The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-11

NEw YoRK-The building Of the Hippodrcme, at Madison
square, commenced Monday Of last week. deserves al
most much attention. and Is object Of nearly much
public interest," the progress Of the Systa Palace
ing doe Of ground equal in extent to that OF
the Worlds Fair besides the advantage of being located
nearly half mile further down town. Upwards Of one
hundred and fifty workmen and artists employed
in its construction, under contract to deliver the build
ings and enclosure to Francon completed early in April
The magnitude Of this enterprise and the large amount
capital $500 0o required to carry out among the
other evidences which go to show the onward march Of
the republic its growing appetite for expensive and
rious amusements and the increasing resources at
mand for their indulgence.
It. scarcely half century ago when the only place Of
public amusement in this city was the John street
theatre, with company of English actors and
occasionally small circus company that performed
in shanty built amphtheatre at the foot Of Rector
street. North river Little addition made to our pub
Lie exhibitions until the close of the of 1872 when
fresh impetus given to popular entertainments by the
arrival Of European taent-dramatic and equestrian
Kean the elder introduced for the first time before the
New York audience afterwards followed by the greet
Conway, Booth, Kemble, Barnes Cowe and the two Wal
lacks West, the founder Of Tattersals in Broadway,
brought from England superb stud Of circus horses
with several famous ridcrs-Hunter, Tatna Williams
and Bithe among the rest Cook with another English
troupe established yauxha i'll selected locality which
ruined the enterprising proprietor and that
ceeded by the Lafayette and the Mount Pitt both Of
which, under the management of General Sanford soon
died . natural death.
English OPERA which hitherto had only been repre-
scented by Mr.. Lamb whs sang sentimental ballads at
the Chatham Gardens Of Hppolite Barere upon plat
form constructed the fountAn At that delightful
resort and where parties RECALLED themselves in
;co IA hoo~
Dream," all at the expense of shilling af-
forwards strengthened the coming and appearance
Of Phillips and Ingedon at the Park theatre.
From this moment the tastes and feelings Of the
public seemed to undergo thorough change not only
in reference to operate entertainments but in all mat
ters pertaining to amusements in general The immense
Of Phillips, the singer, started host OF other
vocasts the Atlantic, in rapid succession Soon
afterwards followed the debut Of Garcia and his msgnif-
operatc corps Of Italian sngers-the first that ever
appeared in this countrycomprising the incomparab
signorna Garcia, afterwards the Malbran) Garcia.
junior, and the great Angrasin
The erection Of the Bulls Head theatre, Bowery
through the enterprise Of Charles Gfer the star mana
ger Of his day brought out also for the nrst time
this country, tho French corps de ballet with the famous
Hutton and Celeste at its head This the meora-
Bile epoch when General Morris and Samuel Woodworth
wrote patriotic plays in partnership, and when Jared W.
Bell printed the bills and assisted the management.
These called the vigorous days Of the drama in New
York being the first introduction OF large bills and
champagne. The French opera Of Mons. Davis with
Madame Cause and tie celebrated Boze came next and
had its The establishment Of regular opera houses
followed next-Palno's, the Astor Place, and Trpler
Hah-wth their brilliant debu,aates the Sontags, the
Albonis, and Jenny Lind.
Yet notwithstanding the progress Of every other spo-
or. 20 ~;
little done for the legitimate arena fer the manly
games and dangerous eats Of the hppodrome to excel
in which the Greeks looked upon the perfection Of
glory and which Cicero less honora BILE
than the consular dignity with the ancient Romans.
1t is curious fact, that notwithstanding the great
fortunes amassed by the leading theatrical propretors
this country-men whose energy and enterprise have
prompted them to traverse every and land in the four
quarters Of the globe in Of novelty TO crafty pub
lie curiosty-none should have thought OF erecting
a hppodrome in this city before. And this suggests
another fact somewhat mortfyng to self PRIDE that
notwithstanding the wealth and resources OF those
said propretors, and the munifcent hberality OF
the public, there is not an establishment in the
whole country, with the single exception Of Welch's
in Philadelphia where ordinary circus perform
be given with effect. The amphitheatre in
the Bowery, although in the Of its existence
it has been profusey patronsed and has BEEN under va
rous arrangements, school where equestrian talent Of
the highest order has often graduated yet its best pu
pills. from the want Of proper building wherein to dis
play their Skill have be compelled to seek in other
countries more congenia to their interests that support
and encouragement which they have right to look for
at home.
But Francoh with his chariots and Amazonian
driyers-his troops Of hunters racers and gorgeous
amongst in full force taking the
wide field to himself with his "Big Show unryaled