The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1872-01-04


being able to pass from Fourth 10 Fifth
street wiihou, receiving an arnointm.n, Of
s!aie rh.
EDEiN FORRiST.
a speech by the Great Actor in 1886.
We are indebted 10 Mayor Smith, Of Atch-
ison, Tor the following copy of n speech de.
livered By Edwin Forrest at dinner given
in his honor, al Philadelphia, in ls36-fcr-
'y-one years ago:
Mr.. FORESTS SPEECH.
We copy from the Philadelphia Psnnsy,-
Forrest, 4: the dinner lately given in his
honor in Philadelphia. That paper, intro
ducing it, states that nothing could exceed
the effect it produced. The Mayor, Mr..
Swift, was affected even TO tears.
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN
feel too deeply the honor this day len
dered re TO be able to express myself in
terms of adequate meaning. There are times
when the tongue il at best but poor interpre-
ter of the heart. The strongest emotions do
language The words which rise to nv lips
sentiments which prompt then. They lack
that tersene,s and energy which the occasion
deserves.
The actor usually comes before the public
in fiction, III & dream OF passion" and his
am Is 10 suit his utterance and the "'haviour
of the visage' TO the unreal situation But
the resources Of my art do not avail me here.
This is 10 pageant of the stage, 10 be forgotten
81, 81 Il
view its mimic scenes.
stand amidst a EiImerous throng OF the
cliiefest dcnizens Of my native city convened
10 do me honor-and this costly banquet they
present TO me-a munifcent token of public
regard. feel indeed, that an no actor
here. My bosom throbs with undissembled
agitation, and in the grateful ,umuit Of my
thoughts cannot "beSet a Temperance to give
smoo,hness" to my acknowledgements for so
proud tribute. In the simplest form o.
speech, then let Inc assure you from my in
mos; heart, thank you.
l have but recently returned from England,
after performing Inany nights on those boards
where the II aster-spirits OF the stage achieved
their noblest triumpns. You have heard
from other sources with what kindness was
received, and with what boun,eou. applause
soiourn abroad l experienced only the most
candid and liberal treatmen. from the public;
and the most elegant and cordial hospitality
in private. Bu: / rejoice that the time has
come round which brings me again to the
point from which | started; which placed
me among these friends, whose partial kind
ness discovered the first un!oldings of my
mind, and watched it with assiduous care
through ali the stages Of its subsequent de-
velopmen,. The applause Of foreign audi
ences was soothing TO my pride, but tina:
| which | received at home, had aroused 4
deeper sentiment. The people Of England
bestow their appreciation on The results of
long practice and severe study, but my coun-
trymen gave ne theirs in generous anticipa-
ton ci those results. They looked with in
diligence on the complete statue; goa marked
with interest from day 10 day the progress
Of the work, till the rough, block by gradual
change as-rmed lis present form. lie: me
hoIe that i: may Vet he sculrtnred to greater
symmetry and smoo,hness, and better deserve
your lavish regard.
The sounds and sights which greet ME
here aae linked with thrilling associations.
Among the voices which welcome me here
tonight distinguish some which were rails
cd in kind approval Of MY earliest efforts
Among The faces which surround this board,
] trace lineaments deeply stamped OH my
memory in that expression OF benevolent en-
enlargement with which they regarded my
Juvenile attempts, and cheerei me onward
liz the uUise: OF nv career. look on your
features, SIR, (s.iid Mr.. F., addressing him
self 10 the Mayor of the city, who occupied |
seat by his right and my mind glides over |
4 long interval of time 20 Il sceEe which l |
shall never forget. -Four lustres are now |
nearly completed since the event occurred TO |
which l allude
A crowd was gathered one evening in the
Tiyo!i Garden TO behold the curious varieties !
OF '!eiirium men exhibit on inhaling nitrous /
oxide. Several years had then elapst since |
the great chemist OF England had made
ki own the singular properties of exha!ing
gas; and strange antics performed under its
influence by distinguished philosophers,
poets and statesmen, Of Europe, were then
on record. II WA YET, however, novelty
with Us, and the pnbiic experiments Dire.
throngs TO witness them. Among those to
whom the intoxicating agent was administer
cd on the occasion referred TO, there CHANGED
10 be 4 little unfriended boy, who, in the in
slant ecsta,y, which the subtle ilnid inspired,
threw himself into tragic attitude and COM
menccd declaiming passage from one of
Shakspeare's plays. "what, ho"' he cried,
Young Richmond, no. It's Richard calls,
hate thee, Henry, for thy blood of Lancas-
ter" Blu. The effect of the aerial draught
was brief, Us i, was sudden and Irresistible.
The boy awakening, as from dream, was
surprised TO find himself the centre Of attrac-
tion-''the observed Of all Observers
ibashsd st his novel and awkward
position: he shrunk timidly from
the sIanees of the spectators, and would
have stolen in haste away. But stranger
stepped from the crowd and taking him
kindly by the hand, pronounced words
which thrilled through him with SPELL
''This lad" said he, '.has
the germ of tragic greatness in him. The
gas has given him no Bev pow
er. II has only revealed one which lay DOR
laant in him before. 1t needs only to he
and cultivated TO bring forth goodly
fruit
Gentlemen, the present chief magistrate Of
our city was that benevolent stranger, and
your gues; tonight was that unfriended boy.
II the prophecy has been in any degree full
Iilled-if since that time have obtained
some eminence in my profession my full
heart acknowledge that the inspiring predic-
lion followed as il was by repeated acts of
delicate and consideraie kindness exercised
The happiesi influence on the result. 1t was
1 word in season. II was kindly greeting
calculated TO arouse all tie energies Of my
nature and direct them to particular aim.
Prophecy oftentimes shapes the event which
il seems only 10 foreielL One shout Of
friendly confidence a. the beginning Of a race
nav nerve the runner with strength 10 win
be goal. s
Happy he, who Oh accomplishing his round
5 received with generous welcome by the
anne friends that cheered him a. the start.
Among snch friends stand. You listened ]
Ei,h inspiring praise and augury to the i'm
nature efforts Of the boy, and you now honor s
Nth this proud token of your appreciation !
he achievements Of the man.
You nurlured me in the bud and early bios
om OF my life. and "labored to make me
ul: of growing" II You have succeeded,
the harvest Is yOu- own"
Mr.. President and Gentlemen,
Allow me to offer you in conclusion as nv !