History of the Philadelphia Stage, Between the Years 1749 and 1855. By Charles Durang. Volume 1. 1749 to 1818. Arranged and illustrated by Thompson Westcott, 1868 (Thompson Westcott scrapbooks of the History of the Philadelphia Stage)

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7 Eyes Mouth and Breast for a quarter of an hour together to the admiration of all that behold the performance.

There will be likewise several other diverting performances on the stage too large here to mention.

The above performance to be seen at the New Boot on Society Hill. To begin on Thursday next and last the term of twenty days and no longer.

The price on the stage 3s. in pit 2s. in gallery 1s. 6d. To begin exactly at 7 o'clock in the evening.

It may be well to mention that Society Hill where these performances took place was that part of the city below Dock creek which rose in a gentle eminence from Spruce street. The name was given to the whole region as far down as South street.

In April 1737 it was announced that a cat in the jail had given birth to monster with "one head eight legs two tails and from the navel down two bodies." This conglomerate production of poor puss being considered as very extraordinary was kept as a show at the Indian King tavern in Market street below Tird.

On February 22d 1739 the following wonderful arrival was announced :

To be seen at any time this week (Sunday excepted) at the house of Henry Clark at the sign of the Coach and Horses opposite the State House in Chestnut street a curious piece of clock-work representing Joseph's dreams. Genesis 37 ; Joseph sold into Egypt ; Joseph and his mistress chap. 39 ; Joseph in the dungeon chap. 40 ; Pharaoh's dream chap. 41 ; Joseph sent for out of prison ; Joseph made ruler of the land of Egypt ; Jacob sends his sons to buy corn in Egypt chap. 42 ; Jacob sends his ten sons the second time and Benjamin with them chap. 43 ; Israel going down in the land of Goshen and Joseph meets his father chap. 46 ; the children of Israel going out of Egypt Exod. 14 ; Pharaoh follows them in the Red Sea. Price sexpence for each.

In May 1743 one of those wonderful mechanical contrivances which at the present day are the property of itinerant hand-organ men was brought to the city and exhibited in the month of May near the upper end of Second street. "The price of [admission for] men 4d. ; women 3d. ; children 2d." The bill asserts "The like was never before in these parts." This exhibition was afterwards removed to a place more in the centre of the city. We give the following announcement of it as published Nov. 7th 1744 :

During the ensuing Fair at te Crocked Billet adjoining the wharf at Market street will be shewn an Ingenious piece of Clock work which among many other curiosities represents eight men ringing eight bells truly round ringing and changes much in imitation of ringing in England. Two young men and a lady walking the lady turning head over heels like a mountebank and the clock drawing a curtain and firing a pistol. Likewise a tower and steeple with eight bells true round ringing and changes. Also a wooden image that blows a bellows strike a fire lights a candle and fires off a gun. The like never heard of in England. The whole put in better order than they were before. Price to men and women 6d ; children 3d.

The simple tastes of our towns-people and the farmers and countrymen must have been sadly divided between ts wonderful piece of machinery and an exhibition of the production pf nature whic was seeking patrons about the same time. A real leopard was in Philadelphia and it must have been an object of earnest debate among our primitive sight-seers whether it would be best to witness the wonderful feat of a lady turning ad over heels whilst out walking with two gentlemen or to inspect the ferocious leopard. The argument must have been an interesting one as the wild animal put forth some strong inducements as we shall see :

To be seen at Indian King in Market street (price one shilling for men and women and sixpence for children) a beautiful creature but surprizingly fierce called a Leopard. His extraction half lion and half pardeal. His native place of abode is in Africa and Arabia. As he will him are desired to be speedy.

Te taste for natural history in 1744 had been excited by the exhibition of a wonderful creature called a "mouse" which was altogether un-

like the sleek whiskered tenants of our pantries. This extraordinary animal is thus described :

To be seen at the house of John Saunders Huntsman the upper end of Second street a strange and surprizing creature called a mouse about the nigness of a Horse. It has a Face like a mouse Ears like a an ass Neck and Back like a camel IIind parts like a horse Tall like a rabbit and Feet like a heifer. It was lately brought to town and came four hundred miles and is so fine limbed that it can jump six feet high. Price to men and women cd. and 3d. to children.

In May 1746 announcement was made that Mr. Bonnin had arrived in town with "a curious optical machine by which the representations are so perfectly like the realties that those who view them image themselves present in the respective places and find it the cheapest and most delightful way of travelling that was ever invented." This was probably a cosmorama. It was exhibited to not more than twelve persons at one time. Price two shillings each for grown persons one shilling each for children. As an additional incentive for visitors it was annouced that at the same place the Indian King was to be seen "a wonderful phenomenon of nature being a petrified crab."

Mr. Henry Clark did not permit the attractions of Joseph and his brethen to be considered as vanquished by thee rival exitions. The following announcement made July 18, 1745 is curious furnishing as it does a sly peep into the kitchens of our ancestors :

At Henry Clark's at the sign of t Coach and Horses opposite the State House are to be sold several dogs an wheels much preferable to any Jacks for roasting a joynt of meat : Where is to be seen a great variety of entertainments viz : a lively representation of Joseph's two dreams ; the Butler and Baker's two dreams--all done by clock work and other curiousities too tedious to mention. Ladies and gentlemen may be entertained wit the above curiousities from the hours of ten in the morning to nine at night.

The first play acted in the Nassau street theatre New York was on the 17th of September 1753--a little more than a year after the first theatrical performances at Williamsburg Virginia. T play was Sir Richard Steele's admirable composition of the "Conscious Lovers"--a dramatic effusion every way worthy of one of the authors of the Spectator and the friend and coadjutor of Addison.

Hallam and his company were received with consideration and applause. Prejudice had been conquered--at least to a favorable balance. The campaign proceeded prosperously and it was thought proper that the pulse of t Philadelphians should be felt in regard to a trial of the muses in their city of straight ines and drabcolored clothes.

Herewith we will give Mr. Hallam's account of his father's negotiation with the authorities of Philadelphia. We will premise however that Presbyterianism was intolerant and exclusive to excess at the ast. Episcopacy at the south was characterized by liberal notions in civil and religious matters. The Quakers of Pennsylvania and the Roman Catholics of Maryland had felt persecutions for rights of conscience and they had sought asylums in the then wilderness of a new world. The enlightened portion had reasoned witthe intelligence of humanity governed by benevolent impulses-their councils influenced the better principles of their brethen and their lands were town open as a refuge for liberty of conscience. The consequence was that whilst these notions pre-

vailed in the masses the appearances of a theatrical company nurtured the dormant feeling for the drama and the arts and it broke irresistiby forth with a flame not to be subdued ; or if extinguished in one place it ignited with more brilliancy in another. The peculiar tenets and reasoning of the Quakers couuld not persuade the majority of really religious people that all the variegated colors of nature abounding in lovely tints fascinating to the eye contained the germs of sin and that an imitation of them was wicked.

A number of the citizens of Philadelphia had visited New York during the season. Many who had seen the plays in England and others who only had read Shakespere's work in the closet were now doubly anxious to see them--to realize the influence of the chatacters as represented on the stage upon their own senses. Consequently those who had beheld the representations of the drama in their native labd and those who had only persused the works of dramatic authors determined if possible to have a theatre in Philadelphia. They applied to Mr. Hallam and solicited him to make a prfessional wisit if permission could be obtained and in case of the success of the application they pledged themselves to give the enterprize their most ample support. They arged Mr. Hallam to address Governor Hamilton on the subject suggesting that it would be policy to make applications for leave to perform for a few nights only. Mr. Hallam received the overture with great courtesy and bethought of him of an ambassador of suitable address eloquence and judgment to execute the delicate negotiation. He selected Mr. Malone for the important mission promised all that could be desired. Malone was a man of an engaging disposition and many accomplishments. He possessed a tongue that could wheedle with the devil. All these qualities were necessary to face the batteries of the broadbrimmed and square-toe-shoed Quakers backed as they were by other sects not a whit less proscriptive. But before Malone entered upon his embassy and long journey--for so it was deemed at that day--he stipulated with Manager Hallam that if successful he was to have as a remuneration for his services the parts of Falstaff in "Henry IV." and the "Merry Wives of Windsor" and also Don Louis in "Love Makes the Man or the Fop's Fortune." Parts once in possession of an actor for years in a theatre become his or hers by usage and ancient prescriptive right ; and such is the ambitions tenacity of the profession that we have seen old favorites who won their stage honors in youth and vigor of powers hold to the juvenile heroes long after they had passed their grand climacteric and even when their childish treble and shuffling gait proclaimed their rapid approach to "the lean and slippered pantaloon." We have seen aspiring Romeos and Juliets at sixty who have expressed great astonishment at any suggestion of the policy of a removal from those parts to some more suitable for their age. Such is human nature and in no position of life is it more exemplified than on the stage.

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8. CHAPTER IV. Opposition to the opening of the theatre in Phildelphia-Publications against the stage--The thespians triumps-The Water street theatre--Old play bills prologues epilogues dc.--Close of the season--The Company departs for the West Indies--Death of Manager Lewis Hallam-Marriage of his widow with Davud Douglass.

The negotiation of the theatrical ambassador Mr. Malone with Governor Hamilton of Pennsylvania was backed by many of the leading citizens of Philadelphia in a strong petition. The business created a great excitement in our quiet town and equally strong counter petitions against the prayer of the pro-theatrical advocates were prepared. [See Note A.] The friends of the drama at legth prevailed and Mr. Lewis Hallam obtained permission to act twenty-four plays and farces with a strict proviso that they did not offer anything "indecent or immoral." If this stipulation was violated the permit was to become void and null. It was furr agreed that the receipts of one night should be appropriated to the use of the poor and that the manger should give bonds for the payment of all debts and other contracts entered into by his company. What would managers now-a-days say if such saving clauses were imposed upon them when becoming lessees of any of our theatres? We fear that few such compacts would find signers. The clauses of the contract referred to are a graphic commentary upon which the first theatrical adventurers received permission to make an entree in our city of Brotherly Love which had been hitherto forbidden ground. This treaty was negotiated previous to the closing of the Nassau theatre New York which occurred on the 18th of March 1754. The house closed with the then renowned "Beggar's Opera" and the farce of "The Devil to Pay." One night (without solicitation) was given as a benefit to the poor. The company this season was strengthened by recruits from London : Messrs. Bell Miller Mr. and Mrs. Love and Mrs. Becceley. Mr. Hulett a dancing master andviolinist was sent out by William Hallam. He had been an apprentice to Hallam when manager of Goodman's Fields. Hulett was the first theatrical dancing master that came to our shores and ws for many years after known as a teacher of dancing in New York ; John Durang who knew im said he was quite a character.

We have an old lay-bill of the New York theatre in 1754 which we here insert : FOR THE BENEFIT OF MR. RIGBY. By A COMPANY OF COMEDIANS At the NEW THEATRE in NASSAU Street MONDAY EVENING--Being the 4th of February Will be presented a new Tragedy called the GAMESTER. Beverley...............by............Mr. Rigby. Lewson................by.............Mr. Miller. Stukely.................by..............Mr. Singleton. Jarvis....................by..............Mr. Hallam. Bates.....................by..............Mr. Bell. Dawson.................by...............Mr. Clarkson. Walter....................by..............Mr. Adcock. Mrs. Beverley..........by...............Mrs. Hallam. Charlotte.................by...............Mrs. Becceley. Lucy.......................by................Mrs. Clarkson. THE EPILOGUE Will be spoken by Mrs. Hallam. A DIALOGUE To be sung by Mr. Adcock and Mrs. Love. DANCING by Mr. Hulett. To which will be added a Dramatic Satyre called LETHE or AESOP IN THE SHADES. Boxes 6s. ; Pit 4s.. ; Gallery 2s. N. B.--For the better accomodation of the Ladies the Boxes are enlarged. Mr. Rigby humbly hopes that Gentle-

men and Ladies will not take it ill that he cannot make a personal application ; a Pleuretic disorder rendering him incapable. Therefore those that chuse Tickets are desired to send for them at Mr. Parker's and Mr. Rigby's at Mr. Hallam's. To begin at 6 o'clock. Vivat Rex. February 4th, 1754.

"Vivat Rex" in the early days of the drama was used at the end of a piece as a prayer for the reigning monarch ; or if the troupe was performing in a Royal theatre at the request of the King or Queen this prayer sometimes formed part of the epilogur : Hence it is probable that the "Vivat Rex" attached to modern English play-bills has been derived from t source.

As soon as Mr. Hallam obtained the Governor's permission to perform in Philadelphia or the vicinty he began to look out for a convenient place for the theatre. After some little difficulty he procured and rented a large brick warehouse of Mr. William Plumstead which was situate in Penn street under the east bank of Front street between Pine and Lombard streets. The building from Penn street was lofty ; there was an entrance from Front street to the second story. The house was standing until 1849 when it was pulled down to make way for modern improvements. It then seemed to be in good and substantial condition. It was built of old-fashioned party-colored or black glazed brick. This building in a few weeks was made ready to receive the company and in the April following the manager announced their opening. The "Fair Penitent" and "Miss in her Teens" were the first dramatic pieces played in Philadelphia. [See Note B.]

The house was crowed on the opening night and the success of the troupe continued notwithstanding the powerful and highly influential organization of the anti-theatrical party was exerted to strangle the infant Hercules in his cradle. But his young strength crushed the serpents. On the first night a great tumult was occasioned in the pit by the discovery that one of the unfriendly petitioners was sitting there as a spy ; and not until he was turned out head and shoulders was quiet restored. Every kind of opposition was restored to to debase theatricals. Pamphlets were printed and distributed gratis--meetings were called and from the pulpit the plays were denounced in broad terms. Through the whole season the venom ofthese ascetics was spouted broadcast o'er the community. But it fell harmless as a drop of water on the panoply of the Shakspearean warriors who triumphantly bore the dramatic banner unscathed through this puritanical melee. Ultra reformers in their fiery zeal scarcely ever have cool wisdom on tr side.

The patronage and influence of the enlightened citizens prevailed and the cause of the drama was aided by the favorable impression which the gentlemanly deportment of the actors had made upon the people. The moral tendency of the performances exhibited induced Governor Hamilton to grant six additional nights beside the twenty-four first granted. Ts extension eked out a period of thirty nights and carried the season into June. The play nights were three per week--Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays. It was the custom of the ladies to send their servants to keep their places at 4

o'clock. There these blacks would sit in the seats until after 6--or sometimes until after the curtain was up and until their masters and mistresses came. It was curious to see their black phizzes on the broad grin listening to one of the elegant and piquant prologues whic were invariably spoken at that day before the play-they not understanding one solitary allusion of any of the points--the meaning was as dark to their intellects as their faces to expression. [See Note C.]

During the season--in the month of June 1754--the original projector of the first American company viz. William Hallam came from London to make finl arrangements with his brother. He was pleased with the harmony and success of the company and the able conduct of his agent's rule. They came to a happy adjustment of their accounts and William Hallam resolving to retire altogether the entire theatrical property in America was transferred to Lewis Hallam. William thus withdrawn from the association bade the company farewell and returned to his native land from whence nothing more was heard of him. Lewis Hallam now sole monarch of the throne theatrical thought he would give the contineantal colonies a respite. He therefore shipped his corps for the West Indies and died in Jamaica in 1755. His widow married David Douglass who thus became manager of Hallam's American circuit. Douglass was a man of education and of excellent business habits. He had emigrated from England with other actors to the West Indies about this period.

NOTES BY THE EDITORS OF THE DISPATCH. [Note A.] The first newspaper publications on the subject of the theatre were made simultaneously in Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette and Bradford's Pennsylvania Journal on the 19th of March 1754. The writer signed himself A>B> and prefaced his communication by the assertion that it contained "some of the sentiments of the most esteemed of the Church of England oncerning theatrical entertainments which may be serviceable at this time." The particular reference to Episcopalian authority was probably a stroke of policy. Some of the principal promoters of the theatre in Philadelphia were attached to the Church of England. and the opponents were Prebyterians and Quakers. A. B. said "Should I pretend to give a view of the wickedness of the theatre I should not know where to begin." He then gives extracts from "Britain's Remembrancer" and the writings of Bishops Burnett and Tilletson in reference to the immorality of theatrical entertainments. The articles alluded to censure the gross featured which disgraced the stage in a licentious age and are strong in language but well expressed. The theatre is like every other human institution liable to abuses. A. B. availed himself of the argument against the abuse to assert the necessity of a general prohibition against the rational use. Such displays of zealotry on the part of those who reason imperfectly have been common to mankind in all