Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-06-21
LETTER FROM NEW YORK,
ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MONITOR
NEW YORK, June IA, 1880.

LEI IEiFL r hOn IN Ii w Ohh.
NEW YORK, June IA, 1880.
The past week has been very largely
given over to politics, SO much so, in
fact, that local incidents have occupied
very small part of public attention.
Standing round bulletin boards and
mobbing the newsboys for week, and
then standing round hotel corridors and
shady street corners to discuss the NOM
nations, has kept New Workers too busy
to give their customary attention to the
happenings of everyday life in the
city.
Despite other interest, pretty nearly
all of grown-up Gotham has found leis-
ure to drop an actual or metaphorical
tear upon the coffin of old John Broug-
ham, who died peacefully early in the
week. and was buried with all the hon.
ors the theatrical profession could be-
stow. There is probably no member of
this honorable guild in this country
who stands better as an actor and a
man than did Brougham. He was born
in Ireland seventy years ago, received a
collegiate education preparatory to enter
ing the ranks of the medicine men.
His taste was for the stage. however,
and to that he early devoted himself,
acting first in London. In 1912 he
came to New York; which was ever
afterwards his home. He wrote more
plays and burlesques than could be
catalogued in this letter; was actor and
manager by turns, and the prince Of
good fellows and gentlemen always
He made great deal of money during
his long career, but his carelessness
with that article and his reckless gen
erosity left him so poor in his old age
that for the past two years he has beer
living on an annuity purchased will
the proceeds of a grand benefit givel
for the purpose by his professional
bretheren.
Speaking of actors and their compen
sation, reminds me of certain statistic
regarding prominent members of tn
profession, which | got hold of som
time ago, and which may be of intcres
to your readers. Actors may be divid
ed into three classes Stars, who max
enormous profits; leading men an
other specially favored members 0
stock companies, who work for goo
salary, from 500 to $500 per week
and the minor members of the profes
sion, who belong to stock company, o
have intermittent engagements in con
panies and combinations, whose remur
Grafton varies from SIS to $50 pc
week, and whose labor is harder tina
any other.
Of the first class there is Edwi
Booth-HdnaLet on and off the stage
whose terms are always $500 a nigh
paid before he goes on. except when b
chooses to 'share," and whose workin
year of thirty weeks nets him SlOO,OO'
E. A. Sothern also takes $500 at eac
performance, except when he share
J getting often so percent. Of the receip
and furnishing his own plays and COZ
!. pany. In his forty-five working weel
he nets, exclusive of his frequent be
> efts, $l57,50O annually. Miss Neilst
:, has made from $1,000 per week
: $1,000 per night, but easily makes e
gagements for ffty-two weeks at $50
= each performance. She is a safe st
\ for managers, as is Fanny Davenpol
!, when she travels without compal
:, and in her old repertoire. $1,000 p
:, week and a benefit are her avera
\ terms. Owens plays on shares, nettil
d from $4,000 to $4,000 per week I
l. thirty weeks, summering on his far
RS Maggie Mitchell clears 100000
(, $4,000 per year. and Lolita gets $40
- per week, with still improving pr,
8 poets. Boucicault plays in the dram
hearing the trademark of his name