“THE fact of Mr. Irving and Miss Terry and their company attracting an
audience to fill Haverly’s Theatre on so speedy a return after leaving
us, and that, too, following a rugged strain of grand opera,” said the
“Chicago Inter-Ocean,” of February 12, “may be accepted as conclusive
evidence of genuine appreciation and admiration of their worth. This
testimony is much strengthened by the fact that the plays presented
were those most frequently seen during the original engagements,—‘The
Bells,’ and ‘The Belle’s Stratagem,’—for, though it is thought Mr.
Irving is seen to exceptional advantage as Mathias, mere curiosity
would have held off to see him in a new character. It was a generous
and highly gratifying welcome back; and it is certainly a great
pleasure, as well as an artistic privilege worthy to be acknowledged,
that we have Mr. Irving and his superb surroundings again before us. We
are in no danger of seeing too much of this sort of work.”
“Hamlet” and “Much Ado” were produced for the first time at Chicago
during this second season. Both excited genuine interest, and were
received with as much favor by audiences and critics as his previous
work. Only two weeks had intervened between his first and second visit.
More money was paid at the doors of Haverly’s during the week than had
gone into the treasury for a week of grand opera. The programme for the
last night was “Much Ado,” and the recitation of Hood’s “Eugene Aram.”
After enthusiastic calls for Irving and Miss Terry, at the close of
the comedy, there were cries of “Speech! Speech!” Irving, in evening
dress for the recitation, presently responded to the wishes of his
audience. He said he would be made of sterner stuff—and he was glad
that such was not the case—if he failed to feel profoundly the welcome
that had been accorded him in Chicago. Not one shadow had fallen
across the brightness of that welcome; there was not a jarring note
in the generous applause that had greeted the company’s efforts. The
encouragement had been most grateful, and it had urged himself and his
associates to do their best work. He thanked the press of the city for
overlooking shortcomings, and for recognizing so generously what they
found to be good. The notices had been most eloquent and sympathetic.
He wished to thank the audience on behalf of his associates, and
particularly on behalf of Miss Ellen Terry, whose great gifts had been
so quickly recognized. If he might be permitted to say so in public,
he himself heartily joined in their appreciation of Miss Terry’s work.
Parting was “a sweet sorrow,” and the sweet part of his leave-taking
was in expressing his deep sense of Chicago’s great welcome. Again he
would say good-by to every one; but he hoped circumstances would make
it possible to meet a Chicago audience in the future, and he trusted
that “you will remember us as we will surely remember you.”
“The speaker,” says the “Tribune,” “was frequently interrupted by
applause, his reference to Miss Terry especially awakening enthusiasm.
He then recited ‘Eugene Aram’s Dream’ with fine effect, and after
inducing him to respond to a fifth and last recall the audience
dispersed.”