The Actor, and Other Speeches (Volume 13-15); Chiefly on Theatrical Subjects and Occasions

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1891 Excerpt: ... Cfje Critic. Speech Delivered At A Midnight Supper At Daly's Theater, New York, April 13, 1887, ComMemorating The One Hundredth Performance Of The Taming Of The Shrew. Mr. Daly, And Ladies And Gentlemen: AS I gaze across this red and white and golden morning sea of beauty and behold the radiant faces of this brilliant company I feel that indeed it is a great privilege to be here, and deeply do I wish that any words of mine could adequately express my sense of its value. The card of invitation that came to me bore upon its enticing but delusive front the cheerfully significant legend, Nothing but sit and sit, and eat and eat. There was no reference to speak and speak. There was no intimation of the present emergency. You will not believe me when I state that I have nothing to say--but perhaps you may become convinced when I proceed to prove it. Persons who like myself are beginning to fade into the background of practical affairs receive from time to time little intimations, imperceptible to others but visible to themselves, that they are passing out of remembrance. I should not have been much surprised had I found myself almost forgotten here; and when General Sherman, who never disappoints expectation, looked for me in the person of my esteemed friend Marshall Wilder I was not in the least astonished. There is an old yarn about a negro preacher who, holding forth to his sable congregation, spoke somewhat as follows: 'And unto Enoch was born Irad: And Irad forgot Mehujael, and Mehujael forgot Methusael, and Methusael forgot Lamech, and Lamech took unto him two wives and forgot Jabel.' Now, my beloved bruddren, dis text am meant to show you fustly, dat dem ole patriarchs dey was mighty forgitful. But, in sober earnest, I find myself most kindly reme...