Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-11-11

are pitilessly used if they fail. The critics
of the cheap temples are rigid, aid have
sent many a broken-down minstrel of the
stage with tears in his eyes.
One conclusion is certain from these
facts: that whatever this strange public
understands, it must have of the best. and
you can't deceive it nor trif1e with it.. 1t Is
a matter of fact that the best American
ballad singers and instrumentalsts are
found In the Ethiopian minstrel troupes.
The negro performances are patronized by
the masses who enjoy the entertainments
we have already described, and it is found
that they are particularly choice in re-
spect of vocal music, and in some instances
more exacting than the patrons of the
opera. But the masses love the little vari-
ETY. theaters better than the minstrels. The
idea has been growing in the mirds that
there Is a sameness about the latter which
Is not in accordance with the progressive
spirit of the age-the ten colored gentle
men sitting i'm semi-circle and Offering to
the spectators sandwiches of song and talk
is such relic of the past that it has be-
come almost mOnStrouS.
But besides the cheap theaters and the
mi. s.rels, there are cheap amusements, for
which no entrance fee is demanded. Elab-
crate halls and gardens are in existence in
the Bowery, on Eighth avenue anG along
Broadway, with stages, scenery and per-
formances. which one may behold without
being obliged to buy ticket. The pro-
prietor only requires that the visitor shall
''order sOmething." The auditorium is q
confused mass of small tables surrounded
by chairs, and the audience is Struggling,
talking, smoking and drinking. but order
ly mob. In the middle of the din created
by shuff1ing walters clinking glasses, or
ders bawled out. scraping feet, and mugs
rapping on tables, persevering orchestra
performs selections from favorite operas"
and daring performers come forth to sing,
dance or talk. What those artists are COM
posed of no one knows. Women advance
smlingly to the footlights, and breast thick
fOgs OF tobacco smoke that roll onward to
tile stage. Amid the babel of sounds they
sing, with every indication of satisfaction,
some air, to which no one appears to pay
any attention. The instant she leaves the
stage, however, the audience testifies its
satisfaction by demanding an encore. So
far as our adopted citizens are concerned,
the Germans. with an eye to thrift, patron
iZe the free halls, where their five cents
will yield them drink and nights en-
tertainment, while the Irish, with reckless
prodigality, support the variety theaters,
and bring their own provisions with them.
The whole of this strange public, how
ever, is fit and ready to be advanced step
or two in its amusements. 1t is decent,
earnest public, seeking what it can COM
prehend and sustaining its favorite tenn
pies well. 1t is not too much to say that
there is a field open here tor improvement.
A great hall (large enough at low prices of
admission to pay the expenses and yield a
profit) could be opened with excellent per-
FORMERS within the comprehensive limits.
But this public is shy about intruding
where it may not be well received. and so
the hall should be located within its favor
lite districts. 1t you go to the haunts of
these ''cheap" audiences, you will find that
whatever feature in the performance is re-
ally good they are best pleased with. They
are not possessed of degraded taste be-
cause they keep away from the best thea
tiers. any more than they are irreligious be-
cause they don't frequent the wealthiest
churches. 1t is only question of dollars
and style.
1t is pity that the best pleasures of
earth should not be theirs, when it is con-
ceded that, notwithstanding their want of
means, the pleasures of Heaven are secure