Year: 1861




THE OPERATTC OVATION.


ENTHUSIASTIC DEMONSTRATION TO THE PRESIDENT
ELECT.


The vst OF the Hon. Abraham Lincoln, the President
elect to the Irving place Opera House last evening,
the signal for overlooking assembly Of the fashionable
ana wealthy citizens OF the Metropolis In this popular
place OF public amusement The upper galleries which
the gods and demi gods do mostly love 10 congregate
were not remarkable for redundancy OF numbers,
though the attendance OF tho poorer lovers OPERA
was, on the whole very respectable The intrinsic at
fractions of Verdis Ballo Mescheran are in them
selves powerful enough to draw on all occasions:
but the additional fact that the whom the eye
Of the whole civilized world hxed and
whom the hopes Of this nation rest, could not
fail greatly to Increase the general attendance.
Several OF the private boxes crowded. and
the congregation Of female beauty and fashion could
scarcely be excelled in any other city.


The outside arrangements for the reception Of the Pre-
sidenal party their arrival at the Academy of
The simplest and most democratic kind. Beyond two
song attachments Of police appointed 70 secure orde'
and prevent accidents, preparations officially
made for the reception There fine force Of police,
commanded by officers Quick and McPherson, Of the
Twenty sixth precinct, detailed prevent confusion
among the hackmen and drivers Of public vehicles and





these officers could bestow on their commission, en-
tire confusion could not be avoided still supreme order
was maintained among the chaotic mass Of
rages and not single accident occurred. force OF
twenty men, under Captain Cameron scrgeants MCbr
nell and Twadde attended TO the preservation Of order
around and about the entrance Of the Opera House.
1t is right 70 say that both officers and discharged
their onerous duties the full satisfaction the entire
public.


The arrival of Mr. Lncolns carriage at little after
eight O'Clock made known by the cheers and
plauds Of the large crowd assembled In front Of the
building. In due the vehicle was driven up 70
the landing place. and the President elect with the ladies
and gentlemen Of his party alghted, while the people
cheered him Justify. Without further ado, he ascended
the steps lost to the view of the outside
spectators who gave him final and parting sautation
us his shadow disappeared.


Mr. Lincoln did enter his box until some time after
the Of the TO the OPERA and after tho
svgers had appeared the stage. The place assigned
him and his friends the FIRST private box from the
stage the right side OF the house.
His entrrnce was very quietly cereonis
and it not until he had been for long time seated
that any one in the body Of the building know OF bis ar
rival But he expected people naturally began to
look about for him. and those who knew the location
of his box were perpetuaiy pointing IN that direction,
there began to be general movement Of eyes TO
that point At last the plain black cravat, the neat
| shirt collar turned the neckcioth the ncpient
whskers and good hnmored face that sat 80 demurey
| in the box, left doubt the public mind that
Abraham Lincoln, Of Illinois, was among them. All this





chaps were expanding their upweared lungs 10 the
tent Of their class Abilities and the trumpcters
and druumers we're blowing and humping their instu-
mens in the approved style. But 1t 60 at
this particular moment The President elect was the
superior attraction for the time being, and the opera
folks had TO be content with little or no attention from
their usually very attentive auditors Presently the
first brought to close and the scene descended
amid a perfect storm Of enthusiasm hah OF which was
doubt intended for the players and The other biggest
| half for " Honest Old Abe.0


The intelligence that Mr.. Lincoln in the house now
bega To
auditorium to the gallery above, with something like
electric epoed Shout after shout OF applause arose from
the lower boxes and seats and were taken up and re-
echoed from those above The demonstration OF respect
and TO the chosen President OF America at
length general and enthusiastic that person
present could be said TO be participant in IT, At
rst the object of this genuine outbursr Of patriotic
feeling sat still when he first entered only 0cca
sionaiy bowng his seat but this did not
satisfy the clamorous audience he presently TO
his feet an! his tall snewy form was then seen in its
full proportion, towering above his friends in the
! box a full head and shoulders, like Saul among
his brethren With his rising the applause and en-
waved their hats and caps over their heads the ladies'
did the with their handkerchefs; while the whole
| audience, without exception Joined warmly In the ap
plause. The scene most animated and exciting and


may well be copsidered one Of the most aatterng ova
coming did from class Of citizens whom the Presi
elect could have had excellent opportunity
seeing assembled together under other
consideration Of the wealth, intelligence and
specabiy of those who met together the de
monstraticn becomes doubly valuable and viii not
il should not, be readily forgotten BY Mr. Lincoln.


On resumins his sest tho applause broke out again
and again, from all parts Of the house. though not SO
| enthusiastically as in the first instance and
before the last echoes Of the 6nal subsided
the went up and discovered the whole force Of the
Opera troupe stage with their unr0led musical
scrolls preparing enchant their audience with the de-
servedy beloved national ymn, The Star Spangled Ban
| ner." With Of the artistic Hourishee Of Muzio's
magic baton the harmonious tones Of the accompaniment
rembled through the orchestral instruments and re-
sounded through the house The audience inclined
applaud this first faint foreshadowng OF the
tbems stirring strains but they were prevented by the
advance Of Miss Hnkey to the front, who turning 70
sang her clear, sweet voice the first sanza Of the
popular hymn The chorus taken up in most spirited
by the whole troupe, and seemed 70 want very
little induce every in the audience to oin Just
before tho hrs begun there cries Of An
and all with common consent rose 70 their fest
Mr. Lincoln and his attendants were about the last 70
rse and not long after be was chorus
concluded amid rapturous applause, as the worcs were
| echoed


Oer the OF the free and the home Of the brave


splendid Union American banner, blazing with the
full glory Of thirty three stars, was dropped from the
proscebium with effect that words scarcely
vey The enthusiatm and excitement OF the people
unbounded, and though Mr.. Lincoln passive and COL
eQied there could be no doubt that he was greatly
/ affected by the soemnity Of the manifestation.
! The second Of the Anthem sung by Miss
Miss iinkley. The last verse was sung with great
pathos and feeling, and at the conclusion the applause
9 wSo 20 Ws d %


Before applause sabsded Muzio started the other
national cong, 'Haa Columbia" from the orchestra II
| WAS received with loud applause


Cheers were then given foe Lincoln from the upper
| boxes, followed by cheers for Muzo and the opera
singers after which the excitement gradually subsidized
and the opera allowed 70 proceed with Us usua
| harmony.


Mr. Lincoln did not remain longer than 10 the close o
the second act of the performance. He left Immediately
after and did not return, though every thought ht
would come back. His departure effected quietly
as his entrance and thus ends the operatc demonsa
| tion In honor Of Abraham Lincoln


THE GRENADE AT MIDNIGHT.


After Mr. Lincoln had left the opera the Academy OF
Music before the performance concluded be drove
back to the Astor House. and immediately repaired TO his
apartments, being very much fatgued by the varied
experiences Of the day. He arrived so quietly, not