The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-02-20
NEW YORK LETTER.
Concert Organized For Helping British
and American Soldiers.
New York, Feb. 10.

New 1Ofh, rep. I'D.
When We were at war with Spain
and England was recognized by all the
world as our f~riend-our only friend
amongst the European powers-there
Were several entertainments at differ
ent theatres, where this knowledge
was emphasized by the mingling of the
national colors of both countries and
the blending of the patriotic strains of
the Star Spangled Banner with those
of God Save the Queen recognized by
the audience as England's national air,
not the borrowed tune of our own beau
tiful anthem, MY Country, It's Of
Thee" Again a few days since, in a
lesser degree, the same spirit was mani
tested, though the color decorations We're
confined to the foyer, and the national
AIRS We're only rendered at the opening
OF the programme, instead of being
frequently interspersed.
OF course / refer 70 the Benefit"
the proceeds of which was to be equally
divided between the two countries, half
going to relieve the suffering soldiers
III South Africa ana half to the needy
families of Il own soldiers in the
Philippines.
With the usual generosity Of the pro
fesslOn the American actors offered
their services, or donated large checks
to help the cause: and it is needless to
say the affair was a success from
start to finish.
The programme opened with an act
from wheels Within Wheels" by Dan
iel Frohman's ompany one of the pop
nlar light dramas of the season. Mile.
de Lussan, who was to have sung, I'M
fortunately was prevented by illness,
and Miss Minnie Dufru, of the Jack
and the Beanstalk company, kindly
filled the number, and gave two very
pleasing recitations. The first she told
US, was the self-defense of a little "half
white" boy who did mot kin a coon
for his nanny. Though the recitation
was very we'll rendered it gave only
another proof of the fact that no North
erner can ever succeed in reproducing
the Negro dialect. Her second number
presented no such difficulties and was
simply delightful. Then followed a
one-slct piece called "One More" in
which Edward Morgan was the victim,
Miss Blanche Bates his false lady love
and unintentiomal murderer, and Frank
Wortheny, easily the "star" Of the
piece. a friend whose Efe had also been
embittered by the treachery of the same
woman.
Mr.. William Gillett gave one Of those
numerous addresses that sets one to
wondering what he found to laugh at,
| after the laugh is over, and yet which
seems ever to convulse the audience, be
| it even so select as that which attend
ed the Benefit"
Mrs. Langtry has lost her beauty; and
it would be impossible now for Sir John
! Miliais to say she was 1.-The lovellest
thing God ever created" In losing her
! beauty she has not gained the compen-
/ sation that would come from success IN
her chosen profession, | mean artistic
success, for her rendition Of THE Absent
Minded Beggar'' could not have added te
either her own laurels or those Of the
author. One would wonder why Eng
land did not keep her at home for he1
{Engiand's) "credit sake had she no
already sent us her best in Sir Henry
Irving, Miss Terry, and the kendalls
Plancon, always at the front when {
kind deed or a generous act is to OF
done, sang F,aure's aria, Charlie, witt
all the depth and feryor of his beautiful
voice, and g~raciously responded to tn
encore.
Nat Goodwin recited Kiping's Damn.
Deever' and Clement SCOTS What tn
OlllZeIIS lit III liz AMY OAN NANi
made an amusing little talk that wa
bot entertaining and laughable.
Weber and Fields ave us a bit 0
vaudeville, which was extremely anus
ing. Miss Edna May, assisted by tn
) entire Belle Of New York chorus
sang the Follow On frem that oper
and was recalled several times.
Miss Fay Templeton gave her imlta
tons of Mile. Fougere, but did not ad
much to the real interest of the Ell
t~ertainment.
Fayersham and Miss Jessie Melwart
the o%risinators and soul of the perform
ance scored the great success IN the
delightful rendition of the baflroo1
scene from Lord and Lady Algy; br
the hit of the afternoon was made 6
the end. when they We're called befo1
: the curtains by storms OF applause afte
the whole performance was over, an
5 Fayersham ended a graceful speech {
; thanks by the announcement that tf
[ proceeds of the entertainment eXceede
!, six thousad dollars. :.
l EVERYTHING on the bill was given II
4 full mead of applause, but that brougl
down the house; or rather held 1t, II
, we were all upon u feet preparation
to leaving the theatre.
. The concert at Sherry's on Februal
u 18th. organized by Mrs. Langtry ar
: given under her management, for Il
: increase of the Maine Hospital Sh
Fund. was a great success, from DO
- the professional and society s~tandpoan
. Many of the leading actresses. as we
as grazing the stag lent the cnar
of their presence to the tea room al
the fund was largely increased by the
efforts; and the generous tips" or Il
y served were smilingly, unblushingiy a
cepted for the sake of the cause.
. W. WARDER.
p NJ. Decrais. Minister of the ColOnle