The New York herald., 1871-01-15
The Complimentary Testimonial
Benefit Last Night.
All the Brains, Blood and Beauty
Of Boston Present.
Immense Enthusiasm and Admiration and
a Few Roughs.
FECHTER'S PARTING SPEECH

VI
disappeared amid blaze Of dazzling splendor
His complimentary benent, rendered him as an
appreciation OF his rare hstrionic ability. was to
use phrase as slangy as 1t is emphatic
"a five feet bumper.n Nothing like IL In
the line or theatrical benefits ever took place
in Boston, and possibly not In the whole
country. There were great many who went, Of
course, to show their sincere admiration OF the
oe'ectase, and these were mostly Of the class who
dwell In the swell fronts OF Beacon street, the Back
Bay and the South End. Besides these there were
very many more who were attracted simply on ac-
count Of their hearty and supreme disgust Of
the traits In Mr.. Fechter's character which
have been 80 often displayed before the public. and
which have won for him anything but an enviable
reputation in tins vicinity. 1t is transparent fact
that the feeling Of indignation against him was so
bitter In many quarters that serious fears OF dis
turbance were entertained. and not few Of the
rougher element were on hand to indulge in the
little pastlme OF rumpus II favorable opportunity
should oner. Fortunately, however, everything
force OF police were not called into reuulsti0n.
THE RUSH FOR TICKETS.
raeed In the history Of the theatre. OF Course there
throng had to be content with tickets for standing
to increase very perceptiby, and by six
O'Clock II was immense. line was formed
into Washington street., and In northery
direction along the sidewalk for distance OF seve.
raj blocks. Although Mr.. Drake served them with
the requisite pasreboards with lightning rapdty the
line seemed to increase rather than diminish, and AT
quarter 10 eight when the curtain went up there
were hundreds and hundreds who were not supplied.
THE SCRAMBLE FOR SEATS.
The thrOng at this time was tremendous The
broad entrance nj was packed 70 its lula capacity wlta
would be al ironicaI remark which would be caught
up an along the line, and occasionally round OF
che anrfsNr hmm 6nia
60 %asak aaoasa
Cheney ana Chanfrau, and SO on. During all this
got their tickets at the Music Hall auction, were
rapidly arriving The space In front not occupied
by the tide OF humanity was filled with elegant
turnOuts. The carriages came from the south IN
regular line, halted for moment at the entrance
10 allow the occupants to alight, and then passed
rapidly along to make way for the almost endless
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS REPRESENTED AND MANY
DISTINGUISHED PEOPLE PRESENT.
It was one OF the most distinguished and fashion,
land. Millions OF dollars were there manifested,
S' to% e,sse%s's u Of p ias scene a scarcely social
one roo n Boston which 50 many
noteworthy features. Harvard College was there In
the persons Of some or its professors. with their
closely fastened about their ivory headed canes and
the clergy. also, among the liberal denoml.
and ooGs o% the
festivey In black broadcloth, and kids size too
se al ana
| aspirations for mustaches and English whlsKers
| never shone forth more prominently. They, too
carried canes. but OF size suited to their dimlnu
| tive physical abilities, and dsinterested observer
might possibly have come TO the conclusion that
green curtain which hid the stage. Seriously speak
ing. however, there was very large represen,
tatlon Of capital and respecttsb!lity: 1t would
OF money In The house was not surpassed
even BY the gathering al the meeting OF the credl-
tors OF Mr.. 0akeS Ames In this city last week.
THE TOILETS.
The ladies were attired in gorgeous array. All the
beauty OF Boston, or at least that considered to be
among the bon ton, flied the seats in ihe orches.
ira. the parquet and even In the remote sec.
oas Of the gallery ana F and
cloaks were everywhere to be witnessed. Many of
the ladies' were dressed en- deconete, and some Of
chests. The ..made land" as Bostonians love to
call it,, showed Itself in the fullest grandeur, and
make MAKE. the soil on which they lived The toilets
were of the most splendid description. Two younQ
misses well known In fashionable circles, were at
tired alike in party dresses of white satin and pure
ermine and both wore diamonds whose cost might
be reckoned by thousands OF dollars An amusing
% into the theatre. Unfortunately they % had III lost
their escort In the crowd, and were at first bothered
q ahs
of the theatre, attracted their attention, 1t does
everybodys else and they narrated the history Of
ladies 2r inquired Mr. McGIenen "Oh anything;
only DO get us out OF this horrid crowd.
no s e. 'nsy o
any ticketsY' ..No but Edwin bought them and
we can't find HIM anywhere oh. dear! what shall
IN deep despair. But Harry was equal to the
emergency, and escorting his fair charges to the
clusiOn or his own office he soon sought and OBJ
tanned their companion. A profusion OF thanks
THE PROGRAMME OF THE PERFORMANCE.
bn m 0f 0f IN
drama Of "A sheep in % VOLTS cioining:'
the roie OF Ruy Bias, and Frank. Roche
that Of Don Salluste, the character by the way
Of Which BY that gentleman was the beginning OF
all the Globe theatre trouble and scandal Cirotta
Leclercq, who, In professional sense is part OF
Mr.. Fechter played the part OF the Princess New
borg In the second piece Mr.. Fechter did not APP
pear. but Miss Leclercq assumed leading part IN
''' '''' y N THE CURTAIN RUNa UP
When the preliminary performance or the 0rches-
ira had nnshed ct quarter 70 eight, the curtain
simultaneously silent. Every minute that the play
occupied before Fechter came on seemed an
moment had arrived, he came in boldly, herocally,
almost majestically, though still maintaining lthe
which he had assumed In the play. The applause
OF welcome which greeted him was loud, long and
frequently repeated. uvo. II seemed; med, IN % fact as
hin. Oif hurrah p echoed and echoed again,
the ladies meantime swinging handkerchlefs and
hand bouquets In great pr0fusi0n. To all this the
distinguished beneficiary made the most graceful
and dignined bows, every one OF which seemed to
say Il am Fechter, and Tor this grand ovation am
rratihed and GRATEFUL
The demonstration ms OF the audience having ceased
the play went on, and all were soon absorbed IN IT.
At the end OF the nrst act Mr.. Fechter was called
before the curtain, and the noisy enthusiasm which
greeted him equal to that which was manifested
ct the beginning OF the play. When he withdrew
there loud calls for MISS Leclercq, and she soon
appeared, and the applause now was, ir possible,
more furious than before
ACT sECOND-FRCHTER CALLED OUT.
At the end OF the second act they we're both
obliged to out again, and there were the same
unvarying and unmlstakabe expressions OF enthusi.
astic satisfaction. Just a. they were Withdrawing
large basket OF choice oral tributes was passed up
to Miss LeclercQ, together with pearl necklace,
and a pair or sleeve buttons for Mr. Feschter.
During the rendering OF this act an incident oc-
Cured which sent an involuntary shudder through
the whole audience. During the scene In which the
privy council OF Spain was In session 1t was the
part Of Ruy Bias to come and disperse them.
In entering the imaginary council chamber
Mr.. Fechter had to descend two or three
steps from the rear Of the stage. AS