^2
 

.    THE  NP:W YORK   CLIPPER  ANNUAL.
 

Junius Brutus Booth, the elder; Bassanio, Andrew Picker¬
ing; Lorenzo, Plummer (who afterwards became a negro
minstrel); Launcelot, Thomas Placide; Portia. Mrs.
Flynn; Nerissa, Clara Woodhull; Jessica, Mrs. Conduit.
The remaining piece Avas "The Man With the Carpet Bag,"
in which, as Grimes and Wrangle, William Mitchell and
Charles D. S. Howard fliade their first appearances in
America. Charles Saint Thomas Burke made his first ap¬
pearance in this city at this house, Sept. 3, 1836, Avhen, in
his fifteenth year, he acted the Prince of Wales in "Rich¬
ard III." Mme. Celeste produced the ballet of "The Maid
of Cashmere, or le Dieu et la Bayadere" here, for the
first time in America, Oct. 3, 1836. It took the toAvn by
storm. Willard & Flynn retired from the management
March 6, 1837. Oct. 15, 1836, a benefit Avas gotten up fcjr
Thomas Hamblin. The price of tickets Avas two dollars
each, admitting the bearer to all parts of the house, and
the receipts were upwards of three thousand dollars. This
theatre was sold at auction in November, 1836, for $75,000,
and purchased by Mr. Mauran, a merchant ot this city,
and James H. Hackett, and the^y leased it to James W.
Wallack. J. W. Wallack opened for the season Sept. 4,
1837, Avith "The Rivals." Ben De Bar came from New Or¬
leans and joined the company. Mrs. William Sefton (Ann
Duff Waring, afterwards Mr.s. J. W. Wallack Jr.) joined
the company Oct. 24, 1837, makin.g her first appearance as
Emilia to Wallack's Othello. Miss Missouri made her first
appearance on the stage at this house in April, 1838, as
Alice in "Ernest Maltravers." Her full name was Louisa
Missouri Miller, and she Avas a sister to Josephine Clifton.
EdAvin Forrest starred here from Sept. 3 to 22, 1838. J. W.
Wallack opened 24 and Mme. Celeste 27. Edward Seguin
made his American debut here, as did Mrs. HardAvick,
Josephine Stephan, Mme. Hazard, James Browne, Mrs.
Seguin, Mr. Freer and others.

The theatre Avas destroyed by fire Monday afternoon,
Sept. 23, 1839. The building Avas the joint property of
W^ashington Coster and Mauran. James W. Wallack Sr.
wasthelessee and owner of all the "properties." Tlie fire
originated in the gas room beneath the stage. James W.
Wallack immediately enga.ged Niblo's Gar'elen, and for a
short but unprofitable season gave dramatic perform¬
ances there, closing Nov. 18. In 1840 this house Avas con-
siderabl.y altered, remodeled after Niblo's Garden, anel
reopened June 29 Avith a concert. There Avas a Avooden
promenade, and many colon d lanterns. Alex. Wilson Avas
the manager. He opened Oct. 12, 1840. Bad times soon
brought its first season to a te^rmination, and ended Mr.
Wilson's connection Avith the place. W. E. Burton became
the next manager, and here made his first metropolitan
essay of the kind, which might have proved successful had
not the theatre been destroyed by fire for the second time.
Mr. Burton opened April 13,1841, Avith "The Naiad Queen."
F. C. Wemyss Avas stage manager. Charlotte (Bushman
played the Queen, and commanded the female Avarriors.
On 20, the Ellsler Brothers made their American debut as
"The Lionards." This was folloAved by tlie tragedy, "The
Grecian Queen."

An attempt was made to destroy this theatre by fire.
May 28,1841. It Avas discovered about six o'clock in the
evening. Fire Ayas found in eight different places, and
under^uch circumstances as to leave no doubt that the
Avhole was a Avicked attempt to destroy this beautilul
edifice. A second and successful attempt was made May
29, 1841. At the close of the performance of May 28 Mr.
Burton, with Mr. Wemyss and Mr. Russell, remained on the
premises until about half past three, and had a thorough
search through eyer.y part, and it appeared perfectly safe.
Mr. Russell then retired to his room in the theatre,
and Avent to bed. He rose after six o'clock, Avent to the
stage door in the rear of the building and stood in con¬
versation Avith the private Avatchman of the establish¬
ment. While thus occupieel something AA-as seen to fall
from one of the upper rooms, and in a veiy few moments
flames Avere seen to proceed from several different parts
of the building. The alarm Avas instantly given, but so
rapid Avas the progress of destruction that it Avas with dif-
ficult.y .Mr. Russell rescued his Avife, Avho Avas in bed. Not
a vestige of the Avardiobe Avas saved. The rear Avail and
the side Avail on Franklin Street both gave way in so
short time alter the fire began that it Avas by the mercy
of Providence alone that numbers were not crushed to
deatii in tlie adjoining houses. The mortar all fell from
the bricks, and the latter looked as clean almost as when
new; and the whole building Avent down to the ground in
less than one hour, except part of the front Avail and the
side wall on Leonard Street.
 

CASTLE GARDEN (1822).

This historic amusement resort was formerly an old
fort, perfectly round, and about 1,200 feet in circumfer¬
ence. The Avhole building was covered AA'ith a lofty dome,
supported by light, Gothic pillars. Castle Garden, situated
on a mound of earth in front of the Batterj', Avas origi¬
nally knoAvn as Ca.stle Clinton. It Avas erected by the gen¬
eral government in 1807. It Avas built out nearly 300 yards
from the mainland, bein.g connected therewith by a draAV-
bridge of stone and wood. During the establishment ot
more efficient defences in the harbor, it Avas ceded, in
 

1822, to the city. In 1824 it was leased to private individ¬
uals, and converted into a place of amusement Round
the whole fort ran a deep gallery, supported by massive
stone pillars, Avitli room enough to seat six thousand per¬
sons; and, Avhen croAvded, ten thousand persons could be
stowed Avithin its Avails. The stage Avas located on the
nejrth side of the garden, and fairly jutted out into the au¬
dience part of the buileiing. In 1826 the interior resem¬
bled a fanciful garden, tastefully ornamented with shrubs
and fiowers; the loAver promenade exhibited a beautiful
panoramic view, painted by celebrated artists and deco¬
rated Avith marble pedestals and busts, representing the
four seasons of the year and the ditterent quarters of the
globe. The busts were imported from Italy, and Avere the
Avork of celebrated sculptors. Elegant entrances were
made into the saloon, Avhich opened for the convenience
of the company. The bars were supplied with choice
liquors, confectionery, ices, etc. In the evening the gar¬
den Avas lighted Avitli gas in a most brilliant and novel
manner. An excellent band was engaged. In fact, no pains
or expense AA'cre spared to make this the most splendid
place of public amusement in the Avorid. During the
season brilliant exhibitions of fireworks were given. The
price of season tickets for families was $iO, Avhich ad¬
mitted at all times (benefits excepted) one gentleman, any
number e)f ladies not exceeding six, and children of said
family under 14 years. Season tickets to admit one gen¬
tleman and tAvo ladies, at all times (benefits excepted),
.$5. Admittance to non-subscribers, 12>^ cents, except on
exhibitions. About 1839 the fort came into private hands
■on a long lease, and Richard French, the original proprie¬
tor of French's Hotel, Avas the lessee. He associated Avith
himself a Mr. Heiser, and they proceeded to cliange the
appearance as much as possible. Castle Garden was
planted Avith trees, turf anel floAvers. Where once barbette
auns froAvned over the parapets, shady walks Avere ar¬
ranged, and the.garden Avas illumined at night with lamps
and transparencies. The interior Avas cleared out, and the
Avarlike aspect of the structure took on a more peaceful
appearance. For many years this cosy and delightful
spot Avas the favorite resort of the people, for in those
days the fashionable part of town was below Chambers
Street. There was a band of Ethiopian singers, etc.,
there in 1845 and 1846, consistins of Billy VVhitlock, Charles
White, Dan (Jardner and Barney Williams. But finally
the garden became deserted. Mr. French built his hotel,
"and Castle Garden underwent- another change about 1847,
this time becoming an opera nouse or large concert haVL

French & Heiser opened it June 28, 1847, for a Summer
season Avith a dramatic company, which included George
Holland, Chas. M. Walcot, Arncd'd, Herr Cline, Miss Clarke,
Mrs. W. Isherwood and others. John Cline AA-as a daring:
and skillful performer on the slack Avire. Aug. 8, the Ha¬
vana Opera Co. commenced a season. They alternated
Avith other entertainments. The season closed Sept. 26,
Avith a benefit to the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum. It
Avas reopened June 5, 1S48, Avitli Geo. Holland as the dra¬
matic director, and the compan.y included George An¬
drews, John Nickinson, Baker, Roehr, G. Clark, W. B.
Cemove^r, Mr.s. Vernem, Miss Pray, Charlotte Nickin.son,
Mrs. Phillips and the dancers, Mme. Augusta and Mons.
Bouxary. The Havana Opera Troupe began a season June
8, 1850, Avhich lasted until Sept. 7. The company—one of
the strongest that had appeared in this city lip to that
time—included Si.gnors Marini, Salvi, Lorini, Vietti, C.
Badiali, Luigi, Vietta, Coletti, F. Badiali, Signorinas Bo-
sio, Stetfanone, Tedesco, Caroline Vietta and Elisa Costini,
with Arditi and Botcsini as conductors. On Sept. 11,
Jenny Lind gave her first concert in America, uneler the
management of P. T. Barnum. The sale of tickets for the
first concert took place on Saturday, Sept. 7, 18£0. The
proprietors of the Garden saAV fit to make the usual charge
of one shilling to all persons Avho entered the premises.
Yet 3,000 persons were present at the auction. One thou¬
sand tickets Avere sold em tlie first day for an aggregate
sum of $10,141. Five thousand per^ons were present at
Jenny Lind's debut. The reception that was accorded
to Jenny Lind Avas never before equaled in the Avorld. As
Julius Benedict led her toAvaids the footlights, the entire
audience rejse to their leet and Avelcomed her Avith three
cheers. She Avas called three times before the audience.
The gross receipts fnnn her first concert amounted to
$17,864.05. For the second concept $14,203.03. The third
concert took place Sept. 17, and the receipts Avere $12,519.20.
The orchestra consisted of sixty musicians. Of Jenny
Linds half receipts of the first two concerts, she devoted
$10,000 to charity in New York, the Widow and Orphans'
Fund of the Fire Department receiving $3,000. The re¬
ceipts for her fourth concert Avere $14,266.09; fifth concert,
$12,174.74; sixth concert, $16,028.39.

Max .Maretzek commenced a Summer season June 23,
1851, of Italian opera, Avith the artists Avho had been giving
Italian opera at Astor Place Opera House. Season tickets
Avere issued for the Summer at $15 each, which admitteei
to all representations, benefit nights alone excepted. The
admission Avas 50 cents. One of the most remarkable en¬
tertainments ever given in this city Avas a complimentary
benefit tendered to E. A. Mar.shall at this place Aug. 12,
1851. Mr. .Marshall Avas mana,ger of the Broadway The¬
atre, this city, and the Walnut Street Theatre, Philadel¬
phia. On Aug. 29, Signora C. Vietti took a benefit, Avhen
"Lucrezia Bor.gia" Avas given for the first time in NeAv
York.   On Sept. 1 "Norma" had its first representation