The New York herald., 1922-10-22

The placing Of Augustin Daiy's name
over the doors OF a theater ls paying
what might well be described as a doubt
ful honor to the memory OF ono OF the
greatest OF our manas srs, one who for
many years was q dominating factor In
the theater world. The time was when
the name OF playhouse carried with 1t
sort Of guaranty Of tho quality of
entertainment provided, a meaning lack
ing. with only one exception. In the
amusement places of to-day.
II was something moro than half q
century ago that DAILY appeared as the
new leader OF the drama. From his
early youth he had cherished the ambi-
tion to become the director OF a New
York theater. and. steadily striving for
that end. he saw the realization Of his
hopes In August, 1869. when he entered
upon his life's work as a manager. pur-
suit which for the next thirty-odd years
was to know only one real reverse.
In the early part Of the civil war
there had been erected on Twenty
fourth street adjoining the Fifth Ave-
nue Hotel building used for a time
as q meeting place for the spectators
in gold. 1t was built with the hope
that in the future It might become an
adjunct of the downtown Stock Ex-
change. The scheme failing. the struc-
ture was converted into stheater and
occupied by George Christy ana his
minstrels in 1865. the distinction being
claimed for 1t that It was the only place Of
amusement above Twenty third street.
After varying fortunes the house.
known as the Fifth Avenue Theater,
passed into thu control Of James Fisk.
Jr.. who turned It over to John
Brougham to conduct. This arrange
ment soon ended in disaster and pro-
vided DAILY with tho opportunity he had
been seeking. Securing lease OF the
house he installed a company Of su-
perior excellence. and 1t was not long
before the young manager established
the Fifth Avenue Theater In the good
graces Of theatergoers and It became
noted In theatrical annals for its ar
tistic representations.
Shortly after the matin6e perform
ance on New Years Day In 1873 the
theater was destroyed by fire. but In
less than three weeks Daily had trans
formed into an attractive and comfort
able playhouse the ramshackle build
ing known as the Broadway Theater.
on Broadway opposite Waverley place
Not only did he superintend the work
Of reconstruction but he conducted the
rehearsals OF Alike" with which play
he opened the theater on the night OF
January 21, 1873. AS soon as this
enterprise was under way he arranged
with the Gilsey estate to erect for him
a new theater adjoining tho Gilsey
homestead on Twenty-eighth street. on
the site occupied by Apollo Hall and
the st. James Theater.
Here he planned to create q perna-
nent DAILY institution. with the purpose
Of establishing his company more firmly
making himself the representative
manager Of tho country. But fate de-
creed otherwise and II was not long be-
fore he was in a whirlpool of difficult
ties which eliminated in dissensions In
his company AID Ills practical expulsion
from, the theater by his landlord. with
whom he had quarreled.
"Gossips as they grow old renew their
youth as they recall the opening nights
they have seem" and many there are no
doubt Who can revive a pleasant memory
OF other days in recalling the delightful
anticipation aroused by the announce
ment that "Mr. DAILY will open his Net'
Fifth Avenue Theater on Twenty-eighth
street, on the evening OF December 3,
1873" 1t was a night well worth look
ing forward to, one full OF promise. COM
bining a new theater presided over by
a discriminating and artistic manager,
with new ideas and company which In
it's entirety could not be excelled and
which was to appear in a. play entitled
Fortune" written to suit the respective
abilities Of its members by the foremost
English dramatist An original address
composed expressly for the occasion by
DR.. Oliver Wendell Holmes was to be
delivered by two prominent members of
the company.
No more representative audience ever
assembled at a theater than that which
came to grace this opening. Glancing
about the house that December night
one would have seen such notabilities as
Clarence Seward. Pierre Lorillard, De
Lancey Astor Kane, Peter Marie, Her
mann Oelrichs, Lispenard Stewart, Al
gernon Sidney Sullivan. w. II. Wander