New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-03-29
Nsh 0rItans 9ailp Grsstsnt.
MONDAY MORNING, MARCH %, 1858.

MONDAY MORNING, MARCH 20, 1858.
ST.. CHARLES THEArER-This theater was never
more brilliantly crowded on any occasion than It
on Saturday night, the occasion Of Miss Avonia
Jones' last appearance, and Of the complimentary
testimonial rendered to her by Of our appreca-
tive theatergoing iellowcitizens. 1t was indeed
benefit such as the young lady deserved, and one
rejecting credit upon the friends of the drama in
New Orleans.
As Adrienns, the actress, we think Miss Jones dis
played more ability, let out fuller gush of the nature
within her. than in any of her previous representa-
tons. She seemed to draw inspiration from the
presence of the magnificent audience before her. and
to bring forth all her energies for crowning effort
In the frst acts Of the play where she the dash
ing, heroehearted actress drawn into the meshes Of
court intrigue by her love for the noble youth who
saved her from mob's brutality Maurice de Sars,
personated by Mr.. Charles Pope--she was all that
we could wish to see her. Her portrayal Of
the conflicting emotions Of love, jealousy, pride,
and grief, panorama Of soul pictures, falling
keeny and sweety into the hearts of the absorbed
ditors. The scene in which Maurice was compelled TO
stand on his nobility and treat Adrenne with nditer
ence and in which, to heighten her humiliation, the
triumphant Duchess asked her to recite verses
from one Of her stage parts was given with splendid
effect The concentrated indignation, the fiery spirit,
the keen relish with which the actress reeted
containing hidden sting, for the Duchess, to
notion equal in power and thrilling effectiveness to
any previous delineation of the kind that ever fell
under eye. In the last act the griefsckness the
humiliation, and the madness drawn from the kissing
of the poisoned bouquet, were SO finely performed,
as to tempt almost to depart from our previously
formed opinion and expressed assertion that Miss
Jones was merely very good for a novice, and to set
her down great actress any how. The Maurice Of
Pope was finely acted throughout, and Edwards
Michonet pleased us considerably.
The pleasure of the audience, manifested SO heart
lily during the progress of the play, reached its cul
minating point when the curtain fell. In obedience
TO the laundering call of the house, the fair benefc
ary came out, led by Mr.. Pope, and received honors
which we are sure she will not speedily forget
Amidst the storm of bravos and elappings, and
stampings and shouts, floral storm swept the stage
Among the tributes thrown upon the stage were an
enormous and rare boquet, the center made up Of
huge ripe strawberries, and beautiful wreath Of
orange flowers. Being called to one of the side
boxes, Miss Jones gracefully bowed her head, and
ceived upon it beautiful crown of flowers and ever
greens, from the hands Of a sweet little girl put for
! ward for the purpose. She had not finished bowing
her acknowledgements when she was called second
time to the same box and Mayor Waterman, stand
ing FORTH presented her. on behalf of the gentlemen
who had rendered her the benefit splendid diamond
bracelet She was then called to the opposite box
from which rich chaplet of golden wheat was placed
on her head, above the garland she already wore
We need hardly state, that these proceedings were
endorsed throughout and in the most tumultuoui
manner by the audience.
Upon the subsidence of the noise, Miss Jones re
turned her heartfelt thanks for the honors heapet
upon her stating that she would remember the oc
casion to the very latest day of her existence,
that she hoped when next she visited New 0rlean
she would be more worthy of the kindness show
her, Her speech was neat and wellworded but i
delivering it she well nigh broke down from the e1
cess of emotion, natural to such an occasion unde
which she labored. Altogether, she received an ora
tiOn in the full sense of that much abused word W
have witnessed only one scene similar to it in New
Orleans and that was when Edwin Booth wa
crowned, winter before last
Afterwards there were loud, prolonged calls from
all parts of the house for Mr. Pope, which we thnl
he showed much good taste and delicacy of feeling il
not responding to. The honors of the evening wer
due to Miss Jones, and we think Mr.. Pope is enttle
to no little credit for conceding them to her. Nj
Pope's enthusiastic admirers will have an opportunit
of complimenting him by call, which are sure h
will readily and cordially respond to- on the occasion
of his benefit and last appearance tomorrow evening
Miss Jones, accompanied by her mother, Mrs. Ne
linda Jones, left the city yesterday for Mobile. W
can assure our friends in that city that there is
delicious dramatic treat in store for them.