Benefit of the U.S. Sanitary Commission

“Her last appearance in New York.  For the benefit of the United States Sanitary Commission.”

“Verdi’s celebrated dramatic opera of ‘Macbeth’ will be produced here tonight without fail.  The rôle of the heroine is said to be one of Madame Medori’s best efforts, and it happens curiously enough that the public will have an opportunity of comparing it to-morrow night with Charlotte Cushman’s fine impersonation of the part.  This will be a week of Macbeth’s and the Academy of Music monopolizes them all.”

“Notwithstanding the high price of admission there is already a rage for the tickets, and the speculators are obtaining heavy premiums.”

“Although in direction attention to the performance of ‘Macbeth’ to-night at the Academy of Music we can hardly hope to serve any useful purpose, inasmuch as all the tickets are sold, we still take pleasure in reminding our readings that Miss Cushman’s object in appearing before the public is purely patriotic and benevolent.  Every one who can squeeze into the house should do so, as a compliment to the lady and as an offering to a good cause.  We need scarcely add that Mr. Booth shares with Miss Cushman all the merit of these liberal entertainments.”

No mention of the music.  “The house was completely crowded, and hundreds were turned from the doors.”

“Oh! wasn’t that a glorious crowd at the Academy of Music on the 22d, when Charlott [sic] Cushman, Edwin Booth, and other liberal spirits gave a benefit in [sic] behalf of the United States Sanitary Commission? Max Maretzek, in his delirium of joy, would break every fiddle and bald head in his orchestra if he could only get such a crowd in the Academy on opera nights. Such squeezing, and scrouging, and tearing, and swearing, we ne’er before did see, we ne’er before did hear. It was luscious, and will abide in our memory forever more. It was for a charitable purpose, and our friends made it a benefit indeed. Vive, Charlotte; a bas Jeff Davis……”