The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-05-30

Academy OF Musxc-The Wall,ek Benefit
This Affair." absurdly called, in the can't of the STACEY
which finds plain English enough for its
purposes Testimonial" came OF yesterday at the
Academy. The first performance commenced At half
past two and ended At quarter before seven The Sc
cond commenced at half past and ended at about
half an hour sitter midnight.
The benefit was, our readers aware commit
mentary affair given to Mr.. Waack by the members of
his own company assisted by great deal Of volunteer
talent. The bill included the names Of nearly sixty ar
tiss and beaded the Of Mr. Edwin Forrest
Mr. Edward L. Davenport and Miss Fanny vnpg. The
afternoon performance, which consisted of farces,
ballet advertisement and musical entertainment was
not wen attended, the receipts being about Eve hundred
dollars The strength the affair served for the
night, when the spacious theatre crowded in every
part At no theatrical operate has the
houGe been full and ON only occason-the celia
braon Of the last anniversary Of the birthday of Wash
ipgton-has SO large audience been convened within
its walls The seats were all taken, and every available
inch Of standing closely contested Every class
metropolitan society represented In the reserved
seats noticed many shining lights in the beau monde
frequenters of the opera, snd ha5tues Of wallacks
theatre, while the democratic element well repre-
scented by damned third circle, and Young America in
Its shirt sleeves gave pleasant fringe to the amphi
theatre and frequently testified its enjoyment of the
performance by demonstrations of applause OF the most
noisy kind.
The evening performance commenced with the very
well known tragedy, 'Dsmon and Pythiasn Damon by
Mr. Forrest Pythias, by Mr.. Davenport; Dyorisus by
M yott; LuculIus by Mr. Grosvenor Caanthe by Miss
Fanny vining The acting Of this play undoubtedly
the best ever seen in New York. Mr. Forests perfox-
ance Of Damon s grand digniHed, noble and itnpas-
sioned while Mr. Davenports Pythias the perfection
Of what is technically called juvenile tragedy Mr. d.
venports scene in the third act, with Caanthe and
Dyonisius, was very well worked up, and he received
the deserved honor of call before the curtain at the
end Of the act Mr. Forrest in his with Lucuus
the fourth act played with great vgor and was also
called ont to receive the pauds Of delighted audience
Miss vniDg played the very difficult part Of Calanthe
with great deal of power.
At the close of the performance of the piece Mr.
Forrest Mr. Davenport and Miss vinng were severally
called before the curtain. Then there was unanimous
call for Waack The veteran appeared before the foot
Lights looking as jaunty ever and acknowledge the
paudits Of the audience with that exquisite grace
which is ore of the greatest charms of his acting:
he made brief and pertinent speech, saying that
he had trusted to the occasion to inspire him and
that he was therefore, altogether unprepared Such
trumphs these he continued, most grateful TO
the heart actor who by the popularity OF his
ton, prevented from having any test other than the
public voice. of the merit Of his efforts The painter
the sculptor could and Judge of the effect Of his work
after had left his hands, but the successes OF the
actor entirely ephemeral After the triumph Of
night they passed away; therefore, the brilliant
before him the gratifying to him (Mr. Wallack)
becaute it proof that his efforts had been appre
ciated. In passing, he paid graceful compliment
to Mr. Forrest whom he called the" great tragedan
of the American stage, and returned thanks
to Mr.. Davenport, Miss vinng, and other artists who
had volunteered their services He closed by saying
that this affair free will offering to him by his
company and other artists and that he accepted not
as some journals had limited, q mendicant but Q
gentleman. He had been nearly forty years connected
with the stage ami thirty with American
theatres, as actor snd a manager The public had
had ample opportunities to judge Of his merit in both
POSITIONS and he intended that they should more Of
him. The affair Of that had been rendered to him by
his professional associa tes evidence Of their
probation and kindly feeling and in that spirit he had
accepted it.
Mr.. Wallack was warmly applauded throughout his
speech The ssPoor Gentleman" then played by
Wallacks company. Miss Rosa Bennett, who was cast
for Emily Worthipgton did not appear but Mrs. Hoey
q most agreeable renpldcant for her There
public explanation made but have heard thai Miss
Bennett was prevented FROM playing by Illness and tina
che sent physicians certificate by way Of evidence.
The receipts Of last nights house have been varousy
estimated We should set them Down at 49, 500 00O
1t must have been highly gratifying to Mr.. Walack and
his many friends