The herald., 1895-05-26

thought over what had to say, and went
forward.
''To attempt any description of the state
of the house, of the wild enthusiasm of
applause, every little portion of the vast
assembly in motion, the prolonSation of
| applause, the deafening cheers would be
useless. After time, that l have never
in my experience seen approached, / ad-
vanced. l was deeply touched by the fer
vent, the unboundad expression of at
tachment from all before me. but pre-
served my self-possession l addressed
them in these words: Ladies and Gen
tlemen-My last theatrical part is played,
and, in accordance with long established
usage, | appear once more before you.
Even If l were without precedent for the
discharge of this duty, it is one my own
feelings would irresistibly urge upon me;
for as l lcok back upon my long profess
sional career, I see in 1t but one con-
tinuouS record of Indulgence and support
extended to me, cheering me in my on
ward progress, and upholding me in my
mortifying emergencies. l have therefore
been desirous of offering you, in my own
character my parting Acknowledgements
for the impartial kindness with which
my humble efforts have uniformly been
received, and for the life made happier
by your favors. The distance of more
than five and thirty years has not
dimmed my recollection of the encourage
ment which gave fresh impulse to the
unexpected essay of my youth and stim-
ulated me to perseverance, when strug-
Cling hard for equality of position
against the genius and talent of those
artists whose superior excellence / un-
grudgingly admitted, admired and hon
OF ed. That encouragement helped to place
me, in respect of privilege and emolu-
ment, on a footing with my distinguished
competitors. With the growth of time
my favor seemed to grow, and, undis-
to- I. al ,t,.tot fvAr
year to year found friends more thickly
clustering around me. All I can advance
to testify how justly I have appreciated
the patronage thus literally awarded me
is the devotion, throughout these years.
Of my best energies to your service.
My ambition to establish a theatre,
in regard to decorum and taste. worthy
of our country, and to have in 1t the plays
of our divine Shakespeare, fifty illustra-
ted, was frustrated by these whose
duty 1t was, in virtue of the trust
committed to them, themselves to
have undertaken the task. But yet
some good seed has been sown and
in the zeal and creditable productions of
certain of our present managers we have
assurance that the corrupt editions and
unworthy presentations of past days will
never be restored, but the purity of our
great poets text will from henceforth be
held on our English stage in the rever-
ence it ever should command. l have lit
tie more to say. BY some the relation of
an actor to his audience is considered as
slight and transient / do not feel 1t so.
The repeated manifestation, under cir
cumstances personally Affecting me, of
your favorable sentiments towards me
will live among my most grateful mem
cries, and because I would not abate one
lot in your esteem, / retire with the be-
lief of yet unfailing powers rather than
linger on the scene to set in contrast
the feeble style of age with the more Wig
orous exertions of my better years.
Words-at least, such as I can command
are Intellectual to convey my thanks; you
will believe that feel far more than I
give utterance to. With sentiments of
deepest gratitude / take my leave, bid
ding you, ladies and gentlemen, in my
past professional capacity, with regret, q
last farewell" "
Rivalling Garrick in versatility of pow
ers was Charlotte Cushman. 1t was said
of her that she attempted nothing that
she did not supremely well. Her reper-
toire comprised like Garricks, great va
comic, and in all she was applauded by a
doting public. Unlike Garrlck, Charlotte
Cushman did not meet with instantaneous
success. 1t was only after years of toll
that she achieved permanent and splen-
did renown. Her first experience on the
stage was in opera. She was fortunate
in having been trained by Maeder. a cele-
brated professor and teacher of vocal
music. On her first appearance at the
st. Charles Theatre. New Orleans, she
met with some favor From her early
youth q fixed and determined purpose to
succeed dominated Charlotte Cushman's