26
 

THE  NEW  YORK  CLIPPER  ANNUAL.
 

American debut as Mariana in "The Wife," July 25,1836.
Mme. Augusta's debut as a dancer is recorded as having
occurred Sept. 16, 1836. Ellen Tree (afterwards Mrs.
Charles Kean) was seen as Rosalind in "As You Like If
on Dec. 12, 18^6-her first perfe)rmance on any American
stage. Her triumphs in classic roles are still talked of.
James E. Murdoch, who is still hale and hearty, and eicca-
sionally appears as a reader, made his debut at the Park
during"the season of 1838-9, playing Benedick in "Much
Ado about Nothing." AndrcAV Jackson Neafie's fir.st ap¬
pearance on any stage Avas made as Othello during the
season of 1831 Mr. Neafie is today engaged in the real es¬
tate business in Ncav York City, and is Avealthy. William
CresAvick, the celebrated tragedian, made his first appear¬
ance in America on Aug. 31, 1839, as Claude Melnotte in
"The Lady of Lyons." "On Sept. 9 following Beethoven's
"Fidelio" Avas first performed in this countr.y. Fanny Ell¬
sler, of delightful memory, made her tirst^ja.? before Amer¬
ican spectators on May 14, 1841), when she took the tOAvn b.y
storm A\-ith "La Cracovienne" and "La Tarentule." Je)hn
B. Buckstone, Avhose sons, J. C. and Rowland, are on the
stage of this day, made his boAV here Aug. 17, 1840, in his
OAvn comed.y, "Single Life." On Jan. 8, 1841, Manager
Simpson, ofthe Park, migrated Avith his company to the
Franklin Theatre. June 1 folloAving the Park's scenery,
dresses, decorations, etc., Avere sold fbr $18,000 arrears of
rent due to John Jace)b Astor and Henry Beekman. But
Mr. Simpson Avas plucky enough to try again. Leasing the
house for a year (to expire dune 8, 1842), he reopened it
June 19, 1841, for a Summer sease)n, Avitli Fanny Ellsler as
the star. On Oct. 11, 1841, "London Assurance" Avas first
acteel in this country, Charle>tte Cushman being the Lady
Gay, Charles Fisher Max HarkaAvay, and Wheatley
Charles Courtley. On Oct. 4, 1812, Mr. and Mrs. John
Brougham made their debut here. James R. Ander¬
son's" first American appearance occurred, Sept. 2, 1844,
as Othello. With W. H. Crisp as Sir Charles Cold¬
stream, the comedy of "Used Up" Avas acted for the first
time in this country, Jan. 9, 1845. March 24, of the same
year, saw the performance of Anna Cora MoAvatt's
"Fashion"—a notable "society" theatrical event, anel per¬
haps the best one up to that date. Thomas S. Hamblin
succeeded Mr. Simpson in the management of the Park,
©pening it Sept 4. 1848, Avith himself as Hamlet. On Dec.
16, 1848, the theatre Avas destroyed by fire. Mr. Hamblin's
loss Avas about $25,000. Thus passed aAvay the most cele¬
brated of the earl.y American theatres. The only remem¬
brance of its former position is the name, "Theatre Alley."
 

THE CRYSTAL PALACE (1853).

This unique resort was located in Sixth Avenue and
Forty-second Street, and was inaugurated July 14, 1853.
It covered five acres. Its sides Avere composed of glass,
supported by iron. June 15, 1854, there Avas "a musical
congress." M. Juilien Avas the conductor. This artist
took a benefit here and made his la.st appearance in
America June 26. Oct. 31 the place Avas closed. During
the removal ofthe goods and the sales by auction visitors
were admitted at twelve and a half cents each. This edi¬
fice started in its delicate beaut.y from the earth like the
'magining of happ.y vision. VieAved at a distance, its
burnished dome re.iembled a half disclosed ballejon, as
large as a cathedral, t)ut light, brilliant and seemingly
ready to burst its bands and soar aloft. Nothing like this
building, in shape or size, material or effect, Avas ever be¬
fore, or since has been, seen in America. It Avas two
stories high. The first Avas in the form of an octagon, the
second a Greek cross. The centre of this Avas a dome
148ft. high. The four corners of the octagon Avere fur¬
nished each Avith tAvo towers, 70ft. high. These toAvers
supported flagstaffs. The construction of the building
was similar teJ that of the original in London. The main
buileiing covered 173,000 square feet, .galleries included,
and the additional building 33,000, being 206,000 in all.
The additional building Avas composed eif a first and sec¬
ond story, galler.A-, 21ft. broad and 45ft. long, lighted trom
above, th^.^ides being closed up, so as to form a suitable
place to exhibit pictures and statues. This additional
building Avas connected Avith the main one by two one
story wings, Avhich contained the refreshment rooms and
the mineralo.gical departments. There Avere twelve stair¬
ways, the balustrades of Avhich Avere light iron tracery.
The stairways Avere at each point of the compass, at the
sides and under the dome. Walls, properly speaking, the
building had not, being enclosed with glass sustaineel by
iron pillars. This mas's of cr.vstal occupied 45,u00 square
feet. The cast iron Aveighed 1,200 tons, the Avrought iron
3(X). Each pane of glass"Avas 16 by 38 inches. The prevail¬
ing style of architecture was Moorish and Bazantine in
its decorations. The ceilings Avere painted in octagons,
in blue, white, red and cream color. Greenough Avas the
decorative artist. There Avere three entrances to the
Palace, all alike, one on Sixth AA-enue, one on Fortieth
and one on Forty-second Street. Each entrance was 47ft.
wide, the central nave 41ft. Avide, and the aisles 54ft. Avide.
The (lome was lOOft. across. Though not nearly as large
as that of London, the building was superior in architec¬
tural beauty. The pluns Avere given in July, accepted in
August and operations commenced in November.   There
 

AA-ere about 6,000 contributors, 6,000 specimens of the
superlative genius and industry of all nations. The
twenty-ninth' annual fair of the American Institute
openeel here Sept. 15, 1857. Tlie Committee on Lands and
Plans of the Board of Aldermen, at a meeting, April 2,
1856, decided to report adversely to the petition asking an
extension of the (crystal Palace lease. The original lease
Avas granted for fivB years, and had till Jan. IS, 1857, to
run." Several owners of property in the vicinity of the
Palace appeared before the committee, and remonstrated
against an extension of the lease. The ground of their
remonstrance was that the.y bought their lots Irom the
(^orpe)ration at public auction, under the representation
that the .ground occupied b.y the Palace Avas to be laid out
as a public park. It Avas destroyed by fire Oct. 5, 1858. The
site is now called Bryant Park.
 

BARNUM'S ANN STREET MUSEUM (1842).

On De c. 27, 1841. Phineas Taylor Barnum purchased Dr.
John Scudder's American Museum collection, and re-
moA'ed it to the buildin.g corner of BroadAvay and Ann
Street. Mr. Barnum agreed to pay $12,000 in seven equal
instalments, and so economical Avas 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, lie purchased the collection of the Ncav York (known
as Peale's) Museum, Avhicli he removed to his museum.
He introduced to the public in December, 1842, Charles S.
Stratton, afterAvards famously knoAvn as Tom Thumb. He
Avas advertised as eleven .years of age. Mr. Barnum had
Avliat was termed a Moral Lecture Room, Avhere dramatic
perfe)rmances AA'ere given. In 1844, the company consisted
of Caroline Chapman, Mrs. Phillips, George Chapman,
Maria Barton, Great Western (father of Lucille and
Helen), John Dunn, Barney Williams, Billy Whitlock,
Luke West, the Martinetti Family and man.y others. Wm.
B. Harrison, the extemporaneeius singer, appeared here
this season. He Avas a popular comic vocalist. In 1848
Mr. Barnum bemghtthe collection ofthe Chinese Museum,
Philadelphia. William R. (ioodall made his first appear¬
ance in this city at this house in June, lf-50, as EdAvard
.Middleton in "The Drunkard." Emil.y Mestayer Avas the
leading lady here durin.g the seasons e/f 1851-2-3. The sea¬
son of "1852-3 commenced Aug. 30, Avith John Greenwood
as assistant mana.ger, and C. W. Clarke director of amuse¬
ments. The local, moral prize drama, entitled "The Or¬
phan's Dream," Avas presented. Emily Mestayer de-_
livered an opening address. The company Avas as fol
loAvs: C. W. Clarke', T. HadaAvay, J. Henkins, A. Andrews'
Sefton Parry, Chas. Warwick, Sylvester Bleeker, Martin
G. Clark, Jas. Conner, Charles Van Kleecker, Livingston,
Pierrepont, Marden, Whitman, Simpson, Thomason, the
Misses E. Mestayer, M. Augustin, Mortimer (noAV Mrs.
Louisa Eldridge)', Granice, Gladsteme, Alderman, Mar¬
shall, Morton, "GoldthAvaite, Colevolini, Jackson, Kate and
Ellen Adair, Dodge and La Petite Taglioni. April 25, H.
V. Daly made his first appearance in his native city, for
the benefit e)f C. W. (Clarke. H. J. ConAvay's version of
"Uncle Tom's Cabin'' Avas produced here Nov. 7, 1853. Ad¬
joining the Museum Avasthe Chemical Bank. When they
left it, Mr. Barnum erected on the site a building that he
added to his museum, and in it Avas the Lecture Room.
For the season of 1857-8, Harry Watkins Avas the director
eif amusements, and produced his drama of "Tlie Pioneer
Patriot." This piece Avas the turning point in the droop¬
ing fortunes e)f Barnum's Museum. For three seasons
prior to the production of this exciting drama the receipts
had become very discoura.ging to Mr. Barnum. "The
Pioneer Patriot" Avas a .great .go, and Mr. BarnuQi decided
to take advantage of the public excitement and "catch
the croAvel Avhile it Avas coming," by givin.g two perform¬
ances daily. This was the inauguration of the twelve
daily performances for the first time in the hi.story of the
drama. For Aveeks "The Pioneer PatrieU" packed the old
Museum, Avhile few houses in the country Avere making
expenses during those trying times of' 1857--8. "The
Pioneer Patriot'' Avas followed b.y "The Bride of an Even¬
ing," "Valentine and Orson," '"Jessie Wharton." "Our
Country's SincAvs," etc., all frf)m the pen of Harry Wat-
kins, Avho managed the theatre, and acted twice a day

During the season of 1857-8 Mrs. Louisa Eldridge be¬
came a member of the company. She appeared as Nancy
Strap in "The Pleasant Nei.ghbor;" she was there three
seasons. Thomas A. HadaAN-a.y Avas in the company at
this time. He had been living in retirement for some
time, on his farm at Long Lsland. He was induced to
emerge from that retirement, and for fifteen years was
one of the greatest favorites ever seen on this stage. He
Avas an excellent actor, and is at present one of the oldest
living Thespians, having been born in 1801. The dramatic
season of 1860-1 Avas inaugurated Sept. 10. E. A. Taylor
was the stage manager, and in the company Avera Joseph

E.  Nagle, Geo. H. Clarke, W. L. Jamiscm, E. Hayland,
Messrs. Bridgman, BroAA-n, Jardine, Cooke, Geo. Brookes,
Hughes, Hadaway, Chapman, De Forre.st, Anderson and
James, Mrs. R. France, Mrs. J. J. Prior, Agnes St. Clair,

F.  France, H. Alford, H. Walby and Douglas. The open¬
ing production was "Joseph and His Brethren,'' folloAved
bv  "Rose   Elmer,"  "Massaniello,"   "The   Magic  Well,"'