Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-04
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

Half century ago one of the most pop
ular Of the great theatrical spectacies was
the ''Naiad Queen" which
Tne da1ad was performed In all the
oueen large cities with great sue
cess. Washington had heard
about this entertainment and was therefore
greatly pleased at the announcement that
It was to be given In this city during the
latter part OF February, 1850 In The Star
OF February rs of that year Is to be found
the following expression of public interest:
| This long-anucipated and anxiously ex-
pected spectacle which, according to the
voices of the Baltimore press and the ex-
pressed opinions Of those who have seen 1t.
Is the par excellence of dramatic effects, Is
to be performed for the first time in our
city on next Wednesday evening From the
reports In regard to It we may naturally
expect to see the National Theater filled to
Its utmost capacity. and furthermore II the
spiendors come up to the praises and prom
ises made the spacious interior will not
prevent beggAriy account OF empty boxes
during the three nights devoted to Its rep
RESERVATIONS. Its merits are manifold, beau
tffui scenery. delicious music. graceful dam
GERS, startling combats. humorous incidents,
grand military evolutions and martial ma
neuvers, liberal appointments. costly dresses.
rich paraphernalia, rich 'mountings.' and
withal a host Of young and pretty girls. 1t
has been performed Lightweight consecu-
tive nights In the Monumental City, and Is
always sure card In any city in the
Union
| The Stars comments on the bachelors
ball given in the navy yard Odd Fellows
Hall, recently recalled in this
Leap column. evidently created
Year. some excitement in certain
circles at the time of publi-
cation. for In the issue of February %, 1856.
occurs the following paragraph
The following note written onx.dainty
paper IN delicate hand (wonder II IT'S un-
mortgagedg merits serious considera ton.
Meanwhile we publish 1t for the benefit of
our advisers and solicit their counsels:
MI Editor: We were much delighted
with your account of the last ievee. Il was
sweet. but. alas. too short. You spoke of
sober DANES and gay bellies; described their
costumes and invoked the muses. aid to
write their charms. This Is all very well
If you mean The Star for the sterner sex
alone. But as this is leap year we. with
Oliver Twist. would like a little more We
wish to see the handsome captivating and
agreeable gentlemen noted. We wish to
know who has merit and who has not
Where can we be better informed than in
the columns of The Star? The reports need
not be long. Taking number of persons
every week, you might get through them
all In the short time. And as there would
not be much to say about the costume the
general appearance might be dweit on
longer. For instance: we saw present Mr..
- from -. tall. fne-looking, black.
curly hair. and the daintiest little foot we
have seen for some time, much admired
Next the MISUNDERSTANDING Mr.
from the sunny south, handsome and quite
wealthy; Should your kindness at heart
ana wish to oblige prompt you to respond
to this petition you win certainly gladden.
the homes OF many of your fair readers
The passing of the duelio was OCCASION
ally marked in those days by legal inter-
ference with the exercise OF
AVerteo that manly perogative. SD
DueI long respected by the min
ions of the law. 1t was only
necessary for the whisper of an intention
on the part of two hot-headed gentlemen
to journey to Bladensburg to reach certain
official ears for Intervention to follow swir;
and sure. In The Star of February u.
1856. is an account of such an instance,
worthy of note as illustrating the decadence
CT that good old custom OF drawing blood
to atone for insults:
Yesterday morning. we hear. Major
Chase. one of the parties to the affair oc-
curing on the previous afternoon in the
saloon of the National Hotel, was arrested
and put under bonds to keep the peace.
Ii Is understood that on the night before
other party, by the hands of Captain
Wright. gentleman who it will be re-
membered, was some time since severely
stabbed In the barroom of the st. Nicholas
Hotel, New York city. We hear further
that Colonel Inge was also put under bonds
to keep the peace in the course of the
afternoon. The amount of bail IN each
case. we learn. was $4,000. and the parties
were arrested the affidavit of Mayor
Towers"
The capital city was experiencing some
cratic weather at this time half century
ago, and the following heart
Tickle felt vail In The star or
Weather March l. 1856, is to be found
as an evidence of the effect
on the public mind:
Information Wanted-Who can enumer-
ate above billions or tell the number OF
Saturday snowstorms now reached, the first
day of March. 1856? Can any ody oblige
US with a pair of snowShoes or put US
OH the track of Esquimaux dog sledgay
These we want today: tomorrow expect
enough general liquefaction and should be
glad to lay in pair of hshermens boots
ana portable canoe for street navigation.
Yesterday was fine day; the ladies said
1t was a delightful day. folks began 70
talk about the coming spring: 1t was looked
upon as settled thing that winter had
played out The announcement made by
US a few days ago of the opening of river
navigation had been caught up hopefully
by Washington correspondence and teleg-
raphers, and hurried over the wires north
ana south, east and west; but again 1t
SHOWS, again it freezes, and so vanish All
our visions of early Strawberries and green
peas.
- It SHOWS, is echoed on all sides de-
spondently, and not bit of Safeguarding
enthusiasm is elected. The fact Is 1t IS
human nature to admire spring all the
more for being little coy and coquettish