, 1877-09-16
DAILY.
Ills SM.ASH.up.
Specfal Correspondence If The Tribune.

Special Correspondence If The Tribune.
New YORK, Sept. l2.-You have, of
course, had the announcement te1egraphed to
you that Saturday night next Mr. Augustin
Daily retires from the management Of tho Fifth
Avenue Theatre, and tnat, for time at least,
that house will be closed. There have been al
sorts OF rutnors in circulation for the past few
days regarding this event, to the effect that Mr..
DAILY WAS bankrupt, that he had been turned
out by the landlord, and that he had been
forced to make All assignment OF all his per-
sonai property to secure arrcarages of rent.
The public have taken IL great interest in the
matter, for the reason that the Fifth Avenue
Theatre has always been popular place Of
amusement, and one of the few where the
greatest attention was paid to gc-drcssing
aud appropriate mounting Of the plays pro-
duced. Two weeks ago wrote you that Mr..
Daly was so seriously embarrassed as to be
largely in debt to some Of the actors who have
followed his fortunes for several years. His
present difficulty is but the elimination of that
embarrassment. He is not bankrupt, nor has
he failed, but he is simply too much embarrass-
ed to continue an enterprise which has cost him
large sum Of money, and regarding which the
prospect OF SUCCESS was exceedingly poor. Last
season
wAsA DISASTROUS ONE
to MIR. DAILY because OF his extravaganza in
management, and not from lack Of success OF
the pieces he produced. He took i'll money
enough to nave paid all legitimate
expenses, but his expenditures have
always been lavish, and largely in excess
of the actual requirements Of the theatre. Con-
sequcntly he closed the season largely in debt
to his company, or, rather, to individual men,
bcrs Of it, and to his landlord, traucs1ncn etc.
During the vacation he prepared tue new play
with which lie opened the present season, and
upon this he built high hopes Of Success. he
anticipated 4 long run for it., which would carry
him through the lrst two Or three months,
tiiing his affairs over till the time when Joe
Jefferson is engaged to play under his manage
mcnt. But tho !" Dark City, notwithstanding
its elegant and realistic scenery and dressing,
was ue:.l failure. It, fell fiat the first night
was condemned BY both the critics aud the
public, aud has since been played to non
p:.yiu. houses. This was the culmina-
ton of Ills nlisfortunes, and he apparently
saw 10 way out ol Ills financial ctll1aTr!ss1nclits,
and so surrendered his lease. Thus eutls Mr.
announced by him in his usual 'liisil-a'ltln9'
style, whcrtin big promises OF What w:ls TO bc
done were clothed in words OF appropriate mag
uitude and 'robustaousness." With all tie
talk this suspension has caused, have vet to
hear o1lc word OF sympathy lor Mr. LAZY or OF
rrrrct that he has closed his connection With the
Fifth Avenue Theatre: lie has never been 4
favoritc, personally, either With the profession
or with those with whom he has had business
latiuu>. uc las always been arbitrary, over
bearing and cxacting, adding to 4 brIsGue man
ner OH air Of supcrctlious superiority that was
very Offensive Rival managers long ago ceased
IL, have intercourse with. him, alleging that
no confidence could lie pIaced in his
nrotnises, and any engagement he might enter