CHARLES MATHEWS AT HOME.

Evening Star, Issue 3183, 3 May 1873, Page 3

CHARLES MATHEWS AT HOME.

(From the Era of Dec. 15.)

Mr Mathews concluded a very successful engagement at the Gaiety Theatre, London, and on the evening of his last performance, lie addressed the audience os follows: — “ Ladies and Gentlemen, —It is so long that 1 have been deprived of the pleasure of addressing yon, that I have not neon willing to forego the privilege of saying a few bn the last night of raj' present engagement. I have a thousand things T should like to tell you, but it would take too long. Since we parted 1 have played before the gold-diggers of Australia, the diamond miners of California, the buffalo hunters of the Far West, and the darkies of the Sandwich Islands. At the latter place 1 played one night by command, and in the presence of his Majesty Kamehameha, King of the Cannibal—l beg 1 his pardon —of the Sandwich Islands (I was mixing him up with Hoky Poky Wonky ' Fong), a sable potentate weighing about seventeen stone, before a black, brown, and whitey-brown multitude,till lately cannibals, I who showed their white teeth, grinning land enjoying “Patter versus Clatter.” ; And, after all these feats, here I am once 1 more, safe and sound, in our old jog-trot : world, or, as I believe, it is the right thing to say, ‘on my native heath.’ (Cheers.) But I must confine myself at present to the expression of my cordial thanks for the brilliant attendance I have been favored with, night after nkht for the last ten weeks, and the warm and friendly reception I have ox perienced. It is worth a trip round the world to be honored by so hearty a welcome 1 on one’s return. (Cheers.) I have been three years away from England—time enough to , have been easily forgotten—and it if gratifying to find, tbat I am still remembered, and, what is better, still capable of eliciting the same old tokens of approbation from the public. (Applause.) Were that public the same that witnessed my first appearance on the stage, I might attribute theii applause to their kindly feelings of old asso ciation, and conclude that they looked upon my present efforts indulgently in consideration . of our long acquaiutfinowhip, But it ia no

longer the same public; another generation has sprung up aipce I made my ddbyt, and it is therefore mofe aerdeable to melo belifiv*. that any amusement the more youthful pori fcionof the audit uce may derive from ray personations is affu-doi by my present powers, and not caused by the revival of old associations. —(Hear, hear.) To find myself within a stone’s throw of seventy years of age, permitted still to assume characters of twenty-five, and tolerated in the same lively parts L played nearly forty yearn ago, I conrider not only a great compliment to myself individually, but to the vitality of the comedies it has been my aim to interpret, (Great cheering.) In this age of sensation it is consoling to find that these alight pieces are still attractive,in spitoofthe total absence of scenic effects, break-downs, topical songs, or a display of legs. (Laughter.) When I see fashionable young swells and elegant girls of the period sitting quietly and attentively for three hours, enjoying a hearty laugh, T confess I fool flattered. (Wear, hear.) With my own eontomporr.rics, many of whom, I am hapoy to sec, arc still faithful adherents, it is a different thing. We have grown o'd together, and look with mutual indulgence at our respective lyrld heads ; but my new and younger friends have no such consideration, and are swayed only by their-present impressions, and not influenced by kindly recollootions Th- y look upon me, I hope, as a living reality, and not merely as a cUriocs old fossil, dug up from some Chaldean ruin —(groat laughter)—while my earlier acquaintances are able, I trust, to say * There is life in the old horso still,’ (Cheers.) I will only add. ladies and gentlemen, that as long as I continue, to afford you amusement ro long will I endeavor to promote it; but I piomioe you,that the moment I feel conscious of decay I will at once- retire from the stage, and will not inflict.upon you the melancholy spectacle of a light comedian upon crutches.; (Hear,' hear, and cries of ‘May you for ever have a leg of your own.’) This is a purely egotistical speech, I am aware ; but I couldn't help it—l drifted into it without premeditation j and, as I have for 80 many years teen in the habit of telling you all my joys and sorrows, I: have merely resumed my old gossiping practice. 1 have chosen this occasion toexpress to ,you my sincere gratitude for the In illlant engagement 1 have just concluded. Allow me, therefore, ladies and gentlemen, to thank you, a thousand times for your many kindnesses, and to say au revoir. ” Ihe occupiers of pit, stalls, and Ijoxes, here stood up, and Mr Mathews retired with thunders of applause, cheering, and waving of handkerchiefs.