New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-03
THE FIRST OF THE FAIR.
ADMIRlNG MULTITUDES AT THE GARDEN.
THE OPENING ADDRESS BY JOSEPH JEFFERSON
HOPES OF THE ACTORS FUND MORE
THAN REALIZED.


HOPES OF THE ACTORS FUND MORE
THAN REALIZED.
| The end has crowned the work and the Actors
Fund Fair is opened What the crown will proyc 10 be
worth In actual gold and gems no one can know yet
OF course but II seems heavy and rich The Madison
square Cinrden opened to the public at 80 O'Clock
| last evening and in short time admrinc crowds
| filed much OF 1t as was not occupied by the OBJ
jecs of their admiration Much has already been told
OF the work that has been done for this fair of the
results assured and OF the further results expected
No one knew when the project was undertaken what
labor IL would involve and it may be doubted if any
one imagined the completeness and the be,utv Of
the gay and picturesque little town which has been
built in the Garden When town is built In a garden
| there must be large garden and small town. and
they in this CASE but this town has more artistic
attractvencss than many large one The SMILES OF
Fairy land out. but they are all true
No such industrious and artistic ability were
ever expended on fair in New York. or perhaps any
where else ard the object Of holding il is one of the
best that ever animated workers for fair to strenuous
effort. success has never been in doubt and the
prospect OF an enormously large degree of success
grows constantly more hopeful
As promptly the curtain of a well regulated
theatre is up for the performance 10 BEGIN a. NJ.
Palmer, upon whom the duty of opening the fair had
been placed stepped to the little platform erected
the Twenty -sNtst side of the building. and obtained
the attention of the large people who occupied
In the boxes and chairs in that portion OF the
building. or were crowded closely together the main
floor. Mr.. Palmer received n cordial welcome lie
said
Ladies and Gcntlimcn The labor OF several months
on the part OF many devoted men and cUl-
hope pleasing fair. Before il is formally opened
wish on behalf of the Fund Fair Committee and of
the trustees of the Fund to make public acknowcdg-
ment Of the deep obligations we are under 10 the
people OF this ana other cities for their generous
contributions TO the eminent architect Mr.. stanford
White for his Jealous and most skilful work in plan
Ing and supern'Gnding the construction Of this pretty
carried out Mr.. Whites plans TO the Edison Company
for the electric lighting TO the Florists Club of New
noble women of the Wdmon's II" Executive Committee
who have for ncary three months worked in behalf
OF this enterprise with devotion and zeal which have
never been surpassed, If indeed. il they were ever
eqnniled. have now 10 present to YOU, ladies' and
gentlemen. the two foremost men of our profession,
" no honor us and who honor you by their presence
upon this occasion. Mr.. Jefferson will address you.
Mr.. Jefferson was sutig on the platform with tn
other members OF the Actors Fund Fair Committee.
lie instan ~ recognized when he Stepped forward
response to Mr.. lamer's announcement, and h. was
heartily and enthusiastically appIaudcd. Mr. Jcner
son said
Ladle, and Gentlemen: / cannot attribute this
to Mr.. Booth myself. but rather to the once which
Me are called npon 10 n vii spS a, 9
You will perceive readily that this is neither the time
no. place. and may say the space, for Heightened
literal donations and the splendid gifts Of merchandise
which you have showered upon this Institution show
that yon thoroughly appreciate and fully r'al2e The
value Of that word. In this vast place 1t * quite
natural that not more than hall Of the audience
can sec me hear what say, which. perhaps. j. one
Of the advantages yon will derive from my address.
find tina, am shut ont from one.lmlf Of the
This Is not the first time that have been obscnicd
by him can n.y. howsyer that there is on, "a " etc.
is my worthy colleague. Edwin Booth and IL ever he
has I" open fair and make rGnrh j. e9pi ne viii
up before me. this being tho Actors Fund and
he the High Priest Of my profession:
May say that all the varied gifts Of his possession
Tie wondering world asks what was his profession
OF course, he WINS lawyer says the lawyer.
TGe D corner ra druggist says he was chemist
The SKILLED mechanic a dnSs hin b @ncn chin thinker
And every tInman swenrs he tinker.
And 70 he is claimed by every tnde and factor.
Your pardon. gentlemen, he was an actor.
To where once stood the famous mulberry tree.
Then to STAFFORD Church hero take II peep
AT where the fathers Of the hamets si~p.
They hoIa place Of honor FOR h the ED Ssd'
Eefore the altar Of this sacred place
They have been given burial and grace.
And oh. my comrades brothers all In art.
Permit me jus, moment to dcpar,
From TN, my nI'i n rs gns S S1m J e aSy
That Shakespeare rage toward us VII kindly soften
Because you know, we've murdered him 50 often
| ask this for myself "A poor comedian.
What should do had been a tr'gedan'
Now then let me conclude my br1ef address ]
have been requested to thank the industrious WORKERS
In this cause the general public and the theatrical
profession FOR their great bealliy ard loyal support
ana 80 I announce this fair to l.. formally opened
AZ the close OF his speech the old ard familiar
octor again applanded lie bowed aeiin and again
as one ouburst followed another. MI Jefferson then
stepped side and Mrs. Palmer took his place. As sh"
reached the edge Of the platform she waved an Amen
can flag back and forth In the air Instantly Cappas
band which was stationed In the gallery on the other
Gall plttr,a tllr
wellknovn hymn America" the electric lights In
the booths flashed forth In myriad Of sparkling Jets
and The Actors Fund Fair open.
Little be added to the descriptions Of the build
nr, OF the fair which have been published in these
columns Yet till nov the building, have been only
walls and fncadc and pillars. empty and comparatively
unintcrcstng except for the promise which they con
vcycd. Last night they full Of light and life
and enjoyment. and there the inspiration Of many
voices and OF music. Many great festivals have been
held in many great cities ard OF them have Won
a certain transient fame. but here was city butt
for the purpose of containing festival. II Is city
all market place, city whose inhabitants are all
keepers of luxurious bazrs. and whose visitors are
all munifccnt buyers, should be. Parts Of the city
are Greek parts Moorish, Russian, Chinese; parts
are old English. and yet other parts American. Yet
there is no lack Of harmony, and all seems perfect
whole.
The first object seen by those who enter thu
Garden from MadlsOnavc. is the high cIssc arch with
,he word, Actors Fund Fair al the top in letters
Of electric light. Extending away from ths arch on
both sldcs are gracefully curved lines Of pillars. and
within the scmicirclc which they form booths
with beautiful displays Of attractive goods spread under
large ard richly colored canopcs. Through the arch
the Maypole is at the other end Of the Garden
with green fesoOns hanging from ii and reaching 10
the flower BOOTH which Is close against the Fourth ave
wall This Is another Of the especially attractive
sno,s in the Garden. II may be noted garden
within the city in the Garden.
Between these two cxtremi'ies are the lines Of
huua,ngs whereof full accounts have been given.
r,o ,oo,bs are within them sometimes one and some
fines three or four filling the building The old Globe
Theatre in charge Of the Actors Order OF Friendship,
8. an art gallery to which many prominent artists