I hate to be egotistical, and believe I am naturally modest ;
but when one has worked very hard and studied all one knows
to realize an author's conception of character and to give life
to it, of course nothing is more gratifying than the approving
voices of big audiences. I had very earnest and compli-
mentary invitations from managers right through the United
States and Canada to remain another year, and hot a season
passes that invitations do not come asking me to name terms
for another American tour. ^ .....
" I gave several entertainments at public institutions in
America; t\^'o at the famous Pittsburg Lunatic Asylum at
Dick's Pound. Dr. Reid was the master of the imtitution, a
singularly accomplished and earnest man. After a misceUa-
neous programme, concluding with Off the Line^ he addressed
myself and company in one of the most eloquent speeches I
ever listened to, referring to the condition of the patients, some
of whom were sufficiently capable to have enjoyed intensely
the evening's amusement, others who would have vague and
curious impressions of it, but for all of whom it represented a
certain amount of such intellectual light and mirthfulness as
they had the capacity to enjoy. It would always remain with
them ; if somewhat vague, a pleasant impression. A few might
take it out into the world in after life ; but with many it would
remain with them under that roof until they passed away, for
the majority were destined never to go beyond those walls.
**I afterwards received in England an account of the last



l6o RE.\f/NlSCENCES OF / L. TOOLE.
