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Alla threw a somerset with two daggers pointed at his heart. He threw a double somerset, picked up a loaded gun while in the air, and discharged it before touching the ground. He also turned a somerset from a marble slab with six bayonets, the points touching his head, and four sharp knives in his belt. He then threw a somerset over six men with bayonets pointed in the air and a canvas twelve feet high. Alla threw a somersault from a marble slab over two canvases elevated ten feet high and ten feet apart. He concluded, after many other similar feats, with his wonderful leap over twelve horses and thirty men with fixed bayonets -- a great and unprecedented feat.
Mr. E. Derious used to exhibit this season a most elegantly formed and highly trained Arabian mare, named "Haidee, the Sultana's Pearl," whose graceful movements were the admiration of all lovers of this noble animal, the horse. This majestic, pure blooded and thorough bred creature, whose admirable teaching and perfect docility were made evident to all amateurs and professional horse-trainers, went through her unique feats and immediate change of gaits at the softest word of command. Her beautiful dancing, although difficult to a degree, was correct to time and tune. Like the well taught dancer, she would execute either in common time, or 6-8 measure, or to any tune grave or vivid, an operatic pas, waltzes, mazourka and polka steps of the ball-room movement, with a precision that would be approved by the most approved maitre de danse. This noble specimen of Nature's works, the horse, was doated upon by the public. The sons of the desert appeared on the stage, which they alternated with their ring performances. Mustapha would climb up and stand on the shoulders of Mahomet, springing from thence, turning a back somerset, firing a gun during thtat action. Alla would tie his feet; he then was raised from the floor by Mahomet, who held him out at arm's length. Alla then threw a back somerset over a canvas elevated twelve feet high.
"The Nighingale performance" was as follows: -- Alla stood on Mahomet's shoulders and made a jump from thence to Mahomet's head, backwards and forwards, as a bird hops from twig to twig. Their living pyramids were very fine. Mahomet, the strong, gave wonderful evidence of his muscle. Five of the members of the Arab family formed a pyramid upon his head, and he carrying them around the stage, being a weight of over six hundred pounds. In conclusion, they would form a pyramid of four of the Arab family elevated to twenty-two feet in height, one on the head of the other.
A new equestrian drama (two acts) was produced, entitled "The Wreckers; or, The Postillion's Horse of Cornwall" -- Charles Moreton, (the outcast,) Mr. Cartlitch; George Gainsborough and Harry Gainsborough, (brothers,) Charles Foster and G.F. Browne; Mixture, (landlord of the Wheat Sheaf,) Mr. Marshall.
Mr. Joseph Jefferson, the comedian, was now a member of this company, and appeared as Timothy Fleece, (a city hosier,) in this drama. Charlotte Leslie and Miss Mary Duff also played in it. The piece became popular, as the above persons acted their parts quite con amore -- at least to suit the taste of their audiences.
December 16th was produced a drama upon the old story of Frederick of Prussia and the deserter, called "The King and the Soldier; or,
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The Revolutions in Prussia" -- Frederick, King of Prussia, Mr. Marchael; De Reuter, Prime Minister, Ashmead; Van Groat, Whipper-in to the King, Mr. Jefferson; Adelbert, the Deserter, Mr. Young; Morosco, the Robber Innkeeper, Mr. Cartlitch; Martha, known as the Tigress of the Forest, Mrs. Stickney; Rosalie, a friendless orphan, Miss M. Duff.
On Thursday, December 21st, Foster produced his great Harlequin pantomime, called "The World Reformed; or, Harlequin's Trip to Europe." The gorgeous and extensive scenery, correct views in Cashmere, England, Ireland, France and Iceland, by the American artiste, Mr. John Wiser, assisted by Mr. Thomas Glessing; the vocal and pantemimic music by Alexander Jamieson, Leader of the Orchestra; machinery and mechanical changes by T. McClung and forty assistants; the costumes of the four quarters of the globe by Francis Johnson; the properties, tricks, and magnificent paraphernalia by Messrs. W. Foster and Flemings; the dissolving and blended effects of light by Mr. Warren; the pantomime invented and produced under the direction of Mr. Joseph Foster. The lakes and distant view of Cashmere by sunset was very soft and beautiful.
Christmas Day, three performances. John May, having recovered from his severe accident, appeared morning, afternoon and at night, in conjunction with Sam Lathrop, the New York clown.
December 30th, the theatre did not hold all the juvenilles; two hundred were turned away from the doors for want of room.
January 11th, the Chippewa Indians now represented themselves on the stage, giving us a true picture of Indian life by the chiefs, braves and squaws of that tribe. They introduced the mode of holding their councils, the wampum, the debate, the song of peace, the defiance the war song, the scalp dance, the victorious cry, the worship of Maniton.
January 19th, "John May's benefit, on which occasion three clowns will figure in the circle -viz. George Stone, a noble volunteer, and of Walnut street celebrity some seven years since; Sam Lathrop, of facetious memory all over the United States, (including Jersey;) and John May, the notorious for giving fits (of laughter) to all the b'hoys and g'hals who can take a joke. Dickenson, of comic reputation for queer ditties, singular songs, (a well known favorite,) his first appearance, here these two years; with a host of volunteers: Washington Chambers, the greatest scene rider; the loveliest of the lovely, Mary Anne Wells, will ride her splendid polka act; W. Walker, the prodigious acrobat; La Bella Oceans has returned from her Eastern tour, to enchant by her graceful dancing; together with Professor Charles Rivers and family.
"The opening of this select May Soiree will be the introduction of a splendid stud of horses, rode by the principal equestrians, male and female, of this establishment &c. &c. The handsome and engaging Luke Rivers will mount the Polandrio breaking ladder; Tom Neville, the bold and dashing rider; after which an equestrian muss, in which a Hoosier -- some say a butcher -- has wagered that he will enter the ring and ride any horse in the circus stables: John May will be present to judge. The Courier of St. Petersburg, by Cadwallader; Ned Derious will introduce his exquisite ponies, Romee, Juliet and Sunbeam; Mary Anne Wells in her classic attitudes and castanet dance on the horse, a finished and elegant performance; the great victorious champion McFarland will appear in the group of model vaulters; the famous comic pantomime rider of the West, W. Chambers, will ride an act wherein he will sustain the characters of Punch, Pierrot, Harlequin, Columbine, Bacchus and Adonis -- all these without quitting his horse -- a great per-
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formance; a great and curious exhibition of gymnast exercises of all ages, to be managed by John May and Sam Lathrop, who in the course of a very Jakey-projected quarrel, will give an accurate display in the pugilistic art of selfdefence, introducing the style and manner of the great Tom Hyer and the far-famed Yankee Sullivan: beis must run high, higher and highest!
"The whole to conclude with the Double Trampoline, by a combination of unrivaled talent -- Walker, McFarland, the two Clowns and the elite of the equestrian corps. Many other feats in the ring not enumerated in this bill of epicurean choice fare."
Jan. 20th, "First appearance of McFarland as leader of the amphitheatrical games now practiced in the best schools of Europe and America, sided by three distinct professional troupes: the first of high standing; the second of great aspiring; the third of extreme youth, which must excite prodigious wonder." To conclude with the new dramatic land and sea legend, entitled "Robert Kydd; or, The Witch of Hurlgate and the Wizard of the Wave," taken from the ancient records and authorities of the time in which this blood-thirsty freebooter existed. The pictorial effects are from sources of high credit; and an attempt has been made to infuse the spirit of the famous ballads, sayings, and singular legends which arose from the wonderful and wild attempts of this outlaw, in his fearful career, into the entire tone of this piece. The play was written and produced by Joseph Foster. This piece had a long run.
February 10th, Sam Lathrop's benefit, the clown of the circus, in which he had many ridiciulous things. The various ring performances occupied the evening. There was "A Battle of the Clown and Ram," an allusion to a recent fight between Tom Hyer and Yankee Sullivan.
February 12th, 1849, the magnificent combination drama of splendid equestrianism, sumptuous appointments, founded on the customs of the Corso, entitled "El Toreador; or, The Bull Fighter of Spain," by Joseph Foster. The scenery was all new, by J. Wiser, assisted by Glessing; music by A. Jamieson; flags, banners, &c, by William Foster. The double stage, the inclined planes or platforms, by McClung; the characteristic costumes by Mr. F. Johnson; the ballet of the Teatro by Bennie; the equestrian arrangements by Cadwallader.
March 1st, the drama of "The Naiad Queen; or, The Mysteries of the Lurlie," was revived with an immense flourish about new scenery and accessories. This was not exactly "The Naiad Queens" of Burton's invention. Joseph Foster certainly produced some very effective scenes. This was founded on the old melodrama of "The Spirit of the Rhine." Indeed, all these famed Naiad pieces of Burton and Foster's were founded on this river Rhine legend.
March 5th, Charles Foster's benefit, "The Naiad Queen," and a national melo-drama, in honor of the inauguration of General Taylor to the Presidential chair, which was represented in a series of gorgeous tableaux, arranged with beautiful artistical groupings. After which the national drama of "Rough and Ready." These pieces were repeated until the 10th of March.
March 12th, a new equestrian appeared -- Mr. H. Runnells -- from the royal amphitheatres of Europe, and also the wonderful acrobat and surprising equilibrist. Mr. G. Dunbar, a star of bright excellence, appeared among the American luminaries. Mr. Runnels appeared in the character of Masaniello, the fisherman king.
March 15th, an afternoon performance at
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[Joseph Jefferson As Asa Trenchard, In "Our American Cousin." Joseph Jefferson was born Feb. 20th, 1829, in Philadelphia. He acquired a wide-spread reputation in the characer of Asa Trenchard, in "Our American Cousin," at Laura Keene's Theatre, during the last season.]