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He acted Macbeth 19, with Mrs. W. G. Jones as Lady Macbeth; John Dyott, Macduff. Edwin Forrest opened 31 in "King Lear; Anna Cora Mowatt appeared, supported by E. L. Davenport, Sept. 23rd, in "Love ;" "Armand, or the Child of the People," was acted 27th, for the first time at this theatre, with the following cast: Armand, E. L. Davenport; Duc de Richelieu, Barry; Dame Babette, Mrs. Vernon; King Louis XIII., Hield; Victor, Susan Denin; Jacqueline, Kate Horn; Blanche, Anna Cora Mowatt. This play was originally produced in England by Miss Mowatt, Jan. 18th, 1849, but the title was changed to "Armand, or Peer and Peasant." Eliza Brienti first appeared here Oct. 4th, as Leonora in an English version of Donizetti's "La Favorita."

J. H. Hackett's last appearance at this house was on Oct. 16th, as Mons. Mallet in the farce of that name, and O'Callaghan in "His Last Legs." Edwin Forrest acted "Metamora" 27th. His last appearance at this house occurred the 28th, when he appeared as Spartacus in "The Gladiator." Mme. G. A. Macfarren made her American début Oct. 30, as Maffio Orsini in Donizetti's opera, "Lucrezia Borgia." "The Maid of Artois" was sung, for the first time in America, Nov. 5th, with this cast: Chateaux Vieux, A. Giubiler; Jules de Montagnon, Reeves; Isoline, Anna Bishop; Coralie, Mrs. Frary; Ninka, Mme. Boulard. Charles Dibdin Pitt made his American début Nov. 8th, as Hamlet; "Cavalier, or England in 1640," was seen the 10th, for the first time; "The Bottle" was produced 15th; and the season closed Dec. 17th.

Rufus Welch opened a circus season here Feb. 1st, 1848. In the organization were E. M. Dickenson, Master W. Kingcade, McFarland, Mme. Louisa Howard, John Nathans, G. Hoyt, E. Woods, J. Glenroy, Chas. J. Rogers, Mme. Hazard, T. V. Turner, the three Misses Wells, and J. G. Cady. After being closed for a few weeks, the theatre was reopened March 1st, with J. B. Booth as Richard III. and the farce "The Irish Lion," with Mr. and Mrs. John Brougham in the latter. The prices of admission were 50 cts. to all parts of the house. The "Apostate," and, for the first time at this house, a burlesque on "Metamora," on March 6th. Booth acted Lear 8th, Mrs. W. G. Jones being the Cordelia; Mrs. John Dyott, Regan; John Dyott, Edgar; James Stark, Edmund; and Mrs. Abbott, Goneril. For Forbes' benefit, Booth acted Jerry Sneak in the farce" The Mayor of Garratt." Booth's last appearance was as Bertram, on the 9th. The prices were again reduced on the 10th, pit tickets being 25 cts. "Asmodeus, or Le Diable Boiteux," a ballet, was presented for the first time 15th. The theatre was closed March 16th, but the doors were thrown open again May 22nd, when the Viennoise children. reappeared. The season again closed June 5th. Thos. S. Hamblin next essayed the management of the Park, but unsuccessfully. He remodelled it at a cost of about $30,000, and opened, with "Hamlet,"

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Sept. 4th, 1848: Hamlet, T. S. Hamblin; Polonius, Bellamy ; Horatio, A. Andrews; Rosencrantz, W. H. Hamilton; First Gravedigger, W. B. Chapman; Ophelia, Mary Taylor; King, E. L. Tilton; Laertes, C. Walcot; Ghost, Hield; Queen, Miss Winstanley. Rose Telbin made her début in America the same evening, as Matilda in the comedietta "Ladies Beware." Charles Moorhouse first appeared in this city Sept. 5th, as Numitorius in "Virginius." Another reduction in the prices of admission occurred Sept. 11th: boxes, 75 cts.; second tier, 50 cts. ; third tier, 25 cts.; pit, 371⁄2 cts.; gallery, 121⁄2 cts.

Mons. and Mme. Monplaisir first appeared here 18th; Mr. and Mrs. John Gilbert made their début 30th, in "The Rivals;" Maurice Power, son of Tyrone Power, first appeared in America Oct. 30th, as Sir Patrick O'Plenipo in "The Irish Ambassador," and "Teddy the Tiler." He died at Bath, England, Sept. 21st, 1849. "Edith, or Dealings with the Firm of Dombey & Son," was played Nov. 13th, for the first time on any stage. Mrs. Shaw acted Constance in "The Love Chase," 24th. During Simpson's long management of this house he introduced nearly all the European stars to this country. While playing Faustus, in 1828, he broke one of his legs. At the same time Mr. Barry broke an arm, and Mrs. Barry a leg. Simpson's first appearance in America was at this house, as Harry Dornton in "The Road to Ruin," Oct. 22, 1809. In 1833 he retired from the stage direction and confined himself to management, although he would occasionally appear for a benefit. He had one himself Sept. 27, 1838, when the receipts were $3,371.50. He had as volunteers, Mme. Vestris, Mme. Caradori Allan, Ellen Tree, Josephine Clifton, Charles Mathews, Thomas Barry, Tyrone Power, William Brough, J. S. Browne, Mrs. Richardson, T. Placide, Peter Richings, J. Fisher, Chippendale, William Wheatley, and Mrs. Wheatley. He had the best benefits ever realized at this theatre. His last appearance as an actor was as Dazzle in "London Assurance," in 1841. He died in this city, July 31, 1848. A benefit was given for his widow and family Dec. 7, 1848, and the amount cleared was $4,739.75. The performance consisted of " The School for Scandal":

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Walter Sconcia then gave several musical pieces, Mme. and Mons. Monplaisir danced, and W. B. Chapman sang a comic song.

Mr. Hamblin presented "Richard III." Dec. 11, that play being the last Shakesperian drama performed here, as on Dec. 16, 1848,

the theatre was destroyed by fire. M. Monplaisir took his benefit on the night of the 15th, and his wife's benefit was to have followed on the evening of the 16th; but just before opening the doors to the public, a file of playbills hanging at the prompter's entrance to the stage was accidentally blown or brushed against a burning gas jet and in an instant the entire wing was in a blaze. In a little over an hour afterward the interior of the theatre was reduced to ashes. Mr. Hamblin's loss was about $25,000.

Thus passed away the most celebrated of the early American theatres, the only remembrance of its former position being the name of Theatre Alley, which still attaches to the narrow lane between Ann and Beekman Streets. This theatre received a death blow in the erection of the Broadway Theatre in 1846, under the auspices of Col. Mann; and Mr. Simpson was left, in his old age, to see all his efforts eclipsed by the enterprise of a single individual, who was totally unacquainted with the drama and the stage. Many years before the Park ceased to exist, it became the property of John Jacob Astor and Mr. Beekman. Simpson & Price, and Edmund Simpson, had paid an aggregate rent of upwards of $500,000. For a long time they paid an annual rental of $22,000; and were obliged to keep in one of the banks a certified deposit to that amount, by way of security.

While workmen were engaged in clearing away the ruins of this theatre in 1852, they found, on removing the superstructure, the foundation stone of the old house. It was a plain brown stone slab, bearing the following inscription:

THE CORNER STONE OF THIS

THEATRE

Was laid on the 5th day of May,
1795.

Jacob Martin, William Henderson, Carlile Pollock, Commissioners; Lewis Hallam, John Hodgkinson, Managers.

The stone was presented to Edward Windust, proprietor of a restaurant a few doors west of the site on which the Old Park stood, who inserted it in the wall of his establishment as a monument of the past and a memento for the future chronologist to ponder over. In one end of the slab Mr. Windust has inserted the following inscription:

TAKEN FROM THE RUINS OF THE

PARK THEATRE
Which was destroyed by fire

Dec. 18, 1848.

MOUNT VERNON GARDENS

ALMOST the first summer theatre in this city was the Mount

Vernon Garden Theatre. For some years previous to the opening of this place there was a favorite resort, called the Mount Vernon Gardens, at the northwest corner of Broadway and Leonard Street. The proprietor was Joseph Corrie, who had formerly been a French cook to an officer in the British army. The Park Theatre being closed during a greater portion of the summer, and the public being deprived of theatrical representation, he concluded that there was money in a summer theatre, and fitted up a small stage in the gardens, engaged a portion of the Park Theatre company, and opened July 19, 1800, with "Miss in her Teens, or the Medley of Lovers": Capt. Flash, Mr. Jefferson; Captain Lovelit, Mr. Hallam ; Puff, Mr. Hogg; Jasper, Mr. Fox; Fribble, Mr. Martin; Tag, (with a song), Mrs. Seymour; Biddy Bellair (with a song), Miss Brett. Tickets of admission were 4s. and performance commenced at 9 P. M. precisely.

A

THE GROVE THEATRE

She

SMALL house situated in Bedloe Street (now Madison Street, east of Catharine), called "The Grove Theatre," was opened March 9, 1804. Among the members of the company were Frederick Wheatley and his wife (the parents of William Wheatley), Messrs. McGinnis, Parsons, Bates, Bland, Burrows, and Burd, Mrs. Gordon, Mrs. McGinnis, and Miss White. Mrs. Wheatley, then known as Miss Ross, here made her first appearance. afterward became a favorite actress. The Grove Theatre deserved and received little encouragement, and remained open only a short time. After being closed for several months, it was reopened on the evening of Dec. 4, 1804, and among its performers was Mr. Turnbull, who had made his début at the Park in 1802. The company was considered a pretty good one in its time, yet not one member of it is remembered to-day.

T. Abthorpe Cooper acted Pierre in "Venice Preserved" on Feb. 1, 1805; "The Honeymoon" was first acted in America at this house May 29th. William Twaits first played in this city. at the Grove Theatre June 21st, as Caleb Quotem in "The Review." This ill-fated house closed shortly afterwards.

SCUDDER'S & BARNUM'S MUSEUMS.

CUDDER'S Museum was in an old two-story building, once the Almshouse of the city. It was of brick, painted yellow, with wooden portico, and was situated on the south side of Chambers Street, the site now occupied by what is called the "New Court House." Dr. Scudder opened it as the American Museum in 1810. There were on exhibition glass cases of stuffed animals, a live anaconda, a tame alligator, and a gallery of paintings, said to be national portraits. There was also a small room where lectures on various subjects were given. John Scudder devoted his life to the Museum, and acquired a competency from it.

On Dec. 27, 1841, the contents of the Museum were purchased by P. T. Barnum, who removed them to the building at the corner of Broadway and Ann Street. Barnum agreed to pay $12,000 in seven equal instalments, and so economical was he that in less than one year he paid every cent of the sum. One of his first successes was the "Fejee Mermaid," in August, 1842. Jan. 2, 1843, he purchased the collection of the New York (known as Peale's) Museum, which he removed to his establishment. He introduced to the public in December, 1842, Charles S. Stratton, the dwarf, afterwards known as General Tom Thumb. Stratton was a native of Bridgeport, Ct., and at the time Mr. Barnum found him he was five years of age. Mr. Barnum secured him for four weeks at a salary of $3 and board for himself and mother. He was advertised as eleven years of age. At the end of four weeks he was paid $7 a week. Barnum had what was termed a "Moral Lecture Room," where dramatic performances were given. In 1844, the company consisted of Caroline Chapman, Mrs. Phillips, George Chapman, Maria Barton, Great Western (father of Lucille and Helen Western), John Dunn, Barney Williams, Billy Whitlock, Luke West, the Martinetti Family, and others. Wm. B. Harrison, the extemporaneous singer, appeared during this season. In 1848 Mr. Barnum bought the collection of the Chinese Museum, Philadelphia, and added it to his attractions.

William R. Goodall made his first appearance in New York at this house in June, 1850, as Edward Middleton in "The Drunkard." He was one of the most brilliant and natural actors America ever saw. He was of medium height, athletic mould, with a head and face of classical beauty. His voice was singularly powerful, and at the same time one of the most musical ever given to man. He had too many friends, however, and gave himself up to dissipation, ceased to study, depended solely upon his fine instincts to produce those effects which, in men less prodigally gifted, can only be

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