San Francisco Minstrels

“The San Francisco Minstrels are attracting crowded audiences to their Hall of Ethiopia. The sketch of ‘Barber Brown’ continues to grow in favor with each representation. During the past week Mr. Ainsley Scott sang in an excellent manner the ballad of ‘No such Girl as Mine,’ and in the olio the characteristic song of ‘Simon the Cellarer,’ both of which were deservedly encored.”

“The San Francisco Minstrels are tickled until they are black in the face with the success of their musical sensation, ‘Barber Brown,’ and they recommend their audiences to read the ‘Arabian Nights’ after having once witnessed it. Their programme, too, presents many new features for the present week, and this evening Harry Raynor, the Austrialian comedian, will make his first appearance at their popular hall.”

“The Bryants are flourishing prodigiously at their new and beautiful establishment in East Fourteenth-street, next to the Academy of Music. They are not even deterred by the Democratic demonstration of to-night, but throw their doors open as widely as Tammany Hall itself. The enormously funny burlesque of ‘Lucretia Borgia’ is still the attraction, prefaced by new songs, scenes, dances, &c.”

“At the ‘San Francisco’ Minstrels ‘Barber Brown,’ an amusing and laughable little play, interpreted by the funniest men of the company, continues to draw crowded houses. The preliminary arrangements at this house are always mirth provocative, and the singing is well balanced and effective.”

“Harry Raynor, an Ethiopian comedian of considerable reputation, from California and Australia, made his debut with the San Francisco Minstrels on the 5th inst., and appeared each evening during the week in a Japanese fiddle solo. His appearance is of the most grotesque character.  He is dressed in jet black tights and jacket, fitting so tight to the skin that it seems impossible for him to move about. He is the slimmest and ugliest looking nigger we ever saw, and his appearance alone is sufficient to convulse his audience with laughter, particularly when he takes a seat, and, lifting two canal boats—sometimes called feet—places a sheet of music against them and commences to play. Then it is that roars of laughter burst forth. He plays upon a Japanese fiddle with one string, and, although the music brought forth is not the most pleasant to listen to, yet it elicits considerable applause, and he was called out from three to four times each evening. He possesses considerable humor, and ought to be a valuable addition to any company.”