"The Lady of Lyons," "Macbeth," "The Merchant of Venice, "Taming of the Shrew," and "Richelieu." He closed his engagement Nov. 27, with "Richard III." The owner of the theatre sold it to James R. Whiting for $275,000. The scenery and properties were also sold under a chattel mortgage at an enormous sacrifice. The house was leased by Edward Eddy, who made considerable alterations, and reopened Dec. 18. A. W. Fenno was stage manager. The company was: Fanny Morant, Alice Grey, D. C. Anderson, Humphrey Bland, J. O. Sefton, E. F. Taylor, Geo. L. Aiken, A. T. Blake, Salveria, A. W. Fenno, J. J. McCloskey, C. Walters, M. B. Pike, I. Irving, Sampson, Hope, Mrs. G. C. Germon (first appearance in this city), Fanny Clifford (first appearance in this city), Jane Mosely, Naomie Porter, Fanny Westford, Clara Denn, Roe Deering, Miss L. Mason, and Mr. and Mrs. E. Eddy. Julia Dean Hayne was the opening star, in "The Lady of Lyons," cast thus:

Sands, Nathans & Co.'s Circus appeared here Dec. 29, with Emeline Loyal, Mons. and Mme. De Bache, Charles, Ida, and Virginia Sherwood, Majilton, Geo. Dunbar, Philo Nathans, Charles Rivers, Darius Shay, Maurice Sands, De Camp, J. Hankins, Jessie Sands, J. Carpenter, Wolcott, Basset, John J. Nathans, ring-master, and the clowns were Sam Lathrop and Anthony (Tony) Pastor. The latter gentleman took a benefit Jan. 7, 1859, and the company closed Jan. 8. "Putnam, the Iron Son of '76," was produced Jan. 10, with D. C. Anderson as Gen. George Washington, and Mme. Ponisi as Violetta. "Rookwood" and "Robinson Crusoe" were played Jan. 17; "Blue Beard," Jan. 21; "Bertram" and "Mazeppa" (Fitzgerald as Mazeppa), Jan. 24; "The Robbers," Jan. 25; "The Cataract of the Ganges," and "Gissippus," Jan. 31. "Ivanhoe" and "Blue Beard," Feb. 7. Harry Pearson made his American début Feb. 14 as Giles Harren in The Villagers." At the outbreak of the Civil War, early in 1861, he joined the 79th Regiment of this city, and went South. Returning to New York, he opened a restaurant at 151 Crosby Street, known as The Armory. At the same time he was playing at the Winter Garden Theatre, season 1861-62. He died in Chicago, May 7, 1884. Lucille and Helen Western appeared here Feb. 21, as Miami and Nelly O'Neal in "The Green Bushes,

་་

or Ireland and America 100 Years Ago." "Antony and Cleopatra was presented March 7, and ran till April 2, when the house closed forever. An afternoon and evening performance were given, both for the benefit of Edward Eddy. The following is a copy of the programme:

The first will commence at two o'clock. The last entertainment in this old temple of the drama will commence at half-past seven o'clock.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON, AT TWO O'CLOCK,

"ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA,"

SATURDAY EVENING, April 2, 1859,

which will be produced on a scale of splendor never before equalled in this city. Every scene in the play is new! Every costume in the play is new!! Every property in the play is new!!! The entire play produced under the immediate direction of E. EDDY. The cast of characters will embrace the names of HARRY PEARSON, MME. PONISI, J. B. HOWE, MLLE. DUCY BARRE, ALICE GREY, E. EDDY. "ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA." .. E. Eddy | Menas J. B. Howe Varrius C. Walters Taurus H. Pearson Silius Mr. Fletcher Alexas . J. O. Sefton Mardian J. Lanagan Canidius M. B. Pike Seleucus

Mark Antony.
Octavius Cæsar

Sextus Pompeius

Domitius Enobarbus

Eros

Scarus

Dercetas

Demetrious Philo

Agrippa.

N. B. Clarke

S. Wright Mr. Hope Emma Keough G. L. Aiken Mr. Silveria J. Chester Mr. Cooper H. Day Mme. Ponisi Alice Grey

Mrs. G. C. Germon

Ada Clare

Ducy Barre

Robin Roughhead, with song, "I Likes a Drop of Good Beer". Mr. Pearson

This building was shortly afterwards torn down and warehouses built on its site.

A

TEETOLLER'S HALL

LITTLE playhouse called Teetoller's Hall, situated at 71 Division Street, was the home of various kinds of entertainments. Charles T. White appeared here Nov. 23, 1842. This was his first appearance on the stage.

THE CORNUCOPIA

A called "The
SMALL place called "The Cornucopia," situated at 28 Park

Row, was used for light entertainments. It was occupied by the Virginia Minstrels for a long time. They opened Feb. 16, 1843, with Dick Pelham, Billy Whitlock, Frank Brower, and Dan Emmett, and among those who from time to time figured in their ranks were Harry Mestayer, T. G. Booth, H. Robinson, Barney Williams, Tony Pastor, and Charley White.

TH

THE ASTOR PLACE OPERA HOUSE

HE historical place known as "The Astor Place Opera House" was well located near the main arteries of the city, with a fine open front and an excellent ventilation. Its failure as an opera house was caused by the persecutions of a clique of parvenus, aided by the influence of several newspapers. It was capable of seating eighteen hundred persons in the parquet, dress circle, family circle, and gallery. Its failure ultimately, as a theatre, can be legitimately traced to the Macready riot. It was opened Nov. 22, 1847, by Sanquirico and Patti, with the opera of "Ernani," embracing in the cast the following artists their first appearance in this country: Teresa Truffi, Adelindo Vietti, Antonio Avignone, S. Rosi, Angiola Mora, Felix Genevesi, and Severo Strini; Antonio Barilli, director; John Sefton, acting manager, and Sig. Biondi, stage manager. The lady who afterwards became Mme. Patti-Strakosch, made her appearance here on December 1 as Agnese in "Beatrice di Tenda" under the name of Signorina Amali Patti. The Beatrice was Signorina Clotilda Barilli. Patti family was well represented in the company. The mother of Adelina Patti, Signora Catrina Barilli-Patti, made her début here on Jan. 28, 1848, as Romeo, to the Juliet of Clotilda Barilli. During the month of April, 1848, the season closed for lack of financial support. Edward Fry opened the next season in November and closed March 2., William Niblo secured the theatre for the summer in 1848, and gave a series of performances, including ballet, farce, opera, comedy, and tragedy, ending Oct. 25, after a very successful season. Included in the company were Henry

The

Placide, Chippendale, J. M. Dawson, Manvers, Miss Roberts (afterwards Mrs. Clara Stoneall), and Rose Telbin.

After an absence from New York of three years, Macready reappeared here Sept. 4, 1848, under the management of Chippendale & Setton. He opened as Macbeth, with Ryder as Macduff, and M:s. W G. Jones, Lady Macbeth. The engagement closed Sept. ^, with " The Merchant of Venice." William Niblo was lessee of the house, "Roberto Devereaux" was first sung in this country Jan. 1, 1849 Roberto, Mazzoleni; Queen Elizabeth, Medori; Duke of Nottingham, Bellini; Lady Nottingham, Sulzer.

the mst benent the American Dramatic Fund Association ever Nad was at this theatre, Feb. 8, 1849. "Macbeth" was given, with

Mary Taylor, Mesdames C. E. Horn, Bailey, Finn, Knight, Lambat, Wright, and Nichols, the Misses L. Kirkham, Miles, Phillips, Barton, Smithon, Harding, and Lambert, Messrs. Giubieli, G. Fodder, H. C. Watson, B. Massett, Vache, Hadaway, C. Walcot, Jahn Brougham, Povey, Williams, Rea, G. Andrews, T. D. Rice, "hart, and others appeared in the witches scenes, and sang Locke's Next came Distin and his three sons, who gave selections From " Encia di Lammermoor "on their silver sax-horns, and Distin, 4, who performed his trumpet solo, "The Soldier Tired." The pabormance concluded with the comedy "Everyone Has His compressed into two acts:

W

Nibla and

H. Hackett next leased this establishment ada do present Mi Macready, and announced him for May 8, 11. was 4 me for four weeks. The initial performance Wang-1 Fo Richelieu," but the house did not open. My 5) 11 Hakit played in "The Merry Wives of Windsor;'

On

Ma ready wie announced to play "Macbeth," Mrs. ColePage the Lady Macbeth In the meantime, rumors prevailed of Pavaly that the opposition to Mr. Macready's appear

ance would be persisted in, and that arrangements had been made to carry this demonstration into effect. The municipal authorities made their arrangements likewise, and it became evident throughout the day that there would be a serious collision between the rioters and the authorities, in the event of the former attempting to carry their threat into execution.

The following appeal was posted around the city by the rioters previous to the outbreak:

Workingmen, shall Americans or English rule in this city? The crew of the British steamer have threatened all Americans who shall dare to express their opinion this night at the ENGLISH AUTOCRATIC Opera House! We advocate no violence, but a free expression of opinion to all public men. WASHINGTON FOREVER! Stand by your Lawful Rights!

AMERICAN Committee.

A

As early as half-past six o'clock persons began to assemble about the theatre; and at seven o'clock the rush to get admittance was tremendous. The theatre was crowded to the dome. large body of police were distributed all over the house in detached parties. When the curtain rose there was an outburst of hisses, groans, cheers, and miscellaneous sounds. During the opening scenes, several persons who hissed and hooted were seized by the police and immediately conveyed to an apartment underneath the boxes. A vociferous welcome was given to Mr. Clarke, when he appeared as Malcolm. The entrance of Mr. Macready, in the third scene, was the signal for a perfect storm of cheers, groans, and hisses. The whole audience rose, and the nine tenths of it who were friendly to Macready cheered, and waved their hats and handkerchiefs. The tumult lasted for ten or fifteen minutes, when an attempt was made to restore order, by a board being brought upon the stage, upon which was written: "The friends of order will remain quiet." This silenced all but the rioters, who continued to drown all sound of what was said upon the stage. Not a word of the first act could be heard by any one in the house.

In

At this time the scene outside the house was most exciting. front and rear the fierce assaults of the mob, as they thundered at the doors, resounded over the theatre, while the shouts and yells of the assailants were terrific.

As the mob increased in magnitude so did the ferocity with which they assailed the building. Several despatches were sent to the City Hall, where the military was stationed. At length about ten o'clock, the sound of cavalry, coming up Broadway, was heard, and in a few minutes afterwards two troops of mounted men, of the First Division of the State Militia, and a battalion of the National Guards, were seen approaching. A troop of horse then turned from Broadway into Astor Place and rode through the crowd to the Bowery, receiving showers of stones and other missiles