The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-06
ADJUSTMENTS.
wALLAcK's THEATRE-THE TESTIMONIAL TO MR.
JOHN GILBERT.

sOHN GilbEfsI.
A great audience-one of the largest that has
occupied Wallack's Theatre during the present sea
son--flled the house ut the matinee yesterday. II
comprised not only many of best and oldest
citizens but numbers of visitors from Boston and
Philadelphia, who availed themselves of the occa-
sion To pay tribute 10 tho veteran whose
itieth anniversary upon the stage the object Of
the gathering. There something tender in the
friendly allegiance that shown by more than a
of white-hai and women, who seemed to
feel that it part OF lifes religion to attend.
Some of them feeble that young and stron;;
necessary to assist them to seats. but their
enjoyment in itself enjoyable.
The programme from beginning TO end was inter-
cstng and attractive. The first feature the third
act Of Mrs. Ettie Hendersons new drama. entitled
almost Life" now being played at the Standard.
This was followed by Mr.. Bouccault's exquisite
dramatic gem. called Kerry" in which appeared
the author AIRS. Agnes Booth. Mr.. j. W. Shannon,
Mr. c. A. Stevenson. Mr.. G. Rockwell and Miss Stella
Boniface. A more perfect bit of acting has not
been seen on the New York stage for many day.
After this. Mr.. George s. Knight, who is playing
"Otto' at the Broadway Theatre, gave couple Of
Rotations that were warmly applauded. Mr. Lester
Wallack and Miss Ada Dyas then held the audience
for q hall hour in the charming act comedy BY
well be imagined that these two superb artists
perfect picture.
The screen scene from Shcridan's comedy of the
School for Scandal was then enacted with Mr. John
Gilbert rs Sir Peter Teazle. Mr.. C. F. Coghlan
Charles Surface, Mr.. Charles Barron as Joseph
Surface and Miss Rose Coghlan Lady Teazlc
1t is needless to say that the appearance Of Mr.
Gilbert was the occasion Of an enthusiastic demon
stration, that the applause was redoublcd when
on the fall of the curtain he stepped to the front
of the stage and made the following happy address,:
THE ADDRESS OF MIR. JOHN GILBERT.
LADIES AND GENrLgMEN-This is an occasion when
scarcely know whether to confess that am sad or
joyful. That my heart goes ont to you. the public
ana to the warm professional friends connected with
this theatre with some OF whom I have been
continuously associated for the last seventeen
years need not be told in words. You and they all
know it. Indeed we're to attempt to express the
emotions that born of this peculiar event Ian
guage would be inadequate to describe the overflow
of grateful nature And yet stand here looking
into your faces the memories of fifty years come
trooping back upon me like so many musty old vol
that have been long embalmed and suddenly
illuminated by the sunshine of this honr. Zap
piause.) II under the circumstances feel q shadow
Of sadness gathering around me it is because
many broad gaps the circle Of my old friends who
have passed into the spirit land In these fifty
years have moving two great processions-one
coming upon the stage to play their brief parts the
other passing silently away. l am looking at this
moment in the faces OF those whom remember as
little children twenty years ago. l see others-old
friends aSSOcateS-WnO, Ike myself listening
to the rustic Of the autumn leaves and waiting for
the winter time and the very fact that am sur
rounded. that this anniversary this golden we'd
ding somebody has called it-has brought Us
together. gives strength and lends fresh
warmth to an old mans heart. (Applause) The
life of an actor is at best hard one, but thanks
TO you, the patrons of Wallacks Theatre. thanks
to Mr.. Wallack. my manager. my comrade in art
and, better than all my dear friend and the members
Of his company; thanks to all the members of
the profession who have generously co-operated
in making this the happiest day of my life;
thanks to the gentlemen OF the press who have uni
versally treated me with kindness and consideration
if had trouble in years long gone by it has
been obliterated by this distinctive mark of your ap
probation and have done for nearly quarter of
century shall feel that each succeeding year that
passes in your presence is only another milestone
wreathed in flowers. (ApplauseD do not deem it
necessary to be reminiscent for TO begin the story
would be like the opening of book that could not be
read in a single night. (Applausel therefore must
uttcrances of full heart Twill conclude by recing
few lines from of Americas greatest poets-Long-
fellow
Whatever poet. orator sage
May say Of il. old age is still old age.
The night hath come; il Is no Longer day.''
Cut of from labor BY tho failing light.
Something remains for us 70 do or dare
Even the oldest tree some fruit may bear;
Than youth itself, though in another dress
The sky is filled with stars Invisible by day
Continuous applause.l
Owing to the illness Of gentleman in the cast Mr.
wallack announced that the third act OF the DAM
chefs" would not be played, but in its place the
audience and Mr.. Gilbert would be treated to a
prise This occurred in the shape of presentation
Of silver plate from the management and actors
Of the Germania Theatre tof which Mr.. Neuendorff
is the proprietor accompanied by the following
tasteful address. 1t was read by Mr.. Wolkenstein.
the young comedian of the theatre who attended
on the occasion by Messrs. Renan. Bojock and Kess-
Ter as a representative committee
4 TRIBUTE FROM THE GERMANS.
HoNoREp SIR-Under the shetcring arms OF this
lana of universal liberty of all creeds and
tions may aspire without impeachment or hindrance
to all that is great and noble in art. Homage and
spect are rarely denied those who truly merit them.
Therefore we, German representatives OF dra-
matte art. unite and vie with your countrymen in
paving an humble tribute to the talented actor and
genial gentleman. John Gilbert aud though forming
but q small minority OF those who seek To do you
honor. We feel assured that our congratulations and
good wishes will prove none the less welcome We
desire moreover, 10 make manifest the esteem and
veneration in which hold you as a member
Of that profession you have so long honorcd
and how deeply we--whosc mother tongue is not
that OF the immortal shakcspeare-appreciate and
admire you as an exponent ro, 81 ,,o s, great art
OF your professional career What . period to look
back upon--what glorious career-.wha. lifc of
lsbor--and how faithfully you have performed it!
For this devotion to your art the muses. will
place upon your brow wreath of laurel and
crown your efforts with sr. nsayns rem And
Theatre here assembled before you unite with
me in the hope that many professional triumphs
are attn in store for you, and at tine same time
Offer for your acceptance this trinng gift, with
the hope that in the future il may recall 10 your
memory this. to us. gratifying occasion. IN con
cusion your German colleagues desire to express the
hope that you may be spared for many pears to
n brilliant luminary in histrofic art. And though
none OF hope TO achieve your cminence in
profession shall nevertheless profit by your meri
torous work. and will ondeavor 10 initiate 50 far AZ
lies within our power. your glorious efforts
NJ. Gilbert ahowed not little emotion at this m
expected evidence of ratcrnal feeling the part OF
our German fellow citzcns, and could DO litc more
than warmly grasp the hand Of each gentleman Of
the committed and briefly express his gratitude The
entertainment concluded with the performance by
Mr. and Mrs. j. c. Williamson OF their
famous 'sbagatellc' entitled The Chinese
Question" and the laughter provoking sketch
called "our society Actors" hy McssrS Burch and
Dacfus OF the san Francisco Minstres II was in cx-
ccllent consonance with tho occasion that Mr..
Williamson should thus appear for his earliest sue
c,uona nm flr New gt,oo ycrs. ,sip the