New-York tribune., 1895-12-22
THE DRAMA.
HENRY IRVING AND ELLEN TERRY
THE FAREWELL PERFORMANCE.

THE FAREWELL PERFORMANCE
Henry Irving and Ellen Terry ended their engage.
ment at Abbey's Theatre last night and e1chans -
with their public a greeting OF farewell. 1hey h''
occupied this stage for eight weeks, ana 'he! "
set before this community long series OF dra"a'
representations. of the highest order,-sving s'e",
pleasure maintaining noble standard OF arr a., .
supplying a continual impetus to beneficial thoue"'
and high endeavor. Their season VIII De ms'"o' -,
for the production Of King Arthur. Don OuiNo'e'
and "A Story OF Waterloo" and for superb !.
vival OF Macbeth" They have gained new iaure's
in those plays and they have refreshed the ustre VI
previous triumphs. Portia, Beatrice Margaret ""u
Queen Henrietta Maria. Shylock, Benedick' Char'e'
the First Matthias. Louis XI. Mehistopheles' Lee
s,,roues and Dubosc-no one OF those achievements
can be forgotten For intellectual men the presence
of Henry Irving upon our stage has, from .he ms"
been not less a benefit than a delight Mi"u ~,
swers to mnd-and IL is OF the signal pecuiarl-
ties Of this great actor that. everywhere ana ua'
al circumstances he is ;he cause OF incessah' III
tellectual activity Without tumult. and Simply
through his tremendous energy and unresting apor'
he arouses and stimulates. In every quarter 'ic III
teectua forces OF the time Every thinker IL aware
OF his presence and conscious of his influence tut
nearly quarter OF a century his power IN 'his re-
spect has been advancing-the power TO stimulate
thought to awaken interest, to vitalizo AMBITION
to refresh weary minds to dnuse a.acrlty OF spri''
and to hallow common life with the charm ol i'-
nance. The contemporary intelligence. both III hhs
land and America. has been broadened. sharpened'
and refined by his sumptuOus mnistration OF 'he
dramatic art, and the world IS better because OF MS
benefcent career This may seem exaggerated
estimate Of the influence OF actor. but 1t is one
that viii bear a vigorous examination Irvine
brilliant success in THE Bells was MADE twenty
three years ago and from that day to THIS ne mas
moved steadily upward leaving all competitors pe
hind until now he is the most potential ana the
dstfn shel q
ques: is achieved only by the wise use OF imperial
powers, the most strenuous labor. and the most
conscientious devotion TO those ideas and agencies
which are naturally tributary TO human happiness.
That Is the moral of the farewell performance o.
this extraordinary actor. and Of the woman 81
genius and beauty with whom his artistic fortunes
have been 80 auspciously associated.
The performance consisted OF five pieces-the
Pleasant trae sasd a & Ghrstmss orS stOyW OF the
.SS scene in' E Much !ane ADO The b was lons but the
ani cordial plaudts. Ellen Terry was seen as Lady
soupre Queen apG BeatrSe nd HenTy yehe
dick The names alone denote the remarkable, va, va;
rety Of the acting Those images @ W long
the desire for another happy meeting by ana by'
Seeay asnsaished st M during the
now ended are Miss MaHd MEn Mr M arrs% Miss M
Al.sa Craig has made distinct adyance In expert
treatment Of dramatic situation Mr. Irving VIII
Al the close Of the performance ana In response 10
repeated and urgent calls for a speech Mr. Irving
spoke follows: - .
II wish | could thank you as my heart prompts
me for the eloquence and the heartness and If !
may say so the affection OF your greeting. II Is
not in my power to express my thanke TO you. but
for one and all. for dear and loved rend Ellen
Terry and for one and all the members OF my com
pany l thank You from the overflow of very
grateful. heart. Our hearts are very full and u Is
thanks and thanks. and thanks / should like
to thank everybody. but II is very late should
like TO thank the people OF this theatre one ana
all for their assistance In the production OF the n
teen pIavs we have given here. and should Ike
to thank the gentlemen of the for their record
often their eloquent record-of our work.
"One thing ! should like to mention. on Mon
day night q dear and valued friend Of mine, Mr.
John Hare will make his appearance here. his
first appearance in New~York and In America.
with the assistance of his company and Of a lady
OF whom you have all heard. Miss Julia Nelson.
| know what a hearty greeting he will receive
from you who truly appreciate all artists.
Il hope II Will be our good fortune very often to
come back and | may say we shall have the
honor of appearing before you again for short
time early in May. | am poor in thanks. Dut |
thank you for your constant good will. which has
been afforded to for many years. trust with
all my heart that shall meet again, and |
thank you again with all my heart and soul. with
respect and gratitude and love-