The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-09
A nj u s z NJ E n rs.

Brooklyn ACADEMY OF MCsIC-MRS. CONWAY IS
BENEFIT-The respect with which Mrs. Conway is
held in Brooklyn was on Wednesday night put to
that severe test OF endurance that must be felt
when 1t comes TO paying compliment and battling
with the elements. The annual benefit was fixed to
come or at the Academy OF Music on Wednesday
evening, and, though the rain descended and the
flood came with the earnestness OF a deluge from
six to nine O'Clock, the Academy was hall filed
with Il very appreciative audience. II was easy to
see before the curtain rose that the rainfall had
damped the enthusiastic ardor OF those who had
praved the storm without In order 10 be present,
and there was a pervading smell Of damp wearing
apparel about the building that no disposition to De
jolly could shake or. This damp feeling communl-
Gated itself to the company, evidently and there
was heavness throughout the acting that would
certainly not have been perceptibe had not the
storm made ltseifso manifest even within the building
rs TO staitle by The rain drops falling heavily against
the windows, ana pyrotecnnlc hash OF ligntning
ever and anon startling the audience by ITS lurld
glare.
The pieces selected were Tobin's comedy OF "The
Honeymoon" and ''Rob Roy.'' The cast Included
Minnie conway. Mrs. scotI-slddons mad been an,
nounced, but Tor some unexplained rea.
neher was her name found the BS
these pieces were Admirably mounted. ana the rem
dering OF them was distinguished enough by merit
so entltle the acting 10 the praise OF the critics,
even though 1t was benefit performance, when
criticism supposed to be dISarmed. At the con-
cluson OF the nrsi piece Mr. and Mrs. Conway ap-
peared In response TO numerous "calls' from all
tides OF the house. Both were greeted with hearty
and heightened plaudits, and Mrs. Conway had tell
dered to her. in addition, TWO baskets of flowers
that were unique and beautiful specimens OF floral
architecture. Mrs. Conway, with one OF
the baskets of flowers in her hand
SAID few words TO the audience that
had the great merit Of really being extcnporaneous
ana possessing the naturahess characteristic
Of the public utterances OF TINS lady. Mrs. Conway
expressed her SURPRISE hut great gratincatlon that
enough 10 come out Oh night mclement and so
unfavorable to outdoor attractions. For that and
many other kindnesses she thanked all who heard
her and ali her friends from the bottom of her
heart. MIR. Conway followed IN few more sen
fences einb0dylng similar sentiments. Con-
spicuous 10y its absence in both these addresses
was tile usual retrospect OF the Park theatre
season and the programme OF the future. II was
thought that this was an Indication That another
benefit, on, IL - hoped, q more suspicious evening,
VIII shortly be announced. There were continuous
calls tor MI. Davenport, and he delivered very
happy eXteniporaneOuS address. After the usual
peasantry about his modesty and his unfamIliarity
with public speaking, he became reminiscent, and
SAID lie knew something about the building Which
the audience had assembled. He assisted at It's
opening; lie remembered playing Hamlet that
occasion. he shared the unanimous surprise
OF the company that so many people
had LETT their cheerY comfortable homes 10 get
aud be encolnpassed by damp surroundings and
10 Mrs. Conway, and she thoroughly deserved II. lie
was pleased TO find that Brooklyn was TO have an
other theatre ana that Mrs. Conway was TO De the
directress. lie had seen the building that day,
lar us It had progressed and he had no hesitation
saying that IL would be an ornament 10 the great
and beautiful city OF Brooklyn. He understood that
II would he opened in the TALL OF the year, aud he
wished Mrs. Conway and her enterprise Godspeed.