New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-31
TILE PLAY AT MANCHESTER.
GIVING "A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM
THE PROLOGUE SPOKEN BY MRS. AGNES BOOTH
sCHOEFFEL-A BRILLIANT AUDIENCE AND
lBr TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE. ]


lBr TELEGRAPH TIE TRIBUNE
Masconomo House. Manchester-by -the-Sea, July 30.
A more brilliant and fashionable assembage than
that which gathered here tonight to witness the per
Torrance of "a Midsummer Nights Dream has
rarely been seen. AS early as O'Clock the piazzas
sad mounds Of the Mssconomo House were crowded
with those who had come 10 witness the second pas
tora performance which has been given in this coun-
try Until O'Clock the Salem Cadet Band dlscoursed
sweet music the lawn in front Of the house Among
those most prominently known In society circles were
Richard H. Dana. the Rev. c. A. Bartol y. H. Mans
field, I. D. Boarlman, Henry l. Higginson, F. Gordon
Dexter William EndicOtt IT.. Sydney Bartlett, OF Bos-
ton with their families Senator Eustls and wife. OF
Louisiana; Colonel Blunt of Washington; Judge {. c.
Cordill and c. II. uyams Of New-Oreans; John Gil
bert, Joseph Proctor W. II. Mcdonald Marie stonc'
Agnes stone Helen Lamont and others OF the PROBES
sion. The performance began at O'Clock Prior TO
the opening of the play a prologue was read by Mrs
Agnes Booth-schocffel. 1t written for her by
william T. W. Ball 1t was as follows:
what Mrs Schoenel :" cried lovely fair.
The fIeshon1g breeze toying with her hair:
Health on her cheek and beauty in her eve.
IIe- form all grace and cuccnlikc majesty;
What give another play upon the green,
And in the cast yonr name not TO be seen'
Why tits outrageous :" " Season for awhile
Your adm ration" said I. with a smile.
Though Il is no players part claim,
Rest you ISSUED I'll get there Just the same
And so l come before you, gcntles ALL
And bid you welcome. Surely ny call
You'll not refuse your heartlest applause
TO thoso who labor here in this goo1 cause.
You friends who read snakespeare's page Alright
And sit in Judgment US here tonight
Well know the scene OF our midsummer play
Is in a wood near Athens made 10 lay;
Old Athens then, but the later years
The Modern Athens" peerless among peers.
Seeks this wood. well fitting as ween
Again to reproduce the mimic scene;
And you'll admit see it in each face
That tits a marvellous convenient place
What is objectf Still, as in the past
To help the needy round pains bed TO cast.
With tender hopes and sympathetic care.
AL comforts that should have lotgment there
Succor the widow and the orphaned child
With open hands and ministratons mild
And e's Journey the world above
Irvine white robed charity with arms OF love.
For this tonight presence here is sought:
We bal ter pleasure for the aid you've brought.
Be aim 20 fill your hearts with Radness,
And by Dream" midsummer sadness.
l. prologue-lke your humble patience pray,
Gently TO hear, kindly TO judge, cur play.
The cast was the same as that given in The Trib-
une on Sunday. The programmes were printed on
satin in several colors. The committee of arrange
ments included George ". Floyd. W. C. Vanderlp,
James W. TreadweIl. W. ]. Anderson, T. E. Atteaux
J. o. Gray, z c. Donnelly, T. r. Byram, J. H. Dee
L. L. Jones, J. A. McLane, II. T. Hayward, W. r. Russ,
John Graham and J. A. Blake William seymour
stage manager and j. ID. Jones chorus master.
The play was an unqualified success from beginning
as Bottom: Miss Marie Jansen led the ladies' In
honors. Eugene Moore, Messrs. Aveling and wilson
and Misses Paulin and Earle deserve special mention
Little Mamie Ryan as Puck repeated her New Y Ork
success. On the whole, Mrs. Agnes Booth choedel
Is to be congratulated