With the reader's permisson, I will give, from his "Memoirs," the address he spoke:-- "Ladies and Gentlemen:--In putting off the Clown's garment, allow me to drop also the Clown's taciturnity, and address you in a few parting sentences. I entered early on this course of life, and leave it prematurely. Eight-and-forty years only have passed over my head--but I am going as fast down the hill of life as that older Joe--John Anderson. Like vaulting ambition, I have overleaped myself, and pay the penalty in an advanced old age. If I have now any aptitude for tumbling it is through bodily infirmity, for I am worse on my feet than I used to be on my head. It is four years since I jumped my last jump--filched my last oyster--boiled my last sausage--and set in for retirement. Not quite so well provided for, I must acknowledge, as in the days of my Clownship, for then, I dare say, some of you remember, I used to have a fowl in one pocket and sauce for it in the other. "To-night has seen me assume the motley for a short time--it clung to my skin as I took it off, and the old cap and bells rang mournfully as I quitted them for ever. "With the same respectful feelings as ever do I find myself in your presence--in the presence of my last audience--this kindly assemblage so happily contradicting the adage that a favourite has no friends. For the benvolence that brought you hither--accept, ladies and gentlemen, my warmest and most grateful thanks, and believe, that of one and all, Joseph Grimaldi takes a double leave, with a farewell on his lips, and a tear in his eyes. "Farewell! That you and yours may ever enjoy that greatest earthly good--health, is the sincere wish of your faithful and obliged servant. God bless you all!" Poor Joe was buried in the burying-ground of St. James' Chapel, on Pentonville Hill, and in a grave next to his friend, Charles Dibdin. May the earth lie lightly over him!

Farewell Address Monologue from A History of Pantomime

Rehearse Farewell Address's monologue