New-York tribune., 1875-02-18
THE DRAMA.

FIFTH AVENUE THEATER-THE BIG BONANZA
The new play which Mr.. DAILY produced last
night deals with the troubles Of man Of science who
tempts the peris OF rhe stock market; the benevolent
schemes rich banker who plays the mentor ana the
guardian genius to nearly all the rest OF the dramatis
| persona and the loves OF two pairs OF young
| people-both the males hgh-tIned but impecunious
| and both the females gwen TO gush. II
is provided with several supernumerary char
| acters besides, who have particular con
necton with the thread Of story 1t Is decorated
| with fine scenery and costly wardrobe. 1t IS con-
cerned with subjects famlar to the business pursuits
conversation OF great many lovers OF the theater
II introduces some OF the argOn the Exchange which
always strikes certain people immensely funny whom
| it IA used i'll the Of play, though 1t may be
familiar in theig WQutbs as household words In tue
course Of their daily life 1t Is acted with great spirit
by some OF the best members Of the company. promi
| nent among whom must be mentioned Mr. Charles
| Fisher, Mr. James Lewis Miss Fanny Davenport, and
Miss Emily Rgl. These the points IN its favor
| Whether they will be sufficient to win for
| tt place on the metropolitan stage re-
! mains 10 be seen. AS piece Of dramatic
construction literary composition, as picture OF lie
and character, 1t has claim to consideration. The
dialogue drves through four acts OF hopeless common
place iu winch there spark OF wit, not one
bright thought, not even CLEAN OF smartness. Inc
play can hardly be said to have plot The story
involves itself without any cause, and is strengthened
out the end without any reason Situations more or
less farcca succeed another with no more pretenso
Of logical development than the scenes OF pantomme
Mr. James lewis brandishing an umbrella Mr. James
Lewis tumbling sofa Mr. James Lewis getting
mad aud slapplng the table Mr.. James Lewis falling
ON his nose: Mr. Charles Fisher confronting
whole family In various kinds Of spasms; Miss
Davenport in tears; Miss Rigl In ecstasles; ;
Mr. Pakes in the Ggglesthese are the pictures which
the unknown dramast presents in lieu Of incidents and
in their preparation he seems to have exhausted his
mind The whole is like fragments OF multi
tude OF farces shaken up kaleidoscope. The first
two acts observed rather quietly bnt by the lat
ter part OF the third where Mr. Lewis began to say
Lake Shore" and &C, c. and L." and 4" Wabash
bonds" the fun fairly began and thenceorh there was
great deal OF laughterdue lot at all to the play, but
to the OF few catchwords and the comieaites Of
the actor.
Mr. John Drew who made his first appearance at this
house. cordially welcomed, and left pleasant i'm
preston. lie very young man whose style has yet
to formed but he has excellent face, good gen
era appearance, and evident intelligence, and shall
all wish for him worthy OF his name.
MISS CUsHMAN's FAREWELL.
Miss Charlotte Cushman, who is now playing
in Chicago has written the following remarkable letter
To the Editor Of The Chicago Tribune.
SIR: 1t having been reported to me that various in
vidous and derogatory remarks concerning my last ap
pearance NewYork have been going the rounds "
u
respect and integrity induces me TO make the following
plain statement: At the tme entered into an engage
ment with Messrs jarrett Palmer OF New York to act
at their theater October last nothing further
my wish and intention than the announcement or
q farewell to the stage, there such spula
| ton In my engagement. No one could have been more
astouished than when arrived Ia New-IOrk TO
commence that cement, TO hnd she announcement
OF farewell" and matters concerning II, in snch a
of forwardDess that II seemed In vain to renon
strate, and | obliged TO submit TO what did not
desire intend. Although IL perfectly true that
had made up my mind TO retire from the stage, had
| friends else where well as In New-YOrk TO whom
wished to say farewell. had already then made the
| engagements which am now seeking to fulfill IN the
different cities OF the Union, and therefore found my
self placed by the managers In the embarrassing posi-
ton of either Disappointing my pubic elsewhere or
stultfying myself. fully intended, before engage
ment TO a close I'm New-YOrk, TO make this expla-
nation there gracious public entered heartily
and kindly into the scneme OF the managers, the affair
such proportions and blossomed out into such
magnificent compliment To me, that all minor cOnsd
erations had to give way and could not despo by
single note OF dscOrd the harmony OF demonstration
which. however naugurated, the heartfelt character
/ coull not be mistaken.
Since then have not acted although have appeared
Us announced / would, ut the reading-Cesk. Before
making my reappearace tue stage III fulnilment OF
my engagements have been made TO feel that owed
IL 10 myself and the public to make TINS explanation,
that there might be no msjutgment OF motives, but
that might be trusted simply wishing fare
well all my friends. IN Boston well as in Pbilade
pDia In Chicago well NewYOrk. In Baltimore
well ST. Louis Regretting that should be forced 10
feel myself called upon, not through my own fau To
make apology for appearing before my friends
in various cities where have engagements pending,
remain respectfully yours.
ChieagO Feb. II, 1875. CHARLOTTE CUsHhAS.