New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-27
MIR IRvNG,S FAREWELL.

Mr.. IRVING'S FAREWELL.
Last night. at the Star Theatre in presence
Of numerous assemblage and amidst acclamatlons OF
delight a. well as many denotements OF regret at an
impending loss. Mr. Irving Miss Terry and the LONDON
Lyceum Theatre Company their farewell Of America
and closed the first irving season in the New world Upon
the special performances Of the niGht-athough nun
dred apurec8tvc things remain unsaid as 10 the mel
lectual subuey and the consummae taste with when the
several plays been treatedt is not possible long TO
pause. Four great jewels each taken from its espech
setting displayed in one blazing cluster OF opueh'
beauty and the OF them that fingers now In memory
is q sense Of excessive magnihceuce.
Mir Irving endured strain-for he was required
20 impersonate conditions OF a cimacteric char-
acter. the successive Of Shyioct. LOUIS H.
Charles l.. and BeHediok; to reach these condl-
tioDs without preparatory gradatons OF advance
and to give The characters all their vitality in an instant
His readiness and versatility astOnlshed even those VINO
are acquainted with OF his mind Miss
Terry if severely tried. yet fully responsive
60 the needs OF the hOur and II obvious furthermore
that the itself had very deeply touched her sen
tive heart The acting of Miss Terry is neveras some o.
servers Thought matter OF impulse and accident
yet beyond almost every player Of our time she ooses
her own nature into the she assumes, bearing
indeed heart that sits ever con the windy eide OF
emotion that her tears follow very quickly upon her
laughter This lively sensbility could not fail to be
deeply stirred last night well by the sense
Of parting as by the demonsrative sympathy OF the
public audience OF the year been thoroughly
aroused liberal Of its enthusiasm and the night
Of great and memorable enjoyment ana siSnlh
MANY thoughts are suggested by the Of these
distinguished actors in Americs-a success that has
been earned and not merely vouchsafcd. and that
rests merit and not opinion. But we shall only
briefly moraze upon what obvious TO thoughtful oh
server The measure Of success in acting L. found,
probably IN the question whether the testimony that an
bears human nature is such matches the best
knowledge OF subject which exists in the a--rrgate
mind of community. To consider that question TO
look upon the soul of the actOrh resources Of thought
feeling, Imagination and poetry. and the height
Of his spiritual altitude above the common clay
and thus discover whether be IS al exempar and leader
Of The purpose of the stage is not merely 70 ase
crowd Of people for three hours OF 90 show Low
much more clever manls than another In special
line Of expression but TO display before US scenes aud
powers that tell Of what human nature is composed and
OF vha, is capable, and TO suggest how sacred or
duty rule and guide 1t upon eternal principles OF
right 50 far as anything Of this SOFT can Oe DENIED
with reference the serious DESIGN and the latent mex
Orablc morality that dwell in a Things, this view defines
the drift OF the stage. A great actor knows ths and
treats his art in this spirit. This is what Dir
irwin. las done, and this is the reason Of lis
success Back of the actor is the Lofty calm e-o
lute fa'-1e'n- ana a.w3y- no .s i,iao. lI,. acme"
meui i,- py virtue ana NOT oJ SaI.ialc'' il 'a. OF
De for and he never can aii I'm the commanding
remain, behind. Fortunate FOR world as the
man this should be The history of the dramatic
I LnT1e o. TH and Nv Win p fa ties Df b b lr tr
efforts have passed without recognition and With
out reward Thrice happy be to whom Nature has Youcl-
goIh,d u all eyes with that mysterious radiance ot OLE
An GA Persian proverb says that the words Of King
fan MOI 10 the ground" MIR. IRVING farewell speech
expressed substantially as follows
LADIIs ASD GENTLEMEN: Il ia mv privilege 20 thank
you for al your goodness toward a.. wish nf tongue
Possessed an e'oquence that W0ud adequately express
my thsIehts On night thay VIII ever De ie'rI leI5d
by months ago you welcomed rs 70 these boards
f fna lS 5 5 the a. UH HS @ for the %SSos n
have where received from the American people
Applause Not Earring note one ungenerou- -ent-
meut has rred the happiness Of our stay among YOU
Arab. ke We pitched our tents and travelled many
place. aud travelling in America is unlike
travelling England the distances are greater snd the
cities further apart some one has kindly eu-Ststed
that 10 ouge they m ght ierhlp De pushed little To-
gether buJ certainly after visiting your country,
synpatlze with inc American GEM eItu VINO a. ta'
Of veuruuug forth from lis Motel I'D London lest Ae should
f bay. e ' nave received ccous aud .iefoas hos
paity ana the last four weeks nave shown u- tlat Nr"
Freetns She gave OF the efforts which nave helped
~ l cauno. refrain nom expressing my pride in the
triumph o., one who has male an impression on Eou1
artist ellen Terry Great applause she has Won -o.ael
itude 10y her hreside she viii often tel of the Ano-
Size received from the American people For myself
that upon the broad platform OF noble AT tAe t"'
natia. .Applause.J You have shown t-lt
nojcaou, love of your own most lir'o'c actors La.
prevented YOU from recognizing .e earnest pup'~. ~
an English company. and shall return ro our homes
with conviction that new or methods may lave
been YOU have the stamp ut ul.-'su-el approval
uuOn them. and your generosity U.s. arm -.f' U-'t
heartily appreciated by the la cl,. people. |Apap~I
Certainly as long / have 10 Ilc auuIs
LyceUm viii be open 10 weirOu, Foura,tI -l- ID a. tll-
trymeu one acting there now; others VIII De- there
by and by and that nOt u quite iornitr-'- t'-
reurul. ourselves; ana tLi "e may not 'e E
ten by tog We are returuIns you LA gcr eni
appidu-- DCh.' SAID your L.rat abraham J. ,i-I q.
Governor Oge-by, Dick keep close fo frr people ANA
that Ola. American people may forget Us. are CONS
Ing. u .. 3c well IN the next autumn We snail RET In
f15l az ant Yfu %
shall ly that returning Or parting embrace
..ouths embrace laughter and am sure thal
land which ha- the ir place our hearts, al
Ht-ruIEp tine affection which bear % America,
which OF the depths Of Kindness You nave cone
jured ut Ladies and gentlemen, rc-p eCt- -rstel.
and, D. may say IL, lovingly WISE You gOuuuT. zap
ptu-cI
conclusion OF the speech Mr. Irviu- bowed and
withdrew. recalled. Miss Terry Was the leE. lp
appear But % the loud calls for speech he sL' gir
shook her head. FINALLY Mr. Te,rl-s haDItad for As
journey his appearance IN response 10 repeated
walls and the audience dispersed