New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-24

HIS SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF THE GARRIcK
THEATRE
The opening of the Garrick Theatre last night was
a brilliant affair in every respect. The audience
was large and fine one, and the beauties or the
house It has been adorned and embellshed by Mr.
Mansfield were fully appreciated and admired AT
the end Of the play Mr.. Mansfield, in response to
vociferous demands, addressed the assembly as fol-
low:
Ladies ami Gentlemen: will not detain you. as
I know that on an occasion like this you would
that you are probably aware that it is not the bust
ness Of an actor 70 make Speeches put rather IN
am quite unable TO make anything like decen;
speech. Whenever | 90 make speech there are
they think that | say those things which ought
not 20 say and leave unsaid those things which
ought to say. | thank you with all my heart this
audiences IN his heart for coming here. II you dlI
ned 'I not also tell YOU !ha The POSITION
stand tonight | am douby grateful 70 You VINO
come to see me. When ! was only an actor. being
managed by somebody else | dill not care whether
ANYBODY came not. Now care very much, in
deed.
Perhaps you have noticed We have been TO a
/ need not til You that whether the decorations
- this house please You or not here !s no decora
you yourselves furnish. | wish 20 say. K you VIII
decoration. ana that / should be very delighted al
ways to soe that decoration. have been asked 70
beg - say that have tdken the liberty o. calm
this theatre the Glrrick. because. as far as
know. Garr!ck has been for some time the model
~ The I.lgl!sh stage. and | believe what we are
supposed 20 DO IS 20 talk English here. and
presume belong - the English stage, and that
the English stage belongs here. II Il does not be-
long here. | quite sure hat ! DO not know
what r. - dolns her" all the time. Ard. moreover
Indies ard gentleman, Garrick was man Who
throughout his long career. had the great good
fortune 20 be- able 20 act In n manner TO please
the public. because he never played anything that
the best portion OF the public had any cause 10
complain ot. and that example. ladies' and gentle
men, was followed In the past by the late respected
s.d admired actor. Mr. Wallack. and shall en-
tvar 20 follow the same example. But need not
.ou YOU that shall be unable TO follow this eX-
ampl. unless you come To see me. and shall also
pc unable 20 carry out any OF my dreams OF the
past and plans OF the present unless you en-
courage me- with your presence. and nat. pre-
sumo 8, the with all OF MS; therefore. | VIII
not dwell upon II. .
/ must also say one little word OF thanks for the
gentleman who recently occupied this house and
was very PHOSPHORUS here. and who has now gone
out to reap the rewards II his success elsewhere,
ana has Ieft his theatre H. the hands Of another
fellow actor. | refer. OF course. - Mr. Edward
H1rrigua. And now. ladies' and gentlemen moth
Ing remains FOR me to say. since you have 50
charmngly dedicated this theatre. but 10 thank
you behalf OF my wife. my company and my.
self with all sIny heart. for coming here. and
need not tell you that shall always 10 our best
t. please You and 10 deserve your encouragement.