New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-29
IRVING DIMES NTH DR1M11lC ACIHOHH
A LARGE PARTY GEEETs TIE GREAT ACTOR
Mr. IRVING's ADDRESS.

A
Mr.. IRvING's ADDRESS.
The American Dramatic Authors Association
gave a dinner last night to Henry Irving. The
members ard their guests gathereu as rapidly as
possible after the theatres were out and the party
sat down at the tables at little after II o'clock.
Among those who were present were G. A. Byrne.
the vice-president. who presided In the absence OF
Bronson Howard. the president; William McCon'
nell F. f. K.6der c. Il. Clifford. Charles Klein.
Fred W. Sidney, Franklin Fyes, chester 3 LORD
Josenh Brooks John Habberton. Dwight Miller
Edward A. Paulton. Joseph Howard jr H.
f. Rice Thomas Frost, j. l. {. Clark
Indigo George Barrett. Nelson Whcatcroft Jes-
sic Williams Richard Barker. Edward NJ Al
friend Charles Barnard, Charles Townsehu'
Henry Guy Carleton James l. Metcalf' John
Drew Arthur Hornblow. c. H. Meltzer. J. w.
Keller Harry Neagle. Frank Mclaughlin augustus
Pitou Daniel Frohman, Al Hayman. Albert f.
parg Alfred THOMPSON. Harry p. Mawson. G. A.
Kcrker J. H. Ryley j. r. Grismer. Edgar Seldsn.
David Belasco Franklin H. Sargent. u. r. Roeder.
Arson Pond Walter c. Bellows. William furst'
Alexander Lombard and Charles Bradley
Mr.. Byrne began the Speaking with few words
introducing the guest Of the evening. Mr. Irving
replied follows:
I confess to a sense of personal citation In meet
ing this genial and hospitable company, Tor you
will understand that 1t is most agreeaDie lor an
actor to stand out among dramatic authors anu =,
to make a free and Independent speech which Is
not in the prompt book iec even as and showinf.
an an audience of experts how 1t ought to be done
I dare say you have never noticed that anb b
Of successful plays which after year or two So are
announced in The al e actor and
the semdistinguished playwrighp When that nap .be
yHa mst bT ak Which fG the loses
Identity in that OF the author and becomes 80 30
familiar ar Tn s Of lights 70 hs he he
takes them for his owH the most wonuer,ui ples
Of this fe my' ang tha Suppose
the Why the au,nG ms eoef bv nI
s smsel 1nf for '1 the play player Wv
Knit gentlemen. you must have observed more
snsu@r deu MT.r s Of Hnp ' that they could and
they would become dramatists ir the stage were
0'I'' recollect certain statements to this effect by
some weil-known and esteemed noveii s Ihe 4,
ware deferred from winning fame and fortune IN
W he heare by the distressing Of literature
from the modern drama and by the sun more ,bn ls
actors who 10 to Se be Rs pToper
II the en ScGr tho Seu mansger could be induced
IN his paror like ,hs KING II the pc SouI
persuaded that the literary merit Of the novel was
the chief requisite for the stage. well then these
eminent writer's na Sht drama an1 make
a magnificent instrument OF culture i5ut somengw
fnr the stage demands special qualifications special
study and special atmosphere Gen,i.in en- ,or ~
benefit but when | think Of some Of the rlay ys
which have done honor TO the dramatic authors
NJ America when / recall the vivid portra-
ture OF lie the varied comedy which =, as
ing,Iish the work Of your president Bronson NOV
ard or the work OF Clyde Fitch, Guy sarIeon, anu
many others am not disposed TO ADMIT INA. 'nc
modern drama Is unequal 10 holding the mirror w
10 nature You have the stimulus or puonc WHO
are / suppose. except the French. me most IN
veterate playgoers in the world. ana or mat cIIa.
acteristic of tho American people nave reason 10
sneak with the liveliest gratitude. Iheir Keen IN
taercst in the stage Is in keeping with the restless
activity of the National mind. and II embraces
every phase OF the dramatic art, from We oIu'
world plays OF Shakespeare TO the drama winch re-
fleets the ideas Of own day ana gejlcItuoh.
Gentlemen. | venture to claim this az one or une
most gratifying symptoms Of wholesome oody
polite II Is moreover, constant chcoutaSee'i,,,
TO the most earnest and intelligent effort on penaI,
Of the art which you uphold, ana o. an,
Of dramatist and actor OF playwright ana
niayer and we feel that strongly on such an oc-
casion as this. We feel ~. perhaps. more acutely
vrben the hand OF death takes from among us some
one who has long represented our most ihuinae
essociations You have lost Edwin Booth. II Is
a loss greatly felt by the whole world OF art by
all who had learned to admire. not only MS great
gifts but also his simple and sterling character.
lawrence Barrett. too. has gone. ana our dea,
friend Florence, the sweetest and kindest or good
fellows These are memories which IL Is our DUTY
ard our pride TO cherish. and cannot but think
that our dead friends could have no greater nap.
piness than TO know that their memories must
cement strongly the bonds OF Boou ieio"ship "A'0"
unite here tonight.
After Mr.. Irving had spoken. J. l. c. Clark made
the principal address Of welcome. lie was followed
by Augustus Pitou Joseph Howard. jr.. and others,
and the speaking lasted TIL late hour.