The Washington critic., 1888-09-01
SOMETHING OF CITY LIFE.
What Can Be Seen in an Evening with
the Gods of the Gallery.

Wphb thn Be seen III an Evening WIN
the Gods or the Gallery.
The occupants of the aristocratic pres
ccnium box in the theatre or the fourth
and fifth row of the orchestra chairs can
never know the peculiar delights enjoyed
by those whose slender purses compel
them to secl, the gallery, or whose incli-
nations lead them there. The he
roic speeches of the mclodramatic star or
the sighs of the brolScn-heartcd heroine
lose half their force when they arc siftcd
through the delicate odors Of dainty per-
fumes and the faint rustic of sillIcn drap-
cries and downy fans.
But to the gods ench ringing scnti-
mcnt, each fearful protest, uscends unob-
struCtcd and strikes u responsive chord
that thrills the auditor through and
through and makes him feel that no has
had his moneys worth.
There is an atmosphere of democracy
pcrvading the gallery that is enjoyable,
Notwithstanding its taint of maStiCatcd
and discarded tobacco. The gallery is
not necessarily rough--it is merely un-
conventional FechngS AID emotions
are not hompcred by the tcncts Of social
etiquette, but bubble forth freely and
fOrcibly There is more enjoyment 60
be found in one enthusiastic whistle,
dcXterously executed by the aid of the
fingers, thnn in hundreds of listlcss con-
cusSiOns of glovcd hands or fan taps that
sound like Lilllputian caslancts.
The characteristic gallery gathering
was to DC seen in the National Theatre
any evening this week The perform
anCc was one which appealed strongly
TO the eXcitability of an audience, and
the earnest appreciation manifested from
the Slty parlOr could not fail to prove
flattcring
Men of all grades of society are to be
seen there Youths who move i'm the
best circles patronize the boX-oflice of
the gallery entrance because they en-
Joy the freedom from restraint to be
found there. To men who chew tobac-
co, the gallery is an clysium. Here
they can delight the senses of hearing
sight and taste. Coats are not de ri
geur. Far from being necessities they
do not even rise to the dignity of lux
uries.
Often does the man in the or
chestra chairs with govcd hands,
closely buttoncd coat and whiting collar
sigh us he thinks of the abode above
where he could throw eff his coat, lean
his chin on his hands. and scatter consol-
ing streams of nicotine in all directions
Conversation in the gallery is not
checked or hampered. Everybody who
comes there expects TO do as he pleascs
and is in Justice bound to accord the
same privilege to his ncighbors. The
right of ownership disappears so far as
plug of tobacco is concerned, and the
dcspiscd peanut here tinIs a laVen and
welcome.
To take the peanut shells from the
gallery door would be to deprive the
place of one of its peculiar character
istics. There is satisfaction in crunch
ing the shells under foot as the auditor
be indescribablt.
There are no ladies in the gallery,
although there is no reason to believe
that they would not be treated with
consideration if they chose to sit in that
part of the house. The absence of the
fair sex however is decided boon, as it
gives opportunity for the unrestrained
expression of appreciation or dissatis-
faction with the performance.