The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-12-31
coiton's Laughing Entertainment at the


COitons Laughing Entertainment NJ the
Tabernacle.
On looking into the Tabernacle last night, at
half pas.7 o'clock, we found large assembly OF
rather mixed kind, waiting in anything but pa
tient mood for the commencement OF the farcical
entertainment OF the evening. No solemn silence
pervaded the assembly, or depressed the animal
spirits no reserve east her grey mantle over the
scene; not particle OF restraint was observable.
and to Judge OF the merry faces Of all present, every
and consecrating the last night but OF thisyear
TO merry old Momus.
Mr. Timms played prelude on the organ, and
wasslistened to with commendable patience, cons-
derng the restveness which now and again be-
trayed itself, in suppressed remarks expressive Of
anxiety to see the laughing gas in operation At
last Mr. Cotton advances and entered into some
preliminary observations, for the better understand
ing Of the whole proceedings He told them OF
the chemical composition, the mode Of operation
the effects of Nitrous Oxide Gas. 1t was mostplea
SAINT to take, and the better the swallow OF those who
present, the author, the gas, and every thing
else would go down with them The sensation
was delightful, provided he who took II was de-
lighted with it, He could tell beforehand what de-
velopmen,s OF character would be made-whether
person was pugnaclous or muscal-grave or gay
lively or severe, agreeable or Otherwise, just by
looking at them. Moreover, it did not depend upon
what one thought at the time OF inhaling the gas,
as to how they should act or speak, which was a
great advantage to those who thought none at all,
as they were put upon perfectly democratic loot
ing with the most profound (cTies OF hear. hear.)
Nobody there should be the least in dread of per-
petratlng anything lndecorOus or unbecomlng, for
experience showed that people, even without the
gas, did not possess the faculty much, of finding
fault with their oven actions or demeanor Mr..
Cotton proceeded with an eulogy upon those self
sacrificing and highly respectable gentlemen who
had volunteered TO assist him, and closed up with
a happy parody on the exultation of Richard the
Third:
Now is the winter OF your pretty faces
Made glorious summer by the nitrous oxide,
And all the cares that lowered upon your ey e.brow
In the deep bottom Of the gas has buried.
Cloud cries Of " bravo" and much appause)
Mr.. CoLToN made short pause, and resumed
his address for the purpose OF exhOrting them 10
remain silent whilst the subject was in the act Of
taking down the gas, as interruption often pro-
duced an uniav0rable effect. Now let me ask,
said Mr.. G., if there are any gentlemen present
who would volunteer to occupy the seats up here
topreyent the satatory somersets Of the somnam-
bulisc subjects?
In an instant two hundred and fifty. one men,
nineteen taiors and two bull dogs rushed and push
ed and smashed and dashed out OF the seats and
over them down the alsles, and were upon the plat
form at one spring. II was a terrific charge, but
successful as any upon record, as the possession
OF the platform was obtained not wthouta struggle,
but without hostile encounter, save from the vo-
ciferous kissing which assaled them from all parts
Of the house, because they intercepted the line OF
vision, and there was alternative but retreat,
they wisely took that step, and so restored com.
paratlve tranquility.
ed pause, during which there was an industrious
search made for the first subject; but none appear
ing TO occupy the first place. Mr. Gotten, after
few instructions to all around as 70 the best way o.
hrppt hIc intau nj
showing the effects Of his nostrum first upon him.
self-a thing that no quack would dare attempt
Cloud applause.)
the audience highly elated. Nothing remarkable
was elected, save his recitation of Hamlet's soil
loquy; but from the tameness, yet cOherency OF
his delivery, we believed il to be altogether simu.
lated. At last his grimaces lost the name of ac-
ton, and the balance of self possession was re-
stored to the spectators for the better behodng the
antics of subject
No. !. The, bag was again filled, and =, all
gas was swallowed, the face became pallid,
the eyes wild and prominent, and the whole Wis
age as scowling as that OF Bombastes Furioso. IN
afew seconds the fit was over, and the young gen.
ileman retired with abundant plaudlts
No. stepped forward-Out came the bag-n
went the nitrous oxide. Silence prevailed in the
Tabernacle and behold, II was not good to be a
distant door-keeper In the house ot-laughter. -
Now he benches-now he rees-now his fugitive
expressions obtain utterance, and resound through
the house in the exclamations, "Come here, my
darling" "Woodman, spare that tree," and then
sunk down upon ms seat with complete conipo-
sure. Cloud laughter.)
No. drinks deep, and looks very shallow--stag-
gers, marches, struts, faces the audience with a
stern and martial air. and few struggling but ie-
rociousy delivered remarks, ending with the
hilarty)
The only difference exhibited in the effects Of
the gas on the next subject from his predecessor.
was the ingenious method he had Of applying the
tip OF his right thumb to the extremity of his nasal
pretubeiance, which clever, bat simple movement,
cCnvused the entire assemblage with roars II
laughter. The termination OF this case subsidized
INTO doeful dlty, at the second verse OF which
he was himself again. (The usual marks of ap
OfNMP ac& Us the uersn, ...a-L o0 ,hs suc
ceeding case was diversified by graceful dance
furious sruttiDg up and down the platform, most
petrlfying stare al the spectators, and a ceremon
Gus retreat to his original obscurlty.
Another, with a spasmodlc effort Jumped TO an
Incredible height, and in piercing voice, called,
/" Almighty God! who's there ? Whar? Whooh ~
and after series OF marches and countermarches,
sat down.
His successor was powerful man, and drank
heavily OF the gas, and upon the disappearance OF
the premOnltory systems, he started with the eacu-
latlon--" Gracious God"-pounced upon Mr. Col
ton, and quick as lightning laid him PROSTATE Qm.
mense excltement.) Five or six ran 10 his relief,
and succeeded IN rescuing him unchanged from the
giant energy OF the intoxicated, who continued 10
yell and roar in the most terrific and dlabolical
manner
The remaining cases did not much differ from
the above. They were for the most part taciturD
subjects, and therefore cannot be reported vrba-
tim. One danced, another sang, third stared
wlldly-but in no instance was mere anything t.
seize upon the intellectual occupy the reflective
faculties al the audience; who, however, went 10
be amused, and OF course effected their purpose
Some Is or l6 cases having been disposed Of,
MIR. Cotton announced to them that his 80 friends
who promised TO attend, were minus the balance
and therefore he would wind up with few chemi.
the professor in the act of generating quantity OF
hydrogen gas-which appeared very like bottle
OF smoke.
| PETIT oNs.-" What's in a nameP' And fol
that matter what virtue is there in thousane
| names? We recollect the case of n clever and in
genious gentleman, who obtained five hundred sig