Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-05-19
CITY AND DISTRICT.


"reminiscences Of the Early Days Of
the Theaser COmsque.
IS HISTORY As A THEaTKK AND MUSIC HAII-NEN-
ORAELE SOCIAL GArBERINes-FANoUs ACTORS WHO
APPEARED THERE-How The DISTINGUISHED Pa
IRONS ENJOYED THEMSELVES
The remodeIng OF the Theater Comique building,
at the corner OF 11th ana streets, Is TO be CON-
meDeed on Monday and II is expected that It Will
be ready for occupancy by the beginning OF the
next theatrical season. This solid old build
Ing was, In the early part OF this century, the
leading and most fashionable theater In
the District IL was built for theater
In IsO2 when that quarter OF the city was re-
garied as one OF the most fashionable as well as
most promising. on the occasion OF the laying OF
the cornerstone by Gen John P. yanness, then a
member OF Congress from New York and afterward
mayor OF the city there was procession in which
The few organized societies OF the day took part.
This procession formed at tavern on the corner
OF pennsylvania avenue and Eth street, and was
headed by band composed OF probably the
earliest professional musicians residing In the city.
10 IL said that bricks used In its construction
were imported from England but such is probably
not the fact, for there at the time more or less
brick made here for the public as We'll as private
buildings. IL was, however, 'bult for strong" the
walls over two feet thick, having withstOod the
IRE IN 1sS,, are apparently safe for a hundred or
more years TO come Built for a theater, II was
continuously used as such Till the fire above noted
During this period the leading actors OF the day
appeared upon It's boards, and was patronized by
tine executive officers. members OF Congress- and
foreign ministers This was the day when gen.
tlemen appeared in small clothes, knee breeches,
ladies' wore their hair powdered, and gowns which
10 them were graceful, but would be ridiculous to
the ladies OF to-day.
AFTER TIE FIRE,
Giatano Carust. a famous musician OF the day, who
died here in 1874. at ripe old age purchased the
size 18th the blackened walls and some OF the
contiguous ground on c and I1th streets OF Mr.
Patterson, the cashier OF the Bank OF the Metrop-
10 have been paid for IL was but a few thousand
dollars, for high prices did not rule then now.
Mr Carusi reg arng the site as an eligible one for
saloon or hail. at once reconstructed The building
using the old walls and fitted it up for balls con-
certs meetings. entertainments,S &C. and for quar-
city. The entertainments known as Washington
assemblies, the most brilliant ever given In the
District. under the management OF a committee
on which were such distinguished men as Calhoun,
clay, and Webster, took place during every ses-
sion OF Congress. These we're attended by the
during the 30s and 4O's were at their height.
Some OF our older citizens say that some OF
Ie aams IN cona rse ,n eay
IL was customary TO have the finest
musical talent procuraDle, and on the suppers the
from 8, 600 10 5000. TO these were Invited
foreign ministers, officers OF the Army. and any OF
the city, and until the "wee sma' hours o. the
morn" dignified senators and judges danced with
stately danes Then would follow the return en-
tertainments by some OF the foreign ministers or
a coterie OF authors and scientists, who would for
the time forget their favOrite hobbies and ''wor-
ship at the shrine OF Terpsichore."
SEVERAL OF THE INAUGURAL BALLS
were held here; that Of President John quincy
Adams In 1926, Gen. Jackson In 1899, Van Buren,
In 1897 Gen. Harrson's Peoples ball In 1887, Mr..
Folks In ls41, and one OF the three Taylor balls
in ls49, and these were all on a magnificent
scale.
The stn of January was observed here usually In
honor OF the battle OF New orleans by the men,
bers OF the Jackson Democratic Association BY
banquet. st. PatrcK's night, March IL, was
usually celebrated here by a banquet OF the old
Hibernian society, and not infrequently was the
adopted son OF Washington, Mr.. Gusts, an hon.
Ored guest. The I'D OF February would wind up
with a military ball by some OF the Washington
companies The Franklin Fire Company usually
held their balls here about the middle OF January.
There were then number OF clubs VINO gave balls
here, and enjoyed themselves To the tune Of
up and down.
Fast and slow,
Heel and toe,
And away
What delight it is to know
The fances of the polka OH
OF "ol1 Virginia" the "Young Knights and Faire
Ladyes.~ In fact, with the entertainments OF the
Washington Assembly, the members OF the diplo-
out the season pretty well from November to May
each year. The May balls here were exceptionally
brilliant
PosT-oFFICB AND EXHIBITION HALL
When the city post-or1ce having been burnt out
Its travels for short time in the '4O's 1t located
on the lower floor OF the building but did not in.
terfere with pleasures Of the dance on the floor
above
TWAS not only used for balls and parties but
10 some extent as an exhibition hall The exhibit
ton OF a magnificent painting OF queen Victoria
lust after her coronation In 1888 was followed sub
seuuentiy by the exhibition OF other famous
paintings Several panoramas also exhibited here
and It was favorite hall OF Wyman, the nagi-
clan, In his younger days
As music hall IL has witnessed the performances
Of BOrska regarded as the greatest harpist OF
modern times; Taberg. pianist; vieux Temps and
ole Bull, violnistS; Anna Bishop and Madame
La BOrde, prima donnaS Probably the greatest
furore created within Its walls was when Alkaline
Patti mere child, sang two songs here In concert
all that her manager, Mr.. Stakosch, would allow
her 10 sing In one evening.
rHEATER AGAIN.
A few years before the war sit was leased by
Nessrs. Humphrey Bland and Dion Boucicault, and
It again became regular theater. The stock COM
pany In which were Rose Skerret Mrs. Bland and
sam Glen has often been recalled by old PLAYERS as
somewhat remarkable. Mr.. Bland managed IL for
three seasons, and they We're profitable for he de-
parted with some SO. 900 ahead. Jno L. owens also
was Interested several seasons In IT, and John T.
Raymond was for q season or two stage manager
IL was run as theater until 1862, and some years
after the war II became variety theater.