Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-24
THE AMUSEMENT SEASON.

Prospects for a Place of Amusement.
Much has been said during the past
two seasons of the want of place OF
public amusement in the city, and much
has been written in these columns In the
advocacy of the erect on of an Opera
House or a theater, commensurate in cap
aoity, design and finish, with our popula-
ton, ard our tastes and Iednements as q
people. notwithstanding the earnestness
and persistency with which we have urged
the erection of such an establishment,
convinced that it would rebound TO the
advancement of the business of our city,
as we'll ss promote the healthful
and seasonable enioyments of all, it
would appear that the time had not come
to strike properly in that direction. Our
efforts in this behalf have not, however,
been in vain. A deep and growing in
teTesi has been awakened upon the subject.
and it is almost daily being discussed by
persons who properly appreciate such an
institution as an important adjunct 60 the
city, not to say almost sn Indispensable
one. Such is the general interest il this
matter that We feel that We can confidently
predict that, before another year rolls its
records into the past, en- opera house OF
proper dimensions and finish will add to
the useful sdornments Of our goodly city.
The season of smusements is now upon
us. Although the erection Of snch build
ing for the purposes contemplated, for the
coming fail aud winter is now out of the
question, we are gcatified that the subject
of amusement has not been lest sight Of
Masonic Hall is being fitted up and i'm
prove I in a manner that will mske it more
attractive AID better adapted to smuse-
ment purposes, concerts, ETC than it has
eg,r been before. The improvements
there will soon be completed, and ready
to be thrown to the public for its legit-
innate uses.
But there is a step in the amusement
direction beyond this, and one which is a
source CT peculiar felicitst on. The Old
Theatre-the old Drury of Nasbville-is to
be fitted up in excellent style for theatrical,
dramatic and amusement purposes. Such
a nsummation will be hailed with uni
versal delight. The same classic old walls
that rang with the applause Of Booth,
Forf est and Murdoch snd Adams, of Julia
Dean ard Charlotte Cushman and Eliza
Logan, Charlotte Thompson and the Wal-
lers, when beautys eye grew dim with
sympathy, when passions fire kindled with
tragedy, or when fancy played with mirth-
full comedy and farce. It's reopening would
call up pleasing recollections of the past.
We were assured yesterday evening, by the
right kind of men that work would be
commenced at once and that the
building would be fitted up IN excellent
style for amusement by the time the sea-
son properly opened. A great deal of Ia
Dor and large outlay of expenditure are
going to be givsn to it, and, according 10
the assuri ces we have received, quite a
cspacious and elegant place of amusement
viii be afforded to our people during the
ensuing season Iuasmuch as We could
not get new theater or opera house, we
congratulate our citizens on the prospect
of the early fitting up of the old theater as
the next best thing that, in the circum-
stances, could be done. 1t shows at least
that the histrionic is not among the last
arts in our city.