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317. more novel and for her was prognosticated future rare excellence. As in the case of most of such prodigies these vatieinations were never fully realized. She however subsequently subsided into a very clever and useful little actress. er first appearance in New York in 1850 at the Chatham Theatre as Pauline in "The Lady of Lyons" was received with approbation and applause. Miss Murray was first married to Mr. Frederick Myers deceased and is now the wife of Mr. Ellsler the comedians who has been manager of several of the Southern theatres. Her father William Murray an Englishman but long a member of the old Chesnut Street Theatre corps still lives and holds some office we believe in the Blockley Alms house. He was principally employed in the theatre as an expert copyist of parts when the scarity of printed play books made such a person indispensably necessary in our theatres. His MS. was beautifully and plainly written. As a re- marked for the neatness and correctness of his stage costume--a valuable quality in the subordinaies of a cast.
George Browne a member of Welch's corps was rather an odd character and too often an object of wretchedness from the evil propensity of drink ; otherwise he was a well disposed and good-hearted man a person of handsome native talent possessing intellectual gifts of rarity but ever quiet and excessively taciturn in all his habits. It was said that he was the author of a piece that had a most enthusiastic run at the National called "The Mexican War" and he wrote a very fair Indian drama which A. Addams and others made very popular. As an actor Browne had but little pretension ; his talent was meagre his manner and figure awkward and the little he had to do was too often marred by inebriation. Thus he was frequently discharged and without an engagement. Still hr received the sympathies of his fellows and often that of the managers. Every effort was made to reclaim him but to no purpose ; he became a homeless ragged wanderer and was often committed to prison as a vagraut. When drunk he was very abusive and annoying to his friends. The newspapers some time since in their prison items announced the death of "George Browne who was found dead in his cell at Moyamensing prison." The deceased was recognized as George Browne the histrion author by all who knew him. The keeper of the public burying-ground Dr. B----- living in the lower part of the city took an interest in poor Browne's fate and often relieved his exigencies and was otherwise kind to him even when in his insane drunken fits and he would return the Doctor's kindness with abusive epithets. When the Doctor read the announcement of his death he exclaimed "Well poor Browne ! you will never be of any more trouble to me or yourself !" In about a week after this the Doctor was astounded by receiving a visit in propria persona from the supposed dead Browne. What a resurrection ! He appeared decently clad and seemingly reformed at least sober with a temperature badge on his person ; he had a basket of lemons and oranges on his arm engaged in vending the fruit for an honest livelihood. The mystery of his death in jal is thus explained : A noted vagrant of the same name--a fac simile of Browne in figure features hair and general aspect--was picked up in the streets and sent to Moyamensing's castled towers where the unfortunate being died as stated.
We believe poor Browne was doomed so to die a wretched victim of liquor and even so ended his life being found dead in abject misery.
May 24th Joseph Foster's farewell benefit (the manager) for the present season on which occasion was presented the melo-dramatic spectacle of "The Battle of the Amazons" which had been produced a few nights before with immense applause and a revival of the great French harlequinade of "The Black Raven of the Tombs."
May 29th George Stone the native comedian and stage buffo announced to the patrons of the National Amphitheatre where at he begged them to "Mark and remark ! that Manager Foster had appointed Tuesday evening May 29th for his special benefit when magnificent pieces superb women a span new pantomime and numberless novelties of all sorts were to be dished up with native and foreign gout. Date obolum Belisario !"
The season closed June 2d Saturday night 1849 with "Amazons" and "The Black Raven." Shouts of applause and merry faces bade the company adieu. The weather was now waxing hot. During General Welch's regular recesses his agent let the theatre to companies and vocalists for stated periods.
The amphitheatre was now opened by new proprietors viz. Harrington and Gardner. This was an amalgamation of a vaudeville company and a famed corps of Ethiopian serenaders. The dramatic corps was composed of Messrs. Josph Eberle Ward Quayle Fisher Boswell and Misses Wood Mortimer Mrs. Booth and Mrs. Silsbee. The Ethiopians were Messrs J. Search G. Harrington T. Brower W. Williams J. Donnelly J. Banker. Mr. Gardner performed on the slack rope and slack wire. "The Jolly Cobbler" an old farce with a new name was played--Christopher Strap Robinson ; Nancy Strap Mrs. Booth &c. Canfield the Samson exhibited carrying the gates of Gaza &c. and the darkies chanted their African melodies.
They commenced August 1st. This arrangement it would seem did not last long for soon viz. August 9th the bills presented new preprietors--G. S. Kames & Co. with a number of new performers. Colman's comedy in five acts of "The Heir-at Law" was acted--Daniel Dowles Mr. Thayer ; Zekiel Homespun Mr. B. G. Rogers ; Dr. Pangloss A. Botsford ; Dick Dowlas Josephs ; Kendrick Fisher ; Henry Moreland Quayle ; Steadfast Boswell ; Cicely Homespun Mrs. Booth ; Deborah Dowlas Mrs. Silsbee ; Caroline Dormer Miss Mortimer ; with "The Lottery Ticket."
August 10th Mr. Jos. Megary's benefit tragedy of "Venice Preserved"--Jaffier (first time) Mr. Joseph Megary ; Pierre Mr. G. S. Kames ; Priuli Botsford ; Renault Thayer ; Bedamer Josephs ; Belvidera (her first appearance at this theatre) Mrs. Winstanley. A song by Quayle. Farce of "Mr. and Mrs. Whites"-Peter White B. G. Rogers ; Frank Brown G. S. Kames ; Col. Pepper Mr. Thayer ; Mrs. Peter White Mrs. Booth. In the piece a comic duet and a comic pas de deux by Rogers and Mrs. Booth.
Saturday August 11th Mr. Kames took a benefit when the "Honey Moon" was perfomed.
These new theatrical lights it would appear were soon snuffed out. They soon made their final exeunt O. P. and P. S.
September 18th the National was opened for one week only by Winnemore's Virginia Serenaders. The performances were the stereo-
typed negro melodies which seem to outlive even Shakspere himself.
In October Chanfrau & Owens opened the National Theatre with a strong company of buffo performers--"originals and stars" as they phrased it on their bills. Leader and musical director Mr. Alexander Jamieson.
October 6th first night in Philadelphia of the only genuine drama of "The Mysteries and Miseries of New York" as originally written for Chanfrau. (That word "original" "of this and that" is a terrible bore to the modern stage in conjunction with English tours and London appearances.) Mose (the original Mose) J. E. Chanfrau ; Jakey on a visit to New York (the original Jakey) on a visit to New York (the original Jakey) Mr. J. E. Owens ; Sykesey (the original in that part) Mr. J. Seymour ; Capt. Tobin Warden ; Harry Whitmore Vanstaveren ; Gus Livingston Hickman ; Mr. Precise M. S. Phillips ; Gentis Forrester ; Long Bill Mr. Hamblin ; John Murphy Callender ; Jack Circle dickenson ; Schnapps Stone ; Big Lize Miss Madison ; Little Lize Miss Marion ; Isabella Meadows Mrs. Dowling ; Jenny Miss Davenport ; six other g'hals by Mrs. Hill Mrs. Thompson Miss Taylor Mrs. Brown &c. Several new scenes were presented such as a "View of Broadway corner of Park Place ;" "The Astor Place Opera House" the scene of the late riot ; a "View of Welch's Circus ;" and a "View of Chanfrau's National Theatre in New York."
Jim Crow Rice appeared after the "Mysteries" in his old character of Jumbo Jum with a hearty welcome. Poor "Daddy Rice" as the ladies called him should have a sable monument placed over his grave shaded by a weeping willow and an unstrung banjo hanging on its branches like the unstrung harps of Israel.
The Mr. W. W, Hamblin that was a member of this corps is the Lieutenant Hamblin that was captured at the Bull Run battle last summer and retained so long in captivity. He is a son of Thomas Hamblin the whilom manager of the Old Bewery and seemed to us a very fine gentlemanly handsome man of genial and noble qualities. He made his first appearance on any stage on the 15th of January 1850 at Memphis Tennessee as Edward Evelyn in "Agnes de Vere" and soon appeared at the Chatham Theatre New York. We believe he has never been so successful in the temple of Thespis as to have been crowned with vines however he may have cropped laurels on the field of Mars. But as Puff exclaims in Sheridan's " Critic" "Fire away great Bellona !" He has been redeemed we learn from captivity in Rebeldom and may be now recruiting health and men in Gotham again to take the field if required.
Monday Oct. 8th "The Mysteries and Miseries" repeated to a fine house. After which the naval piece of "Mose and Jakey in Philadelphia" ending with "The Virginia Mummy"--Ginger Blue T. D. Rice ; O'Leary Mr. Seymour ; Dr. Galen Mr. Phillips ; Susan Miss Vance.
This company closed its performances at the National on Friday evening Oct. 12th when they produced another version of "The Mysteries and Miseries of New York" called "Three Years After" with the same characters thus much older. They had during this brief season of about ten nights a very successful run playing only their own Jakey pieces with those of T. D. Rice. Rehearsals were superfluous. There were hundreds turned away every night that could not obtain seats--so succssful was
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318. Chanfrau and Owens with these Jakey pieces.
R. Sands & Co. obtained a brief lease of the National Circus till the arrival of Welch's equestrian corps and opened their "Grand Hippoferoean Arena and American Circus" on Saturday Oct. 20th, 1849. Clowns Joe Pentland and Frank Brower ; Equestrian Director Mr. W. H. Stout ; Master in the Arena Capt. J. A. Decamp ; Leader of the Band M. E. K. Eaten.
In this company there was a great variety of wild animals a superb cavalcade of ten magnificently caparisoned steeds and splenddly dressed riders. Sands introduced his beautiful and highly trained twin ponies Damon and Pythias !
Master Maurice Sands was a most graceful juvenile equestrian. Mr. W. Aymar exhibited the extraordinary exploits on the Amphora. [?] performing elephants Jenny Lind and Romeo appeared. Stout and Aymar in their Atlean feats were excellent. M'lle Rosalthe was a fine female equestrian. Two pugilistic horses used to do very fine fighting and wrestling contests together under the names of "Deaf Burke" and "Tom Spring" the concluding sports of the ring. The merry Poney Races always sent the spectators home in joyful laughter.
Mr. W. H. Stout the herculean polyhippian equestrian was truly picturesque and dashing in his four-horse act. It is impossible in our spae to enumerate these exercises. In "Scenes in the Desert ; or The Bedouin Arabs" the whole herd of Egyptian camels appeared.
Nov. 5th 6th and 7th they presented the gorgeous entree of "The Denizens of Central Flowery Nation ; or The Fete of Love" by Mr. Sands and children.
Mr. H. Gardner the popular scenic equestrian appeared in the then admired act of "Mose and Lize on Horseback." Sands on his Arabian polka steed Bucephalus used to elicit most enthusiastic applause.
About this time appeared at the circus from England a star clown by the name of Wallett who attempted some novelties in the business of ancient buffoon making the droll of the ring (who from time immemorial has been nothing else but an awkward fool in dress talk &c.) a shakspereian clown in jest piquant replies and witty remarks. Wallett attempted a new phase of characters. His effort as we thought was a most stupid innovation upon the established nonsense of the conventional clown of ages. It was a novelty however and he succeeded for a brief period in eclipsing Joe Pentland Frank Brower John May Lathrop Campbell the Wells and a host of other zanys whom we with our children have laughed at for years gone by. Wallett positively played like another Jenny Lind Kean or any other stage magnate or vocal syren three and four star enthusiastic engagements over the sawdust all throughout December and January going from city to city &c. like a new discovered meteor. He may have been called a stupid innate piece of human [?] for wit and jest did not lend a spark to his expressions. He attempted the elegancies of the polished comedian with the costume of an Apollo and the manners of a Chesterfield ; it was a comic genteel chowder which the merry Germans of our back settlements could not relish or laugh at. Yet for a time it was a humbug that filled his pockets for our credulity in such matters is proverbial
smart as we are. Poor May in his insanity from being very jocular and facile colloquial used to go into the ring look at the spectators all round with a wild gaze say not one word and run out of the circle again. The ring master used to be struck dumb with his conduct. The people thought that he was imperfect in his part.
John May was born in Montgomery county New York and was first introduced into the circus by N. Howes at Richmond Hill Theatre (converted into a circus in 1837) New York. He died at the Blockley private Insane Hospital of excruciating insanity originally produced from a blow he received on the back of his head which impaired the cerebellum materially in the State of Ohio. This afflicted him with occasional fits of insanity. His skeleton is now in possession of Dr. P---- who dissected him and often moralizes over his scull as Hamlet over that of Yorick's. Alas ! poor May ! whose gibes and jests often threw the circus audiences into roars of laughter. The life of performers often form fruitul sources of moral reflections.
The managers announced that they had effected a fourth engagement with Mr. Wallett the Shakspereian clown to add to the hilarity of the New Year festivities preparing for the ring and the stage. There was no dramatic company added to the equestrian corps this season of 1849 and '50. W. Wood produced many pantomimes serious and comic. The harlequinade of "Mother Bunch and her Magic Rooster ; or Harlequin in California" was produced for the Christmas holidays with the usual tricks &c. Pretty Jenny Wren (afterwards Columbin) Miss Fanny Mowbray ; Robin Red Breast (afterwards Harlequin) Mr. Geo. W. Smith ; Heavy Heels (afterwards Clown Mr. W. Wood ; Farmer Grizzle and Gripe (afterwards Pantaloon) Mr. Whittaker. The numerous other parts by the gentlemen of the company--the Wood family : Mr. W. Wood Junior Master A. Wood Master Jesse Sands and Miss Ellen Warren.
The bills said : "The joyous birth of the New Year will open with splendid novelties. The great English jester Wallett is retained to welcome young 1850 with volleys of wit from his brilliant battery."
The grand juvenile melo-dramatic rhapsody entitled "Jack the Giant Slayer" with new scenery dresses &c. Little Jack (the great giant killer of small stature but mighty) Master Alfred Wood ; Mynheer Hurlothrombe (a great devourer of little children) Mr. G. Dunbar ; Swartzkofpte (his negro jackall) Mr. F. Whittaker ; The princely Albert Mr. De Camp ; Herald Mastr F. Wood ; Benevolo (fairy queen of the silver star guardian angel of little Jack) Miss Ellen Warren with numerous other parts by the juveniles of the corps.
There was also produced a Spanish pantomime full of diablerie called "Il Don Giovanni ; or The Libertine of Madrid"--Don Giovanni (with dances) Mr. Geo. W. Smith ; Donna Anna (with dances) Miss Fanny Mowbray ; Scaramouch Mr. W. Wood. This was the old Don Juan tale notorious since the days of Mozart's opera.
The circus with Wallet continued through January. On the 4th his farewell benefit was thus potently (and perhaps potentially witty) announed :--"When every thing bright and beautiful gay and gladsome will be introduced to add brilliancy to the last night of the
clown of clowns who on this occasion calls upon the great and small the sort the tall the young the beautiful the old the dignified the middle-aged and those who have fallen into the 'sereand yellow leaf' to allow him the opportunity of making a dot on their leaflets of memory ; and while he 'jots by the way' a few of his impromptus he at the same time will fill up the grand journey with occasional snatches from the open pouches of the best and brightest who have adorned the pages of modern literature to say nothing of his cribbings from antiquity !" This was displayed in large letter posting pytamidical bil form. It was no doubt the composition of old Mr. Amherst the great scholastic bill originator who brought that flowery style first to our country with Cooke's equestrian corps. The bill further promulgated : "The ring wil be round : the stage will be as square as circumstances will admit and the runds of applause are confidently expected to be spherial."
January 14th Joe Pentland the original American clown had a benefit when Herr Cline appeared on the tight rope and Madame L. Howard a most graceful and talented equestrienne also appeared. Frank Brower the Phladelphia droll reappeared for this night only. Jim Sandford and Eph Horn appeared as sable clowns with all the brilliant feats of this large and talented equestrian corps. Madame Howard and Master Jesse as Venus and Cupid used to ride an act of mythological grouping with much truth beauty and grace and very great applause. Madame H. was a very splendid-looking woman and personated the goddess of love and beauty with charming effect.
In February Sam Lathrop and John May were the clowns ; W. H. Stout equestrian director ; ring-masters De Camp and F. Whit-taker.
February 9th Lathrop the clown's benefit. He was called "the Kentucky orator and the world's clown :" his last appearance.
Sam Lathrop used to make to the audience an excellent stump speech in the real slang whang way of the Western orators some forty years ago. His homebred wit was worth all of Wallett's Shakspereian wit so called. His figure-very uncouth--was drawn on the circus bills on the stump of a tree holding forth in a vacant grin. E. Stone as the Wild Horseman made his last appearance. Sam also appeared in meledrama as Carl in "The Wild Boy of Bohemia." This was only another version of "Valentine and Orson."
February 23d Wallett the facetious a returned star ; Herr Kist in the remarkable feats of "Corporis Robur" together with his talented son Valentine. E. Stone "The Eques Au dax" and Morris "The Aoidos Comicos" and all the strength and power of Sands & Co. A heroic romantic pantomimical piece founded on the old baronical custom of feudal times entitled "Trial by Battle ; or Heaven Defend the Right" the characters by the equestrian corps was now produced by W. Wood.
A new pantomime with new scenery &c. got up (in stage phrase) by Mr. J. H. Amherst called "The Sleeping Beauty ; or The Knights of the Golden Crest" was brought out on Wednesday February 27th.
John Gossen and Lathrop were now the rival clowns of this establishment.
A complimentary benefit was given to T. B. Radcliffe he comedian on March 7th, 1850
