, 1874-01-04

had proved the salvation Of many Of the Iarges
city operators. The country having had th
benefit Of transfer into. currency of q iarg
portion Of its produce. was very strong in tha
needful commodity. Still collections from boti
city and country, were very fair indeed us
whole. great improvement having taken plac'
in this respect since October. which WAS yer,
tedious month indeed.
FURNITURE.
| Mr. Fairbank, of tho ". " Strong Furnitur.
Company, did not think that tho effects Of ths
panic had entirely passed away. 1thad. wlthou
doubt, diminished sales customers not going
into the same classes Of goods that they werl
wont to during the holiday season. Still the,
did larger business in the number OF sale and
proceeds tberefrom last month than in Decem
ber, 1872. The company's country collection!
had been better OIL the average than those from
the city. but great improvement in collections
generally had been noticed within the past fort
night, and at present payments were making a
business was looked for, but whether it woult
come Immediately or within month or tive
Mr. Fairbank did not feel able to decide.
THE THEATRES.
The following conversation was had with Mr.
James II. McVicker on the preaent condition auG
outlook Of theatrical matters from fnancia
standpoint:
The Reporter-AIr Nfcvicker, have you noticed
any falling of In the profits Of a'uusements
ainca the panc7
Mr. Mcvicker-No, I have not; on the COZ.
better since the financial troubles commenced.
but cannot explain why.
K.-Has any branch Of amusements suffered 7
hlr. McV--What We call ''general attractions, "
such as stock theatres, appear to have had an
unusually hard time Of it, but the Especial at
fractions have been invariably well patronized.
Nov, Lotta THE TRIBUNE to the contrary not
withsiandlng) played better engagement
last time than ever before in Chicago. At
any tate, my books show that she received more
money. Nelson's engagement WAS also more
that Of the previous year. People forget that
my theatre ia much larger than the old one, and
that 500 or $500 house does not appear in it to
such good advantage as in former times:
R.-How hns buainess been during the year,
as compared with last Year,
Mr. McV,-AIuch bettor, SO far as I am con-
cerned. This year opened a week sooner than
last, but my house WAS closed two weeks owing
to the opera failure, go actually I opened a week
later. Nevertheless, my receipts are $4,000
greater, and they would havo been $4,000 but
for Maretzek's failure to open the house as
agreed upon. He would hayo made q handsome
thing OF 1t, too. The SUCCESS Of tile English
opera proves that.
n.-Have you any advicos from the Eaet rela-
tive to the condition Of things in amusement
h1r. McV,-Nothing very authentic, but every
city seems to be getting along well, except in
New York. and even there the minor shows, such
as variety, concert, and minstrel entertainments,
appear to be doing good business. got let-
ter tue other day, stating that Mr.. Booths last
engagement in New York was not as successful
as former ones, but that the SUCCESS Of his en-
gagements in Boston, Providence, and Phila-
delphia was unparalleled in the dramatic history
Of those cities. There docs not seem to be my.
lack Of money in Philadelphia. where he is play
ing now, as they turn the musicians out OF the
orchest1n every night to make room for the au-
d1e1co.
R.-Your experience of the panlcky times has
been very pleasant, must say.
Mr.. McV.--Well, between you and !, the panic
shook me up little when I went through the
country districts with Miss Cushuan. That WAS
the only time I felt it. The rural population
seemed to think that the country was going to
pieces, and they cluns to their dollars with !
tcnaclty that made ma feel little sick at times.
R.-What is tho outlook now at home and |
abroad? |
ur. McV.-Excellent. I anticipate prosper !
'us season, and believe that the profession, Is a
shole, will notice an improvement before long. |
HATS, cArs, ETC.
S1r. Elbridge Keith, of the firm Of Keith
Brothers, stated that he should infer that the
'auc was at al end. Their fall trade yas larger
han last year; their spring trade not 60 large.
ie did not expect very heavy increase, but tho
ear ago. Collections during the past four
months were better than they lad been for threo I
during tho last six weeks.
This" said alr. Eeith, * is the true index OF
lnancial prosperity
woRsrEDs, HOSIERY, ETC.
Mr. Sutton, OF the firm Of burkitt, Sutton /,
tanley. gave it rs his experience that the panic
ad reduced their trade one-thlrd that their De- |
embor trade wes not half 80 largo as last year;
hat there vas no reason to expect IN increase |
:onntry collcctions we're drst-rate; city collcc~
ions bad.
.Tt7Yr