Page:Saturday Evening Gazette (June 7, 1856).pdf/8

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The nomination of James Buchanan for the Presidency was received here with demonstrations of joy by all democrats, save those who enjoy governmental pap. They of course give in their adhesion—but they did hope that the “glorious and God-like administration of Franklin Pierce” would be continued.

If there had been any doubt as to the strong feeling of New York with reference to the outrage on Mr. Sumner, the meeting at the Tabernacle would have effectually dissipated it. In numbers it was overwhelming; in sentiment unmistakeableunmistakable [sic]; and its influence must be great, for my fears were not realized—it was not a political or party movement; but all political opinions were represented—it was a powerful combination to mark with proper reprobation, a great wrong. I have attended all sorts of meetings in this city; but I never witnessed such another—so much unanimity of feeling, and so much concentrated indignation. The one at Brooklyn on Saturday was an echo of the other in every respect.

The dismissal of Mr. Crampton does not cause any excitement here, and although he was in the city for several days, no demonstration took place, except a serenade which some patriotic Englishmen got up, who hired a band to play “God Save the Queen” and “Rule Britannia” in front of Mr. ex-Consul Barclay’s house. There certainly could be nothing highly objectionable in this, although the times are not Republican; but some rowdies looked upon it as offensive and the next night went there to indulge in Callithumpian music, but their designs were frustrated by the Police, who, for a wonder, were on hand when wanted. The Johnny Bulls in the English ale houses discuss the affair of the dismissal and speculate upon the consequences; but the idea of a war springing out of the affair is, generally, repudiated.

Barnum has very magnanimously refused to receive a series of benefits to be given under the auspices of some of our first class citizens; about a thousand of whom signed a letter to him tendering them. It is somewhat curious how systematically all these communications are published! Somebody must pay for their publication.

It is generally believed that a change of venue will be granted in the case of Baker, charged with the murder of Bill Poole; and should they discover a locality in the State where no newspapers are received, a jury may possibly be found who have not formed an opinion of this outrageous affair. Jury trials here are becoming mere farces; but there is little fun in them, so far as the people are concerned.

The equestrian statue of Washington, to be erected in Union Square, is now here; at least I saw the horse this morning near the pedestal, and presume the rider is not far off. The whole affair, pedestal and all, is only twenty-eight feet high. I presume that the other corners of Union Square will be similarly ornamented ere long. It is stated that Brown contracted to supply this one for $25,000, but that he has been engaged upon it four years, and sunk $10,000! Of course our aristocracy of the Union Square stamp will not permit him to be a loser! oh, no, they are so liberal!

I cannot resist telling your lady readers my last discovery in female appendages—the “skeleton skirt,” which serves to increase the rotundity without inconveniencing the wearer with any additional weight. It resembles lattice work, is, in fact, a frame of delicate cotton ropes, combining firmness with pliability, and is bulky without being cumbersome. I wonder what will be the next novelty in these skirt-al protuberances. The way I came to see the skeleton was by a lady getting out of an omnibus, and the ropes had got hitched to a part of the step. The vehicle moved on, and the lady with it for nearly half a block before I was enabled to stop it and extricate her.

You will have seen the account of that disgraceful affair in Beecher’s church last Sunday, when a female runaway slave was exhibited as a money-making speculation and “cash and jewels” were contributed with a frantic prodigality. One thing in the affair strikes me as somewhat curious; only $500 were required, but $815 were collected. Of course the surplus amount must be held on to. Happy thought! it was discovered that the woman had a child. Now mark, there was not a word about the child before. I may be wrong, but it certainly looks very like a “dodge.”

The Fry and Bennett case is not over yet. Bennett wasn’t satisfied with the $10,000 verdict, and now, although less by $4,000, he is still unwilling to pay. He says he will take it, if necessary, to the highest tribunal in the country.

The engagement of Bourcicault and Agnes Robertson was abruptly concluded on Friday night, when, much to the chagrin of Mr. Burton, the house was closed. It appears that Bourcicault came there shortly before the time for opening of the doors, and stated that Miss R. had been suddenly attacked with neuralgia, that her face was frightfully swollen, and she could not possibly appear. Burton was not to be found,—and here was an emergency! Bourcicault, however, took the responsibility, and closed the house. The manager arrived about 8 o’clock, and you may imagine his consternation and anger. There was no help for it, for the orchestra, doorkeepers and ushers were ensconced at Wallack’s, enjoying Brougham’s Pocahontas. The notice of Miss R.’s benefit for Saturday night remained unchanged during the day, and a crowd attended in the evening, but when informed that “Paul Pry” and “The Toodles” had been substituted, nearly everyone turned away, leaving only a “beggarly account” of empty benches,—which was chagrin No. 2 for the manager. Mrs. Chas. Howard has reappeared this week, and fascinated the visitors with her charming performances. The house will shortly close.

They are “hurrying up” the benefits at Wallack’s, which closes on Monday week. The old gentlemen, besides visiting Montreal, this summer, goes I believe to Halifax, N. S., to play an engagement for Stewart, one of his company, who has the theatre there, and the one in Hamilton, Ca. Mrs. Hoey’s benefit on Saturday night was the benefit of the season, and only falling short of it a few dollars in the returns. The amount, I understand, was close upon $700! Dyott, a popular actor, had a strong muster of his friends on Tuesday; and on Wednesday the leader of the orchestra, the Bordolph-ian Italiana La Manna was duly complimented. The ancient, but still juvenile Momus, Geo. Holland, put forth his claim on Friday; but very funny and very popular as he is, his benefits are not very profitable.

Laura Keene has produced a so-called American comedietta entitled, “It takes two to make a Bargain,” written by a gentleman with the distinguished cognomen of Fitzjames O’Brien. A Yankee-stage-abortion is the principal character, a Deacon from Gripville, who thinks himself mighty ‘cute’ at a bargain, but is over-reached by a widow Blythe, in this way—her friend, widow Hartleigh, must not marry again, or her property goes to the deacon. She wants to marry but tries to compromise for his reversionary interest. Widow Blythe passes herself off upon a Yankee as relative, and by assuming the manners of a strong minded, woman’s right advocate, holding the masculine in utter contempt, so bothers him, that he gladly bargains for $1000 per annum, leaving the widow the other $6000. Johnston, Laura Keene, and Ada Clifton sustained the characters, and did all they could with them, but the author is responsible for the failure of the piece. The Yankee character is an awful failure; he utters the veriest twaddle, worn-out Yankeeisms and commonplace similies. O’Brien, as his name indicates, is an Irishman, and should concot for Barney Williams. By the by, Barney and Mrs. Barney had an ovation on Saturday night. On the outside of the theatre was the following in variegated lamps, “Farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Williams,”—inside was a jam. They were at Newark at the beginning of the week, and leave for Liverpool on Saturday next. I believe they are engaged at the Haymarket, London.

The city is full of theatrical people—Wallack, Jr., Jno. Oxley, DeBar, Bland, Mr. and Mrs. Reeve, Jno. Sloan and his talented little wife; and many others I do not now remember. By the by, Sloan does not take the management of the Charleston Theatre next season, so he will be in the market. He has purchased a delightful place at Shrewsbury, N. J., commanding a beautiful view of the Atlantic, and during the summer solstice, enjogsenjoys [sic] there his otium cumdignitate. They say that Vestvali has hired Laura Keene’s Varieties for the summer, and will give musical intertainmentsentertainments [sic] there. The season terminates about the 20th, and Vestvali will commence early in July. Laura goes to Europe for reinforcements. Rosalie Durand, Lyster, and Trevor left the house in high dudgeon, because on the benefit night of the lady, the receipts fell far short of the expenses, and lessee charged her with the deficiency. Wallack will probably let his theatre during the recess. Mrs. Hoey has been secured by him for next season, and so also, I believe Walcot, Brougham, and several others. Brougham takes his benefit on Monday next and plays “Romance and Reality.”

The doors of the Academy of Music open once more this (Friday) evening, for a complimentary benefit to Signora Vertiprach, a very fine contralto. La Grange and the opera company will make their final, farewell and positively last appearance. “Parting is such sweet sorrow” that they are continually saying “Good bye.”

—The performances at this house ceaed on Friday, and we presume the theatre will close till its opening by Mr. Willard next fall. Mr. W. has been in town for some months, and the re-modelling of the house will be immediately commenced. Mr. Henry Wallack is daily expected from England to take charge of the stage, and we are assured that the company will be an excellent one.

—This affair, which occurs at the Howard on Monday, has been taken hold of by its projectors with a spirit which assures us that it will be worthy the recipient. The demand for tickets has been large, and the Howard will doubtless be filled by an intelligent audience of Mr. D.’s many friends. The female talent which will appear on Monday is of the first quality and quantity, and the entertainment will be excellent. The peformers are Mrs. Barrow, Mrs. John Wood, Mrs. W. H. Smith, Mrs. J. M. Field, Mrs. Hudson Kirby, Miss Charlotte Crampton, Misses Fanny Brown, Allen, and Florence, and Mrs. Marshall. Also Messrs. Proctor, Daly, Wood, Curtis, Roys, C. Stuart, Stephens, Pilgrim, N. T. Davenport, H. W. Finn, C. F. Jones, Green, Brown, George, Taylor, and Adams. Mr. Harrington has the stage direction.

The bill selected is excellent both in quantity and quality. It comprises The Love Chase, with Dapenport as Wildrake, Curtis as Sir William Fondlove, Stuart as Master Waller, Mrs. Barrow as Constance, Mrs. W. H. Smith as the Widow Green, and Lizzie Emmons as Lydia,—The Loan of a Lover, with Mr. and Mrs. Wood,—Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady, the Duchess and Ruy Gomez sustained by Miss Crampton and Mr. Davenport, and the 5th act of Macbeth, which introduces Proctor, Roys, and Mrs. Kirby. The performances end with a musical and terpsichorean melange, in which Mr. Davenport gives us a touch of his quality as a vocalist. The house is sure to be crowded.

—The friends of Miss C. Crampton have taken the Howard for Wednesday evening next, when she will take a farewell benefit, and as very many of our resident artists have volunteered, and a very strong bill will be offered, we have no doubt of the complete success of the affair. Mr. E. L. Davenport has kindly consented to remain in town and appear on the occasion.

—This amateur corps performs “All that Glitters” and “Slasher and Crasher” before their friends on Wednesday next, at their rooms in Howard street.

—We hear that Mr. Willard has engaged Messrs. McMillan, (from the South and West,) McDonough, J. B. Howe, and J. H. Robinson, for next season, and that the leading man will come from England.

—Miss Julia E. Oatley, a native of Philadelphia, made her debut as the Countess, in Love, at the Broadway Theatre on Monday evening. A correspondent who was present at the performance, writes us that she possesses a fine form, handsome and expressive face, and that her positions were good and readings generally well given. The fault of her first performance was that generally noticeable in all debutantes, of not giving force or sufficient modulation to the voice. This, however, can easily be remedied by practice. Miss Oatley possesses the talent and qualifications, which with experience and careful study will render her an ornament to the arduous profession she has choden. Miss Oatley has performed every evening during the past week at the Broadway, appearing as Mariana in “The Wife,” for her benefit.

—The Varieties is the name of a new theatre at Norfolk, Va., fitted up at an expense of $35,000, which was opened on Monday last by H. C. Jarrett. Mr. Murdoch plays there next week, and afterwards two weeks with Mrs. Farren. The stock includes S. Murdoch, (stage manager,) J. B. Howe, T. D. Kemble, J. H. Allen, Blake, P. C. Byrne, Wentworth, Proctor; Mrs. Proctor, Mrs. Cappell, Miss Lewis, Virginia Kemble, Miss Salome.—Mr. Wyzeman Marshall has been acting with English at Portland during the past week. At his benefit on Tuesday, a young Greek lady, Miss Alfredeta, born in Athens, but a resident of Boston for many years, and a pupil of Mr. Marshall’s, made her debut in the Greek character of Parthenia. Mr. M. recited the Famine from Hiawatha. He opens at Bath, Me., on Monday.—Mrs. Farren was at the Holiday St., Baltimore, this week.—W. V. Spencer has published the Patrician’s Daughter.—Miss Adelaide Biddles’s position at the Bostom is to be filled next season by Miss Lizzie Emmons.—Buckland opened at Montreal last Monday with the Pyne troupe.—Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams leave for England immediately.—Mr. and Mrs. Florence return to this country in August. Laura Keene leaves for England, shortly, for attraction. She undoubtedly wishes that she may get it.—Cony and the canines are at Albany. Report speaks highly of the progress which the latter have made in the profession.—J. W. Wallack, Jr., leaves for England next week.—Mr. Murdoch had an apoplectic stroke a few nights since in Chicago.—The Odeon, Williamsburg, has been leased by La Belle Adams.

—We last week received a note announcing to us the marriage of our esteemed correspondent, Miss, (whose contributions have often graced our columns) to Mr. Joseph Wood, of Marietta, Ohio. The change in her domestic relations will doubtless withdraw her from her literary pursuits in a measure, though we still hope to see her familiar mark in our columns. We wish her all happiness and prosperity in her new sphere, with a gratified remembrance of past pleasant association with her. Prof. Wideswarth hands us the following as an ovation totheto the [sic] bride:

Happy is the man whose sweetheart laughs at him when absent—he may be sure he has no rival in her affection.

The season of serenades has come, and nightly our streets are vocal with most exquisite melody. We cannot have too much of it.

The people of St. Paul, Minnesota, consumed 75,000 pounds of venison, during the past winter. The article is yet abundant and cheap up north-west. Here it is always deer.

It is said that Samuel Rogers was engaged on the “Pleasures of Memory” for nine years. Mrs. Partington, to whom we submitted this, thinks a life of ninety years must have been a dreary one with only nine devoted to the pleasures of memory.

A lady was asked, “When a lady and gentleman have quarrelled, and each considers the other in fault, which of the two ought to be the first to advance towards a reconciliation?” Her reply was, “The better and wiser of the two.”

Members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives have been applying a gold headed cane to Mr. Speaker Phelps, though in a different manner from that adopted by Brooks. It was as a gift, and had more connection with the heart than the head.

Old Joe Bartlett honestly says—“To see an old man with one foot in the grave, and the other quivering on the brink, laughing at morals and ridiculing religion, is the most detestable picture of human depravity which heart can conceive, or the imagination paint.”

M. Leverrier, the eminent astronomer, who is poking his long telescope among the stars, is firmly persuaded that a great number of small planets are situated between Mars and Jupiter, and that before 1860 nearly one hundred will certainly be discovered.

Powers, the sculptor, is progressing with his colossal statue of Daniel Webster, and also with his great piece of art, California. He has also for some time been engaged on a female figure, from snow-white marble, which, when finished, it is thought will be unequalled in artistic beauty.

Charles Kingsley gives the following definition of marriage:—

An exchange says, the less you leave your children when you die, the more they will have twenty years afterwards. Poor Pilgarlic has nailed the above on his table and reads it every morning before breakfast as a devotional exercise. He says he means to stick to it most religiously, and according to present indications he will.

A sensitive clothing dealer in Milk street has been much annoyed at an outrage perpetrated upon him by an adjacent firm, who have placed a sign between their two doors advertising “Horns.” A half dozen times in a day he is asked, in a private way, for beverages that were once known as “horns,” but which, we think, are now not to be had.

Among certain tribes of Africa, thunder is called “the sky gun;” the morning, “the child’s day;” and one who is intoxicated is said to be “taken captive by rum.” A native of Africa, who visited England a few years ago, when asked what ice was, said, “Him be water fast asleep,” and of the railroad locomotive he said, “Him be one thunder mill.”

An exchange speaks of women as being stronger than oxen in their endurance of the weight of whalebone. This reminds us of the reasoning of Mr. Slow, as he looked at one of Gough’s large audiences. “Here,” said he, “are more people than ten yoke of oxen could draw—Mr. Gough has drawn ’em here—therefore Mr. Gough is stronger than ten yoke of oxen.” The reasoning was good.

The Portsmouth Chronicle indulges in a few tears over a chestnut mare named Jeannet, long a public favorite, that is supposed to have been poisoned in that city. By the same paper we learn that $200 have been collected in Portsmouth, for Capt. Small, of the schooner Emerald, who lost his all by the sinking of his schooner, loaded with lime, lately in Piscataqua River.

A gentleman whose character for sobriety has heretofore been unimpeachable, took us aside at the Dodworth Concert the other evening and propounded the following: “If I owed you five dollars what liquor should I resemble?” The band struck up the new Tiger Polka just then, and we hastened to hear it, but late in the evening the joker whispered in our ear “‘Owe’d a V,” (eau de vie.)

A very sedate young man, who hails from Dorchester, while breakfasting with some friends a few days since, thus astonished them: “If I,” said he, “should place those eggs underneath the grate what great hero would it remind you of?” A pause ensued and as no one replied, the querist ventured to say, “All eggs under the great,” (Alexander the Great). The penalty for this outrage has not been agreed upon.

The bridal favor for “Mrs. Partington, Ike, and Lion” was received, but the second party named lost it, as he said, in carrying it home, though there was a strong suspicion of spice in his breath, and a crumb or two observable on his coat. But Mrs. P. and Lion were none the less gratified, and the old lady breathed a wish of happiness for the union, and Lion gravely responded by expressive silence and an emphatic wag of his tail.

When the widow Wiseacre surveyed the funeral pomp which escorted her “dear departed” to the grave, she said, “Ah, how delighted my poor husband would be to see this, he was always so fond of ceremony!” It is a pleasant belief among our spiritual friends that a man can be a busy participant in his own funeral honors, and enjoy besides the better privilege of reading the real sentiments existing beneath the jackets of those who mourn for him.

Brilliant thoughts are often slow in their formation, like the diamond. Thomas Moore was frequently occupied three weeks in writing a song. Theodore Hook often took about the same time to perpetrate an “impromptu;” and Sheridan was frequently employed all day in getting up a joke, which was supposed by some to be the inspiration of the moment. And yet, with these facts fully established, many a poor fellow is yelled out, suddenly and unprepared, after a dinner, and laughed at for making a Judy of himself.

We clip the following from the Kokono (Ill.) Tribune: “Mrs. Partington was divorced from her husband, one day last week, in the Circuit Court of this county, and changed her name by marriage, the next day.” We are happy to inform “friends of the family” that it was Phœbe D. Partington, who was divorced from Thomas Partington, and married the next day to a man named Golding. The relations between Ruth and the defunct corporal still remain unbroken. The spiritual affinity still holds too strong to be disturbed by accidents of earth, even by a second marriage. —The announcement of a concert by New York’s pet band under the auspices of the Boston Light Infantry had sufficient attraction to fill the Boston Music Hall to an overflow which peopled the doors and vestibules, although the dog star reigned and the atmosphere was sweltering and oppressive. This justly celebrated body of musicians gave a concert in this city two years since, which received large patronage from our music lovers, but on Tuesday evening so great was the excitement to see and hear “Dodworth’s Band” that near three thousand tickets were sold and the Music Hall fairly boiled over into the vestibules. Late comers found seats or standees within the hall a luxury unattainable, and therefore became promenaders. This association is organized for concerts in three ways—Orchestra, Military Band and Serenade Choir. In the first there is too great a preponderance of brass and the overture to Maritana, their opening piece, made no remarkable sensation. The next piece, a fantasia upon the Anvil Chorus and part of the Gypsey music of Il Trovatore, was given by the Military Band with such admirable color, expression and nicety, combined with breadth of tone and gracing command of light and shade, that an irresistible encore brought them back to give a part over again. Mr. Eltz’s solo on the fagotto was all that his great reputation induced the expectation of, and, being accompanied to a charm, it gained even that master of the bassoon fresh laurels. The orchestra was more successful in H. B. Dodworth’s Waltz and Introduction than in the Maritana overture and proved themselves well practised in dance music. The Quartett from Rigoletto by the Serenade Choir, H. B. Dodworth, Major, Downing and Baass, principals, delightfully apprised the audience that masters were playing and their satisfaction was so emphatically expressed that Mr. Dodworth came forward to offer “Rest, Spirit, rest” in deference to request therefor. That exquisite performance of a beautiful composition put the seal to this band’s diploma of supremacy in this country. Expression and sentiment were brought out with a truth and beauty at once rare and touching. The Tiger Polka with its quaint introduction and spirited performance of course produced an encore for the Military Band and Rogers’s Quickstep was played with such life and abandon that all our street bands seemed tame and meagre in comparison. The Quadrille, “Evening Bells,” with obligatos for the Belharmonicon, Flaeolett, Clarionet and Cornet à Piston would have delighted even Jullien to hear. It captivated and held the audience spell bound until its close when an universal re-demand enforced its repetition. The popularity of these performers is easily accounted for, after such evidence of their skill and exceeding good taste. Allen Dodworth’s solo on the Cornet à Piston, “White Mountain Echoes,” received a well deserved encore and H. B. Dodworth’s solo on that instrument with the Serenade Choir to back him, had it not come at so late an hour, might have been justly awarded the same compliment. Notwithstanding the almost intolerable hear this concert was enjoyable and enlivening. The members of Dodworth’s Band may feel justly proud that three thousand persons came to a concert room with the thermometer at eighty odd, and their excellent performances retained so large a portion of that mass in a sweltering atmosphere for three hours and a half, the greater part going at seven and remaining until half-past ten.

—What lady or gentleman would remain under the curse of a disagreeable breath when by using the “Balm of a Thousand Flowers” as a dentifrice would not only render it sweet but leave the teeth as white as alabaster? Many persons do not know that their breath is bad, and the subject is so delicate their friends will never mention it. Pour a single drop of the “Balm” on your tooth brush, and wash the teeth night and morning. A fifty cent bottle will last a year. For sale by all Druggists.
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