The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-04
MU 8 E M E N T s.


SEMENTS.
BOOTHS THEATRE.-The opening night OF Booths
theatre-the worthiest temple which has been dedi-
Gated to dramatic art In this country since the
burning OF the old Park theatre-was as gay
and festive as such an event should have
been. The premature extinction OF the
lights OF the colossal chandelier can hardly
be regarded as ominous. The other lights amply
suniced 10 display the splendid decorations OF the
hall and the marveousy fine scenery of the
stage. But the usual disadvantages OF q first
representation prolonged this one to so late
an hour that it is impossible now to
do more than chronicle the fact that Shak-
speare's "Romeo and Juliet" has never been more
magnifcenty produced than 1t was last evening" so
far at least as scenery and costumes concerned
1t would be unjust to attempt In 80 brief space,
critical report OF the acting. We only say that
although Mr.. Booth, as Romeo, appeared at first
10 be affected BY nervousness which led him occa-
sonally TO overact, he recovered from 1t entirely
before the play was over and fully justified his title
to the distinction OF promoting our latest Shak-
spearian revival. Miss Mary Mcvicker. as outlet
Notwithstanding q similar tendency to over
act, and q certain 'stagness,n evinced an
almost Italian intensity and fervor and
was warmly appauded. especially in the balcony
scene, which, by the by, was incomparably fine.
Mr.. Edwin Adams, as Mercutio, one OF the most
difficult characters In the whole line OF the drama,
shared as he deserved, the honors Of the evening.
Mr.. Mark Smith, as Friar Lawrence. rendered the
part very acceptaby. Mr.. Charles Peters made the
most Of the trining part OF Peter Miss Fanny Mo-
rant appeared as the Nurse, a character manifesty
out Of her line.
Musical and Theatrical Notes.
What wonder that the pleasures OF home are
known now chieny in humdrum song and T. S.
Arthur's stories, when our people have gone raving
mad over public amusements9 man who can
afford 1t keeps home nowadays as he does lot in
Greenwood-in the event Of possible necessity.
Their real homes though are their sumptuous
palaces OF business by day AMI the gorgeous temples
OF art well lighted and warmed. by night. There
no less than twenty-five places OF amusement in
full blast nightly in New York and Brooklyn besides
an average OF thirty balls q week. The infinite
NUMBER and variety OF these attractions tax our
imagination almost as severely as do the figures Of
the national debt But nevertheless like the national
debt, they do exist Irief recaptulation viii not
be unnteresting to the statistical and thearegoing
reader. First and foremost comes Wallack's, the
"ladies' theatrer OF New York, where Shakespeare
range Of literature In Brougham's diamond thea
tire the finished productions of the popular proprie-
tor himself enchant fashionable houses. The Grand
Opera House, under the control OF the burly Brig
field gives place and prominence to the Eoian Of
fenbach as does the French theatre guided by Jacob
Grau. Booths masslve pile OF symmetrical archi.
lecture viii be drapet In the sombre pail OF scep-
tired tragedy while at Nibl0s the trenchant pen OF
the irreverent Farnie SCOTS at ermined justice and
callow Yankeedom. Woods Museum is devoted TO
the s.taking or" OF English chivalry, as were the
battle fields OF the American Revolution In 1776
Dark murder which delights the vulgar mind, Is
nightly mirrored on tae h Sowery boards, while While
shepherd OF oil Bowery boys, Antonio Pastor wears
the cap and bells AMI jInges them right merrily.
convoutions and bizarre figures furnish food Tor
the mind OF the boy Of eight or etghty.n The Bry.
ants, though corked up, bubble over with minstrel
fun and plantation revelrles, while just opposite, in
the circus, the tame tribe OF champion Browns,
Smiths and Robinsons have yielded place to the
other Itaianized Greeks Mr. Buchanan expounds
one OF those ancient mysteries i've act heavy
drama, at the New York theatre, and the Theatre
OF mlmics, Lingard. Owens, at the Broadway Is
struggling hard against the tide OF foreign invasion
Eeo nas hail Is now designated By the present
management, will next week echo with the music
and mirth OF another galaxy OF amber-crowned
while the San Francisco brunettes remain min
strel masters OF the field. "Humpsy Dumpty,"
whose fortune nearly rivals the ill-gotten gains
city attractions; but In Brooklyn there IL
the Park theatre In successful operation and Hooeys
Minstres Balls whiz about us as thick as o shower
of grape from the active guns OF Captain Bragg in
the great and glorious victory OF Buena VISTA In
fact there many places which present so many
more excitements and attractions than the most
cheerful home, be 1t ever so humble or domesticaly
delightful. that weak human nature is tempted BY
the glare like the moth to the name.
In this wild whirl OF cancan, passion, golden
eeces aud madness let US not forgel the late Of So
dom and Gomorrah the Roman empire and other
proud social structures OF antiquity destroyed by
lust and luxury. Perhaps IL would be as WELL should
weance and hang to convenient lampposts those
reckless managers who have descended upon US In
golden cloud OF amber hair which blinds US 10 the
X Miss Kellogg sweeps all before her In the music
loving city of Chicago The management has
thrown aside all other engagements TO make room
for her and her reception on last Monday evening
the race OF Putnams Is not yet extinct. We are
told that In the play Of "Theodorus," In Paris,
.troops Of horsemen dash up ana down rocky chns,'
.rTbe Lancashire Iass' IL drawing diplomats and
Conuressmen IN Washington, but the party by the
name OF Johnson win not have much longer run
R s,s although not new one sweeps clean
and may vet carry on the blue ribbon OF the drama
oe,Us ss VITA Thompson made her first appearance
on the stage as Little silver Hair, ut the Haymarket.
Milwaukee is jealous OF Baltimore and wants
Mia rrma was the original Cesarine in 'Ficur de
The. at the Theatre Atnenee In PARIS.
Miss Lydia Thompson's Hair.
NIBLo's GARDEN, Feb. 3, 1889.
To rug EDITOR OF THE HERALD
am really ashamed TO trouble you on q subject SO
very unmportant as the above; but from the lengthy