Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-04-10
Test1monfaI 20 Edutn "a

BooTH, the tragedian, closed brilliant
engagement at Charleston last Wednesday
evening. After the fall of the curtain, he
edgements in few modest words. Before
retiring be was presented by JoHN Fl Coll
IINs. Esq, on behalf of many of his friends
in Charleston. with "a neat, simple, but ele-
CANT service of silver plate.'' Mr.. COLLINS,
on presenting it, said
Ar. BOoth:-You must excuse this check
and apparent intrusion on the part of your
friends.
The ringing hands and lond-sounding
cheers which have called you tn the foot
lights on this, as OH other nights during
yonr brief engagement here, cannot have
failed TO impress upon yon fhe conviction
that your efforts to please and crafty have
been amply appreciated.
Doubtless these sounds, familiar though
they be, are ever gratefully received on
your part as tokens of approval and salts
faction, and convinced you that your present
and future excellence is foregone couelu-
sion.
This may encourage you and foster an
ambition to greater perfection in your pre-
fessiou. If indeed that be possible. But. in
this instance, number of your friends and
more substantial memento of their regard.
In so doing, they sincerely hope you will
not estimate the amount of that regard by
the measure of these small vessels.
As the metal of which they are composed
is pure of its kind. so is the hope that the
brilliancy of your future artistic career may
outsbine That of all your glorious predeces-
sors. unmixed with the alloy of doubt.
Indeed, there is no room for doubt when
sit sDeii-bOuud listening to one who So
truly
''Holds as 'twere the mirror up to Nature''
Not for their intrinsic value are they pre-
scented 10 yOu, but as benceforih they shall
occupy conspicuous place among the things
you hold most dear, SO shall they be emble-
NAUTICAL of the place you hold in the hearts
of those present
alt doth anna me,
a man Of such a eebIe temper should
So get the start of the majestic world,
Anu bear the palm alone"
Thus wrote the great poet; and how aptly
the lines may apply to you. those present can
attest. At a time like this. it were I'M
necessary to multiply words. ]. therefore,
on behalf of your friends and admirers. pre-
sent you this testimonial, with this simple
additional hope that each breeze that bears
intelligence of you to them, may be laden
with the story of new and increasing hOnors,
and that the day may not be far distant
when not only throughout these wide States
your native land-but in the nation be-
yond the ocean, it shall be candidly, cheerful
ly, and universally acknowledged that the
greatest living tragedian is-Edwin Booth.
The close of Mr.. Collins address elected a
wild burst of applause, which threatened to
become irrepressible. After some delay Mr.
Booth, evidently laboring under deep emo
tions, as well as physical fatigue, replied in
substance as follows:
Sir Since | first received an intimation
of this intended honor, l have been endeavor-
ing TO frame a speech, whereby might con
vey to you and my patrons generally, some
faint idea of the gratitude / feel, not only
for this, but the many iavOrs have received
a. the hands of my Charleston friends, but
all in vain. My province is to counterfeit
the passions and emotions Of the human
heart, and the cheering applause which /
have received bids me hope l have not en-
tirely failed. But here / am at loss. Re-
ality, perplexity, overwhelms me. / cannot
make speech. as you all well know. and l
fear should continue at this much longer /
shall lose myself in a maiz of thanks and
apologies. Therefore, permit me, in blunt
and honest phrase, to thank you for this
beautiful present, which gratefully accept,
as an emblem of the purity of your esteem
and frieRaship.