San Francisco Minstrels

“The enterprise of this favorite band of merry-making minstrels has recently been displayed in the production of a new piece, called ‘The Siege of the Blondes, or ‘Tis Sweet for our Country to Dye,’ which, although much shorter than its title, is a broad a palpable hit at a notorious folly of the day, throwing the French and Lydia Thompson opera into the darkest shade, and burlesquing their burlesque till the force of ridicule can go no further. Lydia Thompson, Elise Holt, Mrs. Florence, Emily Pitt, Rose Massy, and Lian Weber, with their locks of golden sheen, songs, trial dances, and fantastic tricks, are all brought into bold and brilliant relief—

‘Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear.’

The song and chorus of the four blondes is a rich and happy revival—full of humor, if not of grace; and the dance by the four ‘Persian youths,’ with ‘tiny feet,’ four feet in length, is a bit of wild extravagance rarely excelled in grotesque absurdity. The puns, pointed allusions, and gorgeous appointments of the burlesque prove very effective and enjoyable to numerous and delighted audiences.”

“It is whispered on the east side of town that ‘Tony,’ the popular Pastor of the opera house in the Bowery, has succeeded in capturing a bevy of six genuine blondes, each one of whom boasts of an abundant head of beautiful auburn hair. It is expected when they appear—which will be shortly—that the whole town will be fairly captivated and dazzled. We shall see.

Blondes hold possession of the boards at Niblo’s, Wood’s, Theatre Comique and the Waverley. Bryants and the San Francisco Minstrels have also introduced the light-haired beauties to their patrons, but with black faces. How cruel of Bryant, Birch, Bernard and Backus thus to burlesque the beautiful, blushing, British burlesquers.”