find, by lifting the cover of the box, he could see all that was going on below. The play was "Richard III," and all went well till the second act, when he heard four or five men making their way directly to his hiding place. He had barely time to close the lid, when they took up the box, and profanely remarking on its great weight, proceeded to take King Henry's coffin down stairs. Upon the stage they went, followed by Lady Anne and the troop of mourners. She lamented loudly, and Sol perspired in secret. Through all the famous courting scene he managed to keep quiet, but as the live corpse was carried off "to Whitefriars," L. H. U. E. and up stairs again, the awkward supes turned and tumbled, and tipped his coffined majesty so as to hurt him severely, and he cried out. The passage was dark, the bearers were frightened half to death, and dropping their precious burden, gave poor Sol a chance to slip out of his coffin and into the street. The intelligent auxilliaries were certain there was a ghost in the box, and Mr. Smith, with a keen appreciation of the necessity for a dramatic ending to his story, solemnly asserts that the four supes never entered the play-house again, but immediately joined the church, and one of them became a famous preacher, whose special hobby was the sin of theatre going, against which he assured his hearers he had, when a young man, a most mysterious and supernatural warning!

After the close of the regular season, the theatre, by permission of the manager, was opened a few nights on the Commonwealth plan, or sharing system, but not very successfully. In the spring of 1817, Mr. Mortimer was the manager, but being inexperienced, succeeded in losing all his capital in a very few weeks. Mr. Betterton, from the English theatres, an actor then past his prime, was the leading man; Mr. H. A. Williams was stage manager. Mrs. H. A. Williams (afterwards Mrs. Maywood) was new on the stage, and played all the Dollies, Pollies and Peggies. Josey Williams, a little fellow, played eccentric comedy.. Mrs. Burke, the favorite vocalist, played a few nights.

In April, Mr. Bernard, the former manager, appeared as a star, and with him Mrs. Mills (a vocalist), and Mr. and Mrs. Mestayer. The season proved disastrous, and was eked out with harlequinades, pantomimes and slack-wire performances. There was something very like a row, and part of the company went to Troy, with Mortimer at their head and - met with the usual fate of theatrical people who go to Troy.

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And now, to quote a pathetic correspondent of the period, Thalia was driven from her once fond home." In June, 1818, the building having been unoccupied for a year, was sold to the Baptist society, and a subscription list circulated to raise funds for the purpose of fitting it up for church purposes. It was dedicated January 1st, 1819, (Joshua Bradley, pastor,) and for a full generation, was used as a place of worship, after which it was again made into a theatre, of which, hereafter.

CHAPTER V.

1822-1825.

The Drama Houseless and Homeless.

In September, 1822, the old building on North Pearl street, known years before as the Thespian hotel, was opened as the New Constitution theatre. The company included Mr. and Mrs. Talbot, Messrs. Simpson, Williamson, Richards, Lamb, Saunders, Cook, Archbold, Gilbert, Miss Odell and Mrs. Dorion. This appears to have been substantially the same organization that had played, the July previous, in a small building at 15 Warren street, New York, called the City theatre, under the management of Mrs. Baldwin. They were considered as amateurs in the metropolis, and their season there came to a speedy close, owing to the yellow fever. They then came up the river to the more salubrious climate of Albany. Simpson was a printer, Stone says, and served his time with George and Charles Webster, at the old Elm tree corner (State and North Pearl). He was the low comedian, and a jolly fellow. He afterwards became a great favorite at the Chatham Garden theatre, and there, was the original Jonathan in Samuel Woodworth's domestic opera, "The Forest Rose, or American Farmers," the first play introducing the Yankee character, that retained. possession of the stage. Poor Alec. died of consumption in Poughkeepsie, in 1829. "Archbold," said an appeal for a benefit, "from the most untoward and unforseen circumstances, has been driven from the height of respectability to look for support for himself, wife and family, from the stage."

Perhaps the most noteworthy event which occurred at the New Constitution, was the appearance of Master George Frederick Smith, aged ten, and announced as the American Roscius. He was, however, born in Cork, Ireland, December 29th, 1811, and had given recitations the year before. He now came from Montreal, and had previously played a New York engagement. He opened in Young Norval, (Mr. Duffy playing Glenalvon) and subsequently played Octavian, Richard III., Romeo, etc. He had been well drilled in his characters, and went through them with sufficient ability to create quite a sensation. His sister also played with him several times, making here, her first appearance on any stage. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Baldwin (the latter a sister of the gifted Mrs. Barnes), played here as stars. Others mentioned as taking benefits, are Anderson (first appearance in six years), Stone and Mrs. Legge, of whom, more anon. November, a portion of the company under Lamb, were giving concerts in a saloon at the Museum. In December, the Talbots had trouble with Mr. Young, who was the proprietor of the theatre, and withdrew. This resulted in a rival establishment, and in 1823, Albany, with perhaps 15,000 inhabitants, and no theatre building proper, was the scene of lively opposition between two regularly organized dramatic companies.

In

One was at No. 140 State street, in the second story of Northrop's tavern, which, under the direction of Mr. Farnham, who had superintended the building of the Green street theatre, had been fitted up with decorations by Steele, and scenery by Kane. It opened January 13th, with "The Highland Reel" and "The Spoiled Child." Mr. and Mrs. Talbot were prominent members of the company, and Anderson, Archbold, Admis

Mrs. Dorion and Mrs. Johns were here also. sions were $1, and fifty cents.

A house opposite the Columbian hotel was also fitted up by a Mr. Brown, for an African theatrical company, which opened December 19th, with "Pizarro."

The North Pearl street place, meantime, had undergone some improvement, the boxes and pit having been altered to the circular form, which gave the whole audience a perfect and commanding view of the stage. The public were also assured that the room would always be kept in a temperate state. The name was changed to the Albany theatre, and Mr. Carter, from Philadelphia, was engaged to manage. Admission 75 cents and 50 cents. It opened January 22d, 1823, with "Point of Honor" and "Raising the Wind." Among those who made their Albany debuts at this time, were Mr. and Mrs. Carter, from Philadelphia. Anderson, formerly of the old Green street theatre, was here, and soon Archbold and Mrs. Dorion came; also, Mrs. Robbeson and Mr. and Mrs. Stone. The season closed here about April 1st.

The new theatre, as it was called, kept along, Mr. and Mrs. Durang being added to the company. Early in April, the two companies combined and opened at the North Pearl street house, with "Wives as They Were" and "The Spoiled Child." On the 30th of April, Anderson, the comedian, died, and a benefit was given to his widow, May 2d. The State street theatre did not long remain closed, for April 14th, it was opened with a company, in which Mr. and Mrs. Stone were the principal performers.

The last of June, the Pearl street theatre was opened for a few nights by Mr. and Mrs. Walstein (late Mrs. Baldwin), closing July 4th, with "The Glory of Columbia," an intensely patriotic play, based upon the capture of Andre, and written by William Dunlap. For many years, it was an unfailing source of revenue on Independence day.

In September, W. Blanchard erected a circus, corner of Division and Green streets; admission 50 and 25 cents; smoking and "unattended females" being strictly prohibited.

The next regular season at the old theatre in North Pearl street, opened November 24th, with "Bertram, or the Castle of St. Aldebart," and "Raising the Wind."