The New York herald., 1878-02-19

and is likely to prove big attraction for the Olympic
LYcEUM THEATRE-CoUNr JoANSEs BENEFIT.
II 1t were not that ono party was the stage and
the other in the auditorium t would have beon DIM
cult last night to tell which was the audience and
which the performers at the LYceum Theatre.
The occasion, the benefit OF "George tho
Count Joannes." aud the extraordinary spectacle
OF q house full of people assembling ana paying
n handsome Tor the privilege of amusing each
other was again presented. .'hamlet' was the play
but so far the audience concerned it pan
tomime, for utely not single word from be-
ginning TO end audible, SO loud and continuous
were the catcas, laughter and sarcastic COM
ments and advice given by the spectators 10 the
players. The situation was the moro remarkable
from tho fact that tho audience was made up OF
the moro Intelligent ana refined classes OF the COM
munity. Tho gallery was filed with well dressed
youths aud young men who had como to shave their
say" and the lower part OF tho crowded
with those who to noar II ana laugh.
While the merrimont boistcrous-amost riotous--
there was not shadow OF bitterness malevolence
in Il and whom some one In the course OF tho play
crcd "rhree cheers for Solhern," the Counts
crushed enemy, there was not single response. inc
fun confined 10 verbal expression and through
out the evening not single missile was thrown upon
the Every actor as he appeared upon the stage
hailed with roar Whom the Count caDe on AS
the Prince tho second he ted with thrce
cheers and shreks OF laughter, which were rendered
the less shrl by the visible efforts of The Queen
10 keep a straight lace. When tho King inquired,
"HOw that the clouds still hang on your" the boys
cred "Give II up!" ana when HIS Majesty remarked,
dorsed by most emphatic "Korrecu' The Count, with
ordiy air pulled out the miniature OF buried Dem
mark, only to meet with tho advice, "Georgc, pawn
that watch" Before the first soliloqdy II was
suggested that he should sing. an idea which he
OF the Queen tho remark, .'Ere those shoes
old with which she followed my poor
fathers 9ody ELECTED Inc exGnmas"n rs
out order for "One stow. aud have IL dry!"
Horatios statement that 'the morning cock crew
loud" illustrated audiby by score Of youngsters
Cries OF "Pu, them out" preceded the close OF tho
second scene, wnen the Prince with courIiy grace,
scenes scenes were being shifted tho Count camo down 10
tho footlights and Str king an attitude exclaimed
TO tho audience ~ thought that Inc jacSassss would
laughter lcnfold. Miss Fairbanks, as Ophe!ia re-
ceved very demonstratve greeting, and was the
tho beneficiary Of The evening. .srhiuk your
self q baby" SAID Poonius to hcr; '.Here's
so nss ns the Of rin aae o S
Ghost asking why tho sepuchre chad Cpd his pom
H Ws 'ns Sad fh Gys
this distracted brain" raised laugh and elected tho
sarcastic exclamation. 'Your brains ~" SO the fun
aud the roar that greeted the performer
who made his entrance upon tho stage at tho
OF .n curtain s on .So s ,oc Count
any time looked particularly sweet Mrs. Malaprops
htt. boy in the gallery cried 'Caude Belknap IT, in
elaborate gesture he chanced TO touch his head some
one cried, "lt's empty, George" Alter Tho curtain
fell upon last act the audience sang It's songs
drowning the music OF The orchestra and rendering
the musicians, like the actors, mere pantomi imists
John Browns Body'' furnished melody after tho
third act, with the chorus varied to read, "We'l
hang Count Joanncs 10 sour apple tree" AS the
Count took up tho skull in the graveyard scene
ing s.Set 'em up on the other alley;" and
In his quarrel with Leartes thcy brwed for 'rime. "
The play was cut considerably, and when tho cur
tain foil the audience r0ared Tor speech SO loudly
that the Count alter a time appeared with what was
tor expression OF dignhed disapproval upon
his aristocratic couutenance With great diff
Guilty tho audience was stIlled, and encourag.
Ing Snow, George do your best!' started him in
his address ''This sort OF thing said he, 'has now
gone ior or eleven nights; but you will allow
10 say It has been mere nothing to what oc-
Cured London Tor sixty-three nighis-('H0w
much tho Coun looks like the picture OF Shakespeare
IN tho parquet, and the house reared again,-Those
rioous persons 10 London were conquered ut as and
Lord Mansfield sent TWEEN OF them to Newgale
tor six months; and that's what you deserve
lads, and the laughter rang again.] For twenty Gvo
years you all have known Inc and yet you come here
night alter night TO annoy me Tor no real cause This
trouble commenced In tho bowery Theatre by q
for Jarrett & Palmer. You ought to appre-
ciats tho courage you have seen on this
stage tonight which has enabled us to endure
all you have done. (Appause) You have seen on
this stago specimen Of courage IN u young lady,
nineteen years OF age, OF which you ought to be
proud Every gentleman hero will appreciate what
have said. The lion can appreciate and hold In con-
tempt the jackass. Every man hero that objects to
that ph ogy coniesses that he Is jackass" And
with this parting shot the Count retired.