Barnum’s Museum

     “Our country cousins are in despair and roam about looking as though they had lost a dear friend. You will see them around the ruins of the Museum, looking unutterable woe [sic]; they have been so accustomed to spend a day with Barnum every time they visited the metropolis, that they can scarcely realize the painful truth that they will never again see the familiar old place, never again walk through its halls, never more wonder at the thousands of curiosities swallowed up in the general ruin. ‘Come ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish,’ come up the street a’ways, and lessen your anguish; for Barnum has possession of the Winter Garden, where he gives afternoon and evening entertainments of pantomime, singing, dancing, gymnastics, etc.  And there, too, beloved country cousins, you may renew your acquaintance with the Fat Woman (who was not lowered out of the burning Museum by means of a derrick); the Giant Girl; and other curious specimens of animated nature…Miss Carrie A. Moore, the lady skater, is cutting 8’s and other skatish didoes, this week.  If you see Miss Carrie once, you will not miss Carrie if you try to see Miss Carrie Moore.  ‘Children under ten, 15 cents.’”

     “The Chinese Buildings will be occupied by Barnum and his living curiosities just as soon as the place can be prepared for their reception.  It was a good stroke in Barnum to secure this property, for it is an extensive building, and well located.  Had Barnum been less quick upon the trigger, it is probable that the San Francisco Minstrels would have taken it for a permanent hall of minstrelsy, for they have no lasting hold on the Diabolique place, which Fredericks takes possession of next May.”