The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-11-18
1MusEMENTs.
vE a.
The FIorences.,.

renders his acting In this piece particularly natu-
raj and attractive, and gains him the entire aud
hearty sympathy OF the audience. from his hrst
appearance to the dropping OF the curtain In the
last act.
Mrs. Florence, as Emily st. Evremond, acqult-
ted herself in her usual brilliant STYLE ami was
heartily applauded and encored. She was wen
supported by Mr.. Kennedy who shone splenululy
as Jones OF the 'Mutton Pies" The story OF the
Ticlet-of-Leave Man being very SAD one' the
characters personated by Mis-. Florence ana mr.
Kennedy, although not material To .he oIo'. arr
ALWAYS welcomed by the audience, as IL relleVes
the general sombre tone, and forms a pleasant
break. Miss Alice Brooks, as Mary EDWARDS,
played with considerable spirit eliclting repeated
applause. The other members OF the company
also performed very creditably.
Tonight is the benefit Of Mrs. Florence, and
that fact alone will draw large house. The attrac'
tions. too, are equal to the occasion. "lrish AS
surancen and sThrice Married." two irresistibly
funny pieces, will be performed. and a. an au''l.
tional lnducement, card photographs oil Mr.. ana
Mrs. Florence, By Quinby will be presented 10 the
ladies.
The Davenport Brothers.
ofall the exhibitions ever presented 10 3 Charles
ton audience elthe" on dramatic boards prestial-
gesterlan tables, or In the circus ring tilat ol .he
Davenport Brothers, at Hibernian Hall last niga'
caps the climax. Unique, to say the least; n'ys-
| terIous, decidedly; startling, beyond quessoni
task several nervous people in town THIS moEn-
lug. \ and diabolical apparently; there is no one
word that can describe tie performance anu no
possible number Of phrases that can solve the
| curious problem 1t involved. For twenty years.
sapantS and critics have sought to unravel the
mystery, yet, to-day, 1t Is more mysterious IMAM
ever
Attracted By the announcement that demono-
logy would break loose generally and so on
rampage, accompanied by celestial orchestral
that two individuals would permit them
selves to be bound In an impossible number OF
| inextricable knots; that ghostly hands would
stretch forth from the invisible world to meet
| fraternal greetings on this side OF the Styr, and
that musical instruments would 60 pt'oueut'tg
! through the atmosphere on sundry Wild goose
chsses, the audience which assembled filed the
hall to It's utmost capacity. representative
audience 1t was, too, for 1t comprised at least half
the physicians of Charleston, goody proportion
OF the bar, sprinEling OF ministers, and large
number OF aye solid men" OF business.
By the time the exhibition commenced, the con-
gregation were In that befudded state OF mind
which behtted an occasion welrd-iiIe aud super
natural. In oil its phases the questions was dis
cussed "Were these diabolic demonstrations the
result Of legerdemain; OF gorgons, hydras and
chimeras Dire or OF spirits from the Vastly deep"
that came on call. Everybody ventilated his pet
theory; yet, at last, everybody wondered and per-
p.eEedly exclaimed, "What Is it?H It's the ques
| tion Of the hour.
A description OF the singular performance Is all
that can be vouchsafed.
The rising OF the curtain disclosed nothing more
than plain box or s'cabuet as it is called, which
would pass anywhere for on exaggerated ward
robe or severely bloated shower BATH 1t rested
on three benches similar to those used by carpen-
tiers, about eighteen inches from the floor. The
top back and sides are solid, save where they are
hinged for The convenience of packing and travel
ling and the front consists OF three doors which
are fastened inside. Within, at either end Ia
thin plank seat, and another seat ut the back.
The floor OF the cabinet was carpeted, and on the
carpet were number OF guitars, tamborines,
bells and vlolins.
This was oil the machinery, If any there be,
visible to the eye.
Before the exhibition commenced, Professor
Fay, "the gentleman In black" came forward anu
stated that 1t was customary for the audience to
nominate O committee OF two citizens TO be pre-.
sent on the platform, but that paper had been
put in his hands containing the names Of Messrs.
Rudolph Slegling, ]. q. Lacoste and Others. who.
although strangers to him, he presumed would be
acceptable to the audience. A squeaky voice In
the rear promptly seconded the motion" and
the two gentlemen first named ascended the
stage. They proceeded to examine the cabinet
and reported as is above written.
The Brothers Davenport now made their ap-
pearance. They are young men, apparently
twenty eight and thirty years OF age, calm, dellb.
crate, aud self ossessed individuals who looked
like anything but familiars Of his satanic majesty.
They took their places In the cabinet, about five
feet apart on the seats provided, and by Messrs.
Segling anu Lacoste were securely bound, GrSt
with their hands behind their backs then to the
seat then to the floor. Finally their feet aud legs
were tied together.
Mr. Lacoste was in the act OF closing the doors,
when one OF the instruments was thrown over
his head and fell to the lloor. The lashings were
examined, but not q wrinkle had been disturbed.
Tile instrument was replaced, and second time
thrown out with the same result. y hat was bur-
Iowed from one Of the audience and put on the
head OF one OF the brothers. In the act OF closing
the doors again. 1t was transferred by some invis-
ible agency 10 the head Of Mr.. Lacostc. Still no
change ia the fastening. This occurred in the
broad glare Of the gaslight.
The doors were now finally closed, and the gas
turned down. Instantly bells began to ring, tam-
borines to sound, guitars to thrum aud viOlins 10
give forth their notes. The music was not OF a
festive order, strictly speaking. 1t partook some
what OF the earth earthly. II 1t came from any
other quarter, it was certainly suggestive OF
..splrits tangled and out OF tune" 1t reminded
one of aborigines playing on their tom-toms.
Still, 1t was marvellous. Still more so when
white hands and arms were protruded from an
aperture, and ghostly fingers were seen moving
In the air, or clutching bells which rang and then
fell to the door.
Suddenly opening the doors, the brothers were
found in their original positions, calm as sum-
mer morning, anu securely tied. The cabinet
again being closed, some mysterious agency re.
leased them from their bonds, and they stood
forth free.
Again the door was closed, and when reopened,
the brothers were found re-tled even more Sc
curely and adrotly than before Mr. Lacoste
was now Invited to take his seat In the cabinet
and experience the goblin sensation OF the place.
He did SO, and was tied by each hand to one OF