New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-05
THE DRAMA--MUSIC,
Mr.. IRYINGs FAREWELL.


Inc last curtain has fallen upon the last mn.
.o'mance Oh Henry Irving In America He playa
o"yoeS last night. and Miss Terry played Pcrtia Ana g
was ended the most astonishing professional prosrs
'nat ever has been made by an actor In this country
great throng OF spectators witnessed closing reu
sentation and heard the actors farewell speech ana =
every possible way the sssemblage gave evidence Of ~
oeepy excited aud earnest feeling Again and again. ana
yctagan Mr. Irving and Miss Terry were called before H.
curtain or recalled upon the scene when finally thsy
had disappeared not to be here any crowd
turned sadly away and dispersed almost in mournfuI
silence brilliant occasion certainly It was, but ase
IL was solemn OCCASION The farewes that thickly
chequer human life 1t advances serve to teach IL
heetness and emphasize its evanescence 1t especiay
hard to say farewell to those who have made betta
ana wiser. and with whom We have been happy
Ia the rich communion Of mind and soul
There are hundreds Of persons in thu
iand who will feel a deprivation and long remsm
Der with personal regret tho final withdrawal Of ME
Irving. Miss Terry and their associates from the Ame
can stage. This is not the moment for many words
The story Of Mr. Iryings achievements since he came Y
America In the autumn OF 1888 has been fully told II
this place, has this journal omitted y testimony %
any enthusiasm that could convey or en-.
phasize its appreciation of the value q
Henry Irving's labers and services. La&
night the hour belonged him. Ills words were worthy
Of 1t and of himself No at present need be said
Tomorrow night the great actor will receive from Amer
lea. in this its metropolis, tho farewell greeting that
due to his genius aud tae Of his excellence that
abides in the American mind and heart.
Mr. Irvings farewell words are given below:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: Ny mind goes back to Night
to that 10Th October IA memorable night 70 us,
and half ago. when you gave us our first welcome.
welcome that has often been repeated, and aways
must part and it is now my painful task to bid you
farewell Ihave nothing to gain by the utterance q
o.Af farv
can speak without fear or favor and in doing feed
that have Of confession to make have often
had occasion to speak grateful things but nave never
yet Clearing that might be accused OF having some
OF to grind told you the naked rtn ana thas
able acts OF kindness we have received from the Amer
people. have never yet tod you now mucn ws
that has been SO boanfu and so generous towards
the land that has added new interest to
We have Travelled much through your country We have
found troops Of friends. We have met with nothing but
brotherhoo and good will. We have had many easur
and few dsappontments, and proudly s1aed here
tonight aud tell you OF deep aud lasting obligation
Comrades one and all and especially speak who
syery dear TO who has shared the travel ana anxiety
ana me mean Miss Ellen Terry Believe me- ia
her memory your kindness will dwell and she VII!
am sure, fail from your memories OF grace ana
genius. -
Ladies and gentlemen, our stay amongst you ha!
been all too brief The time has passed 100 QUICKLY; oas
although leave you hope still fingers that many OK
you will meet In orr own theatre, IN our own nome
shall have the consciousness that we are ap
healing 10 some Of our American kinsmen and 10 thel
sympathcs well as to the sympates OF our own KID
can but reply that only my duty keeps me bacx
have a theatre to control. fresh work to oegn' ana
obligations and necessities to conform TO- ,r, 90.
And now. ladies and gentlemen, have but poorly ana
imperfectly thanked you. can but say with BassdnD
tonight: Only my blood speak to yon In my veins
aud that reluctantly have to say goodbye, say 20
with no conventional formal utterance, put WIN he
fitness OF heart whch you have often caused TO beat
high with pleasure and with pride The last words say
10 YOU and those words will he uttered by me AID
mine nre God bless America" And with these words
/ respectfully, regretfuly, and IL ! may dare to say
so afectonately bid you Goodbye" Goa pess
America"