The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-04-21

Mn. PR spsr AVID <;rn1xmxs:-I consider that our
friend " OGorman9 who last addressed MS and whose
melodio voice is still sounding In cars has really
spoken indirectly powerfully and efficiently for the
benefit. o. the Dramatic Fund than anybody who will
follow h however direct may be his AIM can hope 70 do
SHAKESPEARE himself wrote whole volume in behalf Of tho
Dramatic Fund Society, and our friend has repeated
il highly embeshed, in the very exquisite abstract which
he has given from him who has been generally thought
incapable OF being distracted and whom no one would
wish condensed. (Applause) The Ireal cause,
suspect their persecution their lovely Green Isle by
the mother c0unryas We still reverently call it-was
doubtless TO expe for our benefit certain interesting
and eloquent gentlemen, whom otherwise we never could
have got possession or daughter and appLuse) And
who was not born in that happy ume--as have always
tan have almost ceased 10 regret it, since can hear
such worthy descendants Of theirs. (Appause) r
DEFENCE OF THE PURrTANs.
feel very much bonored gentlemen by the exceedingly
kndaltogeher too kndnotce which your President has
been pleased 10 take Of my presence here was sorry he
felt any necessity give the benefit Of that foil which
consists in slight stroke at the Purians have high
respect the Puritans indeed deep and profound
respect for them that all the reverence which might feel
for good old Ireland, which represents rather the
other side OF the quesonnot only through her children,
but her OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES for moment paraly my
tongue whenever it is necessary to say one word in de-
fence Of those noble creatures to whom our country owes
much But they were SO grand and so great that they
will bear being criticised, and l think do them
greater honor than when We point out their faults.
Applause) With this qualification l should be
very glad TO adopt all that excellent president has
mtnlaed; but he thought il necessary TO do me
slight honor by elevatng me over the orrse of the
Puritans. (appause) But they are not dead yet sir.
Qaughter) ] want also TO dsclaim any very special
credit in presenting myself here representative of the
clerical profession this OCCASION for SIR presume the
their representation. Qaughter) Moreover, having
alluded to certain peculiaries OF opinion which
am accustomed sSnr,s to entertain unjust must say
sition-at any rate, one In which l have not had
too much good company. But do not conceive that
make any special sacrifice in meeting whatever peudices
be engendercd in joining hands with members Of the
dramatic profession. have had the honor to encounter
with them many prejudices in this in other
somewhat unpopular, or not populous, denomina
ton whatever dsady anages belong to those who
may be flung at by those who have leisure to throw
stones. But belong to the Pachydermic Orderan order
which becomes actors generally think to clothe them
selves in as quickly possible. They should become
very short and thick sncd not 70 be easily stunned
by the darts Of any malignant enemies. Qaugher) Not
that all those disposed " be malignant who would judge
my position here be unbecomng profession to be
undeserving for, believe me gentlemen, We should both
do great dscredt to ourselves and extreme undeser to
those OF whom am speaking II We supposed that there
Is not vastly truly honest and respectful preju
dice connected either with the dparagcmcn Of your pro
fession or my position
SPEECH NOT PREPARED.
Before proceed further beg to say that every word
which falls from my lips at this time, is in the rucst
ner extcmporized; for should be ashamed to
be supposed TO be utterng now what i had
carefully prepared thought of before, having
served myself for formal address on behalf Of
your interests another occasion. should be ashamed
ay, to have this speech thought to be prepared when
brought in such immediate with who
toriolsly and carefully brought all the beauties u his
OwD mind " aaiorn this occasion
MRS. KEMBLEs LETTERS.
Brt speaking now in purely extcmporaDcous Manner
let right what is most atrocous Misrepresentation
or certain matter with which happen to be very init
natcly connected. The public press, whichwith most
entire Difference the honorable gentleman who represent
it here-s arggeyed that can see what does not
exist in fact; seems to have had one OF its eyes
my keyhoe, and has undertaken 10 say what
has occurred in my private conversation with the very
distinguished lady whose ought 10 continue to he no
nored as has been believe, by the dramatic pro
icssion. II has been understood and repeated in the
public prints that have received letter
from Mrs Fanny Kemble, protesting against my
appearance at the dramatic fund dinner. think
Mr.. Kenbe altogether too much of hdy-to say
nothing morc-than TO suppose that she would have
the pr,sumpon.to interfere in any with personal
conduct and behavior But saying nothing of that, beg
here 10 say that such letter has been crin yeciv
ed )Appausc) some members OF your profession with
the qnickncss Of parts for which has always been dis
nguished, but which ought TO be displayed under better
and more favorable circumstances, have taken
upon themselves To imagine, OF nj any rate, 10
believe what has been unwarrantaby asserted by thu
public press Let say in reference to that distinguish
cd lady, that ,in the pursuit Of an investigation which
felt bound go into, the influence OF the stage, have
had very interesting correspondence with her, and have
received extremely interesting and valuable suggestions,
which hope, some other occasion, TO he pcrnincd Ia
hay before some portion of persons here present car
hear
THE DRAMATIC FUND ASSOCIATION.
dramatic fund. Although, understand II has been
somew hat unfortunate in the orators who have been
gagged 10 present its claims various occasions, 1t has
no, been unfortunate in tho attention which II has
ocvcd either from YOU or from tho public at largo;
and think might call tho attention OF all persons
here present the fact that Of the most generous
donations received by was received IN the days
il extreme infancy from The very lady Whose name |
have bad had the honor 10 have on my lips several
times. she gave TO II mot generous Donation:
1iear, bear and spphusc) Tic Dramatic Fund
sire TO aid by every means in my power. and
to u increase by every opportunity aud l,rgossc
which your ability may be- able to confer upon II.
feel that VIC owe il ~ n debt OF obligation for the
pleasure which, in those bssr days of our youth, whom
hearts open and gay, and when we were ready
receive all the aid to the imagination and all the kin.
ding 10 the sentiments which the stage give We all
remember 10 have received from the skill, the ar aud uc
cloqucncc OF actors.
"REMINISCENCES OF THE BOSTON STAGE.
recolcct very well with what indcscrbabc pleasure,
with what unspcakable zcst o. boy accompanied my
father The Federal street theatre, Boson-i good
city, where had the felicity TO be born I reolcct that
old theatre, and every one of uIc worthy men who
pltan, over thai worthy fellow ami inGn,,elv capi,sl
Jester, finn. How well remember himi tApplslsc)
rccollcc bow some Of the most innocent and l might 1
say the most useful hourSof my life, passed
those days in attendance the theatre To II a
world Of imagination. Tho green curtain bid bIssful
paradise and when rose every drop OF blood my system
sweed with 10Y and gratitude nncvcr occurred IN that
there could be thing wrong anything Otherwise than
the oi heaven IN pitaSAht SFnsc tehng
and kndlcd imagination which tho scenes OF that old
theatre excited in my bosom. cloud checrs) lsccocct
too that years later when ibis very lady whose name
has been already mentioned, first came 81 tho United
States. although had ut that time begun my divinity stu
dies recommended by OF the worthy professor,
who had enlargement OF feeling and cailholcy Of
scnment--to go and this wonder who had come to
the United states. II kind Of csson In chyuun
for you know we religious people sometimes give moral
meaning a. our love Of enjoyment daughter and ap
plauss.) Wei, ] recollect that our advice IN
go once, but ] am very glad 20 say ha, J went
several times, and that u almost the last
opportunity ] ever had or entering theatre, I
have looked back upon u With pleasure since
DID NOT PATHeSIzE THE THEATRE IN NEW YORK, But
WISHED 10.
have not attended the theatre In New YORK; but I
made distinction without difference, by going 10 the
opcrn. Oaughtcr) That seems to be tolerated. Tho
theatre wanted go 10 very much indeed; but Il has
seemed 10 be entirely the thing cloud aughtcr), and
confess have made sacrifice of personal feeling Zap
plause) II might be supposed Go be- The suggestion "a
prudence and discretion.
ptpKSCE THE