New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-27
ADDRESS OF JOSEPH II. CHOATE.

After coffee had been served. and the smoke OF
cigars and cigarettes formed halo round the guests
who had broken MP into informal groups the chair
man raped for order, and proposed the health OF
the guest IN the following speech:
GENTLEMEN: You have impos "a upon me a most pleas
ANT and honorable duty In akng 10 occupy this chair
this evening propose the health OF usriOus
dress YOU IN that soft and sweet italian tongue which
his poquence has made so charming and fama TO us
s genius Of salvni himself to make any
tongue but ours perfectly intci.egine 10 Us
OF appreciatn Italian and 80 In deercnce to that
democratic MAXIM the greatest good OF the greatest
number" shall adopt this occasion that vernacular
speech TO the which the general ignorance OF this
company constralns me- lLaughterl 1 only hope that
he whose honor use at least overlook what he
probably win not understand GLaughter.l
Now to me that our nrst Obligations are que 10
those ladies who have 80 kindly honored us with their
presence appause and especially to that one Of their
number who In her AZ % 70 inc negO .,
marvellous beauty. signor salvini and have had quite
contest as 10 the meaning OF the motto harmonious
so euphonious, which crowns the Moral tribute salye
Salyini" IL seemed TO him 10 mean only HAL SalvIn
but II seemed that In view OF the fact that he s TO-
night perhaps making hs last appearance OF any
stare like this. might be TRANSLATED fae"eiLa Sad
soft sacrificing spirit which the donor how
forrving could be in behalf OF her In presenting
Su itb oman except With murder in his heart it
seemed to me TO De more truly translator, as nall
salyn for the wounds he has so continually innictod
We'll wgentl"men,we have come tog sther here, be-
all possible cangs aud professions OF
men for certainly all ought TO unite IN such tribute
to genius OF the first rank. Applause. Certainly my
own profession and that OF the reverend clergy too
al immense debt OF gratitude TO one who spends his
life In ennobng the divine art OF speech and whose
successful effort has been TO unfold the movements ofhu
man motives and 10 explore me ephs OF human passion
Erskne tho greatest advocate OF his and perhaps or
any age declare that TO and hear Mrs sddons was
the best school OF which he had any knowl
edge and sitting al her feet he had learned the
best rules OF his great art. lAppsuse And certainly
every profession that claims 10 liberal may well
Tess It's obligations TO Sayini who mas been able to un
languages in every city of Chrstendon. and has
arged The boundaries OF the influences OF tho worlds
great poet. lApplausel
But, gentlemen. 90 not represent ourselves alone.
These 100 gnterDon stand for hundreds OF thousands
Of our -cOuniTymen scattered all the CONT
nent who proud TO confess themselves as among
the trends and admirers OF our CITED guest;
and wherever he has portrayed to admirng audi
ences the passions and emotions, the grandeur
sand. will be found who will share the
regrets that feel at hearing of bis departure from
tude for all that he has done TO entertain to elevate aud
10 instruct US. IAppause.l
shores the gifted artists OF Europe and pours into their
laps showers OF god but some OF thom and notably
or honored guest OF this evening Is OF those who
leave behind them far more than they tako away In
the precious memory OF happy hours passed aud
f rores enjoyed just as the matcaless voice Of Jenny
Lind aud the imperial grace OF Rachel stil! finger IN tho
memory OF those who them and heard them Ia the
enchantIng distant days OF childhood aud youth
regret very much that the absorbing nature Of their
argagements have prevented more OF actors from
being present to night TO testify by their personal pres
cnce their sympathy with thIs occasion, which
IA outspOkcn and universal But they have paid
a telling tribute TO their own and our hon0rcd guest
by uniting unanimously in invitation to MIN, In view
of the bty OF their attending his performance
at nj ght when they ali busy about their work,
TO give them matinee performance for their own bene
m 40 that they might all there and and hear and
study and applaud him. the lged master Of their
profession. lAppau5e.
We all owe much. gentlemen, TO dramatic literature,
| I'm which the real poetry OF every and nation
eliminates and 10 the stage, which is It's mOu piece
and which brings him 10 us. FOrO one. | welcome most
cordially an occasion which brings into closer contact
the men OF all other professions with these actors, who
arc striving 20 magnify their calling aDdto fulfil lis true
mission OF bringing TO the OF the listening world all
the mobiles. sentiments and graudest thoughts that the
human mind mas conceived and uttered and believing
that salyin has done ms ward this welcome
him ght in and local spirit IL any
asks what has he done for the American stage reply
that the stage Is Woe the theatre OF human acton
and that who has done what he could to elevate Its
tone and character has done IL for ana Tor all
Gentlemen. the uniyersay of Sbakespeare's genius
finds wonderful illustration III the fact tnat now his
works read and understood and app eciated
i, as well by the scholars OF every other language
| every country found personatiDg the great
| est characters OF his tragedies. each In his
tongue, the world over, ransating and resolving
ali the difference OF dialect into the comprehensive and
universal Language OF passion and OF faith. Applause
But II is not, gentlemen. only that love
| wreaths We remember that In his early manhood he
drew his sword by the side OF Garlbaldi Loud APP
plause.
Gentlemen, have the honor to present TO you Signor
Bavini lie speaks who has given to Shakespeare
all that Shakespeare drew from Italy Great applause