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ELLEN TREE (MRS. CHARLES KEAN).
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Beries commenced in February, 1852, with "The Merry "Wives of Windsor." This was followed, in due succession, by "King John," "The Corsican Brothers," "Macbeth," "Sardanapalus," "Richard III.," "Faust and Marguerite," "King Henry VIH.," "The Winter's Tale," "Louis XI.," "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "King Richard II."," "The Tempest," " King Lear," " Pizarro," " The Merchant of Venice," and " Much Ado About Nothing." Each of these pieces bad a very long run, and in each Mr. and Mrs. Kean played the principal parts. A public dinner was given to Mr. Kean, on his retirement from the direction of the Princess's Theatre. Mr. Gladstone presided ; and, on behalf of the committee and subscribers, presented the retiring manager with a silver vase, valued at two thousand guineas. In the speech that he delivered on this interesting occasion, Mr. Kean made the following significant allusion to the cherished partner of his fortunes : " Mind and body require rest, after such active exertions for nine years, during the best period of my life; and it could not be a matter of surprise if I sank under a continuance of the combined duties of actor and manager, in a theatre where everything has grown into gigantic proportions. Indeed, I should long since have succumbed, had I not been sustained and seconded by the indomitable energy and devoted affection of my wife. You have only seen her in the fulfilment of her professional pursuits, and are there- fore unable to estimate the value of her assistance and counsel. She was ever by my side in the hour of need, ready to revive my drooping spirits, and to stimulate me to fresh exertion." In July, 1863, Mr. and Mrs. Kean set out from London, with a small, selected company, including their niece. Miss E. Chapman, Mr. J. F. Cathcart, and Mr. G. Everett, to make a professional tour around the world. They went first to Australia ; thence to California ; thence to the West Indies ; and thence to New York. In the latter city