The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-15
FANNY ELSSLER.

The theatrical gazetes of our city announce that
Mile Fanny Elssler-the dipine Fanny as she has
been most mpiousy styled by her admirers-has con-
sensd again to rradiale city with the light of her
presence, after clearing in her Southern campaign
some 700 600 over her most lavish expenditures and
that she will bless the longing eyes of her idola-
tiers with an exhibition of OF the most brilliant
and costly pirouettes that vet added grace to the
refinement delicacy to the purity of New York An
adoilng pubic OF course hold their dollars in hand
ready for a rush pellme to the box-oflice
Now we do not propose at this time enter gcner-
ally upon the question of the propric,y and whole
someness of theatrical entertainments but we desire
to submit to the reputable and virtuous WOMEN of
New York some considerations bearing on the propre
~ and rghtulness OF their countenancng the career
OF Mile Essler by appearing spectators of her cr-
formances
We cnreat every true woman of our city to Law
tsde for one moment all preconcepiions and preudices
relating to Theatres, and steadily regard this matter
IN its naked aspect Let us suppose that female of
such character as Madame ElssIers notoriously ia
one who even had the excuse of necessity for
life OF wantonness and shame-were to advertise to
deliver lecture tomorrow evening some interesting
theme which she was perfectly competent TO elucdae
how many reputable Women would think proner ~
he among the number of her auditors Could there
possibly be SIX hree3 one But is the case better
when the heroine is deprived by her heaps of treasured
wealth, her every circumstance from the horrible no.
cessity Of leading life Of infamy-when instead of
an unexceponabe Lecture she proposes TO M Ike such
an exhibition of her powers and her person as that of
Madame Eissler-and when instead of decent lee
urc-room, this exhibition is 10 take place with other
wanons in front of the maiden or ma,ron spectator
two drunkcries in the rear, and public resignation
hall over head How far these delicate concom-
tants be calculated to purify the atmosphere and Justify
the presence of virtuous Women
We plead for Woman in this matter; and we ask
those Of the sex who will be mporuned to attend the
performances of Mile. Elsser TO consider the conse-
quences Of compliance not to themselves merely but
to the cause Of Virtue and Purity universally. In
the ryes OF the mass of mankind whatever is hallow-
ed by the presence Of reputable Women is virtuous
proper, commendable-at any rate as good as they
care for What then, must be the standard Of female
virtue established In the minds Of the masculine thou
sands assembled to gaze the reveaings of the lrou
cite and the cachucha as they turn their ewes for
moment inquiringly from the stage and meet the ar
dent, admiring gaze Of intelligent and reputable Wo.
man fixed approvngly, adniriney on the voluptuous
spectacle before them Who does no, reolze ina,
the corrupt in soul will return with keener zcst 10
their enjoyment, confirmed and emboldened in their
innate conviction that all virtue is but decent bypo
crisy cunning calculationl Who can shut her
eyes TO the conviction that the smiles the cheers the
braves bestowed upon this giIdcj, gnering, shame
less creature-the castof mistress OF half the titled
iberines Of Europc-are in truth oyaons TO brazen