The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-04-04
The American Theatre-Mr. Jamison's Benefit

The American Theatre-Mr. Jamison's Benefit
The American Theatre closed last evening with
a complimentary benefit to Mr.. George W. Jami-
son. The house was crowded with ladies and gen.
temen, and the performance, as whole, was as
good as any which we have witnessed at either
theatre this season. In the play of "The Wife %
Mr.. Jamison performed the part of st. Pierre to
the admiration and satisfaction of all present and
in the imitations-particularly those of Kean,
Booth and Macready-the voice, the face, the ges-
ture of each was accurately given, that the
audience was rresistby impeed to vent its delight
by perfect storm of applause. In noticing the
performance, we should be playing " Hamlet with
the part of the Prince of Denmark omitted, did we
fail to notice our philosophical, poetical and mus-
cal friend Valentine, who sang three of his best
songs in his best style; and,who would have been
singing yet if he had answered to the calls of the
audience, which seemed determined not to be salts
fed, but in imitation of young Mr.. Twist eagerly
demanded "more.' Valentine has much speed and
bottom, but after three heats he expressed the opn
ion that in the present state of his wind he had run
enough.
At the conclusion of the performance Mr.. Jami-
son was loudly called for and appearing addressed
the audience in brief and appropriate manner.
He said that when he looked around him and saw
so large assembage, at the close of the theatri
cal season, and at period when the health of the
city was far from good, and reflected that they had
been called together for his benefit, no words of
which he was master could give utterance to his
feelings. He could not pretend to have deserved
this kindness but he could promise that all the
faculties of which he was master should be exer.
nioo m fhoirr IN hot he
would not voluntarily be unworthy of it. He felt
proud of it, not on his own account, than be-
cause it dsproved the assertion that the American
people would not properly patronize American
talent; it demonstrated that while they duly ap-
preciated foreign merit, they were anxious and
willing to encourage American actors who would
seek to deserve their good opinion. He thanked
the gentlemen who had signed the call for the
benefit, many of them entire strangers to him, and
he particularly thanked the Manager, Mr.. Place,
for the kind manner in which he had given it his
countenance and aid. Indeed, he said, we have
all had to thank him for the efforts which he
has made during an unfavorable season to advance
the interests and promote the comfort of those con-
nected with the establishment. For Mr.. Valentine,
you have thanked him yourselves. And now,
ladies and gentlemen, permit me to repeat nv
heartfelt thanks to you, and to bid you for the pre-.
sent, adieu.
So closed the American for the season. season
which has, we fear, been far less profitable to the
manager than it gave promise of BY a fair COM
but which, by affording to the public
renewed assurances that no untoward circumstan-
ces can overcome his enterprise and perseverance,
will make way for splendid theatrical career for
the future. The curtain has dropped the gas.lights
have been extnguished, the spectators who laughed
or wept at the mimic scene have departed, and the
American is gloomy as banquet-hal deserted, until
returning Autumn shall usher in new succession
of gayeties and amusements. To the manager and
actors we wish the best of health and spirits during
their summer ramblings, and hope to see them hale
and joyous again " in the fall.''