most success

At

in the galleries for Forrest, mingled with various side-notes. length Mr. Brougham was heard and spoke in substance as follows: "Ladies and gentlemen, you have witnessed to-night one of the - (cheers for Forrest, groans, etc.) — successful débuts - (cheers and groans) — that ever took place within the annals of the histrionic profession. (Various noises and several persons thrust out from the upper tier.) I certainly never saw (cheers, hisses, groans) anything equal to it. (Vociferous hisses and cheers, mixed with groans and uproar for some time.) Ladies and gentlemen, I am charged by the fair débutante- (more demoniac yells from the opposition) to return to you- (uproar, hisses, cheers, etc., during which Mr. B. remained passive; cheers for Forrest and Ann Flowers, and three groans for the jury). Gentlemen," said Mr. Brougham, "I am charged to make a speech, and, with your permission, I will make it (uproar for some time). I have, on behalf of the débutante, to return to you her sincere thanks for this kind and (noise and confusion) generous reception (cheers, hisses, etc.). Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to say-(noise) that I cater for your amusement, and shall do so, to the best of my abilities, however you use me. (Three cheers for Brougham, mingled with groans and hisses from the upper tier.) To-morrow night the débutante of this evening will again appear." (Cheers and hisses, during which Brougham retired.) I cannot give a proper idea of the uproar in the gallery while this speech was going on. There were cheers for Forrest, for Van Buren, for Barney McCabe, Ann Flowers, Ned Buntline, and Capt. Rynders, with groans for other persons. The audience was mostly of the sterner sex, probably not more than eight ladies being present. Mrs. Forrest's engagement continued for two weeks, and her share of the receipts was over $4,000. George Vandenhoff gave this lady all the dramatic instruction she ever had prior to her début.

Mrs. Forrest not being able to pay Mr. Vandenhoff for all the care and attention he gave her, it was arranged that he should play the opposite parts to her during this engagement, and receive one half of her share of the receipts. In consequence of illness he was not able to play the first two weeks, but at the opening of the third week in "The Lady of Lyons" he appeared. Their share of the receipts for the first eight nights of their joint performance was $879.87/2 each. Mrs. Forrest was then taken ill, and did not resume acting till the first of March. Mrs. Forrest was the daughter of John Sinclair, a well known English tenor singer, who made his American début Sept. 24, 1831, at the Old Park Theatre, and died in England Sept. 22, 1857. Catherine was his eldest daughter. She married Edwin Forrest in England, from whom she separated March 1, 1849. She brought an action for divorce in January, 1852. Both husband and wife accused each other of the grossest misconduct. A verdict,

however, was given Jan. 24, 1852, in favor of the wife, and the court ordered her husband to pay $3,000 alimony per annum. From this decision Mr. Forrest appealed to higher courts, and failed. The case was tried in this State. In June, 1852, Mrs. Forrest visited England, and soon afterwards made a professional tour of California and Australia, supported by Henry Sedley, son of William Henry Sedley Smith. She made her début on the London stage Sept. 7, 1857, at the Haymarket Theatre, as Beatrice in "Much Ado About Nothing." Mr. Sedley retired from the stage, and became one of the editors of The Courier and Enquirer, of this city. In May, 1861, he was appointed engineer on the staff of the N. Y. German Artillery regiment during the Civil War in the South. In 1870 Mr. Sedley was dramatic editor of The New York Times. Mrs. Forrest died in New York June 16, 1891 and was buried at Silver Mount, S. I.

The Lyceum reopened March 22, 1852, and Jean Davenport played for one week. Wardle Corbyn and James Buckland opened this house April 19, 1852, with "A Soldier's Courtship," other characters being sustained by Julia Bennett and Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Walcot. "The Fair One With the Golden Locks" followed, Julia Bennett as Graceful, Walcot as Lacrymose, Vincent as Chamberlain, Miss Fisher as Lucidora, and Miss Moore as Thisbe. "The Live Indian," with John E. Owens in his original character, closed the performance. May 13 Adelina Patti sang the "Echo song and the finale to "La Cenerentola; " May 14 "A Practical Man," "Victorine, or I'll Sleep on It," and a cavatina from "Ernani," by Patti, accompanied by Eliza Valentine, formed the bill. Julia Bennett Barrow took a benefit June 10, and made her last appearance in New York but two in "The Rivals" cast as follows:

This was followed by "The Pet of the Petticoats," with Julia Bennett as Paul. June 14 "Othello" was played by G. V. Brooke, supported by the company from the Broadway Theatre, who, a few weeks prior, had occupied the stage at the Astor Place Opera House.

The house was opened for one night on June 15, for the benefit of Robert Kemp. Mrs. Sinclair Forrest made her first appearance in the French language, playing Lady Anne in the French drama of "Elle Est Folle." This was her last appearance prior to her departure for Europe. G. V. Brooke appeared as Hamlet June 16, Shylock June 18, Richard III. June 19, and in "The Hunchback" June 22. July 26 Andrew Jackson Allen leased the house for his "benefit." He played Goldfinch in "The Road to Ruin" and

Sylvester Daggerwood in the farce of that name, and brought forth from his wardrobe the very clothes in which George Frederick Cooke, of whom he gave imitations, had appeared in these plays nearly a half-century before.

James W. Wallack was the next manager. He completely renovated the place, and refitted it with all the elegance and comfort his artistic taste could suggest. His company was as follows: Seguin, W. R. Blake, J. W. Lester (afterwards known as Lester Wallack), Chas. Hale, Reynolds, Lyster, C. Bernard, Baker, Hunt, D. Thompson, Stuart (E. A. Sothern), John Brougham, C. K. Mason, A. Baker, F. A. Vincent, H. B. Phillips (prompter), Frank Rea, F. Chippendale, Jr., Trevor, Geo. F. Browne, Burke, Durant, Jas. Wallack, Kate Horn (Mrs. Buckland), Mrs. W. R. `Blake, Mrs. John Brougham, Julia Gould, Mrs. Stephens, Fanny Cramer, Mrs. McGill, Tayleure, Osborne, Deane, Mrs. Chas. Hale, Mrs. F. Rea, Miss Cramer, Malvina (Mrs. W. J. Florence), Mrs. Hughes, Barton, and Scott; John W. Lester, stage manager; Chas. Wallack, treasurer. It was opened as WALLACK'S LYCEUM, Sept. 8, 1852, with "The Way to Get Married," followed by a dance, by Miss Malvina, and the farce, "The Boarding School." Charles Kemble Mason continued here during the season. He appeared at the Winter Garden during the season of 1864-65. and acted the Ghost during Edwin Booth's one hundred nights' run of "Hamlet." After that season he appeared but seldom in public, and his last regular engagement was at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia, in the spring of 1869, when he acted in the support of Mrs. Scott-Siddons. He died in Brooklyn, July 11, 1875. For some time prior to his death he had been the treasurer of the American Dramatic Fund Association. His father was Henry Mason, and his mother was the sister of the great Mrs. Siddons. Consequently, he was a nephew of Charles Kemble, and a cousin of Fanny Kemble.

Sept. 9, "The Poor Gentleman," with Seguin as Humphrey Dobbin, his first appearance at this theatre; Sept. 10, "John Bull," Chas. Hale as Dan (his first appearance here); Sept. 11, "Used Up." "The Boarding School," and the farce "Raising the Wind;" Sept. 13, "A Cure for the Heartache; " Sept. 14, "The Poor Gentleman;" Sept. 15, "The Rivals; " Sept. 16, "Follies of a Night,' "Naval Engagements," and "Sketches in India; " Sept. 17, “Cure for the Heartache," and "A Handsome Husband; " Sept. 18, "The Nervous Man." On Sept. 20 was the first appearance in America of Laura Keene, who was announced from Mme. Vestris' Lyceum Theatre, London, when she appeared in "The Will," as Albina Mandeville. The farce of "His Last Legs" was also given. "The Will" was repeated until Sept. 25, when "The Rivals" was played, with Laura Keene as Lydia Languish, William Rufus Blake as Sir Anthony, John Brougham as O'Trigger, Charles Walcot as Acres, Mrs. Blake as Mrs. Malaprop, Mrs. Buckland as Julia, and Mr.

Lester (Wallack) as Jack Absolute; Sept. 27, first time in this country of "Mephistopheles, or an Ambassador from Below," Laura Keene playing Pepito, a boy, and Honesta, the bride. "Mephistopheles," "The Boarding School," and "Happy Man," was the bill Sept. 28; Sept. 29, “Rivals" and "Mephistopheles, Oct. 1, "Two Can Play at that Game," "Popping the Question," and Mephistopheles; Oct. 4, "The School for Scandal," with this cast:

44

33

C. Hale

Seguin Reynolds

Mrs. Brougham Mrs. Chas. Hale

Oct. I saw the first performance here of "The Last Man," W. R. Blake as Geoffrey Dale; also "Two Can Play at that Game," and, for the first time in America, "Only A Clod; " Oct. 18 James Wallack appeared, for the first time in America in five years, in "Much Ado About Nothing," Mr. Wallack as Benedick, Laura Keene as Beatrice. It held the stage for one week. Oct. 25, the comedy, "Spring and Autumn," Wallack as Rattle; also "The Nervous Man," Blake as McAspen and Brougham as McShane. "Poor Cousin Walter," "Spring and Autumn" and "The Happy Man" was the bill Oct. 27. The farce of "The Lottery Ticket was acted, for the first time this season, Nov. 2. Nov. 4, Wallack played Rover in "Wild Oats; " Nov. 8, Martin Heywood in "The Rent Day;" and, for the first time in America, the farce of "Matrimonial." For the benefit of Mr. Lester, Nov. 22, "The Soldier's Daughter" and "High Life Below Stairs," was the bill. For John Brougham's benefit, Nov. 24, "A Morning Call," "White Horse of the Peppers," and "The Nervous Man,' were done; Nov. 26, "Patrician and Parvenu;" Nov. 29, for the first time in America, "The Twelve Labors of Hercules; " Nov. 30, for Mr. Blake's benefit, "Old Heads and Young Hearts" was given, for the first time in this theatre, with Blake as Jessie Rural. For Chas. Kemble Mason's benefit, Dec. 2, "Old Heads and Young Hearts" was given for the second time here, with the farce of A Practical Man." For Mr. Walcot's benefit, Dec. 9, "Money" was seen, for the first time here, and thus cast:

Alfred Evelyn (first time) John Lester | Georgiana Vesey

Sir John.

Chippendale Lord Glossmore

J. Brougham Graves

Reynolds Dudley Smooth
Rea Lady Franklin.

.

Laura Keene

Mrs. Stephens
F. A. Vincent

C. Walcot
C. K. Mason

Mrs. Brougham

་

Dec. 13" London Assurance" was presented, with Blake as Sir Harcourt, Walcot as Charles, and Laura Keene as Lady Gay; Dec. 14, "The Way to get Married;" Dec. 17, "She Stoops to Conquer;" Dec. 23, for the benefit of Mr. Reynolds, "Speed the Plough," and High Life Below Stairs; " Dec. 25 (Christmas night), an original farce written for this theatre, called "My Christmas Dinner," and a fairy tale entitled "Mysterious Rappings" (first time here), with "The Happy Man," made up the bill; Dec. 28, "Popping the Question," "My Christmas Dinner," "Mysterious Rappings," and "The Happy Man." Jan. 5, 1853, "The Road to Ruin" was given, with Blake as Old Dornton; Lester, Harry Dornton; and Brougham, Mr. Sulky. The Irish Heiress" was first acted at this theatre Jan. 17, with Walcot as Sir William, Brougham as Major Fuss, and Laura Keene as Norah. For Laura Keene's benefit, Jan. 20, "The Day After the Wedding," and "The Heir at Law," were presented, Laura Keene as Lady Elizabeth in the first play, and Cicely Homespun in the latter; Jan. 31, "The Lady of Lyons," with John Lester as Claude Melnotte, for the first time, and it held the stage until Feb 14, when "Old Heads and Young Hearts" was revived. Feb. 21 two novelties were presented for the first time here. One was, "Twould Puzzle a Conjurer," by the author of "Paul Pry," and the other the operetta called "First Come, First Served." In the former, Mr. Lee made his first appearance here, acting Peter. March 4 was given, for the first time in this country, "Pauline," with this

cast:

Count Horace de Beauvare John Lester | Mme. De Nerval.

Reynolds Harriet.

F. Chippendale Gabrielle

Laura Keene Estelle

March 16, for Mrs. Blake's benefit, "Married Life," and "Pauline," were given. March 18, for her benefit, Anna Malvina appeared in "Nan, The Good for Nothing." "The Pet of the Petticoats" played March 25, with Laura Keene as Paul. Time Works Wonders" was seen April 18: Blake as Goldkemp, Brougham as Trumes, F. A. Vincent as Jugby, Chippendale as Olive, and Laura Keene as Bessy. "The Young Quaker" was seen here for the first time April 27.

9,

James W. Wallack made his first appearance in five months, May in "Much Ado About Nothing," with this cast: