"GENTLEMEN,--I received your kind invitation to the dinner to be given by his friends to Mr. Forrest on Friday, 25th instant, and sincerely regret that professional duties will prevent my having the pleasure of attending it. I regret my absence for more than one reason, as nothing would give me greater pleasure than to witness so gratifying a tribute of respect paid to a man to whom the stage is under so many obligations. I do not allude to his talents, splendid as they are, but to the effect that his exemplary good conduct and uniform respectability of private character must have on the profession. I trust that the honor conferred on Mr. Forrest on that day will induce many of our brethren to follow his example, and serve to convince them that the profession of an actor will never disgrace the professor if the professor does not disgrace the profession. "With much respect, gentlemen, I remain your obedient servant, "E. SIMPSON. "JAMAICA, L.I., 24th July, 1834. "GENTLEMEN,--I have the honor of acknowledging your highly flattering invitation to be present at a dinner to be given by the friends of Mr. Forrest on Friday next at the City Hotel, but find to-day that imperative and unalterable circumstances will prevent my being in town; else, be assured, no one would have heartier pleasure in being present on any occasion of paying a tribute of public respect to so estimable a friend and deservedly distinguished an actor as our countryman, Edwin Forrest, Esq. "Allow me to thank the highly-respected gentlemen you represent, and yourselves individually, for the esteemed compliment extended to me on this interesting and patriotic occasion. "I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your very obliged servant, "JAMES H. HACKETT. "Among the numerous volunteer toasts drank in the course of the evening were the following: "_By the President_--William Dunlap: to him the American stage owes a threefold debt. Its director, his liberality elevated it into consequence. Its dramatist, his genius peopled it with admired creations. Its historian, he has embalmed the memory of its professors and given permanence to their fame. "_By the First Vice-President_--Nature and Art: the stage has united the antipodes of philosophy. "_By the Third Vice-President_--The Drama: the handmaid of refinement; may the genius that conceives and the talent that embodies her fair creations blend the dignity of virtue with the allurements of fancy! "_By the Hon. Cornelius W. Lawrence_--The Stage: talent may distinguish, but virtue elevates, its professors. "_By Thomas A. Cooper_--The Histrionic Art: may it prove triumphant over the attacks of priestcraft and fanaticism!--equally inimical to religion and the stage. "_By Nathaniel Greene, of Boston_--A kind welcome and just estimate for foreign talent,--a proud confidence in that of native growth.