The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-18

He was small in stature, but bad fine voice,
read we'll, appreciated the characters be
ersonated-studied his parts-had seen the
best performers aud noticed their excellen-
ces and defects-and, upon the whole, gave
US fair Richard the Third, and very
good Octayian in the Mountaineers. In
Comedy, w. W.. was as good in Caleb Quo.
ten, Crack in the Turnpike Gate, and other
such characters, as any actor | remember,
except old Jefferson and one or two others.
l mention these two-but there were several
who may be remembered, who had q talents
and turn for the stage quite remarkable.
believe there are some Of the former mem.
bers of the old Thespian society, still resi-
dents of Alexandria-and they will not be
displeased to recur once more to the scenes
and incidents of their earlier days, in this
connection. The reminiscent, too, will not
forget in this place, to mention that on one
occasion the Thespian Society played an
original drama. of merit, written in blank
verse, called Broken Faith or the Broken
Sword-I forget wtich-the composition of
their young follow townsman, d. B. To
say that the properties" of the Thcspians
were always such as they should be--that
the scenery worked we'll in its shiftings dur
ing the perfOrmances-that the dresses were
uniformly appropriate that tho actors
were never imperfect in their renderings, or
for FIJI thoir .,f
course be not to "narrate history as it actual
ly occurred" But these DEFICIENCIES and de.
fects are always to be expected, and were
not criticised harshly. The audiences were
disposed to be pleased and pardoned all,
where pardon was allowable. Even when
puor G., atfrighted at the bunglins attempt
Of scene shifter at one of the wings, to
carry the canvass close to suspended lamp
without touching it. and having the fear Of
another Richmond disaster before his eyes,
rushed upon the stage, ih the midst Of y
pathetic part Of the play. and exclaimed in
passionate tones, ID you. why don't you
put out that light?-you'll have US all aire
IN five minutes"-he was greeted after the
first instant Of CONSERVATION and the n,xt
moment of bservation-with-only three
rounds of applause-and the curtain fell
upon the scene, in the midst Of uproarious
cheers!
There was once in Alexandria Pequod
Society. Do any of the " boys" Me"-old
men uow-recollect it g? A few of them do,
I am sure. Whenever the advertisement
appeared in the Gazette with its quaint de.
vice-an Indian chief in corn field sum
moninga meeting of the Tribe at the Wig
wan, is always excited the curiosity of the
town. (Some way once struggled in an adj
vertisement calling the society together at the
Widow Wa kin -the-water's house which
led to a scene in the Market II use next day
remain part Of our unwritten annals) The
"secrets " Of the society were well kept for
long tme-and none but the initiated knew
its objects, its designs, its place Of assem-
blage, or the members who composed it. Oh,
the fun we used to have there! The only
f" secret" about the whole affair, consisted
in the quiz that was played off upon new
member whenever he was introduced-the
realities, as w. used to say, were can
vass back and oyster supper-a glass or two
Of apple toddy or hot whiskey punch-and
pleasant conversation. D.,es my friend H.
recollect the night when W. was introduced
when the Sachem made his speech--when
the war whoop was rai>ed-when the pistol
was fred-when the astonished debutante.
imagining that worse was coming, crushed
CTS head through window pane, and at
tempted to escape-when the watchmen's
horns were blown under the window-and
the landlord ran up 80 quell the disturbance,
fearing that the establishment would lie sur
rounded, and all hands taken prisoners Oh,
wicked frolc but laughable beyond mea-
sure. Let US old fellows now, beat our
breasts, and say inca culpa," and hope that
eur successors may not repeat the same fol-
lies!
1t was but the other day that requested
the present occupant of the house where the
Pequods were wont to assemble, t., allow me