The times., 1898-03-01
PATRIOTISM AT THE PLAY.
Audiences Wildly Enthusiastic WI en-
National Airs Are Rendered


National Airs Are Rendered.
In no profession. not even in the great
money markets of New York and chi
cago, has the blowing up of the Maine
and the prospect Of trouble with Spain
had a greater effect than in the theateT~.
All over the country notice has been
taken of the event most of the houses
observing it by draping the balconies
with bunting and playing the. national
airs as oyertures.
In this city the demonstration has been
especially great, not one of the local
houses having failed to show its apprecia-
tion of the fact that in an event OF such
national Importance and at a time when
feeling runs so strong. the theater has
no small part in regulating the state
of the public mind. All last week the
different orchestras playing at places OF
amusement here featured patriotic airs
on their program and last night there
was not a theateT in the city that did
not take place in the universal demon
Stration. Invariably every mention OF
this country or Spain, the relations be-
tween the twO,or the fate Of the Maine
was greeted with hearty applause or
Kisses that could not have been mistaken
by the most careless
Victor II. JOhnsOn's orchestra. at the
Lafayette Square Opera House. made a
feature of a meIanse of the national
airs last night, and was frequently in
terrupted by the applause of the au-
dience, 'Dixey" being as heartily re-
ceived as Yankee Doodle. ard by the
same people This also occurred at the
Columbia, where the rendering OF am
erica caused the house TO break into
cheers so loud as TO temporarily interrupt
the performance Hi Henry Minstrel
Orchestra gave place to two patriotic
selections. both of which were y0cifer-
ously received, and Chris Arth's musi-
clans, at the Academy of Music, devoted
the best part Of their program TO this
class of music. At no place was the
enthusiasm greater, however, than at
kernan's Lyceum, where the audience
rose 10 its feet to signify its approval of
the selections given by Prof. Wagner and
his orchestra. The cheering was loud and
long, twice during the progress OF the
numbers amounting to such volume that
the music was completely drowned. Two
performers, who made mention of the
Maine disaster and its probable ef-
fest on the relations between Spain. and
the United States won five encores for
proof of the fact that public opinion was
with them.
Hardly an act went on the stage at
the BijOu yesterday without mention of
the state of feeling in one way or another.
All these We're cheered to tine echo. \ boy
sold copies of a parody on "A Hot Time
in Old Town. entitled "A Hot Time in
Cuba He got rid of his entire stock
within half an hour. A significant pCr-
ton of the proceedings at this house Oc-
CURED when speaker threw on the can
vas near him a picture of President Me
kinley, that bekg one of those to be
shown by a magic lantern. The moment
the likeness was seen il was greeted by
Il chorus of Kisses and eat calls that con-
tinued until il was Withdrawn, imne-
diately after. Bryan was cheered quite
as Justify as his late opponent had been
hissed
An impressive scene was witnessed on
I the stage of the National Thedter, where
z. +. Rice'S French Maid is playing.
At the close of the piece. after the last
air from the opera had been sung, the
company remained on the stage, each
drawing from behind him an American
flag As with the word of command the
entire audience rose To its feet and loud
l cheers greeted the sight Ot ''Old Glory
{ Charles BigeIow stepped forward. way-
ing the Stars and Stripes. and took up
the refrain of The Star Spangled Ban
ner.' the entire company Joining him Al
most Immediately the gallery took up the
air. and within a few moments the great
er portion of the house had Joined in the
chorus. People who had started 10 leave
the theater returned and aided in giving
a pronounced encore 10 the little i'm
promptu scene. Twice the curtain was
lifted and twice the song was repeated.
and still the crowd did not seem to get
. enough. Finally, the house being dark
! ened. the audience filed silently out of
. the theater that had for a few moments
been dedicated as temple to the nObiH-
ty of patriotism.
y number of benefits have also been ar
I ranged for sufferers from the Maine mas
/ sacre and the relatives of the dead. Hen
ry T. Dixey will devote the proceeds Of
the performance Friday night 10 the fund.
a distinguished audience for that evening
being already assured. \ benefit Will also
be given this Afternoon al the National