New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-30

OF the encouragement which gave fresh impulse 70 eo
inexperienced essays OF my youth, and stimuaeu ~
perseverance when struggling haruy ~ those artists
position with the genius and talen, vi nitted
whose superior excellence ungiuusinesHy, he,ned 10
admired and honored Inc enoo anS emoIument on
place me, IN respect TO privileges anu With the
footing with my distinguished coupeu.u,S nd undis
growth OF time your favor seemed To grow; anu anr
fnThed in INV hold in yon opinion. from year 70 year
found friends closely an1 tlckY .i hne annro
;od th nadronace inns literally awarded me Is the de-
yOon throughout those years OF my pest yO
service NV ambition 10 establish theaet III IegaIu
to deoorum and taste, worthy OF our S,iy
leave In it the plays OF our dlVlne ma5
was frustrated by those whose duty u was
in yiItne NJ the trust committed them themselves to
have undertaken the task But some gVou heeu nas w
been sown and the zeal and credable productions OF
orn Of our present managers have assurance that
the corrupt editions and unseemy pfesentauohs Vi pa
Of The great poets text will henceforward be held on our
English stage the reverence 1t ever should command.
TO his is considered slight and transient
l do not feel The repeated manifestation unHer
sentiments toward me- will live with life among my
most grateful memories; and because would NOT VIII
iugly abate jOt in your esteem, retire wtn tne
belief of vet uniang powers rather than nger on tne
scene 10 contrast the feeble style OF age WIN th
most vigorous exertiODs Of my better years WordsdI
least such as can commandare Intellectual TO convey
my thanks. In Offering them, you VIII believe that i
feel far than give utterance TO- WIN sentiments
of the deepest gratitude take my leave bidding YOU
ladies ana gentlemen In my professional capacity Win
regret and most respectfully Farewell
The story of Mr. Macreadys inner hfe-the record OF
what he thought felt and OF the influence that ex
perience exered upon himwil doubtless, be written
by hands that are competent TO the task. He was
great man; and the memory Of such man cannot
perish The question as TO what he was as an actor Is
the old question between genius and talent Some say
that he had the immortal Promethean fire others tha
he was merely an artist OF intellect and OF method NO
body denies that, TO form, he wrought periecuon
There is no sort OF doubt that he was scholar ana
gentleman The words often idly used-Dut they are
good words. TIE influence, upon the stage, OF sucn
man must inevitably have been blessing TO MS genera
ton In the hands OF scholars and gentlemen the stage
would he benefactor educator an Institution 10 love
and honor. In the hands OF such people as,-ior lhe
most part,-control IL now, 1t is g nuisance
William Charles Macready leaves bright fame indeed
for lie was yirtuous man, and never In all MS long
and varied life OF active enterprise and intellectual
and moral responsibility did he forget or sacrnce the
dignity of his calling the honor OF his nature The as
DAYS Of his life have been days OF deepening Darkness
of gradually growing imbecy, OF sorrowfu decay ana
immtigable GLOOM Death ii is certain came as ree
from uu1earable inrmty The heart that had MADE 80
many other hearts thrill with knowledge OF their pas
sions and and forebodngs OF their future IL
still at last To many there may be no signhcahce III
the setting Of the sunbut the setting OF such sun as
this leaves darkness every tender and hopeful heart