The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-09

Henry Irving when they stepped on the
stage. The covered casket containing the
volume was placed on a table in the center
of the stage. When Mr.. Bancroft rose to
make the presentation he was received
with another salvo of applause. Mr.. Ban
croft said:
1 am deeply honored and feel the honor
deeply in being chosen to present on SO mem
orable an occasion this gift 10 our dear friend,
Henry Irving, for whom an admiration nearly
thirty years old and friendship OF the same
age, which ripened quickly TO affection, make
the privilege both precious and delightful TO
me. Sir, in commemoration of the unique
event which brings US together we offer for
your accep tance a personal rollcall of the
British stage, which contains, among some
thousands of autographs, the names of sur
vivors who have done honor to our calling in
the past; the names of those who are its most
distinguished ornaments now, and the names
OF those whose destinies lie in the future
who are, in fact, the heirs and guardians of the
present and the past. Without going further
tell you that you will read the names
of Lady Martin, who as Helen Faucit,
classic drama, as the youthful heroine with
Macready; of the Incompatible and ever-young
Mrs. Kelley, and OF that brilliant actress, Lady
Gregory, who, as Mrs. Stirling, appeared last
upon the stage with you; while it will interest
you TO see among the names of veterans the
signature OF, believe, the Oldest actor in the
world-James Doel, whom l had the pleasure
TO know years ago in Plymouth. We also pre-
sent to you an address which has been written
by one well remembered as an actor on these
boards before he grew to be q leading dramatist
of the time, and the casKet which contains our
offering has been designed on purpose by an
actor who has often served one of your
chief lieutenants, and who will honor
ably preserve your own traditions here
while you are absent in other lands. Re-
membering always my loyalty to the writer of
our address and how my poor words must be
off hn twill
read to you, will only further say: The most
august and exalted in the realm have con-
descended often to courtly words and gracious
deeds which will always be cherished, by those
of US who have received them, in grateful and
dutiful remembrance; but you, Sir Henry
Irving, loud and prolonged applause] will
ever be recognized as the first actor to win for
the stage the dignity and the honor of state
recognition. All who are here and those we
perpendicular whom none know you better
or love you more-join with me in heartfelt
wishes that the autumn OF your life may be
long and bright, opening to winter of peace
and happiness. When those days come may
you rejoice in the recollection that you made
your companions proud OF you, pronder OF their
calling, and each man in our ranks prouder
still to think and feel that, like yourself he is
an actor. [Cheersl
Sir Henry Irving here rose and grasped
the hand of Mr.. Bancroft, amid renewed
cheering.
The casket was then uncovered and was
WIFI ATTENTION DV Or
Henry. Mr.. Bancroft then read the adj
dress, which, after congratulating Sir Henry
on the honor conferred on him by the
Queen, continued as follows:
We remember that while your performances
upon the stage have greatly enlarged the popu-
larity and influence of the drama your utter
ances outside the theater have always tended
to claim for our calling generally a consider
able place in the estimation of thinking people:
that in the height of your own frequent
triumphs your first word has been for your fell
low-Workers; that you have never Wearied in
demanding for the earnest actor, however
modest his standing, the recognition due to
one who pursues an art which is as individual
and complete as it is beautiful and alluring
1t is certain that to-day every member of our
craft is benefited and advanced by the distinc-
ton YOU have so justly gained, and we believe
that the debt of gratitude due to YOU will he
acknowledged as fully by posterty as it is by
ourselves, your contemporaries. Loud cheers
Sir Henry Irving, speaking with great
emotion, said
My brother and sister actors: Formal speech
cannot adequately convey to you the pride
and pleasure awakened in me by your most
cordial and loving words, and so / can but
trust that you will intuitiyely understand the
depth of my gratitude. There can be no
greater honor to any man than the apprecia-
ton of his efforts by his comrades and fellow
workers, who are, as against MI Others most
fully qualified to understand his difficulties
and to sympathiZe with his hopes and aims
In common with you ALL rejoice at the honor
conferred upon our art, and hold as another
bond our gratitude TO our most gracious
Queen, who has conferred the distinction
That the actors whose memories extend over
nearly century and those whose endeavors
shall, / trust, stretch into an equal future,
should have thus united in q purpose of APP
proval of an honor to our calling is in itself a
fragment of the history of our time, of which
must re joce to have share. Still more must
be glad that your approval has Endorsed the
generous words of your address. l can only
say this that have been always proud to be
an actor; but have never been so proud as
now, for to-day there is bond between us
which | feel sure will never slacken. This
beautiful casket, and its more precious con-
tents, viii ever be to me shrine of loving
memories, and monument of our unity. The
honor of its possession is above all worth. In
the olden times our Britons showed their ap-
probation of comrade by lifting him upon
their shields, and cannot but feel, and feel it
with an unspeakable pride, that you, my
brothers in our art, have lifted me on your
shields. There is no more honor to come into
the life of man so raised. 1t puts upon him q
new and grave responsibility, which l must
accept with hope and fear-a pledge to work
with more strenuous endeavor for the we'll
being of our calling, for the honor of our art.
This brought the proceedings to close,
and, as all rose, Sir Henry, turning again