FAREWELL BENEFIT AND DINNER TO MR CHARLES MATHEWS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3930, 28 March 1870, Page 4

FAREWELL BENEFIT AND DINNER TO MR CHARLES MATHEWS.

Oa January 10 a farewell dinner was given to Mr. Charles Mat/hews, who, as pleasantly stated by himself at his leave-taking benefit, is about to go on a "provincial tour to the Antipodes." The dinner took place at Willis's Rooms. Neai'ly 300 gentlemen assembled to bid Mr. Mathews farewell. With characteristic humour, Mr. Mafchews, the guest of the evening, consented to act as chairman, and to propose his own health. After the usual loyal toasts, Mr. Mathewa said j — "The most important task assigned to me has now to be fulfilled, and I rise to propose what is called the toast of the evening — (laughter and cheers) — with a most singular mixture of pleasure and fcrppidatiou I was going to say T wa3 placed in not only a novel but an unprecedented position — (cheers) — by being asked to occupy the chair to-day. But it is not so. I venture to aaseit, and I think I may do so without vanity, that a fitter man thanmyself — (roars of laughter) — to propose the health of our guest could not be found, for I venture also emphatically to affirm that there 13 no man so well acquainted with the merits and demerits of that gifted individual as I am. (Renewed laughter and cheers ) I have been on the most intimate te'ius with him from his earliest youth. (Laughter.) I have watched over and assisted his progress from childhood upwards (much laughter), have shared in all his joys and grieta, and I assert boldly, and am proud to have this opportunity oi publicly declaring, that there is not a man on earth for whom I entertain, so sincere a regard and affection. (Laughter.) Indeed, I don't think I go too far in stating that he has an equal affection for me. He has come to me for advice over and over again, under the most embarrassing circumstances ; and, what is still more remarkable, ho lias always taken my advice in preference to that of any one else. (Renewed laughter. ) _ But having got thus far, I find myself stopped by a most formidable difficulty. After having declared myself tbe bosom friend of our distinguished guest, I fear that the high encomiums I feel it my duty as well as my inclination to pile upon him wholesale may be open to suspicion — I may be accused of partiality — ("No, no") — and those stupendous compliments which I consider so strictly his due may be considered fulsome and overdone — the foolish emanations of a too ardent admirer. Gentlemen, with much regret 1 delegate the delightful privilege of my position to some who, I hope, will not flinch from the bestowal of any compliment that mayoccur to him. (Oaeerin^ anJ applause, an! a special cheer for Mra. M^bhe vs.) — Mr. -George A. Sala proposed the " Health of the guest aii'l the C'hairtnui 6f the evening," which was respoiilsnl to by, Mr. Mathewa in hia own paoaliarly lively atyle. Hi took bis farewell .beaeflb at Covenfc Gariksa on January 4, The psrfortaiuioe wraa under the patronage of the Prinoa &n I Princess of Wales, the Duke and JXwhdsa of Cambridge, and the Prince and Priuoe33 of Teck,