The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-11

pected to supply themselves with all copies
Of printed plays. AS general rule actors,
and especially actresses, are desirous of pos
sessing their own wardrobes, and will make
great sacrifices to this end. The women
especially sometimes sacrifice too much.
NUMBERS AND OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES STATISTICS.
1t is exceedingly difficult to obtain any even
approximate numerical data relative to such
constantly shifting and decidedly unarithmeti-
cal portion of our citizens as the theatrical
population. But the subioined estimates
have been carefully compiled and will be
found in the main correct. An average me-
tropolitan theatre employs, directly and in
directly, about one hundred and twenty five
persons. As there are now nine theatres in
iull blast (the Winter Garden and the New
Bowery having been destroyed) the total
number of employees will reach 1925. This
is exclusive of the Academy of Music, which
employs about about two hundred and fifty
people, also exclusive of the minstrel halls,
each of which furnishes work for about forty
people, the concert saloons etc. Niblos EN-
ploys about the same number of people as the
Academy, while the New York Theatre and
the new burlesque theatre employ, Of course,
less than the average number. Altogether
the number of theatrical people, using the
term in the fullest sense in the metropolis,
will exceed two thousand.
GOSSIP ABOUT RICH ACTORS AND ACTRESSES.
Although the stock performer "enioys" a
plentiful supply of labor, and ''felicitates'
himself or herself on a corresponding def
cheney of funds, yet the successful "stars"
shine surrounded with all the brilliancy of
wealth and luxury. And the majority of this
luxury and wealth has been derived from
New York, or from the prestige which the ap-
proval of New York affords throughout the
provinces. Mr.. Barney Williams, who com
menced life as printers devil in this city, is
now worth 100000, invested chiefly in real
estate He resides in elegant style on Thirty
eighth street, near Murray Hill, boasts a pic
ture gallery and collection of imported statu-
ary, keeps five carriages and any number of
horses, sports servants in livery, and owns a
superb country residence near Bath.
Edwin Forrest is worth at least $500 900,
owns magnificent residence corner of Broad
and Master streets, Philadelphia, a summer
residence near Chestnut Hill, and is the pos
SCISSOR of several valuable paintings, and,
above all, delights in the ownership of perhaps
the finest Shakesperian library in the country
"a library, too, carefully and daily studied by
the great tTagedian, who, despite his eminence,
does not regard himself above the necessity of
improvement. "Solon Shingle'' Owens, with
his 100000 (the major portion of which he
made in this city,, has purchased a beautiful
place near Baltimore. "Brother Sam" Chan
frau reioices in the neat sum of $1,000
perhaps entitled justly to more Grip Van Win
kle" Jefferson, now delighting us, is estimated
pecuniarly at the same figure; Florence main
talns his ''caste" in society on about the same
amount; while William Wheatley and Lester
Wallack are in comfortable circumstances.
Actresses, as a class, have not been so pecu-
niarily FORTUNATE as their male rivals. Still,
Charlotte CushmSn has earned professionally
at least quarter of a Gnllllon, while Mrs. D. p.
Do, IL 4nrT1 aud of
note, have acquired a competence and some-
thing beyond. Miss Maggie Mitchell, in every
sense of the word a New York favorite, has
also accumulated a handsome residence and
hundred thousand dollars. So, after all. ne
theatrical life has its roses for those who have
the talent and pluck to.tseek and the luck to
find them. Mr.. Forrest Receives $500 per night
for his performances; Mr.. and Mrs. Barney
Williams demand similar sum; others receive
smaller amounts, or percentage OF the nightly
receipts; others occasionally control the re-
ceipts themselves; but whatever be the con-
tract or arrangement, there is ''money in it,
as the facts just stated show.
HAUNTs AND HABTTs-AGENCIEs AND AGENTS.
The New York actor has his favorite haunts,
| and these are generally of convivial charac-
ter for the actor is emphatically social ami
| NAL. The House of Lords and the De Soto,
| on the central cross street near Broadway, are
noted resorts, and the bar-room of the Metro
| politan Hotel has become the "Actors' Ex-
| change" AT this latter haunt, about noon,
may be seen nearly all the leading male pro-
| fessionals in the metropolis; the entrances of
| theatres and Broadway in general are also
favorte spots for theatrical reunions.
Among the actors resorts must also be in
cluded those institutions known as dramatic
agencies. These agencies are designed to
| facilitate business intercourse between actors
and managers, and are often useful, though in
certain cases they have been found to be of
! doubtful" character. There are now three
| principal agencies, one under the control of
| two young actors, who have established
| branch houses abroad; another managed by
| well-knOwn professional, and the third more
| particularly designedfo the members of circus
companies and shows generally. The pecu-
liar class of men known as "agents'' in the
| theatrical parlance deserve in this connection
few words. The "agent" is generally the bust
ness manager ofthe ''star" )" or else serves as his
"man of all work" He makes engagements
for his principal, controls the advertisements,
endeavors to procure notices, directs the
ticket system, oversees the printing and dis
tribution of the posters, ETC., represents his
principal at the treasury, counts the house
nightly, "treats' the so-oalled "cTitics, " often
dictates their "high-toned' criticisms, issues
passes" originates ''the lodges, and does
the (theatrical) "chOres" generally.
For these varied services he receives any
where from $25 to 500 per week. or per-
centage of the profits. Some of these agents,
as those who act for Barney Williams, Edwin
Forrest, Mr.. Florence, John E. Ovens and
| other well known names man of talent,