Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels

“Grant that among their catalogue of jokes they have some state Joe Millers; grant that in some of their nigger delineations they give us niggers that can’t be found from Old Virginny to Hayti, they still give us a bill, night after night, to the unqualified delight of the old and the young, with everything sung, and they never fail to bring down the house with their operas and plays and ridiculous ways; and Leon’s Saucy Sal beats any nigger gal in pleading woman’s cause, and in the company she draws, and in her rounds of applause.  And so on all the way through.  Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels, for an hour or two of hearty enjoyment and laughter, will do. Let the unbeliever go and be satisfied.”

“…meet with continued success; they have come into favor in strong farce.  Their burlesques are very amusing, while their first part is exceedingly pleasing.”