New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-06-17
MACBETH ON A " BUST"
ANAN ANTI-TEMPERANcE TALE.

There was once. upon certain time, GER
tain manager of "a certain theatre, located in
New York, who was always enjoining the prin-
ciples of temperance upon his actors. The
slightest token Of inebriatiou on the part OF q
performer insured a reprimsnd, o forfeit or .
| discharge. Consequently the stage, with its
! drau,dtis personn, always appeared az sober
and sedate as n bucket full of Croton or Cochit-
nate water 1t might be that some few in
dulged once in while in q '' violation" but
being actors, they knew how to play sober.
The manager appeared delighted at the result
of his teachings, and congratulated himself
upon the knowledge of his having a trusty, re-
liable company, and that this state Of affairs
had been brought about principally by the force
of his example. s
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 u 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 Dowdv for the two friends, after mu-
| tual congratulations, sought the steamship, and
while on boar,l, absolutely, positively, indulged
in various and multitudinous-drinks!
Our manager was TO enact the grim tyrant
| Macbeth, that night, and " rushing house."
was the consequence OF the announcement
Night came the theatre was filed, and the
b'hoys were indulging in their favorite hi-hrs
as the time approached for the raising Of the
curtain.
| Macduf Duncan, Banquo--all, had encassd
themselves in their tartain plaid Lady Mac
beth had stood before The mirror a. full hour,
making up savage faces wherewith to give her
high lord particular fits if he refused to knock
under to tc0mGn's rights.
The three witches were wandering behind
the scenes mumbling to themselves something
about ale Of dragon, tooth of wolf," a
baby born and strapg led in ditch by drab.
| three ounces Of some unfortunate young lady
who had possessed red hair, etc, etc.-the or
chestra had scraped and blowed until elbow fluid
and lungs were exhausted, and still no manager
no Macbeth
The hi his continued, and " confusion worse
confounded" reigued every where. At last.
when the storm ragged fiercest, carriage was
driven 10 the stage entrance, and in very
fee6ie state, the manager Was helped out and
carefully led to his dressing room. A physi-
clan was called, and messengers were dispatched
for ice soda-wster. vinegar. lemons, and other
articles generally described in desperate cases
of meases-ol,ieken- p-corns-swelled head,
etc.-and Macbeth was soon assisted to the
stage.
The play progressed, and at its proper cue,
the trumret Of Macbeth announced the approach
OF the King hereafteF;" TIE army preceded.
and then the hero came down the mountain
, pass, an. TODD revealed in all his glory vet,
let lie say ere, that while in transisu the un-
) certain gaiC and apparent fntigpe of the head
of the army, seemed to enlist the syrlpsthies Of
J all around, behind and before him.
Mloheth's first exclamation to the Weird Sis
ters was a rich display of spiritual oratory
$ startling and potet:onGi and piats re OBJ
: served du ing its delivery and the tragedy pro.
coded Throughout the performance, the SAINT
quaint, unusua. style was adopted by The trage
; diar, anlthe audience remained i'll vast wonder
meat
> The last scene came where the rival chief
c taips the two Macs--meet for deadly combat
They .aet--but in +" coming 10 guard, Macbeth
sword insisted upon missing Maedufs clay
> more, and not until several attempts had beel
y made, did the weapons meet
Is The warriors stood, fercely frowning at eae
g other, the audience were still rs death, impa
tient to behold the expected fight; Macbeth di
not seem inclined TO lay oa " or alter his pc
l. s;tion at last amid the breath'ess silence, whe
N every eve was strained, aud every heart SCENE
st 10 have stopped its beating, voice came froi
n the pit which articulated in imploring tones
oii 8 Lay on easy .Naeduf, for Macbeth is a
oi drunk as Ill"
We The reefs in the green baize were immediatel
We let out. [Dutchman.
er In every situation, and on every occasio
l. study to be firm, resigned, moderate in your q