New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-19
The BLOSSOMING OF THE BILLS.
nv CHARLES n. CONGDON.

THE IRREGULAR AS DISTINGUISHED FROM THE
REGULAR SEASON.
Already tie theatres have begun their pictorial
seduc tions. The men with large brushes and big
paste-pots have been busy in clarifying the dead
walls and the boardngs. The particolored placards
illuminate the windows of the tobacco shops, and
shed quite superHuous luridity over the bar-rooms.
One pauses in bis stroll through Union-square or
the Bowery to gaze upon these coarse but effective
displays, which. they must be expensive, the
shrewd managers doubtless find profitable. The
passion of the age is for illustration. IL would seem
10 be thought impossible TO tell any story or TO con-
yey any information to the general mind without pic
toral assistance. Nobody at any rate, will be-
lieve in Mademosele Celcstine. or pay sixpence
to see her. unless she be set before the world upon
an irraGatcd sheet, the scantiest drapery, with
one foot pointing to the sky and the other reduced
TO mere matter of toes. 1t is quite wonder that
the public does not become little weary OF this
perpetual exhibition Of limb; but apparently it
does not, as the walls Of this city all last week
abundantly testified. Depctured girls dressed as
infantry soldiers, have been displayed gong through
military drill. and commanded by the prettiest of
the group Questionable Spanish demoiselles have
sprawled through every distortion Of the bolero
apd cachuca in quite glory OF the most brilliant
and varegated ink. Again we are introduced to our
old friends the Pirates of Pcnzlnce Again we
may gaze upon the familiar form of Evan
geline, q little burlesqued. Again scouDdrel
shoots black guard in the Bowery. Again we
look upon landscapes unlike any winch
illiberal nature has given us. ana upon draw
ipp-rooms which have evidently been arranged by
TIE cheap furpiturc dealers, while i'll them num-
Der OF impossible persons are constantly standing
in attitudes automically absurd, or firing pistols
or gong up and down particularly wide stalrcases
No doubt this is all nicer in the placard than we
should find it upon paying money to go inside
We should not fud Mademoiselle Ceestine any
thing like SO beautiful in reality. and
rs for the lady who persOnates the French
Spy she would come on with smear OF rouge on
each cheek and smirk in her old eyes, and won
derfuIy frzzed yellow wig and fesbings which
might or might not fit her, but which would be
pretty sure to be baggy at the knees ; and having
come on. she would discharge firearms right and
left, and send great smoke and smell OF VILLAIN
Gus satpetre into the auditorium do not re-
member how many lovely gymnasts have represented
that wonderful Arab youth in New York Madame
Celeste brought 1t into fashion and did 1T well ;
since ter time il has remained in the possession of
the dubious demoisellcs, and has been enacted by
many dame sans merci. The play lives, though in
degraded and disreputable state. and may be pre-
sented for half century to como in various dra
matte holes and corners
Taste is thing about which there can be no dis
pute. The play honse hauntcrs of the Bowery know
what they like and for that matter the managers
of that locality also know what will draw the
studious stlrers at the placards into the temple OF
amusement. You see these high priests OF popular
dclectaton sanng at the doors OF their palaces OF
cnchantment much moustached. with much mosaic
iewelry displayed upon their persons, with brilliant
boots and with bats of dazzling sheen. They appear
to be marking the effect OF the seven-hued posters
They evidently regard them trumphs of the
graphic art. Around are sometimes gathered
excellent representatives of the companies some
of them also IN brilliant hats and wastcoats, and
some OF them, alas in condition of seediness
more or less advanced. There is the strong man
who handles the cannon balls. seeming little weak
There is the minstrel who coaxes the banjo or who
goes through the mysteries of the clog dance and
YOU observe with pain that he looks little pale,
and not at all like person likely to break spon-
taneously into dancing by daylight and at 10
O'clock IN the morning. Somehow all these devOtees
about the temple have a slOuchy air, as II they
were not engaged or expected every moment to be
discharged as if they had Just been fined by the
manager or ought TO be. They look much holder
in the bills and are there represented in de-
oidedly different and more gorgeous rament.
They seem as if-should you smell them-they
would smell of gas. You recognize them as the
Respondent persons who might have been seen in
the hottest days of summer listlessly standing
about the doors of the theatrical agencies, talking
over coming chances. and occasionally diving
down for little beer and fresh cigar.
As for the charming ladies of the posters-Mes-
danes Zoe Ceestine, Angelique, Fannie and the
rest-tbey will not be found hanging about the doors
of the temple. for the stern manager, who has his
ideas of propriety, would not permit it. But one
who is travelling down town of morning on
Tbird-Avenue car may chance to see. demuIcly
seated III corner little girl IN dismal black,
as moleslv arrayed as possible. and maybe with
pinched look which gives hint of restricted diet.
What will the reader say if assured that this in
significant creature is the celebrated Mademoisele
Zoe (born Smith. the identical damsel who is so
glorified in the poster She going to rehearsal.
The car stops she alights she trips quietly into
the temple Tonight in gorgeous raiinent all
smiles aud spanges she may charm each beery
spectator. who will possibly with Oaths declare, In
effect. that be never before gazed upon such
form of life and light! Poor little woman! there
will not be much money for her at the bOxofice on
Saturday. although her name Is printed in such big
letters in the bill. The manager will tell you. with
something of sneer. that there's always glut Of
Mademosee Foes in the dramatic market.
Next in importance to the posters are the portraits.
What with the economical resources of photography
and TYPOGRAPHY, it Is possible for every
actor and actress to supply curious
public with his or her counterfeit pre-
sentiment. They ali do 1.-THE great and the little
Ones the uobs and the snObs the celebrated and the
utterly unknown. Nothing can exceed the beauty
Of these portraits-these delneatioDs Of rare love-
illness and of manly elegance the last sometimes
with its hat on and always with its moustache in
state of waxy perfection, its hyperion locks
suggestive of recent visit to the hairdresser. The
photographers. those sly fellows. understand their
business, which is to make the plainest face fasc-
mating or at least good looking while still prcserv
ing something of likeness. The softcning crayon.