The New York herald., 1877-10-13
AMUSEM ENTS.
THE EDWIN ADAMS BENEFIT.

ADJUSTMENTS.
THE EDWIN ADAMS BENEFIT.
An immense audience filled the Academy OF Music
yesterday afternoon, tho occasion Of the benefit
rendered TO Edwin Adams by the members OF the
dramatic and musical professions. Every seat was
taken, and the aisles and doorways crowded, many
ladies standing durnig the performance. This as.
semby had character OF iss own, because ofth
fact that the actors who proposed the
benefit did not depend wholly upon the
public to support H. They determined
10 mako II successful themselves irrespective OF the
generous assistance they naturally expected The
result that almost all the in New York wore
either on the stage tho body OF the house. The
families Of actors filled the boxes and many OF the
best seats the orchestra and circles Besides this
the extra duties performed py members Of tho
profession who served ushers attendants while
some Of the ladies sold satin programmes and bou.
ques adding in this way hundreds Of dollars tho
iund. To mind the most beautiful element OF the
event was tho spirit Of sympathy and interest dis
played by the members OF the two professions from
the humblest to the highest. The programme was
varied and long, but strictly adhered to- every person
announced the bill present, and all
eager 10 share In the labors honors OF the
In looking upon the gay stage, brilliant
TORS and listening 20 the laughter and applause,
could not bat think OF the tragedy upon which
this festival founded. He for whom its
bonents were intended lay In mortal agony In O
neighboring city almost beyond the reach Of friend
ship or pity Tho drama has been accused OF exag-
geration, but what contrast could DO stronger and
tragic than that OF the deathbed Of Edwin Adams
and the honors paid TO him yesterday?
Where all did their BEST and all did SO WELL criti.
cism would useless. The spectators were pleased,
hv, 49, ~,
total proceeds Of the benefit would amount to nearly
$4,000 This fund will suffice to relieve the widow
OF Mr. Adams from want, aud the knowledge Of the
fact will undoubtedly soothe his dying hours.
Yesterday afternoon bcneht performance was
given at the Leland Opera House. Albany, for Edwin
Adams. The testimonial was under the management
OF J. w. Aibaugh and the Shaughraun Company, and
the regular theatre company gave their Ths
attendance largo and $500 realized. The
entertainment throughout was splendid success
Mr.. Edwin Adams condition is not in the least i'm.
proved Tho physicians sny that he may possibly
1.-Two for a month more. Al his benent in Phiadcl-
phia yesterday afternoon, at the Chestnut Street
Theatre, over s7oo werc realized
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THE HESS OPERA TROUPE SUMMER NIGHTS
DREAM.
Tho plot Of IA Summer Nights Dream, which Is
TO be performed at the Fifth Avenue Theatre Mon-
day night 10 as follows Queen Elizabeth of England
and one Of her maids oi honor, Lady Olivia, while
hunting and hawking in the vicinity OF Windsor
Castle, are overtaken by storm and arc separated
from their suite. They obtain shelter iD the inn Of
the Star and Garter, where great preparations
being made Tor a banquet to Shakespeare and his
friends under the direction Of that prince OF gour-
mands Sir John Falslan The bury knight does not
recognize tho fair visitors, who veled aud hts
vanity leads him TO believe that they In love with
him. Mistakng them Tor adventuresscs he proposes to
them supper at his lodge Windsor Tho arrival OF
Shakes and his wild companions interrupts their
departure and whom tho poet discovers their presence
he dotains them. The Queen, still preserving her nccg
no reproaches Shakespeare for debaslLg his genius
by rotous exccsscs but the latter pays heed Ia
her. He drinks until he falls inscnsibIe. His
panons become disorderly and the night patrol
interieres. The Queen coutrives 10 slip paper,
perceived, into Falstafs glass II is royal order to
convey Shakespeare instantly to Windsor. The guests
then retire, carrying tho poet with them
The OF the second act Is laid In Windsor Park,
the palace stirring chorus Of forest keepers
commences the net, during which Shakespeare is
borne toward The palace FastaH Issues orders hts
mon guard the royal precincts from oil intruders
After the departure Of the forest keepers Fall
stan is joined by Lord Latimer, the lover OF
Lady Olivia, who traced the yelled women to
Olivia ono OF them. His suspicious confirmed
by Fastan, who shows love token which Latimer
gave Olivia the preceding day and which sha lost
at the inn. He threatens FsstaG, that the purly
knight runs away Shakespeare now advances, like
man IN dream The voice OF the Queen at . dis.
ance snchans him. and when she appears he calls hei
his Juliet She reproaches him bitterly FOR his wild
exccsses. and exncts from him promise
to abandon dissipation. He then insists upon
her removing nor veil, and Is only pre-
vented by Olivia, who takes the place OF tho
Queen. Latimer discovers them together, and 10 his
jealous rago he dares tho poet to meet him sword in
hand. Olivia and the Queen retire hastily, but
before their departure Shakespeare Is informed that
his patroness Is the Queen Fsstan aud the Keepers
now Interfere between the conbatans but not before
La,lmer has received wound. He iaiIs and Shake
spcarc thinking that he has ain his friend. flies from
the scene IN an agony OF remorse The sccno 81 the
thru act is laid In tho palace The Queen sends for
Faisan and makes inquiries about the scenes OF the
previous night the royal forest The knight at nfst
attempts to conceal tho circumstances, but Is com.
PEELED at last 70 relate ALL He 10 warned, under pain
Of the royal dispeasure to preserve silence regarding
the affair. stormy interview between DIVA and
La,i,ncr follows he refusing to believe In hcr inno.
conoe. Tho Queen thon sends for Shakespeare and
persuades him that all occurred at the Inn and
In the forest was summer nights dream. In thif
deception sho Is aided by FastaH and Olivia. Moved.
however, by the despair Of the poet she acknowledged
that hrs protectress and that shc has prepared
surprise for him. The reconciliation OF Olivia and
Latimer Is then eGeccd and the curtain taIs on the
coronation OF Shakespeare as poet laureate.
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES.
Owing TO the success OF the Keogg-cary Opera
Company In San Francisco their engagement has been
prolonged another week.
Mss Emma rhursby will sing In Hudson N. K,
next Friday, assisted by Miss Annie Beere. the
Messrs s. b. Mills Harrison Miilard, 8. Hitler and
Chaxlna Praai under tho Inauaqnmeni OF NJ Lud.