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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6. certainly was the first regular corps which appears upon the continent ; but if we admit the truth of the account oMr. Morris--one of the old American company before the Revolution-we will be compelled to confess that theatrical performances were given at an earlier date than 1752 in a part of the globe which thoug geographically entitled ""America" is scarcely ever spoken of as such by the natives of the continent. Mr. Morris asserted that before the arrival of Hallam's company the celebrated Moody the original performer of Major O'Flaherty and other Irish characters had played in the West Indies in 1745.

Moody's first essay on the English stage was in tragedy but having an unfortunate brogue and no earthly faculty for tragic passion he failed in this line. He became subsequently admired as an incomparable comedian standing well beside Garrick Maoklin &c. especially as we said in Hibernian characters. Disgusted with his failure in tragedy he resolved to seek his fortunes in the new world. He threw himself on board of a trading vessel bound for Jamaica W.I. in the year 1745. On his arrival in the Island he found an amateur company playing in a ball-rom. Moody applied for a first appearance and made his debut as one of Shakspere's heroes. Whatever his imperfections were in this line it seems that he delighted the planters. In Macbeth Othello and like characters he surpassed all actors who had previously attempted them in that part of the world. His success was so brilliant and he realized so much fame and money that he proposed to erect a regular theatre at Kingston and to go to England and engage an entire set of professional actors. This proposition was warmly accepted by the inhabitants. A subscription was opened the necessary funds obtained and Moody returned to Jamaica in the winter with a fair company of comedians

Their success was so eminent that the manager in three or four years realized a handsome sum. During this period the number of the members of the company became so sensibly lessened by death that Moody was compelled to return to England about the year 1751 to recruit his forces. While in London he received a flattering offer from Garrick to appear at Drury Lane. He closed with the offer of the Roscius and transferred his managerial rights and property in Jamaica to Messrs. Douglas and Morris with their wives. In this corps were also comprised a Mr. Smith Donald Daniels and a Miss Hamilton the leading actress.

This account if true conflicts with our claims for the Hallams as the original founders of the American stage and of course robs our narrative of much of its romance and vivid interest. Be the question as it may the Hallams were the first rearers of the dramatic altar on the continent.

Douglas for a number of years was successful in the West Indies until his corps in turn became thinned by the diseases incidental to the climate. He was on the point of sailing for England to recruit the corps when he was joined by the Hallam company from the continental colonies. We sll hereafter speak of this and

show the two companies were merged into one. We make this statement in justice to the truth of history. It was omitted only through accident when perhaps it might have been more appropriately mentioned in the opening of these sketches.

The first tatre in the colonies built solely from the foundation up for that purpose was the one pulled down some years since (the ground being claimed by the congregation of a church) at Annapolis. This building was constructed of brick and was erected in 1752 and in July of that year theatrical performances were held in it. This was during the period whilst Hallam's company were converting the store-house at Williamsburg into a theatre. In that month the "Beaux Stratagem" and the "Virgin Unmasked" were performed in Annapolis. Admission to boxes 10 shillings ; pit 7 shillings and 6 pence ; gallery 5 shillings. And we think that Mr. Hallam said that while the Williamsburg theatre was preparing some of their company went to Annapolis to assist an amateur corps. The report of these actors on their return to Hallam led him afterwards to Annapolis. A writer in the Maryland Gazette in 1828 upon the subject of the original or first theatre in this country claims by a reference to a file of old Maryland Gazette of 1752--and which I saw when in Annapolis in 1813 during the war--that the first theatre was erected in that place and that the first plays were also there enacted. A Mr. Eynarson's name appears in the bill with Wynal or Winnel and Herbert ; the middle and last named belonged to Hallam's Virginia corps. "Richard III." was announced as one of the plays the principal parts by the two named gentlemen of Hallam's company.

After the Williamsburg season Hallam and his corps went to Annapolis occupying the theatre just referred to. Here they performed all their stock plays with success and profit. They then visited all the other settlements of wealth in t colony of Maryland viz : Port Tobacco Upper Marlborough Piscataway &c. It will be perceived that Baltimore is not mentioned. It was then in 1752 a mere scattered village. There is a drawing of Baltimore taken in that year and which is still extant which shows that what is the most densely settled part of that city now was then covered with tobacco-fields. A mansion-house stands here and there embosomed in trees.

Thus was the first year of the company's sojourn in America passed. Hallam had in the mean time directed his inquiries to the North and East and through his negotiations the company finally effected a lodgment at New York. We have stated the reasons whic led the emigrant actors to the Southern colonies. There they found still maintained the cavalier spirit and liberalizing sentiments which distinguished those loyalists whom ascetic Presbyterians and Independents had driven from Emgland and who happily sought peace and plenty in the broad and fertile lands of the South. It was thought that "profane stage-players" as they were denominated by these saints incarnate would have found no favor in the Eastern colonies. But the

Dutch settlers were different in the Knickerbocker land. If old Will Shakspere was pot read or known among the burly Dutchmen whose language and habits still prevailed in New York the people were tolerant of the hilarious laugh and indulged in song and waltz. They improved in sentiment as they mingled with the commercial English who were then gaining a predominant influence in all social relations. But even there the popular manners contrasted awkwardly with the cheerful amenity of the gay Southerners. The tone of society seemed to angur unfavorably for the introduction of theatricals. But the attempt was nevertheless made by the fearless historions in this case ; and Hallam erected the third stage in America dedicated to the dramatic muse in Nassau street New York on the spot occupied by the old Dutch Church and which I believe was the second building erected expressly for such exhibitions in this country.

The Quakers of Philadelphia were of all people the most opposed to theatrical representations. But Pennsylvania at this period was receiving a great influx of enlightened foreigners who brought with them polished manners and a taste for the arts which greatly neutralized the austerity and starcd manners of the intolerant Friends. Through the aid of commerce and its consequent European intercourse a taste was thus difused insensibly for polite literature and the arts. "Jigs and reels did they sometimes dance." But little Ephraim Smooth it was under the rose.

With the exception of one decided instance in which the exhibition of rope dancing was permitted the Philadelphians were previous to 1754 compelled to satisfy that taste for seeing sights which is alike common to savage and civilized life by the inspection of small shows many of them of a very trivial nature. It may not be an uninstructive evidence of the simple tastes of our ancestors if we mention some of those as advertised in the newspapers of the day. In 1723 a notice was published of the exhibition of "The Czar of Muscovia's country seat with its gardens walks fountains fish ponds and fish that swim to be seen at Oliver Galtery's Market street near the old prison." This was probably a tavern in the neighborhood of Market and Third streets.

The first exhibition of anything of a nature akin to theatrical performances was in 1724 the particulars of which are quaintly told by the following bill : By Permission of His Excellenecy SIR WM. KEITH Bart. Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania &c,

This is to give notice to all Gentlemen ladies and others that there is newly arrived to this place the famous Performance of Roap Dancing which is performed to the admiration of all beholders.

First--A little Boy of seven years old who dances and capers on the strait Roap to the wonder of all the spectators.. Second--By a Woman who dances a Corant and a jigg upon the Roape which she performs as well as any Dancing Master does upon the ground. Third--She dances with Baskets upon her feet and Ir Fetters upon her legs. Fourth--She walks upon the Roap with a wheelbarrel before her. Fifth--You will see various Performances on the Slack Roap. Sixthly--You are entertained with the Comical Humour of your old friend Pickle Herring !