The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-27
American History Re.Er Enacted.

Next Tuesday evening will witness
quite a focusing of patriotism in the
Metropolitan Opera house, New York.
on that occasion the Mayfiower soci-
ETY., the Daughters of the American
Revolution, the Colonial Danes of
America, the Holland society and the
National society of New England wo-
men will, with their husbands, broth
ers and sweethearts, and perchance
with q few plebeians, assemble to Wit
ness a dramatic and scenic reproduc-
tion of American history, the plans for
which are certainly worthy of notice.
with the aid of chorus of 500 MEM
bers suitably costumed, and by utili-
zation i'm the speaking parts" of lineal
descendants of colonial worthless, it Is
proposed in a series of living pictures
to reproduce with painstaking tidel-
ity early New England life, the Dutch
occupation of New York. the Revolu-
tionary period and the Civil war SAYS
the sun, in an article setting forth the
intent of the undertakings
The New England scenes will be "Thc
John Alden and Priscilla" and "Thanks-
giving" The last will represent a typical
carly THANKSGIVING reunion. The enter
tainment will be given as cclebra-
ton of the anniversary of Evacuation
Day. There will be two scenes devoted
10 this event the first representing Wash
ington and his staff waiting outside of
the city--in the Bowery-for the an
nouncement of the British commander
that his troops have left the place. In
the next, the same party, together with
large and enthusiastic section of the
"populace" will be seen watching the de-
pafture of the British ships. Two other
Revolutionary scenes will be given, the
inauguration of Washington and THE
French Embassy Ball" given two weeks
later In the ball scene the minuet will
be danced, the costumes representing the
alliance between France and the United
States. The period of 1912 will be repre-
sentcd by THE Presentation of the Free
dom of the City OF New York to Commo-
dore Isaac Hull of the Constitution"
This event occurred in the council cham
Der of the City Hall, the presentation
being made by Major De Witt Clinton.
There will be three scenes relating to
the civil war: the first, "The Departure
of the Seventh Regiment TO the War" a
bivouac scene. and the return of the
veterans to New York over 200 volun-
toeers from the Seventh will appear in
the first scene, led by Captain William
j. Underwood, representing Colonel Lef-
ferts. In the bivouac scene, represent
ing small detachment on outpost duty,
quartet will sing the old war songs.
The final scene will be one of the most
realistic and inspiring, for the chief par
Elephants will be the actual veterans of
Lafayette Post, G.. A. r., led by Com
mander J. c. Long; the Duryce Zouaves,
the Shcchan Zouaves ana others. They
Will carry the tattered battle flags which
they brought home from the war and
Will probably he received with an cnthus-
iaSm not confined to the stage populace.
There will be plenty of inspiring music
by the Seventh Regiment band. Mr.. Bush
nell, Mr.. Townsend Fellows and others.
1t is expected that Nine. Lillian Blauvelt
will sing THE Star Spangled Banner"
While this idea Of commingling his
torical instruction with entertainment
is not new, the eXemplifcation of it
upon so great a scale in city like New
York. that is ordinarily believed to be
somewhat untroubled with the instinct
known as patriotism, cannot fail to be
interesting. There have been features
of the colonial society craze which pro-
voked in many quarters an amused
contempt but for this kind of activity
there can be praise only. The effect
cannot fail to be beneficial A similar
enterprise in this city would not be
unWelcome.