By such enterprises and expedients as the Indian chiefs, the whales, and the behemoth, “The Art of Money-Getting” and the Prince of Wales, Barnum recovered his fortune and redeemed his reputation for success and cunning. He was once more a venerated Prince of Humbugs because he was able to maintain a palace, and many of those who had seen in his downfall a subject of righteous retribution saw in his revival the happy achievement of deserving merit. Before the reopening of the Lecture Room in 1864 with a dramatization of Dickens’s _Great Expectations_ Barnum delivered the following rhymed speech, which in bare outline sums up some of the characters and oddities Barnum had introduced to the public until 1864, when he was fifty-four years old: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: “That Prince of Humbugs, Barnum,” so it appears Some folks have designated me for several years. Well, I don’t murmur; indeed, when they embellish it, To tell the truth, my friends, I rather relish it, Since your true humbug’s he, who as a host, For the least money entertains you most. In this sense I’m a “humbug,” I succumb! Who as a “General” thing brought out Tom Thumb? Who introduced (you can’t say there I sinned) The Swedish Nightingale, sweet Jenny Lind? Who brought you Living Whales from Labrador? The Hippopotamus from Nilus’s shore, The Bearded Lady with her (h)airs and graces, The Aztec Children with their normal faces, The Twins of Siam--rarest of dualities-- Two ever separate, ne’er apart realities? The Family of Albinos? the Giraffe? The famous Baby Show that made you laugh? The Happy Family--cats, rats, doves, hawks, harmonious? Their voices blend in tones euphonious. The great Sea Lion from Pacific’s coast, The “Monarch of the Ocean,” no empty boast; Old Adam’s Bears, cutest of brute performers, In modern “peace meetings” models for reformers. That living miracle, the Lightning Calculator, Those figures confound Hermann the “Prestidigitator.” The Grand Aquaria, an official story Of life beneath the waves in all its glory; The curious “What Is It?” which you, though spunky, Won’t call a man and cannot call a monkey. These things and many more time forbids to state, I first introduced, if I did not originate; “The World’s Seven Wonders,” pooh! let them invite you, Here “seven” saloons all wonder-full delight you. To call this “humbug” admits of no defense, For all is shown for five and twenty cents. And now, good friends, to use less rhyme than reason, To-day re-opens our dramatic season; Therefore I welcome you! And though we’re certain To raise “Great Expectations” with the curtain, And “play the Dickens” afternoon and nightly, I bid you welcome none the less politely To these my “quarters,” merry and reliable, That yours are always welcome ’tis undeniable!