National Republican., 1883-04-24
ADJUSTMENTS.
FORD's OPERA HOUSE.

fOhD OPbhA HOUSE'
Tho large audience at Ford's opera house
last night, although the rain was falling copi-
ously, proved the correctness of the assertion
made in these columns that good minstrel
troupe is always drawing attraction in this
city. Tho Carncross party has been organ
lied for so many years, and the members
have played together for so long and
understand each other so WE'LL that
there is smoothnoss and finish in their
performances that minstrel troupes gem
orally lack. wilhelm point of numbers they
do not attempt to compete with many organ
izations with high sounding titles they tar
surpass these more pretentious companies in
the enjoyable character of the entertainment
they furnish The first part brought out
some excellent ballad singing by Carncross,
Olcott, and Wulz, each of whom was en-
phatically encored,while the concerted music
was exceedingly well rendered. The comic
selections Of Lewis Dockstader and Matt
Wheeler were very funny, and were
received with roars of laughter. The
jokes, too, were not of the sterootyped
order, but were fresh and good, entirely free
from the Coarseness that sometimes mars at
tempts at wit and humor. The finale to the
first part, the Donnybrook fair scene, was ex-
tromely funny In the second part wero in
troduced Fred Dart in his operatic and
terpsichorean specialities; 1.-The Letter
Carriers" a decidedly amusing sketch; Lewis
Dockstader in "Colored Misfts;" "The
African Rivals" and James Blancphin in a
well executed harp solo. The concluding ex-
travaganza, "A Life Behind the Scenes"
brought out the whole strength of the COM
pany, and was heartily enjoyed.
NATIONAL THEATER.
That which borders upon tho supernatural
is always attractive, and that is probably why
Hermann has been so successful as a magi-
clan. Others have done some of the tricks
which he performs, but in his sleght of hand
there is neatness, finish which seems to
challenge detection and yet successfully
eludcs it. He has always been ia
vorite here, and with each visit his
popularity increases, for he never returns
that he does not present some new evidence
of his skill, some new trick that surpasses his
former efforts. The reckless manner in which
gold watches and other valuables are pulver-
lied and lost and then recovered and restored
uninjured to their owners not only proves
the cleverness of the magician, but furnishes
no end of amusement and wonder to the
audience; while the spirit cabinet in
PRODUCING the mediums Howell and Darwin
presents spirit manifestations by gaslight
which excel those which are seen in the
darkened room in tho genuine spiritual
seancc. Mile Addie renders valuable assist
ancc to Prof. Hermann in many of his feats.
Besides there are the attractions of a
Japanese juggler, whose fcats of balancing
are truly wonderful; Miss Hilda Thomas, a
young lady of pleasing appearance, who
possesses soprano voice of good
range and cultivation, and was the
recipient of double encore, and John and
Louise Till, with their marionettes, which
are tho most natural and lifelike that have
been seen here. The good-sized audience at
the National last night evidenced their salts
faction with the entertainment by frequent
and hearty applause.