San Francisco Minstrels

“The three latest additions to the San Francisco Minstrels are Joe Brown, ‘jiggist,’ Henry Grabe, harmonicum player, and D. W. Howe, balladist. The former has been absent in England for several years, and before he left was acknowledged as one of the best jig dancers of the day. He made his re-appearance here on the 15th inst. in a jig, and met with a good reception. He danced just seven minutes, which is pretty warm work this kind of weather. He performed many novel attractive and difficult steps, surpassing in execution all attempts at jig dancing since we last saw Tommy Peel. He is an easy and graceful dancer, and makes more changes than any other ‘jiggist’ we have yet seen. He was enthusiastically called out, but the atmosphere was not salubrious enough to warrant a repetition. Mr. Howe possesses a good voice and knows how to use it. Mr. Grabe performed several popular airs on the harmonicum in a pleasing manner. The shadow pantomime, which closed the evening’s fun, sent the audience home in good humor. The present is the last week of the season.”