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Show SLANDER, ON IRVING. Sir Henry Ir ing has given a fiat contradiction con-tradiction to the London Daily Telegraph Tele-graph of a story printed in this country: "In reference to America." he said, "I should like to ask the Dally Telegraph Tele-graph to give the publicity of Its columns col-umns ot the denial of as cruel a slander as ever appeared about an actor. I regret re-gret to say that it was printed in New York, and as it only appeared on the day that I left there for England, this Is the first opportunity thnt I have had of denying it. In the first place, here is my speech on the closing night: " 'Ladies and Gentlemen It has been a privilege to act before the American audiences, and il is a privilege to thank you and, through you, to thank the great public of America for the gracious gra-cious and inspiring welcome that Ave have received. All good things come to i an end, and we particularly feel this, knowing that our American season ends tonight. 11 Is for us the close of a pleasant experience that we shall always al-ways remember. I " 'On a memorable occasion, more than twenty years ago, we were first welcomed lo America, here. In your j hospitable city. Other visits have succeeded suc-ceeded the first, and not a Jarring note or an unkind word has ever chanced to mar the happiness of our Intercourse with the great public of America. This is a memory that I shall always cherish. cher-ish. 1 " 'As said by Shakespeare: j "I count myself in nothing else so happy As in a soul remembering my good friends." " 'You will not long remember me. The actor Is soon forgotten. But I shall lonir remember you, and often recall your cheering plaudits and your constant con-stant kindness. For my company and for myself I thank you, and would ask you to think of us as ever your grateful and loyal servants. " 'We nre to sail away tomorrow, and, in bidding you farewell. I can only tell you that our hearts are full of gratitude grat-itude and affection. The wish In my heart and on my Hps is God bless America.' "That truly expressed my feelings, and you can Imagine how inexpressibly pained I was on being shown, when we were a few hours at sea, the following gross misstatement In a paper which has a tremendous circulation: "' 'In a curtain speech delivered last night at the Harlem opera-house, where he played his farewell American engagement. en-gagement. Sir Henry Irving, who sails for England today, arraigned the American Amer-ican drama and American critics In scathing terms. He spoke for more than thirty minutes and, with a voice at times choked with emotion, he said: "The American stage Is not what it uped to be. It has delerloatcd sadly. Your critics have been unnecessarily harsh and severe. They have been harsh at the expense of Justice, To morrow I sail for England, and T leave without regret. I shall make but one more trip to America." "Such things," said Sir Henry, "cause-mo "cause-mo Infinite grief, for I have never received re-ceived anything but kindness from the great American people, and Its best crltlca, during my visits to the United States, visits which began on October IS, 1S-53, and havi always been most happy ones In cver.5' respect." |