The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-01
The Poe statue,
Tue ENrERTAINNtNTA Ar MADIsoN-sQrA ARE THE.
ATRE, NEW YORK. FOR THE BENHFIT OF THt
POE-SrATUF PIrND

TUE ENTERTAINMENT ar MADIsoN-sor ARE THE
ATRE, NEW YORK, FOR THE BENSFIT OF THE
POE-STATUE FUND.
The benefit performance which was given
Monday after noon at the Madison. Square
Theatre was in all respects euioyahe. and
quite worthy Of the admirable rrotiv, which
underay II. 1t is certainly not crcditable
to our wealthy and popuous citv that the
memory OF one oi the most distinguished
men identified with is history should have
been neglected until this time, though we
have found means to erect monument TO
one infinitely smsller than Poe-FItz-
Greene Ilalleck. Now that the Poe-statue
fund is a substantial fact, we NAV look for
ward confidently 10 speedy realization Of
its purpose. A large sum was the
result OF Mondays entertainment, for
Mr.. Mackayc's beautiful little theatre
was crowded TO the doors, the audience be-
inZ, moreover, 4 thoroughly representative
one. The occasion was made more interest
ing by the knowledge that Mr.. Edwin
Booths part in the performance was in the
wise OF farewell; tomorrow this cclebra-
ted and wcll-loved actor will depart for
Europe, and will not probably be seen upon
our stage again for some years. II was
found needful, at late hour, 10 change the
programme which had been announced on
the previous day-the opening piece, "My
Cncle's Wlll," being cast out, and Mr. Ole
Bulls place being filled by Miss Maud Nor
gan. Illness KEPT The popular yioiini,t, nm
luckily for the public, at home. Mr.. Steele
Mackaye was courteous enough TO open the
entertainment with striking recitation Of
'The Raven" and Mr.. Harry Edwards
read POe'S vaguely mClOdious poem, CAN
mabel Lee" Mr.. George Clarke gave vlgor-
ous sccOHnt Of the adventures OF the famous
4" Shamus O'Brlcn," and Mr.. +. &. Bangs
read "The Little Hero" in a style that was
toned remarkably we'll 10 the story OF this
simple and realistic piece. We have sell
dom heard anything better than this last
recitation, which was full Of mingled rO-
business and tenderness. Among the mu-
sical volunteers were Mile. Blanca La
blanche, Miss Nellie Summers, Miss Maud
Morgan, Mr.. George Comfy, and Mr. Frank
Glider. Nile. Iabldncbe. who also made
her farewell appearance on this occasion,
she TOO, being bcuuC for Europe, sang q
Serenata by Braza, and as an encore sang
| The rose song from "Martha" ("Tbc Last
Rose Of Summer"). The purely dramatic
! features OF the programme were the sleep
waking scene from Macbeth" and a
performance OF Mr.. Booths version OF
" The Tanning OF the Shrew." In the
former Miss Clara Morris appeared, pre-
| senting the scene as Il mOnOlOguc. 1t
was nrc pleasure 70 look once again
upon tbs gifted actress-an actress whose
emotional ranger is simply marvellous,
though. p,rhaps, the feeling OF pleasure was
allied somewhat distressigy to sympathy.
Miss Moris's acting in her short scene was
unhackneyed aud impressive, in spite OF the
clear fact hat she has no tragic power, and,
! indeed. NJ sense OF tragic power. The pal
! lor OF her face, the f1r-away iiyity Of her
ewes, the almost death-calm OF her features,
| suggested The sOmnambulst with remarka-
| bic effect. OF the performance OF kalhe-
rjne and Petruchio" only brief WORD need
| lie written. Mr.. Booth was greeted with
long applause, and his acting was more than
commonly bright; he and Mr. WhfiiA-thc
Grumio-seemcd 10 be cordially inclined to
enjoy thcm.elyes. Miss Ellie Ellser was a
charming and petite Katberne-amost too
charming and petite for such loud-moulh'
oI