The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-01

with Mr.. Boucicault by which the Walnut will
have the exclusive right to produce his new
plays, and anything of an attractive character
that the most popular playwright Of the day
may turn out, therefore, will first be presented
to the public at this house. The friends of Mr..
Owen Fawcett will regret to learn that he will
not be attached to the Walnut street company
next season, in consequence Of his having &C
cepted an engagement at the Museum, Chicago,
as first low and eccentric comedian.
The Arch Street Theatre is being thoroughly
renovated and put In good condition for the
opening, which will take place early in Septem-
Der. Several changes will be made in the COM
pany, some Of which, at least, will be con-
sidered by the public as improvements. Thus
Mr.. Barton Hill will be welcomed back to his
old position of leading man and stage manager,
and the friends of Mr.. w. Il. Wallis will be
pleased to see him figuring as second old man.
Both of these gentlemen are much superior to
those who enacted their specific lines OF business
last season, andI they will materially strengthen
the company. Mrs. Drew will, as heretofore,
combine the functions Of manager and
artist, and she will be surrounded
by such we'll established ~favorites
as Mr.. Craig, Mr.. Mackay, Mr.. James, Mr..
Hemple, Mr.. Josephs, Miss Lizzie Price, Mrs.
Thayer, Mrs. Maeder, besides several new faces.
Extensive preparations arc being made for the
production of attractive novelties, which will be
announced in due course of time. Among the
improvements in contemplation will be an in
creased attention to the musical accessories; and
TO carry out this idea Mr.. Alfred Kelleher has
been engaged as O chorus master. The orchestra
will be under the direction of Mr.. Mark Hass-
Ter, in consequence of the retirement Of Mr.. G.
r. Dodsworth, who will have charge of the
musical department at the new Museum at
Ninth and Arch streets.
This new Museum, which is being erected by
Messrs. Carncross, Dixey & Simpson, will GER
tainly supply o desideratum. There is an i'm
mense portion of cur population who, either on
account Of conscientious scruples or disinclina-
ton, never visit the regular theatres, and who
yet are willing to literally patronize such
amusements as their tastes incline to. The
minstrel halls are largely patronized by this
class, but there are many who desire something
that will offer a variety from burnt-cork and
which will yet be light, easy Of comprehension
to children, and laughable. This last is an
essential. The new Museum, which is
being erected as rapidly as possible,
will supply just the kind Of
entertainment that is desirable. A large
portion of the building will be occupied by col
~lections of interesting curiosities, while in the
lecture-room, afternoon and evening perform
| VI DSUllS SShlCAASO1 NAS~J
o~perettas, and fairy spectacles will be given.
Particular care will be takon in the selection of
pieces to exclude everything in the slightest
degree Objectionable on moral grounds, and
nothing will be permitted upon the stage that
the most fastidious can object to. 1t is intended
to make this a place to which parents
can at all times bring their children without the
slightest fear of ~offensc, and at the same time
with the certainty that what they see and hear
will be both entertaining and improving. A
mall but efficient company has been engaged,
the leading members of which are Mr.. G. D.
Chaplin, leading man; Mr.. w. Fl. Otis, light
comedian; Mr.. Harry Hawk, first low comedian;
Mr.. Wood Benson, first old man; Miss Minnie
Monk, leading lady; Miss Ada Monk, soubrette;
and Miss Mary Carr, first old woman. Mr.. B.
A. Baker will be director Of amusemcnts, and
Mr.. c. r. Dodsworth, with a full orchestra, will
supply the music. The scenic artist will be Mr.
j. s. Schell.
The Museum, in addition to great variety OF
other objects of interest, will contain the Gil
baugh collection from the Geological Gardens,
Montreal; the large collection Of Chinese and
Japanese curiositics formerly belonging to Mr.
j. II. Peters, which was brought to this country
by Commodore Perry's Japan expedition, ant
DR.. Hoffnagle's extensive and valuable collection
of Turkish and Indian curiosities gathered to
gether by him while he held the pos
of Consul at Calcutta. Additions t.
the permanent collection of the Museum
? will be made from time to time, and there will
be a succession of living curiosities of variou
/ kinds, including giants, dwarfs, fat men ant
women, living skeletons and menageries o
= wild animals. The price of admission will b,
25 cents to all parts of the house, except the
best seats in the lecture-room, for which an eXtr
fee will be charged. The regular price Of ad
mission, however, will permit the visitor to in
spect everything in the Museum, and also t.
witness the dramatic performances from excel
1 lent seats In the gallery, from each of which
perfect view Of the stage can be obtained.
The Museum building is being put up in tn
t most substantial manner, and no pains will b
spared to make it so strong in every part that a
accident through the giving way of the walls o
g the floors will be practically impossible. Pal
ticular care has also been taken to provide 70
the safety Of the audience in case of fire, an
IS the means Of exit arc so numerous and so accef
sible that it is calculated the entire building ca
G be emptied inside of Eve minutes. The fror
of the building on Arch street is fifty feet i
?; width, and it extends for 1919 feet on Mint
street. In each Of the stories from
l. ing on Ninth street there will be q room, {
5; by 60 feet, which will be devoted TO the curios
IS ties, while q large room under the Mansard roo
d so by 100 feet, and extending over the entiI
8; building, will be used as q menagerie. Tn
50 room will be supported upon seven immenc
"a trusses, calculated to sustain an enormou
Q, weight, and which will make it as secure as an
4. other portion of the building. The Lecture
ID room, back of the Museum proper, will be SO /
IN 60 feet, ana will contain q parquet, dress circl