The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-12-03
OUR NEW YORK LETTER.
From our Regular Corrcspondeat.]
New YORK, Nov. %, 1885.

From our Regular Co1rcspondent.J
New YORK, Nov. %, 1885.
1t is a qualification to know how if we
are growing lax in our morals, we are
improving our manners; and the gentle
man who wrote American notes about
forty years ago would have to travel some
distance on the American continent to
find his originals to day. We have in
New York an aristocratie colored society,
which in all Of its appointments and
general tone, is quite up to the best style
of Fifth Avenue or Murray Hill-not
that mean to convey the idea that they
can shake double eagles with the Goulds,
the Vanderbits, the Astors and Goelets,
but they have money enough for all
practical purposes, and in general good
behavior they are sans reproach. 1t is
too much the practice of our scribes to
represent every colored ball as an assem-
blage of darkies with whitewash brushes
in their hands and razors in their boots.
IF any such impression is shared by The
general public, it certainly would have
been dissipated, if they could have
attended, the second annual ball of "The
Rosebuds of Peaco." Just think of it
what pretty name? could anything be
more delightful and suggestive-"The
Rosebuds Of Peace" Surely de worl'
do move" The only iucougruity in this
beautiful title was the startling fact, that
most of the buds of peace, were full
blown roses, turning the scale at 275-
still there were many of them that might
yet have hung some time upon the bush,
and still be worth the picking. But the
ball of the Rosebuds of Peace was an
immense success, socially, musically and
financially; the sum of two dollars and
seventy. five cents being left after all the
expenses were paid-not bad that for the
Rosebuds OF Peace, when you consider that
there are plenty of concerns here, which
started with hundreds of thousands Of
dollars, and wound up without cent.
Those Rosebuds are evidently not only
men of esthetic tastes, but better and
honester 6nanciers than either Ward or
Fish. They had good time-Victoria
on her throne could not have re.
ceived more delicate attention than
the female Rosebuds received at
tho hands of their male friends. The
next sensation in colored society is the
first reception of "The Silver Snow Flake
Coterie." Fifteen hundred invitations
are out, and the excitement among
tailors, mantuamakers, hairdressers,
florists, is at fever heat. It is currently
reported that the Rosebuds and Silver
Snow Flakes are not the warnest friends,
and if money and style can do it, you
will never hear of the Rosebuds after the
Silver Flake ball. Let US have peace.
If YOU want to see the two sides of an
actors life follow me to Union Square.
About the Morton House is where they
most do congregate. Here at times you
will find all the popular actors and
actresses in the country. Those who act
regularly in the Metropolitan theatres,
are all of them we'll paid aud enjoy life
very comfortably; most of them, if they
feel so inclined, being able to lay by
something for rainy day. Not many
of them do, however. If they receive
$3.50 per week their expenses are gener-
ally 5000. Not only the regular compa'
nies are recruited here, but all of the
barn stornling companies that afflict the
country find here their victims. 1t may
not be generally known in this free and
enlightened republic, but the dramatic
profession is the most aristocratic of any
profession on the face of the earth. Miss
Anderson would scarce wipe her shoes on
any of her small female subordiuates,
and certainly would never think of
riding in the same railroad car with
them. Edwin Booth or Lawrence Barrett
would not feel called upon to notice in
the streets a person who played first
actor or second grave digger in "Ham.
let," any more than if he were perfect
stranger, and, indeed, the man himself
would scarcely expect to be noticed by
such distinguished person. recollect,
many years ago, an actor who aourished
in New York by the name of George
Barrett, or, as he was familiarly known,
Gentleman George. He was walking
down Broadway one afternoon with old
Rufus Blake, another aristocratic snob,
when they happened to pass young gen.
tleman attached to the Park Theatre
Company, of which Mr.. Barrett was the
stage manager. The young man, like
the gentleman that he was, raised his hat
as he passed. Old Rufus Blake brought
up his old eye.glass, and glariug on the
offender who had bad the audacity to
bow to him in the street, turned to
George Barrett and said in the most
freezing tone, "Who is this person ?"
"Don't know" Mr.. Barrett replied.
"never saw him before in my life"
Most of the popular idols have go; d
time, but there are plenty of aspiranls to
fame about Union Square who get up in
the morning without exactly knowing
where to get their breakfast; and while
they may not all fare quite as we'll rs
Patti or Mary Anderson, they all find
shelter aud something to eat. AS q
general thing actors are the most chari.
table and eonsiderate of people as far as
money is concerned. Those who have
give freely TO those who have not, and
while the star might not be willing to
notice The bootjack (which is the dramatic
classic for small actor in the street, if
his attention is properly called to his
smaller brothers necessities, it is seldom
that no would refuse five or even a ten
dollar bill. But while the few go clad in
purple and fine linen, the many keep up
a constant struggle with poverty. Here,
too, you see the wrecks Of popular idols.
A few months ago stood leaning against
the railing that surrounds tie statue of
Washington, opposite the Morton House.
A poor, bent.up old man passed me-,
tottering along rs if he would drop at
ever step. The first time SAW him was
at the Cirque Fran,ai:e, on the Champ
Eysee., many, many years ago. He
appeared as the lopny .1mcricaa lPo"icr
in the esprit of the Silver Shower" ."