The New York Clipper (December 1914)

II THE NEW YORK CLIPPER. December 9i THE GOLDEN DAYS OF MINSTRELSY, THE MUSING S OF AN OLD TIMER. (BY KI1ANK DUMOXT.) This Ir not a history of mlnitrelsy. In a short review of this kind '.t would not be poBalblo to enumerate oil the troupes or In- dividuals comprising tbcm to the present time. This Is the musing of an old timer, recalling the golden days of minstrelsy from 1843 to 1804. Between those years the negro slave of the Southern States, toning In the Ac-Ids of cotton, cane or corn, created iin Interest and a sympathy. Ills songs and peculiar dances nppenlod to nil classes, and the white man began to Imitate him In his mannerisms. Ills queer antics and ttyle of vocallsm sprang Into popularity. Ills melodies were purely American, easily understood, and bet- ter suited to' the American Ustc than the high flown Italian opcrn patronized, but really not understood, by the richer classes. The songs were simple, reached the heart, and were of our own soil and Its Institutions. The Instruments used by the slaves were very primitive. The banjo, bones, tambour- ine and violin. The banjo was borrowed from the guitar and the tambourine from Spanish sources—also the bones to Imitate the rnsta- ncts of the Spaniards and Mexicans. With thcBC. the plantation hands regaled visitors to the planter's home or amused themselves In their cabins, or In the open nlr .n the moonlight. M'.I.Si; SKVMiH H. The negro composed his own words mid melodic*, mid the subjects were tuken from every diiy lnclduutB or his humble surround- ings. Later cm. the white uilustiols added to the slock or songs, und good composers entered the Held of minstrelsy und furnished songs Unit will never die. notably the com- positions of Stephen C. Foster, 'fho white perfoimcrs were quick to note the melodies ol tho negroes on thu plantations, river iivntH or levees, where durkles were em- ployed as roustabouts und deck huuds. One of thu most popular negro melodies came from tho river durklcB. It was culled "Shoo Fly, Don't Dodder Me." Hut this was lifter the war. and tho llremeu of Now Or- leunH gave It Us llrst popularity, and then It found Its way North. Before 1843 each circus had ono or two 'negro singers," us they then designated them. Tiiey performed on the bunjo or violin, with bonus or tambourine, and Imitated tho negro In all ins peculiarity of tlanco or shouting songs. Notably umong these clmis singers «er 0 "l'rank Lrowor, Dick Pelhuin, Hilly Whitlock, old l>au lOuiuiett, Wash. Donald- son, Ueorgu Washington Dixon, Den Mullory und Joo Sweeney. Mo, lu fact, minstrelsy as wo know It was born hi the clivus ring, and llrst presented by clrcuj "negro singers." It remained for Hunk llrower. Ullly Whitlock and old Una JOnmiett to Join together In a bcnellt perform- iince to bo given to Dick Tellium In tho i l.utlium Theatre, Jan. Ill, ISi:i. The four circus negro singers appeared together fur that event und created u sensation. Thin in a copy of thulr program, and tho first bill of a minstrel troupe und perform- ance lu America. CHATHAM THIOATIUO. l'lt, O'/i cents; second aud third tier boxes, 12 Vi cents; Urst tier, 25 rents. .Second Ulgllt of ,,io splendid puutouiuuc culled THE BLACK sUVKM ot TUB TOMBS (7'/ils Z'u ii foiiilMiu Is or.vt Aiiouui «« •■A/n-tiliac, the JViy/it ou-iri LiaXliFlT OF It. W. PULIIAM. Tho List durkey artists have volunteered tlielr services. Dan Uiniult, Fruuk llrower, l'illy Whitlock, Dick lvlliuiu. TH10 OLD V1UUINIA MINSTHJOI/S. TUlilSDAY DVKNINO, JAN. 8t, 1843. 'J'lie performance begins with the drama of TlUi UL.1ND HOY (Characters by the dramutic company.) After which the OLD VIHU1NNY MINSTItKliS Will appear la a URANl) CONCKRT "Prince Albert und Victoria Looking on All do Time," "Old Dan Tucker," 'Uwluo Over do Mountain," "Nebber Do to Ulb it Dp So," "Whut W'ould Undo Oubrlol SuyV •Why, Don't Forget 11" "Miss Duey Dong." De whole to conclude wld "Tearing up do stage—knocking nil do putty out o' de cracks"—Plney-wood heart breakers—Knock- hi' do brcIT out o' bards, auntsofowih—by DICK J'KI.UAM AND FHANK DROWBIt Accoiupuulcd by do music ob dose King Fuslslmmcl's DAN MMM1T and BILLY WIllTLOCK (The aiicllina of litis pruprtiM is copied rii- dulim.) It will be noticed Unit Dan Wnimolt's nnniu Is spelt Kmmlt on this program, und luter ou It was "Bunnctt." Their second iierforninuco |M given at the Bowery Amplil- Thentre, and they annoiiuced themselves as tho "Virpiuln Uiimlrcls." Also the following lines are on this little poster, which Is about two feet long and eighteen Inches wide: The triumphant hit of Till) DTiriOl'IAN MjINSTliliLS lust evening, lit tho Chatham Theatre, has called forth the most tumultu- ous cheers of the public, and u general cull for a repltltlou. T1IK NIGOIOlt HAND will glee anotlier exJilbltlon of their science TIIIS WVMN1NO AT TUB 1IOWBIIV AiMPHI-THHATltW. Tickets, 50 cents, 20 cents and 1 shilling. (Harrison, Printer, 405 l'earl St., cor. Chatham.) On this poster they call themselves "TUB VIRGINIA MINSTKBDS," "T1IK F.THl- i»l : lAX MINSTR1CLS" and "TUB NIOGlOlt HAND," Tho two bills here Introduced are eon ict coplos of tho originals In spelling, lie. elc. These four circus nilnBtrcls rehearsed In Hrowor's boarding house, No. 37 Catharine Street. Tills building can bo truthfully called the cradle of minstrelsy. The only purely American entertainment we con point to. The four above mentioned performed for s fhort time In New York, then sailed with their "novelty" to England. They performed in conjunction with Anderson, the magician, In London. They were enthusiastically ro- ot Hcd everywhere In England. I'elham with- drew and remained In England, and Old Joe Kmiriey took his place as Hie baujolst of the trcupe. From 1843 to 1850 the minstrel bands multiplied rapidly under the following titles: Virginia Minstrels, Virginia Screnadcrs, l.tMotilan Scrcnaders, Ethiopian MlnBtrels, "Kitchen Minstrels," and Kentucky Minstrels. Many of them advertised they were the oldest buniln. For Instance, the "Virginia Scrcnaders," In Philadelphia, claimed to have organized In 1840. They had with them: Jim Snnfonl, Eph Horn, Old Bull Myers, Ed. Deavcs, Tony wlnncmorc and V. Solomons laceordeon). There arc no bills extant to prove the claim that they were boforc the public In 1840. The Christy's claimed they were organized In 1842. hut their earliest program is In August, lSJ.'I, and then they were called "The Virginia MlnstrelB." The Buckleys, as the "Congo Melodists," claimed to have organized In 1841, but their earliest bills arc about 1843. This troupe was composed of the Buckley Family (right name Burke),,lames,the father; Swnlnc lliickicy, It. Bishop Buckley and little free! Buckley, called Master Ole Bull Buckley. Ole Bull, the Norwegian violinist, was In America at the time, and almost any- one who could perform upon a violin added the name of "Ole" to his name. The Buck- leys were a grand troupe of uklllcd musicians and singers. One of their comedians was billed ns S. Samuels, who afterwards adopt- ed Inn name of Sanford. and then his name on the Mils appears ah 8. Hamuel Sanford, He gave many good songs and Innovations to ii.Ih company. They were popular In the South, and after locating In New Orleans they called them- selves "The New Orleans Scrcnaders." They located In various halls In New York and Huston. Sometimes In the Chinese Assembly Itooms, 530 Broadway, then In 444, and llnnlly built a new opera house opposite Mblo's, at 085 Broadway, but did not long remain there. They visited Europe several times, went to California In the "Days of '40," and performed In all the mining camps and along the Pacific Const. Their last loca- tion was In Boston, during tho Civil War, and In this locntlon B. N. Catlln was their leader, Frcrl Buckley having died. When 1lie Virginia Minstrels. In 1843, sailed from Boston for England, they did not remain abroad very long, for early In 1844 they were back In America ngaln, leaving Pclhnm In England, where he opened a pub He lions- (saloon). In 1845, Barney WIlIlomB, Dan nice, J. P. Carter, Howard and Jones appeared In i ryon s Bowery Circus, under the title of "The. Negro Band." In 1843 B. P. Christy still cntlcrt his troupe the "Virginia Min- strels" In 1844 Whitlock and Donaldson appeared In l'nrmim's Museum, ns the Kentucky Min- strels. Tho Great Western was one of the troupe. Ho was the father of H<tlen and I.iiclllo Western, and, bye the way, the first female minstrels wero presented by the West- ern Sisters In their play of the 'Three Fast 'Aim," In which they presented n first part, March 0, 1857. at the Boston National The- atre. Almost the. same names appear on the Mils of the Virginia Screnadcrs or Ethiopian Troupes or Virginia Minstrels up to 1840, r.uch as Eph Horn, Jim Sanford, Ed, Denves, Olo Bull Myers, Tony Wlnncmorc, J. Kava- nngh. Jnhics Lynch, Clins..Jenkins. Bill La (•until, j; Itinli.Ii.li, Cool White, Bob Ed- wnrils, Geo. Kunxcl, Kelly. II. 8. Ramsey, Billy Birch, Jim Fnrroll. Frank Brower. ft. M. Dickenson F. Whlttnker, Wm. Horn. Nel- son KneiiHH. v. Solomon. Tbe first lady to "black up" and play with the minstrels Is Mrs, Harriet Phillips with the Vlrglnln Scrcnaders. In May, 1848, in the burlesque of "The Bohemian Girl," In tho Chestnut sii-e-t Theatre, Philadelphia, <sJv eft cZs^a*^>. <$~-i/^r I1AHHY II. vi i:i'ili:\M. As far hack as 1840 Jim Sanford was singing "Jim Along Joscy," and dancing "the grnpevlno twist," with Ole Bull Myers playing the violin for him. Such songs as: •Did Unu Tucker," "Walk Along, John," "Old Tnr Rlbber." "Lucy Long," 'u>ancc de I'ontman Dance,"' "Vlrglnny ltosebud," "Cud- Jo's Wild Coou Hunt," "Jenny Get Your Hoc Cnke Done," "Clnr de Kitchen," "Slch n Getting Up Stairs," "Jump, Jim Crow," 'Tlekayuno Butler," "Long Tailed Blue," "Dandy Jim ob Caroline" and "Old Zip Coon" were the popular darkey songs of that lime. (ilil Duddy Rice (T. D. RlccT sang many of them, also, IXaddy Rice's last appearance upon the stage was In the Art-Union Con- cert Hall. 4117 Broadway, In 1800, while pcr- lorinliig iii "The Mummy," be was taken HI null died Sept. 10, 18(H). On Oct. 7, 1844, ac "BtMottlnn Band" ap- peared In the Bowery Circus—Dan Emmctt, Frank llrower, Evans and W. Donaldson. Trey ilnlmed to be the only original and legitimate band of minstrels. .After all It I* n ouestlou of the word "mfnsfrrts," for on June 15,1842. nt tho Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, five performers took part be- tween the nets, and called It on tho bill "Negro Oddities, by Five of the Best Niggers In the World." Thla Is given for the bene- fit of Master Diamond. The players are Jim Sonford, Muter Diamond, Ole Boll Myers, Pickaninny Coleman and Master Chestnut, In a grand trial dance "Lney Long," by Jim Sanford; 'Tlncy Woods Jig." by Master Diamond." On June 18, 1842, the same party produced "'Oh Hush," and added Fulton Myers to tbc troupe as Dinah Hose. They do not call themselves minstrels, but antedate Browcv, Emmott, Whitlock and Pelham at the Chatham Theatre, Jan. 81, 1843. The "SerenadcrB" and Minstrels performed In the following places in Philadelphia: Tem- perance Hall, Third Street, near Green; Walnut Street Theatre, Arch Street Theatre, Old Cneetnut Street Theatre, Peslc's Chines-.' Museum, Baruum's Museum, corner Seventh and Chestnut BtrectB; Welch's National Clr- c is, Melodeon, Concert Hall, Franklin Insti- tute, Soatbwark Hall, Jayne's Hall, Conti- nental Theatre, Masonic Hall, Washington Hall, Long's Varieties, Olympic, Race, near Sixth, ana a hall next to the Arch Street Theatre. In New York City the minstrels appeared In Society Library Rooms, Minerva Rooms, Plntcaux's Saloon, 307 Broadway; Barnum's Museum, Chatham Tbootro, Bowery Theatre, Tryon'a Circus nope Chnpcl, Perham'a, 603 Broadway; Nlblo's Saloon, Olympic. 442 Broadway 444 and 472 Broadway. St. Nicho- las Exhibition Rooms (under hotel), Chinese Assembly Booms, Stuyvesant Institute, oppo- site Bor.d Street; Novelty Hall, Centre and Pearl Streets; Convention Mali, Butger's In stltute, Franklin Theatre. Old Park Theatre, Bleecker Building. Wood's, Broadway near Prince: 514 Broadway. Stadt Theatre and Onderdonk'a Hall. In 1846 tbe celebrated "Ethiopian Sere- nade™," comprising: Harry Pell, Moody Stanwood, 0. C. Germon, Harrington and White, attracted a groat deal of attention. They went to Bngland and appeared before the queen, and were very popular through- out England. T. D. Itlcc (Daddy Rice) had paved the way for darkey songs, and his singing of "Jump, Jim Crow" made a terrific bit In Bnglnnd. Rice's memory Is still kept green by calling some cars down South "Jim Crow Cars." At one time Daddy Rice's wooden figure stood before many cigar stores, T. D. Rice was n wood carver and carved the first statue of himself—and hence the "Jim Crows," Indians and Highlanders dis- placed him to some extent. VNSWOnTII. About 1814 E. P. Christy formed a snnU band lu Buffalo. They performed In a hull near the canal, kept by the widow Harring- ton. She had u son named George who, under IS. P. Christy's tutelage, became one ot tbe moat talented and popular minstrels la this country. They first called themselves the "Virginia Minstrels," but early In 1647 assumed the title of "OhrMu's Minstreli." Their flrst leader was it. M. Hooley, a noted violinist. His placo was taken late In 1847 by Charles Abbott, The company then comprised B. 1*. Christy, Barl Pierce, Geo. V. Christy. T. Vnuguu, II -Abbott and W. Porter. This Is their ad. In The N. Y. Herald ot March 17, 1817: SOOIKTY LIBRARY, Comer ol llroatutau and Leonard Street. ONU WKbllC LONUBllI 0 II II l H T I ' II lllSSTltJ. Ailinlsslun 2S cents. Onieeci will commence at half plat 7 o'clock. Clisnge of progruiuuie every evening. Aud this notice of their performar.ee: CnnrsTi'a MiNsrm.Ls coutlnuo to attract crowded audiences, composed ot the cllle uud tuslilon of tbe clly.—They are decidedly the Iwst band of minstrels la America; i,ud who can hut uilinlro their singing. It Is so well harmonized, aud never approuciies vulgarity. Their conun- drums aro wlity, and their burlesque Inimitable.— Julius, the great bone Castanet player. Is a gculus In himself, and rattles off the most ilttucult plsuo forte pasrages with n taste ami precision which would do credit to the llrst order of musicians, 'fho burlesque en the Swiss Hell ltlugers Is a novelty, in which tho characteristic vilt of the Southern negro Is well displayed; but the Isirlesque ball' room 1'olkn Is incomparable. Uo see them, aad you will spend a Joyous night. They arc highly r<H|ieclablv, and use every effort to mease tbrir patrons. Monday, March 22, 1847, they removed to Muliiinlcs Hall, 472 Broadway, and Issued tlip following eard In The Herald of that ilnte"; : ' MI0O1IAN1C3' HALL, 472 -llrotdKay, between Urani and Ilrooma Strecla, l.'VlilU. WIGHT THIS WEliK, WITH TUN UK0SUTION 0V TUC1IBH1V KrsNINO, OIIHISTY'8 MINSTRELS, ItKSPKOTfL'LLY announce, that tor the better ac- commodation ot their numerous audiences, they will give tbelr Inimitable concerts, every night this week, at the abovo popular and clegunt Hall. Admission 25 cents. Doors open at 7—Concert I,i commence at 8 o'clock. Change of iiregranuno every evculug. MKOIIAK10S' BALL, 472 Ilroailway, between flraud and Drooine Streets. Cronded to ovcrtlow- lug with the lilUUTV mill FASHION of New York. OPEN EVE41Y NIOIIT. UNABATED SUC- CESS, Ninth Week of the Original UUUISTV'S MlNsrillu.H. The Oldest Eslabllshed Hand lu the Uultcd illntcB. K. 1'. CHlllSTY, E. 1'lEltCE, «. N. lUIltlSTY, O. A1IUOTT. J. lt.U'NUll. T. VAUtill.N, whose original anil lnluiltublo coiieerta are nightly honored with cro«de<l and highly icsncclnblo audiences, and universally admitted to excel every amusement ot a similar character ottered in Ibis city. Admlsslou 25 ccuts, Olillilron under 10 yc:ira. half price. Doors open at 7; concert will commence at 8 o'clock. Near the end of the year they added Tom Hrigga and Sam Wells to the company. About November they bad the opposition of the following troupes, who came into New York lured by the remarkable success of E. P. Chrlsly'a company. Theso cards are In- cluded to show how many minstrel com- panies were on Broadway within n short time In that year. VAUXHALL GARDEN oaNOKRP SALOON— OAAtMBKLL'a ETHIOPIAN OI'KUA SKRENA- 1>HRS—On Monday Evening, June 7th—A ORAN'H OONCBRT of Vocal and Instrumental Mnslc, con- sisting of Songs, Solos, Refrains. Cbauntt, Glees, Dance*, Ac., peculiar to tbe Southern Neiro. The Band is composed of the following artists: —Messrs. H. Mestayer, Violin; J, P. Carter, First Banjo; Raymond, Second Banjo; J. Bryant, Cas- tanet; W. Donaldson, Tamborlne; James Sanford, Congo Drnm. „ Tickets admitting a Gentleman and Ladles, 23 cents. Concert to commence at 8 o'clock, Jerry Bryant and the great dnnccr, Jim Sanford ar c with the above troupe. OnBAT ATTRACTION.—PBEDEE ETHIOPIAN OPERA TROUPE.—This unrivalled trouoe, com- posed of six performers, vlt.:—T. Bnckus, Vlollu; F. Sanford, Banjo: G. De Bake, Celestial Chimes; W. Price, Triangle; la, A. Wilson, Tom- Iwurlne, and W. Suydom. Bones—will give a series of Concerts at the Apollo Rooms, 410 Broadway, every evening this week. For further particulars se e small bills. AMERICAN MUSEUM, corner Broadway and Ann Street—Splmdid performances both Afternoon and Evening. CAMPBELL'S ETHIOPIAN SEREXADERSI ORPHEAN FAMILY. OR KBNNEBEOK VOCALISTS. Moving Panorama of ihe City of Lonik.nl Pete Morris, Miss Bernard, Ac. SANTA ANNA'S WOODEN LFX3, OURANO OUTANO—.INATOinOAL VENUS. .Mrd. ROCKWELL the famous Fortune Teller. Admission 25 cents—Children under tea, one shilling. MINERVA BOOMS—Broadway—Admission 2C cents.—Flnt npnearancc In this city of the OHIO- INAL VIRGINIA SEItENADBItS, Messrs. J. R. iMyere, A. V. Wlnncmorc, D. Kelly, F. Sotoann, J. Sanford, and E. Horn, from the Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, respectfully announce to the clllicns ot Now York, they will give a series of their Clioi.te and Pleasing Concerts. Commenc- ing MONDAY EVENING, Aug. 10. 1847. And every evening during the Week—When they will introduce a variety of new SONGS, DUETTS, GLEES. PARODIES, CHORUSES, 4c. The evenings entertainments will conclude with a new Burlesque founded on the Opera of SulTo, called 8TOFPO I—Characters hy the Company For particulars see bills of tbe day. Dcors open at 7 o'clock—'Performance to com- mence at 8. PALMO'S—Monday, October 4lh, 1817.—Open every night. First week ot the celebrated ETHIOPIAN SEKENADERS. Germon, Sanwood, Harrington, Pell, White ind Howard, since their return from Eurone, where they had the dlstngulshed honor of appearing lie- lore Her Majesty tbe Queen, II. R. II. Prince Al- bert, tbe Royal Family, und Nobility and Gentry ot England. Tbe Serenaders respectfully announce to iii" ladles and gentlemen of New York that they will conxnencc a series of entertainments at the above house on Monday, Oct. 4th, which were received with enthusiastic applause by thousands who vis- ited their performances ut the St. James's The- atre, Loadflii, during a period of 14 months, con- sisting ot songs, glees, choruses, Ac, accompanied with tbelr unique Instruments. For particulars see small hills. Under Ihe direction of Mr. J. A. DUMBOLTON. Admission 25 cents. Doors open at 7 Vi o'clock. Concert at 8 o'clock. AT. Y. Herald, Nov., -1847. Nsono .Minstiielsy. —It would seem tbat this l.i the age of Negro minstrelsy, for when one com- pany announces its departure, another of a sluillar character Immediately succeeds. On Monday even- ing next a band called Youngson's Sable Har- monists, commence at the Minerva Rooms. They consist of two violin players, two banjos, guitar, li'iue eastnets. and tambourine. When we hear them we shall be better able to speak ot their abilities, BROADWAY ODEON—Entrance through Pin- teux's Saluon—Under the management of Mr. K. (I. Giikklv —thla Evening, December 23, 1847— ■nie 'iKit.K SLAVE will he presented this even- ing. Par; 1-^lhe ETHIOPIAN HARMONISTS, who will uppeur lu a variety of Songs, Glees, Re- trains. Solos, and Dances. Part -■ New TAB- LEAUX VIVANTS, or Living Male and Female Figures, by the Model Arilsis, Including, among other groupings, ".Massacre of St. Bartholomew," "Morning Star/' ".Neptune Rising from the Sea," "The MuyiKile Dance," aud s Grand National Tab- leau In lienor of (be United Stutes. Orcbestra Box, 50 cents. Parquet!, 25 cents; Boxes. 12^ ecuIs. , And Charley White's "Sable Sisters and Ethiopian Brothers"—sometimes at 03 Bow- ery and at one time 40 Bowery, These were the golden days sure enough. The troupes were small, comprising about rcven ot eight. Including the' agent, who traveled uhead, hired the hal's and posted tho bills, and the manager, who took the tickets at tbe door. Very . often the end man formed ono of the quartette. Tbe sal- aries were moderate, i traveling by stage i naiii or railways was cheap, and hardly any baggage to haul. Tbe baggage often consist- ed of a few battered trunks, champagne betkets end carpet bags. . Tbe /minstrels made their own v/lgj—principally/ of- curled hair from mattresses or sofas. ■&■ few corks, burned at gas lets or:Incinerated In im old tin pall, furnished the make-up. Sometimes they •'blacked up" with burnt paper. Ihe holla were bare of scenery, so each troupe carried curtains which they arranged at each side of the Btage. ami dressed behind them. The footlights were of gas, campheno or kerosene lamps. Their wants were very few, and they performed to "packed houses,'' and the profits were enormous tor thost days. Minstrelsy was n craze, as there was no other entertainment to compete with It. All the Jokes and songs were brought to town by then, and for days afterwards were the topic of conversation. The halls of Albany, Troy, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Oswego, and, in fact, everywhere, had no Bccnery. You simply hired the bare hall. created qnlte * lot of comment as thiB tae. gage was hanled to and from the hall joni ous rivals poked fun at this, but they fell i., line. This was Just before Uic Civil War Duprez also uniformed his troupe with blvb hats and coats with chinchilla materia around the collars and cuffs. He was tin' lirst manager to Introduce the brass 'bind in conjunction with his troupe, and conic fluently the parade from depot to hall. Later on he had a spotted cooch dog that Joined In the parade, receiving Its share of attend Hon. The brass band performed In front of thn hall or upon Its balcony—n-arly all tha troupes had line bands, though small In num- bers. Everybody performed on some lustru. mont, and tbe comedians bad charge of the snare drum, cymbals or bass drum. John Campbell, who kept a small hotel on the Bowery, corner of Bayard Street or gonlzed tho flrst Campbell's Minstrels Into lu 1840. Matt Peel, tuke West, Joseph r Murphy, Jack Herman and several others were the members. From this troupe snrnn-, all tho "Original Campbell Mlastrels," ™r"i under one manager, then another, with soiie of the members of the original party to eiv„ It a "Campbell" flavor, b < it uti.i.s ll. nuPRISZ. Crowds of boys brought In the baggage and carried palls of water for the troupe, lor which they received free admission. S SKA 'ilf « U 1>J« C ' of baggage. It may be said that Charles II. Duprcz Introduced n' few "reforms." Ho furnished trunks ot simi- lar tppcarance—and covered with sine. Thli .TERRY BRYANT. In the Jate forties the programs were very simple, consisting of songs, solos on ilie banjo or violin, 'Essence ot Old VP- L'niiy," champion jigs, double polka, solo on u comb, Jewsharp, snare drum, or kitchen bellows. The bill was divided Into two pints. Part llrst. as "Dandy .Negroes of tbe .North," attired in black swallow-tail coai<, wah brass buttons; white vest, tight black pants with straps that passed under thu siioes. This was supposed to be the iclliml part of the blH. i ia-t second was called "Plantation Durkles ot the South." Tbey were attired as Held hands, cbecked shirts, with large collars, striped punts and Ug shoes, 'j tils consisted of plantation songs grotesque dancing, banjo songB. "Lucy Long,' Old tsob Ridley," "The Cnchuca" dauee, "Bunjo Lesson,'' and wound up with a festi- val uance for the whole troupe, culled a "ii:«IA Ci.outld." In in in Barl 11cm: left Christy, and with J. B. fellows, organized Pierce and fellows' .vllnslrels. aim opened In tbe "Society Library itooms." They removed to Mitchell's Olym- pic Theatre, 442 Broadway, fellows huu u untitling next door (444) re-constructed, uud I'lerve retiring, he opened 444, and called It fellows' Opera House and Fellow* tllmtrelt. In in so, l-i.h Horn, Tom Brigs, Sam Wells, Luke West, J. ll. Dounlker, Juck Herman, Hi imiiiKcy, Hilly Birch, and later tbe entire nuckiey Family, appeared on their bills. Henry Wood succeeded J. it. follows in 1802. Ui'oi-ga CbrJsty, who had a misunderstanding with 10. P. Christy, Joined forces with Henry Wood lntc lu October, 1853, and the troupe was then culled Ueo. Christy and Woous Minstrels. In 1807, Henry Wood removed lu a new opera house he huu built on ilroailway near Prince Street. Wood retired from busi- ness In this year. io. P. ObrlBty retired irum the held In 18Q4. Tho secession ot Ueo. Christy had created havoc with his business, altbough he had tried the best of perforatum to take Ueorgc's place—tbe public simply adored him and bestowed their patronage upon him wherever he appeared. Everything waa a close Imitation of the negru, iiIb dialect being one of the csscailnl poiuts necessary for a comedian to possess. Urlmaces, contortions, sbutlllng walks, very comle and ragged garments, large shoes, small hats or battered high hats aud eld umbrellas, with queer looking carpet hags, were absolutely part and parcel of the come- dian's outfit. In the middle (fifties he added grotesque female garments for a lecture on "Womun's Itlghis," or old military clotlies to show the return from tbe Mexican War, which began in 184U. He also became an orator on tbe questions of the day as a stump speaker. This enabled tho comedian to get oif lots of local allusions. One of the funny sketches was "The HtUlruml Smash-up." On .Keb. 23, 1867. tho Bryants' Minstrels opened Mechanics' Hall, 472 Broadway, Jerry, Dan and Nell Bryant, managers. Uy Ihe way the Bryants' Minstrels Is the /irit theatrical Hdvcrtlsemen: that can he found In 'Pub Nbw Yohk Cluteb. 'Phis Is shortly after they began operations in Hie old hall where Christy reigned end amutscd a fortune, Here Is their card.' BRYANT'S MINSTRELS. MECHANICS' HALL. 472 BROADWAY. ABOVB GRAND STREET, Open every night during the week. THE CELUBUATED AND ORIGINAL BRYANT'S MINSTRELS. COMl'SISINO Tllllirr.ru TALENTED l'!illl'OI!M::iM. Introducing a new variety of SONGS, DANCES, BURLESQUE SAYINOS, SHAKESI'EHIAN READINGS. HORSE COMBAT. SAW DUST ACROBATS CHALLENGE DANCE, ESSENCE Of OLD VIR01NNY, Ac., &e. JEIIIiY, SBIL AND D.i-V BliYAUT, In a variety of Comicalities Doora cpon at 7—Concert couin.cncea at 8. Admission i'S cents. When one looks at Tub Clh'PBB nowadays und sees tbc massive advertisements—whole pages, with big letters—every space taken and Its columns crowded for room, with twenty-four pages und sometimes more; Bnfl portraits and beautiful type, it almost takes the breath awuy from an old timer who used to poro over Its eight pages. Tho nboie "ad." was supposed to be largo typo for those ciys of the : young Cliitkb, which was begin- ning to attract show folks In all walks of life to Its columns. About 1845 "The Uarmonlcans" began to nttract attention. Marshall S. Pike, D. V, II. Crosby, John and James Power, were the leading spirits. In the same year the "Buble Harmonists" became very popular, ami visited all the cities North, South, East and West. ThlB Is their card when In New York, late In 18441 and early In 184 7. NIBLO'S SALOON, No. 650 Broadway, betivecn Spring and Prince Streets —-Undiminished 1 success —Kourth week Tbc Original 8ABLB HARMON- ISTS—Mewrs. W. G, Plnmer, J. B. Parrell. •,?. TlchcnoT, T. P. Brlggs, Wm. Roark, R. kf. Hooley. and 8, A. Wells, hare tbe honor of announcing that tbey will continue one week longer their chaste and amusing Soirees, which are ntJiiUy honored by highly respectable audiences. Admis- sion, 25 cents. Change of Programme every