7)
Review: New York Clipper, 27 June 1863, 83.
“Dolly Davenport’s benefit came off at the Winter Garden on the 18th. We reached the theatre at 8 o’clock, and found every seat in the house ‘possessed’ and the aisles crowded full of chairs, all of which were occupied. We have been a frequent visitor to this house, but it has been a long time since we have witnessed such a crowd as on this occasion. We noticed a great many ladies present, which proves that Dolly must be a favorite with the fair sex. . . . The first piece was ‘Swiss Swains,’ (but called here ‘Rosetta, the Mountain Maid,’) in which Mr. T.J. Herndon made his metropolitan debut, appearing as Swig. . . . The dancing of Baptistan and Pauline was very good, particularly that of the former, who pirouettes beautifully. The burlesque of ‘Camille’ followed, with Geo. Fox and Fanny Herring in the principal parts. As Camille, Mr. Fox was exceedingly broad on several occasions, not only in his remarks but actions, and on one or two occasions he descended to vulgarity, in order to create a laugh from those of a vitiated taste. Such performances may be very well liked in the Bowery, but they are not suited to a refined Broadway audience, as on the present occasion. Mr. Campbell followed with a ballad, which was executed in this artist’s best style. He received a hearty call, and gave a selection from the opera of the ‘Bohemian Girl.’ We did not remain to see the rest of the performance, which the bills said would be the farce of the ‘Eton Boy,’ Dan Bryant in his Stump Speech, and Little Mac, from Bryants’, in the ‘Essence of old Virginny.”
COMMENT: Bowery tastes versus those of Broadway.