The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-01-04
A STRANGERS OPINION.
WHAT MIR. +. i. BTxBY THINKS OF CAIRO
AND THE NEW OPERA HOUSE.

Wlal hINF Jis blADl VT Nhlht
AND THE NEW OPERA HOUSE.
During social chat between Captain T.
w. Shields and Nr. F. L. Bixby, present
manager of the Madison Square theatre
company which so admirably presented
"Hazel Kirke" in this city last week, the
captain asked the manager for an express
sion of his opinion concerning Cairo and
her new opera house,
Mr.. Bixby is young gentleman of about
thirty years of age pleasant of face, agreea-
bic in manner and ready in speech. He
seemed to be quite willing 10 be placed
upon the inqusioral rack, and, though
somewhat taken by surprise by question
which opened SO wide field for thought
and conversation which 10 him was quite
new, he entered promptly upon the task
Of giving vent TO his impressions Of the
city and its latest acquisitions. Mr.. Blk
bys opinion is worth something because
it is from a dsinterested source, and be-
cause it comes from one given to studying
the status of communities in connection
with his own business. 1t will also be of
interest to the readers OF The BULLETIN
because il is nice tribute to Cairo; her
business men, and her two best institutions
therefore, we give it as nearly as may be,
from memory:
"As regards your city," said Mr. Bixby,
"candor compels me to say was not great
ly impressed with its aspect when | arrived
yesterday morning, During the day, how
ever, | had occasion to visit the business
portion Of the city, and very materially
changed my views; in fact, so much as to
predicate to friend that Cairo will, in the
course OF at least ten years. become the
Chicago Of Southern Illinois. Men make
place--not brick. aud mortar; and, if
the facial aspect of the business men I
have met here can be relied on as an in
dicatlon Of business aptitude and shrewd-
ness, predict there is a great future in
store for your city"
"As regards the opera house which the
enterprise and muniiicence Of
yourself and co.adjusters, have
given to Cairo, I can truthfully say it
is one of the handsomest and most com
Portable theatres have ever seen 1t was
apertect revelation to US all. In beauty of
construction 1t even comes up to the famous
Madison Square theatre, while the audience
last night was one Of the mcst refined we
have ever played before. And as conse-
quence believe our performance rose to
the occasion, and was even Va little better
than usual, given an audience that is in
support with company Of artists, that is
TO say, an audience that does not laugh in
judiciously at the comic element of the
play, or demonstrate too vigorously during
the serious portions, and the result is a
much more harmonious and even perform
ance all round. | need not tell you we oc-
casionally meet with some very bucolic
audiences that sorely try the patience of
the players by their own appreciation Of
the motif and the words of the play; but
as regards Cairo ] can assure you we shall
one ana all, carry away with us the kindliest
recollection of the refined and kindly APP
probation of the cultured people, before
whom we appeared last night. Mr.. Bixby
then gave some idea of the methods Of
management Of the Madison Square theatre
~ am often said, asked he, what 10 the
secret of the success of the Madison. Alb
solutely there is no secret at all about it,
The Messrs Mallory, who are the Deus OK
Machinu of the great theatre and its do
Tendencies, buy the best article lin an
artistic sense> that can DO procured for
money. The unvarylng excellence Of their