Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-11-11
NO. 2s2.
CHARLOTTE CUSRMAy.

CHARLOTTE CUSRMAN.
HER FINAL PERFORMANCE on THE ORA
MATIC STAGE.
The scene at Booths Theatre In New
York on Saturday night was one Of the
most remarkable in the theatrical annals
of that city. The tragedienne, Miss Char
lotte Cushman. gave her last performance,
appearing as Lady Macbeth. As early as
$50 T. Nj. the doors of the theatre were
besieged, and the audience. as was to be
expected, was unexceptional in intclli-
gence, taste. culture. wealth, position, in
fluence and fashion.
THE DECORATIONS AND AUDIENCE.
The interior of the building was very
tastetully decorated Around the border
of the upper gallery hung the coats Of arms
of all the States in the Union, while round
the lower gallery drapery of red. white
and blue hung in loose floating folds. The
galleries were loaded with clinging vines
and branches of artificial grapes. Above
the proscenium boxes to the lelt was sus-
pended banner inscribed, Army and
Navy Club" These boxes were occupied
by General Hancock and staff, aud men,
bers of the Army and Navy club, while
box on the right was occupied by Alger-
non S. Sullivan and members Of the Area
dian club. In the boxes were Governor
Dix, Governor-clect Tilden. William Cul-
len Bryant and family, Mayor Havemsyer,
Mayor-elect Wickham and family, Peter
Cooper, Cornelius Vanderbilt, members
of literary clubs. the managers Of the
principal metropolitan and suburban thea
tres, with prominent members Of their
companies, and the Journalistic profess
sion.
THE PERFORMANCE.
The play was carried out finely, the au-
dience applauding at every appearances Of
Miss Cushman. The scene from the stage
was most imposing, sea Of faces ranging
from the footlights to the roof, and all
were filled with enthusiasm inspired by
the splendid acting. The performance
closed amidst the most tumultuous ap-
plause. during which the members Of the
Arcadian club, which had the management
of the reception, retired from their seats in
the auditorium and assembled in the ves-
tibule of the theatre, from whence they
moved in a body to the rear entrance Of
the theatre. At that point q committee
received and assigned them to the position
on the stage intended for them. On the
opposite side from members of the club
the theatrical profession from the several
leading theatres in the city were assem-
bled. the background being filed in by
the company OF Booths Theatre and sew
cral prominent stars who came to town on
purpose to be present at the farewell.
The ninth regiment band, under Bowling.
performed several appropriate airs. at the
conclusion of which Miss Cushman was
escorted upon the stage, when the entire
audience rose and greeted her with rounds
OF cheers. When the greetings OF the au-
dience had subsidized, Professor Roberts
came forward and read the following:
ODE BY R. H. sToDDARD.
.Saice Regina.
The race of greatness never dies;
Here, there. ITS fiery 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, are now
For every mortal brow.
The victor in the Olympian games,
His name among the proudest names.
Was handed deathless down
To him the olive crown.
And they, the poets grave ard sage,
Stern n asters Of the tragic stage,
Who moved by art susterc
To pity, love and fear.
To those was given the laurel crown
Whose Ii ishtest leaf conferred renown,
That through the ages he'd,
Still circles each gray head.
But greener laurels cluster now,
World gathered on his spacious brow,
In his supremest place,
Greatest Of their great race.
Shakespeare, honor to him. and her
Who lands hi, grand interpreter,
Stepped out Of his broad page
Upon the living stage.
The unseen hands that shape our fate
Moulded her strongly, made her great;
And gave her, for her dover,
Abundant life and power.
To her the sister Of muses. came,
Profiered their masks and promised fame;
She chose the tragic, rose
To its imperial woes.
What queen unqueened is here What wife,
Whose long bright years Of loving liz
Are suddenly darkenedf Fate
Has crushed but left her great.
Abandoned for younger face,
Sne sees another MI her place;
Be more than she has been,
Most wretched wife and queen.
0, royal sufferer, patient heart,
Lay down thy burdens and depart
"Mine eyes grow dim, FAREWELL"
They ling her passing bell.
And thine, thy knell shall soon be rung,
Lady, the valor Of whose tongue.
That did not urge in vain,
Stung the irresolute Thane.
To bloody thoughts and deeds Of death
The evil genius Of Macbeth;
But thy strong VIII must break,
And thy poor heart must ache.
Sleeping, she sleeps not; night betrsys
The secret that consumes her days;
Behold her where she stands
And rubs her guilty hands.
From darkness, by the midnight 6re,
Withered and weiid in wild attire,
Starts spectral on the scene
The stern old gypsy queen.
She croons his simple cradle song; s..,
She will redress his ancient wrong;
The rightful heir come back
With murder on his track.
Commanding, crouching, dangerous, hind !;
Confusion in her darkened mind
The pathcs OF her years
| Compels the soul to tears.