposed never to see his
audience, and how is he TO judge by silence
alone whether that silence be the silence of ap
probation or indifference? (Renewed ap-
plause.) There are some persons in every
audience who have a fancy to shut down a well
merited round Of applause. Now, / have no
hesitation in saying, that such men would in
terfere to prevent the payment of Just and
honest debt. Great cheering) No, an actor
always performs best where be is most applaud
ed. daughter and loud cheers.
Mr.. FoRREsr-I myself have nothing to
complain Of (Vociferous plaudits.) / said
an actor always performs best where he is most
applauded; for who would not exert all his
powers TO please those who we're ready and
willing to give round Of applause TO every
honest effort. (Cheers.)
But while am an advocate for applauding
an actor when he deserves to be applauded, so
am an advocate for Kissing an actor when he
merits condemnation. Applause. Not to
hiss from any personal malice, not from any
private pique, but with the sole view 10 uphold
the honor and dignity Of the stage, (great
cheering)-THE STAGE, which presents the
highest intellectual entertainment which the
Hottest genius can produce. Applause.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, have thus far
spoken something like lecture-yetI am no
lecturer. But, before leave you, permit me
TO return you my grateful thanks for the hearty
welcome you have given me-the hearty, gem
erous welcome you have given me, beneath the
dome Of this majestic temple; this temple
reared by Taste, and dedicated, not TO amuse-
ment only, but to the moral and mental elevs-
ton Of mankind. Loud cheers For the