Drury-Lane Theatre.
The Times, 1824-06-01T00:00:00

IrClkuinden Iast nigiht xcneli d his longz, meritorious, and suc. cesf&slthestrical career. He has retired into the bosom of private life, before his constmmate talents had beon impaired by time. The interest which this eveut excited, and the excessively crowded audience which it caused to assemble, proved incoatestably. thehigh estinration in which his social virtues and his scenic-talents were held by the public. He has quitted the stageto enjoy a competency honourably acquired, attended by - That which should accompany old age, .4s honour, love, obedience, troops of friends." Mr. Ilunden chose for his farewell benefit. ColemAtn's comedy of, The, Poor entleean, in wlich he supported the character of Sir Robert Brawb7e. He does not appear until the third act, and the moment he pfe.sented himself to the audience, boxes, pit, and galle- ries vied with each otherin the manifestationrofa sincere and hearty respect. The nudience in the pit rose simultaneously and received the veteran with load cheering, whilst hats arnd handcercbiefb were waving in all directions. MIr. Mlundezn advanced to the stage-lights, and expressed his gratitude, by repeatedly bowing, and placing his hand on his heart. He was affected even to tears- and he could not, for Rome time after the storm of ap- plause had subsided, commnand his feelings suflicientl to proceed with his part. When, however, he resurmed his self-collection, and rallied his scattered powers, he displaved as great a portion of rich, genuine, comic humour; as he had ever on any escasion delighted an audience with. Hie ehtered Most happily into tbe whimsical spirit which dibtinguishes the eccentric baronet, and where his kind teelings are aroused by the contemplation of the possibility that his beloved nephew mnay per. baps fall in his rencontre with Sir Clharks Crophanzd his performance wastTulypathctic Itwasthisversatilityof talent wbichTanked MIr. Asfunden sohigh in his profession. Othernien may excel in aparticular :epartment, bhut beexelledin all. The humorousand good-natured, as well as the testy and querulous old gentleman,-the ancient lo- ver,-the dupe of actiquarisn credulity,-thefeeling and affectionate father,-the druniken sonof Crispin-all these characters, various and dissimilar as they are, found in him 3n adtnirable representative. He ran through the whole compass of comedy, and was every-where original and every-where successful. His doi~sing oerforinaisce did not at all derogate fro-n his well-estahlished fame. Ir wns at- tended throughout with peals of laughter, and at its conclusion the applnuie was warm antd long-continued. Mr. EllistrKn sus- tained the character of Frederick Braeble with an unusual degree of ease and vivacity. We have not seen th-s excellent actor to so much advantage for a considerable time. He was all life and animlation. Mr. Knight's Stcphen llarrowby, and the Ollapod of Afr. Harley,.were exceedingly amusing. Amrs. lV West made a tolerably goeod Enilgy orthing'on. The art of Miss Lucretibs, that " bit of nobility fallen into decay," was performed with spirit by Mrs. Harlowe. The play was succeeded by Dibdin's farce of Past Teis o'Clock, in which Mlr. Munden sup- ported the character of Dozey with inimitable eftect. In the tavern scene, he gave, as a toast, " The health of Old Joe Munden's friends." This sally produced an immensity of applause. At the conclusion of the entertainments, Mlr. Alunden came forward, amidst shouts of' approbation. His feelings, for a time, appeared to choke his utterance. He at length mustered up rerolution, and, silencebeing obtained, he spoke as follows:- " Ladies and Gentlemen,-The moment is now arrived when I have tn perform the painful'duty of bidding you farewell. ' When I call to remenbra'nce that five.and.thirty years have elapsed since I first had the bonour of appearing before you, I am still more forcibly reminded that I ought to leave the scene for younger and gayer spirits to mingle in; but it is not easy to shake off in a moment the habits of years, and you will, I know, pardon me if I art tedious, sinee it is fo: thte last timne. " I carry with me Into private life, Ladies and Gentlemen, the deep and indelible remembrance of that kind, that liberal indulgence with whicb you have at all times regarded my humble efforts to amuse. I feel that I arn I poor in thianks,' but your kindness is reoistered here, (placing his hand upon his heart,) and will never be forgotten: and, should the recurrence of early association occa- sioinally bring back the veteran comedian to your recollection, he will as,k for no higher fame. CcI thank you most sincerely, Ladies and Gentlemen. for the patience with which you have listened to me, and I now bid you a respectful, aI grateful, and a last adieu." During the delivery of this address Mr. IAlunden appeared to be most sensibly elThcted. The tears which flowed, in spite of all his ehforts, andti' his broken and tremulous tones, showed, plainly enough, that here he was not acting. The scene was extremely impressive, and the effect produced on the audience was touchingly powerful. Every part of Iiis farewel address was received with demonstrations of unfeigned regard. At its concltsion, Mr. hlun. den retired, amongst a number of his brother performers who wer on the stage; but after tbe curtain had fallen he again came fbr. ward, bo:vedl repeatedly' to the audience, and then left the stage leaning on tbe arm of MT. Kxnight. Amongst thze audience, whicl, was almost unprecedentedly crowded, we observed many of the prin. cipal performers of the winter theatres. /1IDRURY LANR THEB TRE.