Wood's Minstrels

“The programme for the present week is replete with many gems of minstrelsy, and many novelties in the way of Ethiopian eccentricities. . . . The talent at Wood’s temple is well appreciated, judging by the applause nightly bestowed upon the entertainments.”

Not a review of a specific performance.  “’Why is a tall man the laziest man in the world?’ said Charley Fox, at Wood’s Minstrels, the other night.  ‘Don’t know,’ says Nelse Seymour.  ‘I’ll tell you,’ says Charley; ‘because he is longer in bed than anyone else.’  ‘I know something lazier than that,’ says Seymour.  ‘What is it?’ queries the Fox.  ‘An oyster,’ says Nelse, ‘because it don’t get out of its bed till somebody pulls it out.’  ‘That’s good,’ responded the indefatigable Fox, ‘but I know something lazier still.’  ‘What’s that?’ ‘Horace Greeley’s nine hundred thousand volunteers,’ and the applause that followed was immense, showing the great popularity of Horace and his gorgeous array of ‘coming men.’”

“One of the best programmes ever performed by Wood’s Minstrels was that given last week, and we do not remember to have seen an entertainment better enjoyed anywhere.  We called in at Wood’s on the 18th. . . . The comedians, Fox, Brower, and Seymour, were more comical than ever, and the various special acts in which they appeared created roars of laughter. . . . The house on the 18th was splendid, a large number of ladies being in the first circle, as well as in the parquet.”