The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-22
YOU MAY DIE FOR FUN.
GHosTLY PARTISAN FUN SEEN IN NEW
YORK.
Stimulates the Stages OF Change FROM Life
60 the 0ravs--Comns and Skeletons the
Principal Fssturcs-It IL Called ths
sCabaret du Meant

TO the 0rave--Comns ana skeiotons tho
Principal Fssturcs-It IL Called tho
"Cabarst du Meant
Tho Cabaret du Meant" a ghostly
Partisan diversion, has been imported to
New York, and Is now showing at the
Casino chambers In that city. A reporter
thus describes his visit:
From the street the visitor was ushered
into an anteroom that was almost totally
dark, and after being held therein long
enough TO acquaint his eyes with the lack
Of light he passed into what was styled
the First Chamber Here the light
was limited to feeble glow from ono
chandelier and to the glimmer that came
from numerous wax tapers. Tho lattor
wero of the sort that are sold by erocers
for lighting gas jets and ranges and were
stuck In the tables that were scattered
about the room. Each OF these tables was
of plain deal and In the shape of a coffin.
The walls OF the room were draped with
black; deaths heads and crossboncs
showed on tho drapery, and the somber-
ness was but little relieved by crude paint
ings representing for the most part pio-
lures OF gay scenes. but In oolors OF dim
ghastlinoss. At one end of the room was
an aperture about foot In diameter over
which In white letters was the mystic
legend Remove your hnt." Compliance
with this request enabled the curious Wis.
itor to put his head we'll within the open
ing. Having done So he looked In for
distance Of ten feet and saw, standing up
right In the recess, an open collin covered,
except for small space at It's top. In this
space. did he follow the Injunction closely
enough, no saw his own face reflected In
oolorlcss likeness, as though he were tho
occupant OF the box of death.
Outside, where the lights were DINNER,
It could be seen that tho chandelier was
composed of human bones each feeble jet
supported by skeleton hand. After
sufficient time had elapsed TO permit Of
consideration OF these details lecturer"
In % shiny silk hat, made himself heard.
After few words Of comment on the per-
vading deathliness he called attention TO
the paintings upon tho walls, bestowing a
few words OF description To each. and as
he spoke the paintings proved themselves
transparencies by the way their figures
changed A depletion of n hilarious sceno
In a noted French dancehouse suddenly
became dance of neshless skeletons. n
picture of man serenading the moon was
altered to represent skeleton twanging
his guitar In praises Of q heaven lit deaths
head, and SO IL went on through the half
dozen pictures. After tho list was ex-
hausted the speaker invited all those who
desired TO die TO follow him.
He led the way TO door draped in
black, but with a small, square opening
that suggested faro and like forbidden re-
laxations. Sturdy knocks upon the door
brought responses from the other side that
indicated reluctance in granting permis-
sion to enter but after fow moments OF
parley there came the sounds of loosening
bolts, and the company passed on into the
"second chamber" This too was draped
In black, which was relieved only by
series of white spots, which by lettered
sign were explained to represent tears
On ono wall were lettered the words,
"Requiescat In Pace" Here the company
were challenged to die, and tho volunteer
OF bravado was introduced 10 cowled
monk, who conducted him through parted
black curtains out of sight.
In a moment the volunteer reappeared,
showing In dGrkeued recess at the back
of which an empty coffin was set upright.
In this he was placed, and n white cloth
was draped over him, leaving his face ex-
posed. In few seconds his flesh lost It's
glow of health, slowly darkencd, and in q
moment more skeleton showed where he
had stood These effects were produced by
q reflection, fact OF which the waiting
onlookers were assured in few moments
by the mans temperance.
Several volunteers made this essay, ono
a woman, who was escorted by NJ. Caron
to her position In the coffin while holding
bottle of champagne In her hand. AS
the candidates offered themselves, music
from on organ was of somber character,
but as the natural flesh hues slowly dark
ened In stimulation Of modification the
airs from the musician became livelier,
and n jig or reel was the accompaniment
for the display Of lifeless bones. A third
chamber was decorated as sombcrly rs the
other two, aud recess similar to the
former ono was furnished with chair and
table. Here the volunteer was invited to
order whatever he desired TO eat or drink,
and cautioned that he was in the abode Of
phantoms At his commands refreshments
were placed before him, and these were
visible to onlookers, but unseen by him,
the effects being produced by lights of the
magic lantern order. Skeletons clothed In
white waited upon the sitter and disap-
peared at the command OF the loquacious
lecturer, and the viands and liquors were
seemingly removed 10y the same unearthly
hands.
AS visitors passed from this room to the
next and last. black edged cards Of invita-
tion bearing the imprint of skull and
crossbonos were handed 10 them, and in
the final apartment they were invited to
be seated and rcgalo themselves. Here the
surroundings were moro cheerful, to some
tastes, consisting of a selection from the
properties of the representations of comic
opera at the Casino in the past ten years.
In future showings of this newly i'm
ported Partisan delight 1t Is planned to
serve refreshments In the first and fourth
rooms of the establishment, the intermc-
diate two being reserved exclusively for
undiluted ghas,liness. Those who enjoy
this sort of display will find it served up
In a manner that is In every way consist
ent with the growth Of gooseilosh. Tho
one lack perhaps TO be noted I'm the whole
enterprise is the absence from the vino
list of smelling salts. Women visitors
may need them. New York sun.