The New York herald., 1874-11-08
Splendid Tribute to the Great
American Actress.
CROWNED WITH LAUREL.
Speech of William Cullen
Bryant.
Torchlight Procession and Reception at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel.

ShaIio1tc Cusnindu ldSI nlgnt Dade fareWeu TO
the New York public in the role OF Lady Macbeth.
The audience that assembled TO take leave OF the
great tragedienne was remarkable alike for its
number and intelligence. From the dome to the
parquet every available seat was occupied, and
rows OF eager spectators were ranged behind the
iine OF chairs blocking mp every available space in
the vast auditorium. Seen from the stage the
house presented one compact mass OF
humanity Yet the most perfect order
was everywhere observaDle-0rder ruined
rather than disturbed by the frequent outbursts
OF applause that greeted the great actress at the
most telling points OF her Interpretation. Tho
scene was well worthy OF the occasion, and seldom
has the public OF any city shown more genuine
enthusiasm and respect for retiring favOrite.
New York evidently took to heart the lesson OF
Paris In bidding farewell to Nine. Dejazet, and
finding a much more worthy subject, proved
last night that the capital OF America could also
appreciate artistic worth. seldom has an artist
been rewarded with SO touching proof OF the
attachment and respect OF her fellow citizens
Few, 1t must be confessed, have passsd through
the trying ordeal Of stage life with reputation
ike Miss Cushman's. which even the breath OF
scandal has never dared TO touch. 1t Is needless
Rt this time OF day to refer to Miss Cushman's 8
grand and impressive performance OF
Lady Macbeth. In force OF Characterization and
Intense realization Of masculine passion, mingled
with something OF woman's tenderness, 1t has, per.
haps never been surpassed. Some OF Miss Cush-
mans critics have even found It unwomanly in
the conventional sense, and thank heaven 1t is so
But 1t is the absolute realization OF the poets
thought, and when Macbeth exclaims, 'Bring
forth men-chlldren OnlyW we can sympa-
thize with him thoroughly through the
picture OF unsexed womanhood given us
tvx tnn hok
what Ristori is to Italy. is Cushman to the
American stage Her place in our dramatic his
Tory win be as marked as that OF Sidions and
O'Nel IN English dramatic history. Siddons
after occupying an unrivalied position before the
British pubic, bade farewell to the stage in the
character OF Lady Macbeth, but without receiving
that marked recognition which was bestowed on
the great American tragedienne last night. IL was
truly noble tribute to genius when the
prospective rulers OF the Commonwealt joined
with the public In expressing admiration and re-
spect for an actress who gave life and color to
the n0best creations OF Shakespeare's genius
When she appeared on the scene the writings of
the great dramarist appeared to acquire new
power and intensity, and her disappear
ance from the stage win leave a
void 1t will be difficult to I'LL. In
the demonstration last night this feeling found
the thought which was in every ones mind crys-
tallzed into the magnificent demonstration OF last
night Following the suggestion made by the
HERALD the members resolved 70 initiate the de-
monstratiOn. Members OF the other clubs-notably
the Army and Navy-joined in the proposed tribute
OF respect, which culminated in the proceedings
which we chronicle. As souvenir OF the occasion
the members OF the Arcadian Club presented q
wreath OF laurel and black velvet cushion
having Miss Cushman's monogram and that Of the
club embroidered in gold The motto-"Pa1mdna
out nleruit Jerat"-beng also embroidered in gold
letters.
The decorations OF the auditorium were SUE
perb. Even the facing OF the upper circle was
not neglected. Banners bearing the coats of-arms
OF the several States Of the Union were placed here,
with a shield with goluen stars and two silk ma
tional Gags as a centre piece. The other two baco-
MES were adorned by tastefuly arranged trcoiored
strips ofnew naoussene de di,,e knotted with cock
ades. The chandeliers on every tier were neatly
hung with bright green dcai leaves and punches
OF naturalcolored wax grapes. These, under the
strong gaslght. shone brilliantly and had splen-
did effect. The left hand lower proscenium box,
like It's Uts-d-riS was adorned with artificial nOw-
ers and fruits ana American standards artlsncaiiy
arranged over this box was banner bearing
the legend "Arcadlan CLUB" In gold letters on q
feld OF autumn leaf colors The box opposite had
. similar banner with the words "Army and NAVY
Cnb.o The upper private boxes were also draped
IN unique manner with crlsps oil new bunting
having medallion fastenings and pendant tassels
of blue. Close up to the proscenium columns were
two silver fountains, at least four eet ngn, throw
ing constant streams OF Cologne water.
In the Army and Navy box were Generals Ham
COCK ingalls,, Greer, MacMahOn, Bartlett, Prince,
Gordon Granger. Aver,l and Colonel T. II. Stew
art. The Governor eject, Samuel J. Tden; the
Mayor elect. w. H. Wfckham; William Cullen
Bryant. II. II. stoddard, District Attorney Ben
lamin \. Phelps ana A. >. sullivan, occupied
places In the Arcadan box. In the other boxes
were General Craig and Clarence Seward and
family.
With the termination or the play came the event
Of the evening, the presentation % or laurel
short delay went up 1t discovered the members
OF the Arcadian Club and number OF distn-
guishcd guests and large representation OF actors
and actresses from the various companies grouped
ON the stage. In the centre were the Governor
and Mayor elect, Mr.. Algernon Sullivan, Mr.. VIII
liam Cullen Bryant, Professor Roberts, Mr. Lester
Wallack and MIR. Dion Boucicault Miss Cusnman
had lald aside her stage costume and occupied
= position In front OF the members OF the theatre
cal procession. As soon as the applause OF the
audience had sufficiently subsidized, Professor
Roberts read with power and feeling the following
lines, dedicated TO Miss Cushman by MI. StOd.
dard:-
sALvE, REGINA
The race OF greatness never dies;
Here, there Its hery children rise.
Perform their splendid parts,
And captive take our hearts.
Men, women OF heroic mould
Have overcome US from OF old;
Crowns waited then, as now,
For every royal brow.
The victor In the Olympidn Games
HIS name among the pr0udcsr names
Was handed deathless down;
To him the olive crown.
And they, the poets. grave and sage,
Stern masters OF the tragic stage,
Who moved by art austere
To pity, love and lear
To these was given the laurel crown,
whose lightest lcat conferred renown
That through the ages ned
Stl circles each gray head.
But gfeeney iaurels cluster now,
WOrld-gathered, on his spacious brow,
In his snpremest place,
Greatest OF their great race.
shakespeare Honor to him and her,
VINO stands his grand Interpreter,
stepped out or his broad page
Upon the living stage.
The unseen hands that shape our tate
AOWdcd ner strongly, made her great