New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-02

Nv first ir,pulse would he 10 declare that have
done nothing merit this honor: but. without quail
.fcation disclaim All desert would be TO iripIgn
your judgment and discredt your kindness. The
great and wise Dr. Johnson, remember did not
scruple 10 accept the praises OF his sovereign.
when the King had said t." he afterward re-
marked. 1T to be So" My literary life-dating
from the publication of my first book, in Boston. In
lS54.-has extended over a period OF forty-three
years thirty-sovon Of which have been passed IN
active labor I'm this community. Since 1860 nave
been the accredited and responsible representative
of The New-York Tribune. in the department OF
Drama In the dramatic field. and also in the nelu9
of Poetry, Essay. Biography and Travel. have pun
forth my endeavors. striving to add something OF
permanent value the literature OF my native iaho
No one knows well as do my failures ana my
defects. But have tried TO follow the right
course: ! have done my best: and nov" IN the re-
view of that long period of labor If you my friends
find anything that is worthy of approval anything
that seems in your eyes. 30 Justify such a testi-
monal as this. 1t would i'll become me TO repei an
approbat!on which It is honorable to possess, and
which have labored and hoped 10 deserve. when
The King has said It, it Is 10 be 50.
While however. / gratefully accept and deeply
value the honor that You have bestowed. feel that
Won have intended something much more important
and significant than compliment 10 me You
have desired 10 effect rally OF stage veterans ana
OF the friends OF The stage. and, at time OF inc
atrical depression, when the fortunes OF the actor
dubious and peTplCSeu, 10 cNllCt, once iHoi (,
your practical admiration for the great art Of act
ing your high esteem for the stage as means OF
social welfare. and your sympathy with every H.
tellectual force that Is arrayed for us support inc
drift of your thought, therefore Is naturally toward
81 consideration of the relation between the theare
and society, together with the province OF those
writers by whom that relation is habitualy dis
cussed II is a wide subject. and upon which
there are many and widely contrasted views. For
my own part | have always believed-of all inc
arts-that they are divinely commissioned 10 lead'
and not 70 follow, humanity. and that II Is the
supreme duty of a writer 10 advocate. ana TO exe"-
else noble influence rather than much to concern
himself with the delivery of expert opinions upon
individual achievement. The right principle is eX-
pressed in the quaint words Of Emerson;
hold It little matter
Whether your jewel be Of pure water
a diamond a white
But whether IT dazzle me with light
The essential thing is the inspiration that is nu-
ent from great personality. The passport TO mo-
mentous and permanent victory. whether on the
stage or off, IS the sanitary and ennOblng strength
OF splendid character 1t IS not enough that you
possess ability: your ability must mean something
10 others and the world must be exalted by IL.
Many images crowd upon the mind at such n
moment as this. and many names are remembered
which Il would be good TO mention and pleasant 10
bear NV thoughts 20 back TO my young acquant-
ance with such stage advocates as Epes Sargent
and Edwin Percy Whipple. Henry Giles and William
Clapp wallace ThaXter and Charles j. ConGdon.
Durivage. Fairbanks. Curtis Guild (st with u.s.,
and James Cakes (the friend OF ForresD: and, as !
think of them / recall a time when Mrs. Farren was
the Juliet Of my dreams and Julia Dean the god
dess Of every mans idoatry. and when the green
curtain 0n those days IL always freen). never
rose except upon a land OF enchantment, and the
roses were always bright by tine calm Bendemeer.
Much might be said of those old times and much
might be said Of the critical art IL exempt
Hed by those old writers. But this Is not The mo-
nent for either a memoir or an essay-and. after
ALI experience may sometimes utrer In a sentence
The lesson OF "A life. To understand human nature;
10 absorb and coordinate the literature OF the
drama: 10 discriminate between taking and acting;
IN see the mental moral and spiritual aspect OF the
stage and likewise to the popular aspect Of 1t;
90 write for public of miscellaneous readers, and
:, the me dine respect the feelings ana inter
,ret the ambitions o; artists; 10 praise with dis
re,ion and vet with force. 10 ccnsurc without as
ner,t,.: 10 think quickly and speak quickly ana yet
avoid error 10 oppose sordid selshness, which for
.var strives TO degrade every high ideal; 10 give not
alone knowledge study. and technical SKILL but the
lee, nowers Of the mind and the deepest feelings of
tho heart 10 the establishment OF the art OF Others
and 10 do that with art Of your o~n'-this IL is
20 accomplish the work Of the dramatic reviewer IL