Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-01-01
FAREWELL OF MISS AyONIA JONES.

FAREWELL OF MISS AVONIA JONES.
At the complimentary benefit given to this young
lady, on Monday evening last densely crowded
house testified how highly she ia appreciated in this,
her native city. We we're glad to see 80 many of our
citizens, who seldom visit theatre, charmed out Of
their freside hooks. The intellect, beauty aud FASH
ion Of our city were noby represented No audience
could have assembled in a genial mood, and
more confident of being delighted-no audience could
have left the theatre with their anticipatons more
fully realized. perfect hurricane ofappause broke
loose when Evsdne, in all her innocent loveliness'
first glided upon the stage and throughout the whole
evening the rapturous plaudts that rewarded every
6ne point she made, inspired the young actress 10
soar to lofer heighth of excellence than she ha-
vet reached To what we have already written OF
her persouaton Of Evadne, We can only add that her
performance OH Monday night, though quite "a full
Of ire was smoother, more finished, more astistlc
than on the Monday previous. And this rapid I'M
proyement gives the sssurauce that she Will make
nightly progress that she is true and jealous stu
dent of her art. 1t is not without study-a study
which never ends that the most gifted being be-
come a great sctor-but the evidences Of greatness
may be apparent to practsed eye even in a novice
No artist springs into existence as Minerva from the
brain of Jupiter, all armed and pauoplied for com
bat Acting is not though Lore may be, like the peer
less flower !Sir Thomas Clifford so eloquently de
scribes, that did not "bud and blow but in OIL in
slant started up, "consummats in its BIRTH How
ever great may be the natural endowments, severe
labor intense application, and long experience are
needed to develop them fully Itis because we have
faith in Miss Jones determination to lose no oppor
tunty of gaining information, OF cultivating he
mind, her imagination, and of thoroughly studylne
her profession, that We confidently predict che VIII
bear off the palm lin Juvenile rolesl from every Anne
ricsn actress on the stage. And we entertain tbs
hope that in acquiring experience, she will not los'
the ineffable charm Of freshness and simplicity tha
now encrcle her brow as with Visible halo.
1t was very evident that her auditors parted from
her, on Monday night, with slDcere regret. Ths
bsst wishes will accompany her wherever sho may &"
with the hope that ere long they may again welcome
her back TO community where che has made go man,
warm friends and admirers.
When che was vehementy called before the cur
tain, at the close Of the play, che advanced some
what tmidly, but her expressive countenance light
cd with rosy smiles, and expressed her thank!
with deep feeling and with infinite mode'ty for th'
biyh compliment she had that night received. IL
Kidding her friends sdieu she assured them she wa
we'll aware she owed The honor they had conferred
bsr IN their kindness rather than to her deseris
and bade them believe that if constant sfudy cnult
render her worthy of their appreciation, that should
bs wanting. She t.usted that when she returned
they would with open hands and hearts, wecom
her home! Til. brief, but graceful farewell was re
ce;v.d with prolonged cheers, and thus closed an
eagement which has been by far, the most brlian
of the Reason.