“IT was a glorious audience,” said the “Boston Daily Globe,” of
February 26, “that welcomed Irving and Terry back to Boston last
evening. No better evidence of the great popularity of the English
artists could have been given than that which was implied in the
presence of such an assemblage. The Boston was thronged, and the
gathering represented the best class of our play-goers,—a company that
accorded the stars a cordial greeting both, and that was appreciative
of all the excellences that marked the entertainment.”
The theatre was crowded in all parts. “Louis XI.” and “The Belle’s
Stratagem” were played. “Much Ado” closed the engagement. It was
received by the audience as if it were a revelation of stage work, and
criticised in the press in a similar spirit. At the end of the play
the audience summoned the leading actors before the curtain over and
over again. It was a scene of the most unaffected excitement. At last
there arose cries of “A speech!” “A speech!” to which Irving responded,
visibly moved by the enthusiasm of his Boston admirers and friends. He
said:—
“Gentlemen and Ladies,—I have no words in which to express my
thanks for your kindness; ‘only my blood speaks to you in my veins.’
A few weeks since we came here, and you received us with unbounded
hospitality, and gave us a welcome that touched us deeply,—a true
Boston welcome. (Applause.) We come back, and you treat us not as
strangers, but as old friends. (Applause.) Again, I say, I can find
no words adequately to convey our thanks. I need not tell you that
this is to us a matter of the deepest gratitude and pleasure, for it
is a proof that we have perhaps realized some of your expectations,
and have not absolutely disappointed you. (Applause.) I say ‘we,’
because I speak in behalf of all,—not for myself alone, but for
my comrades, and especially for one who has, I am sure, won golden
opinions; you know to whom I allude (Applause, and cries of ‘Yes!’
‘Yes!’)—my friend, and fellow-artist, Miss Ellen Terry. (Applause and
cheers.) When we have recrossed the Atlantic, and are in our homes,
we shall ever bear you in our kindliest memories. I hope to be here
again. (Applause, cheers, and shouts, ‘Come again!’ ‘That’s right!’)
Even before the present year closes I hope to be with you. (Cheers.)
Once more I thank you with all my heart, and bid you good-night, only
hoping that your memories of us may be as agreeable as those we shall
cherish of you.” (Applause and cheers.)
This second visit, it is agreed on all hands, brought more money into
the treasury of the Boston than had ever before been taken during one
week at that or any other theatre in the city, namely, $24,087,—and
this was the largest sum that had been received during any previous
week of the Irving engagement.
It will be interesting, at this period of the tour, to glance at its
financial results. The following figures are taken from the cash-book
of Mr. J. H. Palser, the business manager and treasurer, who
supplied them to the “Boston Herald,” and “vouched for their absolute
accuracy”:—
New York—first week $15,772 00
New York—second week 18,714 00
New York—third week 18,880 00
New York—fourth week 22,321 50
Philadelphia—first week 16,128 50
Philadelphia—second week 16,780 50
Boston—first week 18,845 50
Boston—second week 16,885 00
Baltimore—one week 9,952 00
Brooklyn—one week 12,468 00
Chicago—first week 17,048 75
Chicago—second week 19,117 50
St. Louis—one week 13,719 00
Cincinnati—one week 11,412 00
Indianapolis (4 nights) and Columbus (2 nights) 8,700 50
Chicago (return)—one week 18,308 75
Detroit (2 nights) and Toronto (3 nights)[54] 13,430 50
Boston (return)—one week 24,087 00
The total receipts in cities where Mr. Irving has played more than one
week were as follows:—
New York—four weeks $75,687 50
Boston—three weeks 59,817 50
Chicago—three weeks 54,475 00
Philadelphia—two weeks 32,909 00
The total receipts of the tour, thus far, have been $292,571.