Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-09-23

OPENING THE DRAMATIC SEASON. -On
Saturday evening the gas was turned on
at the New Memphis Theater, and few
gentlemen, mainly members Of the press,
we're permitted to take view of the
interior. The spectacle we'll merited the
commentator of those witnessing IT.,
and reflected no little credit upon the
scenic artist, to whose fine taste and
exertions the public are indebted for the
marked improvements made since the
close of the last season. Those who visit
the theater tonight will unite with us in
pronouncing the interior everything that
could be desired. AS already announced,
the season will open tonight, the first
star being the famous Belle Boyd, with
whose career during the late war all
readers are familiar. A late number of
the st. Louis Daily Times, speaking of
her appearance in that city, says:
The history Of the late war could hard
ly be written, we fancy, without assign
ing very conspicuous place to Belle
Boyd in its passages. 1t was she, who
with a herosm far above her sex and
years, conveyed through perils immune
rable to Stonewall Jackson the impor-
tant information which led to the defeat
of Banks in the Shenandoah Valley, in
May, 1862. 1t would be impossible in
the limits Of an ordinary newspaper
article to give even the essential facts in
her history, nor is it our present purpose.
A very general impression of the char
acter and value of the services she rem
dered the cause which she espoused, is
common to all who gave the most casual
attention to the drama of the war;
Circumstances not necessary to name,
have led Miss Boyd to adopt the stage
for a profession, and she comes to us
with very many and very hattering Eng
lsh, Scotch and Irish encomiulas, to
make her first appearance in America
before st. Louis audience,as Pauline,
in the Lady Of Lyons.
Her debut was made about year ago,
at the Manchester (England) Theater
Royal, in the same piece. She subse-
auently played at Nottingham, Liver
pool, Glasgow, Limerick and Newcastle.
Bulwer the author of the play, sent her
an autograph note, commencing her for
the faithfulness of her rendition of his
master piece. The Duke of Edinburgh
attended her representations, and hon
ored her with his patronage, while the
papers, copies Of whose criticisms we
have before us, spoke of her in terms of
genuine commentator. We have no
doubt from these and similar assurances
that Miss Boyd possesses real ability as
an actress, and we trust that upon her
merits alone she may deserve the most
generous patronage Aside from this,
however, if she we're, as we believe she is
not, barely mediocre, as an actress, she
has, as we have said, claims upon large
class of our theater goers, which should
not, and we believe will not, be ignored.
Miss Boyd has chosen as her opening
piece Knowles splendid play of the
Hunchback, appearing as Julia, a
part said to be well adapted to her
proves. We have before US extracts
from leading English papers testiiying
to her abilities as an actress; but she is
already otherwise sufficiently known to
attract a large audience, and we prefer
Judging of her histrionic abilities for
ourselves. Visitors to the theater this
evening will have an opportunity Of
seeing a star and company whose faces
are entirely new to them. Of course the
house will be crowded. Prior to the
Hunch6ack, the lsughable farce Of
Sketches in India will be played. Miss
Boyd will arrive on the Memphis and
Ton;sy;lla train tbis aftarnoon