Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-06-25
Macbeth on a 4" Bust"
AN ANTI-TEMPERANCE TALE,

AN ANTI-TEMPERANCE TALE.
There was once, upon a certain time,
certain manager of certain theatre, To-
Gated in New York, who was always
en]oining the principles of temperance
upon his actors. The slightest token of
inebrlation on the part of performer,
insured reprimand, forfeit, or a dis
charge. Consequently, the stage, with
its dramatas personG, always appeared as
sober and sedate as bucket full of Cro-
ton Or Cochituate water. It might be
that some few indulged once in a while in
a violation" but being actors. they
knew how to play sober. The manager
appeared delighted at the result of his
teaching, and congratulated himself upon
the knowledge Of his having trusty, re-
liable company, and that this state of
affairs had been brought about princi-
pally by the force of has example.
A British steamship: one day, in an
evil hour, glided up the East River, and
was moored at her pier. On board that
particular steamship was q particular
friend OF our manager. This friend had
been absent from the Empire City for
many months, and his first thought upon
landing was to pay visit to his chum,
the manager. -
Weep Crocodile tears, Sir John of
Cough lament, st. John of Hawke |!
kneel down, great Neal of Dowdy for
the two friends, after mutual cons neratula-
tions, sought the steamship, and while
on board, absolutely. positively, INDUCED
IN various and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. !
Our manager was to enact the grim
tyrant Macbeth, that night, and "a rush
ing house" was the consequence of the
announcement.
Night came; the theatre was filled,
and the b'hoys were indulging in their
favo7ite hi-hi's as the time approached
for the raising of the curtain.
Macduff, Duncan, Banquo- all, had
encased themselves in their tartain plaid.
Lady Macbeth had stood before the mir
ror full hour, making up savage faces
wherewith to give her high lord particu-
lar fits if he refused to knock under to
momae'S rights.
The three witches were wandering be-
hind the scenes mum bling to themselves
something about :" scale Of dragon, -
''tooth Of wolf," a baby born and stran-
gled in ditch by drab, three: ounces
of some unfortunate young lady, who had
possessed red hair, ETC., etc.--the orches-
ira had scraped and blowed until elbow
fluid and lungs were exhausted, and still
no manager-no Macbeth.
The hi-hi's continued, and 'sconfusion
worse confounded " reigned every where.
At last, when the storm ragged tiercest, Il
carriage was driven to the stage entrance,
and in a very feeble state, the manager
was helped out and carefully led
to his dressing-room. A physician
was called, and messengers were dis
patched for ice, soda-water, vinegar,
lemons, and other articles generally de-
scribed in deperate cases of measles
chicken-pip-corns-swelledhe head, ETC.
and Mocbeths was soon assisted to the
stage.
The play progressed, and at it's proper
cue, the trumpet of Macbeth announced
the approach of the king hereafter ;"
the army preceded, and then the hero
came down the mountain pass, and stood
revealed in all his glory: yet, let me say
here, that while IN transitu the uncertain
gait and apparent fatigue of the head of
the army, seemed to enlist the sympathies
of all around, behind and before him.
Macbeth's first exclamation to the
Weird Sisters was rich display of spirit
ual oratory, startling and pototioool: and
p,nfs were observed during its delivery
and the tragedy proceeded. Throughout
the performance, the same quaint, un-
usual style was adopted by the tragedian,
and the audience remained in vast wonder
ment.
The last scene came, where the rival
chieftains-th two Aacs-meet for deadly
combat. They met; but in coming to
guard" Nacbeth's sword insisted upon
missing Macduff's claymore, and not till
several attempts had been made did the
weapons meet.
The warriors stood, fiercely frowning
at each other; the audience were still as
death, impatient to behold the expected
fight Macbeth did not seem inclined to
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