The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-01

For an interval Of several years there was now
no regular theatre in the city, the only public
aMusements being balls, concerts and other en-
tcrtainmcnts. which could be given in an ordinary
hail. The business community, however, felt
that the total absence OF the drama was serious
drawback to their interests, and about the year
1885 company of stockholders was organized,
chiefly composed of merchants, and under their
auspices the old Meeting street Theatre was built
aud opened. Luckily the structure escaped the
terrible fire OF 1888, and its stage was, for many
years afterwards, honored by the appearance, in
pleasing succession, OF the great lights OF
drama. music and the dance. Here figured
Macready, the elder and the younger Booth,
Vandenhoir and Forrest; and the same boards
we're graced by the presence OF Ellen Tree, after
wards Mrs. Charles Kean, Mrs. Mowatt, Julia
Dean. and the great Rachel. Here warbed the
Swedish Nightingale, Jenny Lind, and the witch
ing dance of the matchless Ellsler here entranced
houses crowded from pit to dome by the beauty
and fashion of the time. The theatre was main
tanned under the management OF Manager Mar
chant and though handsomely supported at
times, never proved remunerative IN money point
of view, to its stockholders. 1t was memorably
connected with the events which led to our great
war, inasmuch as it was the place OF meeting OF
the Douglas boilers or seceders from the cele-
brated Charleston Convention OF 1860. This as
far as we know, was the only instance in which
the building was ever used for political purposes,
although as early as 1899 the great Southern
Commercial Convention in which figured Robert
Y. Hayne, William c. Preston. Judge Longstreet,
of Georgia. ana where Alexander II. Stephens
1rst achieved national prominence, held its ses-
sion within its walls After the breaking out OF
the war several amateur performances were given
in the theatre, with view to assisting in the
couipmcnt of the military organizations which
were then forming with so much enthusiasm;
but the great fire OF December, 1861, which swept
away In q few hours the fairest portions of our
city, did not spare the theatre. It was consumed
with all its equipments, properties and ward.
robes, entailing heavy loss upon Manager Mar
chant. who soon after left the city, and died
abroad before the close of hostilities.
Since the war, as most OF our readers are
aware, the theatrical facilite" of Charleston have
been rather meagre. The Hlbernian Society, with
commendable energy, did their best to ill the
want, by putting up stage in their nall,
WHICH HAS Sei'eu eooN -,
the arrangements have been so improved by
successive alterations that play can now
be produced upon the Hibernian boards with
little inconvenience. But an extemporized thea
tire can never fully supply the place Of the regu-
lar article, and accordingly our community has
missed several opportunities OF refined and desi-
rablc amusements which might have been afford
ed them under other circumstances.
Now that Charleston has the advantage OF
really frst-ciass place Of amusement, 1t remains
for our people to show their appreciation Of the
pluck and public spirit displayed by Its proprietor
by giving 1t cordial and steady support.