New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-19
A Playful SPEECH BY IRVING.

At banquet IN homer % Sir Henry I-vi-s
given by the Lord Mayor OF Liverpool. on Tovsm.
Der 80. at the Town Han OF that place, the actor
delivered the following playful speech remirzce-t
OF his early days OF professional hardship and
struggle
Ny Lord Mayor. I am deeply sensible Of the high
courtesy which has made me your guest to-day
and OF the most gratifying terms in watch you
my ASSOCIATIONS with this great city I 1ays
known Liverpool nearly ut,y year, reH17-lo1 =
UceShlp and struggle. uuL also OF CCrSlu--a b. >
buoyancy,, stimulated by me kindness vaIch IA
pany. Perhaps l was not quite 50 bIOyauC t-s
year ls6o as TO anticipate the course thar event:
were 10 take In that year spent a fortnight II
Liverpool and played modest engagement Il t1f
again and did something ~ other al the s.
JaiaeS nat IN t..lI1e LS eve 81 . S1t-
often seems to him IN after years that Re used a
pheCic eye saw me across the guilt which separated
St Jamess Hall from tie Town Hall. What I dc
people did or failed 10 DO had ths effect OF lsay.
ing me to walk about that thoroushfare with
must have INDUCED at that time in a good deal ct
dulge in-but I am inclined 20 douot whether
came down 10 the Exchange flags and took Sood
look at the Town Hall. ana said 10 myself; Well
good company there for me--aboUr forty yea-i
there came in that year Iss5 a stroke OF fortune
n I the shape OF a SIX months ens4 seInsHt az ~
From that time dates tle encouragement lavt
always fOund III LNerpOO4-enCOuTaSc I- 'LL ONt
above all TO my old friend Sir Edward Russell
one Of the very finest critics % the drama tG3
country has ever known Sir Edward Is q uylli
refutation OF the old-fashiOned notion that whe-
a man gives his mind TO the drama he is NJ to-
nothing else and should he watched vita SOM
ar Viety by his friends. Yes. YOU have practise
should not call 4 sentimental or sCatter-lrdl1
community; not a city where men run about looa
ing for Utopia And am tempted 10 point I'M
moral in favor OF u municipal theatre
This is pretty old hobby Of mine. and, 20
l don't get the opportunity every day OF showiri
its PAGES TO the Lord Mayor of Liverpool might
proceed TO ride IL Tor the rest o. the afternoon
Don't be alarmed! l content myself with glvli
you r glimpse OF the high-spirited animal Yes
and while I have breath shall refuse % turn
out 10 sraSs. I take leave 70 imagine YOU. ST
associating the responsibilities OF your -lsn ONE
with an active interest IN tle tohiAlslra'lo5- ~
playhouse for the intelligent recreation o. yol
fellow-citiZens. l say no more Than thls-txceP
that there Is evidently delightful scope u ne
Town Hall for that hospitality which should relieve
the anXietieS OF theatrical management WlLlo-l
offence to the ratepayers. and hold out 70 every
bright promise OF that prlvileSe wn!cl J. Ta3.s
to-day. / take this great compliment you aaNt
paid me as a tribute 20 dTamatlc arr az d s1Ilo-'
pursuit l use the word serious ~ }1IL 49,
ence without any fear of mis- lrderS andrg altol-@
It IS sometimes assumed that an actor IS a eIs"-,
ure of humorous accident and quite incapA1ts %
in the course OF long career which. V--@--
II may have achieved, has certainly oeeh - -. g.
bition 10 make the drama an appeal " nc me ~
nation-a means OF lifting Us 20 a hlsleI 49, q
feeling without losing touch with la- le.l. -.--
function which can be exercised without rops-ls
any playgoer of his legitimate anluSeIltl.t- (,
drama has its moods OF irresponsible gay vll (.
artistic devotion from its Interpreters 4 = ~
spirit I have labOTsd, however 1nper-tcJy, a'-
the good fortune TO win from You and the pe'p'
OF Liverpool