The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-06
ACTORS ON A FIsOLIC.
A Dramatic Festival in the Crystal Palace
in London.

The London Times says:-"The annual Jete in
aid OF the funds OF the Royal Dramatic College
took place, on the 7th and 9th OF July, at tne
Crystal Palace. The Palace was turned into
talr, at which the leading actors figured as show
men, and the whole body of metropolitan
actresses levied black mall in the cause of
benevOlenCe. Miss Lydia Thompson was strong
in seams and necktles; Mrs. Stirling was pro-
prietor OF shop that would have done honor to
the Burlington Arcade or the Palais Royal; and
Mrs. Howard Paul was enthroned in "a pavilion
OF pncushlonS.
ITO give the names of all the ladies who
traded on the occasion would be to publish
directory of the leading actresses. Like our
great city firms they all had travellers on the
road-ladies who waylaid you with samples,
and would insist on having your name IN their
order-books, while you we're yet long distance
IRON the houses for which they did business.
The plea OF no assets is an elecGual one with
commercial men seeking to open accounts; but
In every instance 1t was demurTed to by those
lady-'raders. They told you fatty they did not
believe you. Surely you had not come there
without money? A. least you could buy news
paper The Dramatic College Annual, which was
being printed on the premises and of which
they could let you have an unstamped copy, as
you were so poor, Tor the small charge OF
shilling.
considerable assurance enabled some of the
visitors 10 fight shy OF the amateur news.
hawkers, but from the lady hower.girls there
was no possibility of escape. Armed with the
tiniest of little baskets, and wearing the most
coquettih oil little hats, they had the pretest Of
ntlle nOSegaYS, Wnlch they nad lusL prepared FOR
your button hole. Perhaps you tried to put
them OIL by saying you had made so many puI-
chases you really could not etc. lt wa OF no
avail. They had learnt how the hower-girs of
Naples do when you tell them you will not buy.
They presented you with the nosegay, aud then
followed you for payment.
"Most of the actors adhered to 'the boards;'
but MIR. Blackstone and Mr. Sothern cast in tnelr
lot with Aunt Sally and Mr.. II. Widdicombe,
Mr.. L. Matthews, Mr. j. PoWey and Mr.. W.
Worboys followed their example, LORD Dun
dreary showed an admTing crowd that he could
shy stick with the best OF them; and on see
ing Mr.. Blackstone tX pipe between Aunt
Sarah's teeth-he would call her Sarah-one
would have supposed that he had been brought
up to the business Many of the booths were
admirable. When you stood before Richard.
sons Show it was difficult to keep yourself
from imagining that you we're at a country fair,
and in presence OF the strOllers.' There was
the roughlookmg yokel at the foot of the steps
keeping Oft all the small boys with fourishes OF
the blackthorn; half way no the ladder stood
the man with the white hat, high shirt collar
and knee breeches, who crled out, Walk up,
walk up ladies and gentlemen; decidedly the
best show in the tair; Just going to commence;
on each side OF the gangwaY 10 the green balZC
door were pair of traditional clowns, MOVING
up and Gown, now walking, now dancing; youne
ladies' in white, with pink stockings; in one cor
ner a biz drum and three brass horns dis
coursine' music sufficiently NOISY, but not mos
eloquent; a fat woman and scedy man at th
box Ofire; and an infant prodigy doing tht
acrobat here and there and everywhere