New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-27
OPENING OF THK NEW CHESTNUT
STREET THEATER, PHILADEL'
PUIA.
A Successful Afair-Mr. Forrest N Vir-
ginius-The Inaugural Address.

ginius-The Inaugural Address.
Corresp ondence of The N. Y. Tribune - o,
PHILADELPHIA. Monday, Jan. 26, 1851
The new Chestnut street Theater was last even
ing opened by Mr.. Wheatley to an audience OF good
but not overwhelming numbers a report declaring
the building to be unsafely constructed having
spread an unwholesome terror among Philadelphia
amusement seekers. In every other respect the
opening was complete success the general aspect Of
the auditorium the decorations both Of interior and
exterior, and the stage appointments re-
ceiving every testimony Of public satisfa'.
ton. The Theater is Of moderate and com.
Portable size and unlike in form TO that
of any other housc in the country, being of unusual
hight in comparison with its depth. Its strength
aud solidi!y thoroughly approved, the rumorS to
the contrary notwithstanding.
The adornments slightly and elegantly designed,
and the stage sceneres in the best style of Mr..
Russell Smith and other distinguished artists. The
initial performance was the play of Virginius, in
which Mr.. Forrest appeared An inaugural address
WAS delivered by Mr.. Wheatley, as follows:
ing to tender you ny deep and heartfelt thanks the
PROMPT aaciiIy with which you have shown
me- that these thank. are no mere verbal formula Thsy
the honest expression Of tbs better part OF whose lie
|
affection by respect to that public for whom he hs, ever
abored yeslousy and which has always cordially 40.
.a.ssd ,seps Of Iide retsrn 70 fh.d.pha to assume
the Of house which VIII recall TO the older
supporters OF theatrical ainu,emsnt, IN hi, city tho p.my
days the old Chesutsreet Iheaer while 20 the younger
Of them may repeat and more than realize Tue ts
Of e, life aud activity II WIZ scarcely be Necessary
of me aude 10 the Architectural elegance and stutou'
eOmfer, In it. internal .,,ns,snI o. n' e,a ,'
of Mr VIM CochiHne and coutdcd 10 my lts door
have this evening ths friends and patrons oil my
liar career with the determination to secure continuance
Of tina, support and bepity which they have foupy tc
corded me- Neither the desire TO win nor the ambition to
merit It, shall be waiting on my part fortune does
help the bod a. the Roman proysro says ana tue old I'm
Esh one Resolution and sueec,. are cater cor'n, IN,
suy In It, then indeed do feel certain that my honest
ambition and sdH not be beed by failure. In
deed would that the blind godde' o. the wheel
and the money bags in one OF her most loving moods
since ,ho enables TO my Ia Conjunction
with the powerful attraction arts. that could be
offered by AmeresnAy by the world fou Of course
aware that avn now abiding to Mr. Edwin Forrest Al
great ShkespeAren actor he one Of tho few sTisi
Il Insh, with justice .sy tie only one-who has grown
reat. years rolled greater by this conscientious
and intellectual study BY his nPer s1peeoes and more
talon b. .s.isi. m. in the opsnhs The.ter
trust that ,hsl be able TO place the stage the tragedies
and play. Ia which no may sppsH' win oomplels
ness and artistic hBiih which shall en,ile NE
to your appreciation. FOR let ne assure yoG
my desire 10 alone 20 win the golden spur Of
but honestly and oHphAcally TO deserve a. Moreover
sm supported In this Of my managerial
cnsef fbiaaepLi BY another ea shsks'Psfi,n Arts,
A. Sit Forrest Ia TfseHncni N 'h. Eandcr aud more as
smeut Of tie drains does Mr. Hasisti tho eA
Of the shtsi genius 81 comedy by labor sls be truly
exeg,sd loI h 8. Tor Nj Forrest, the hop,
sure the reputation this building 81 the few hesis
Ia the county perfection IN is management "a hH
ms labor s-nce nHks IL 10 With the
Of strongly within tina; have dared "a
make you promises lie, e trust that 90 retire ron
your presence you will give your beat wishos for ny
IN Offering clhs Of Entertainment Of the shes
chAfAcefA clss hch shall neither BE- luxurious to public
90 public morals, while u raises the public intel
gebce pryDoirs D.. artistic knowledge. Ladies aud gen
omcn, sincerely thank you f0f rendering IN you
applause the grail wing that believe IN my de
size Nhe you possess filth in ny e.psbiy. to do all that
! have promised