History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 25

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 992

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" When the last signal is given, the priest rises on his feet, the king lays himself on the block, where he is secured. The executioner then turns and prepares to do his duty, and, when the second signal is given, the executioner drops the knife and severs the head from the body in one second. The head falls in a basket, and the lips, which are first red, turn blue. The whole is performed to the life, hy an invisible machine, without any perceptible assistance.

" Made by the first Italian artist, of the name of Colomba. The work- manship has been admired by the most professed judges wherever it bas heen seen.

" ** The proprietors humbly hope for the encouragement of the pub- lic, as nothing shall be wanting on their part to render the exhibition pleasing and satisfactory to their patrons.

" Price, three shillings. Children half-price. To be seen from nine in the morning till nine at night."

It was in reference to this exhibition that Cobbett wrote this very proper rebuke :

" The queen of France, the calaminiated Antoinette, was the first for- eigner, except some generous Englishmen, that advanced a shilling in the American canse. Have I ever abused her memory ? It was not I -though it was an Englishmaa-that cut off her head, and besprinkled her garments with blood, on a sign hung over the public road. It was Dot I that guillotined her husband, in an automaton, every day, from nine in the morning till nine at night, for the diversion of the citizena of Philadelphia."

A museum, which for many years enjoyed a high degree of popularity, was opened, in 1807, at No. 48 Market Street, by Jesse Sharpless. As his collection increased, he advertised extensively, giving a list of the principal wax figures and curiosities on exhibi- tion. This list, in 1813, comprised forty-seven items.1

1 Advertisement of 1813 :

" MUSEUM OF WAX FIGURES, "NATURAL AND MECHANICAL CURIOSITIES,

"nt the White House, Market Street, opposite the west end of the Jersey " Market.

" This museum has been improved and considerably increased by the addition of a number of new figures, paintings, etc. A handsome organ, likewise a completo electrical machine, with extensive philosophical apparatus, has been added to the collection.

"1. Baron Trenck, loaded with sixty-eight pounds of iron, in tho dua- geun of Magdeburg.

"2. Ilis Excellency James Madison, President of the United States. "3. Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France.

"4. Ferdinand VII., King of Spain,

"5. The present Popo of Rome.

"G. Goliath of Gath, and David, nimed with a sling and atune.

"7. Columbus, the discoverer of America.

" 8. The Connecticut and Boston Beauties.

"9. Tho Methodist Beauty.

"10. General Bruddock, who fell near Pittsburgh.

" 11. Mig> Paino.

" 12. The infant Moses, as discovered by Pharaoh's daughter.

"13. The immortal Washington, the Father of his Country, in full uniform, crowned with flowers by two female figures representing Lib- etty and Fame.

" 14. The Lion between the feet of Washlogton.

" 15. A figure showing the muscles, etc., of the human body.

" 16. The head of John the Baptist on a charger.

" 17. Admiral Vieconnt Nelson, who fell at Trafalgar, attended by his first lieutenant and surgeon.

"18. A painting representing the good Samaritan. A calf with two

· The king is represented as standing, his queen on her knees by hin ' heads, six legs, and two tuils.

951

AMUSEMENTS OF THE PHILADELPHIANS.

In 1816 the enterprising proprietor exhibited the picture, by Boudet, of the death of Maj .- Gen. Ross, " who fell in the attack on Baltimore, the 12th of last September."

"19. Othello stabbing Desdemona,-taken from Shakespeare.

"20. The Goddess of Love, with two doves.

"21. An elegant Chinese Pagoda, with two handsome Chinese ladies.

"22. A group representing Hercules tempted by Virtue and Vice.

"23. A box showing in perspective the principal buildings and cities. "24. Joseph Bonaparte, King of Spain.

"25. His Majesty George III., present King of England.

"26. Dr. Lamb and the Philadelphia Beanty.

"27. The Little Beauty and her Sleeping Sister.

"28. General Porter, supported by his waiter. The Indian throwing his tomahawk.

"29. Four Paintings, namely : Mount Veanvins, Battle of Trafalgar, the Burning of the ' Philadelphia' frigate, and Columbus' First Landing in America.

"30. In the second room, on the left hand, stand the different State Beauties, with the colors.

"31. The Funeral of Admiral Nelson, surrounded by Soldiers.

"32. The Jovial Dutchmen over their glasses and cards.

" 33. A Beggar and the Generous Little Boy.

"34. His Excellency President Washington aod the venerable Benja- min Franklin.

"35. William Penn, founder and first Governer of Pennsylvania.

"36. Mrs. Newlin, with her six children at one birth.

"37. An Automaton Tumbler.

"38. The Philosophere, dressed in black.

"39. The Temple of the Invisible Lndy.

"40. O'Brien McCool, the Irish Giant, weighing seven hundred pounda.

"41. A son of Hibernia, fourteen years old, and six feet four inches in height.

"42. Madame Bonaparte, consort of Napoleon.

" 43. A correct likeness of the philosopher Richard Folwell.

" ALSO TO BE SEEN,

" the four naval victories of

" CAPTAINS HULL, DECATUR, JONES, AND BAINBRIDGE,

"on transparent canvas.

"From the great number of persons who have frequented this museum, and their repeated marks of approbation, the proprietor flat- ters himself that the improvemente made, and still making, will give general satisfaction.

"The museum is open from 8 o'clock in the morning till 10 o'clock in the evening.

" Admission, 25 cents. Children, 121/2 cents.

" Profiles taken and framed."

Advertisement of 1816:

" WASHINGTON MUSEUM, "AND GALLERY OF PAINTINGS,

"in the large, new brick building in Market Street, third doer below Second Street.

" The Inte addition in

"WAX STATUES, PAINTINGS, AND NATURAL CURIOSITIES,

"added to the former, makes A large collection,-such as the proprietor flatters himself will both eatiefy and gratify the visitors. There are nine different rooms, which contain the different articles.

"ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY STATUES IN WAX.

" Room No. 5 contains the group of General Moreau, whe joined the Emperor of Itussin against Bonaparte, after he was so dreadfully wounded by a cannon-ball, and in the act of being horne off the field of battle by two grenadiers. He is dressed in the uniform nf a Prussian General. Wie thigh-bone is plainly to be seen, together with the artery crurales; his countenance exhibiting the pallid hue of death, the wennd representing the natural appearance; his favorite aide-de-camp, Baron Korsakow, deploring the misfortune of his general. A soldier weltering in his blood, his hend eliattered hy a cannon-ball, which ex- posee to view the internal part of the head lacerated. All of which are executed with the greatest anatomical precision. Also, the group of General Packenham (who fell at New Orleans, In the engagement with General Jackson), after he was so dreadfully wounded by a cannon-ball,

In the summer of 1818 there was added to the museum, "The Birth of Christ, with a group, and a picturesque view of the city of Bethlehem, exhibit- ing two hundred statues. The Battle of Waterloo brings to the view of the spectator several thousand men in arms." The elephant Columbus was exhib- ited in 1819. This animal was eight feet high, and weighed between four thousand and five thousand pounds. In the winter of the succeeding year, when he was brought back to the museum, he had grown to be nine feet high, and he weighed six thousand pounds.

In 1820 the museum contained three hundred wax statues, two hundred paintings, three hundred en- gravings, and many valuable curiosities. In May, 1821, was added a representation of the duel between Commodores Decatur and Barron, attended by their seconds, Commodores Bainbridge and Elliott. In May, 1822, the following living curiosities were ex- hibited : "Shuwiskauua, an Indian chief, twenty years of age, double-jointed, and only thirty inches high ; sits in a bowl, and moves himself about with the aid of two sticks. Also a black man turned white ; born in Virginia; aged sixty years. Some parts of his body are spotted like a leopard."

Mr. Adrian, professor of philosophie legerdemain, gave exhibitions at the museum in the early part of the year 1824.

There was a camera obscura fixed on the roof of the museum, which in clear and fine weather furnished attractive views of the active life at the court-house just west of it, at the fish-market, at the wharves, and in the busy street below.

The magic lantern was, at all times, a popular exhibition with the younger visitors at the museum.

and supported by one of the infaotry. The ball passed through the front of his stomach. The wound being large, his entrails are exposed to view, which enables the beholder to judge the horrid effects of war; enrrounded with a number of British officers and soldiers, struck with horror, and surprised at the loss of their general. And Fairbanks, who destroyed Mise Fails, and who was executed for it.

"Room Ne. 6 contains nearly one hundred paintings, fifteen of which contain nearly one hundred feet of canvas each, and many of them are Be interesting as any paintings in America. They represent battles, treaties, landscapes, etc.

" And from the summit of the building there is one of the hand- somest panoramic views in Philadelphia.

" Room No. 7 contains ten different pieces of anatomical preparations in wax, executed in the first style, which will be found worthy the at- tention of medical gentlemen and connoisseure. Also a number of handsome paintings,-

"1. Wertmuller'e Venus.

"2. Ofis' Bathing Figures.

"3. Wertmuller'e Wood Fawn.

"4. Bodet'e Bathing Figures.

"5. The Handsome Dans.

" And about fifty statuca from France. This room is 25 cents extra. " Profiles taken and handsumely framed.

" The museum is handsomely Illuminated every evening, with appro- printe music, and only 25 cents; children, 121 2 cents."

Additions antonneed in 1820: Samson and Delilnh, the Albinos, Charlotte Temple and Montroville, the Invisible Lady, Erusmne, Friar Bacon, Baren Swedenborg, and severnl French, English, and American dandies

952

HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

We have given, at some length, the history of the oldest and principal museums, which for many years were popular places of amusement. Of minor shows, of various descriptions, exhibited for a short time only, there was a goodly number, especially during the earlier part of the present century. The itinerant showman has lost his importance in this age of rail- roads and vast combinations; if he exists, he is found attached to some mammoth show, which, under the name of " circus," offers to the public a hundred different amusements combined. Of these early caterers for the amusement of the good people of Philadelphia, some have been incidentally mentioned in our chapter on Manners and Customs. We shall give, hereafter, a brief record of their transient visits, but we wish first to say something of that favorite of all Americans, young and old, -the circus.

The first permanent circus and manège created in Philadelphia was built in 1785, on Market Street, near the Centre House, by Mr. Poole, who claimed that he was "the first American who ever exhibited feats of equestrianism on the continent." Poole could perform various dexterous feats while riding two horses at full speed,-something too common now to attract notice, but which was deemed a wonderful act of horsemanship at that time. He had also some well-trained trick horses. He kept his circus open for a little over a year. In 1787, the equestrian Bates, who had performed in Philadelphia during a transient visit in 1772, came back and rented Poole's building, where he opened a riding-school.

Another equestrian, the Scotehman, John Bill Rick- etts, who was a pupil of Hughes, of the Blackfriars' Bridge Circus, London, came to Philadelphia in 1792, and erected a building for a riding-school at the southwest corner of Twelfth and Market Streets. His success as a riding-master was such that he ven- tured to pull down the house and erect a larger one fitted up as a circus. This was opened for equestrian performances by daylight on the afternoon of April 12, 1793. The price of admission to boxes was 78. 6d., to pit, 38. 9d. Seven hundred persons were all that could by any possibility be crowded into the estab- lishment, and at the inaugural performance the house was full. Ricketts astonished the audience by riding upon two horses at the same time at full gallop. Master Ricketts and Master Strobel assisted him. The company was strengthened by the arrival of Sig- nor Spinacuta, a dancer on the tight-rope, Mr. Me- Donald, an equestrian and clown, and others. Gen. Washington assisted in rendering this circus fashion- able by attending a performance on Saturday, April 22, 1793. If Ricketts' venture proved profitable, he certainly showed himself worthy of the liberal pat- ronage of the Philadelphians, for, during the season of 1794, he gave benefits for a fuel fund for the dis- tressed poor of the eity, the income of which is still used for that purpose. Ile also gave a benefit for the French exiles driven out of Hispaniola.

The building at Twelfth and Market Streets coul no longer accommodate all who sought admission the popular spectacle, and Ricketts concluded to buil another circus, where, in addition to the larger seatin capacity, he could give evening performances, } built an amphitheatre at the corner of Sixth an Chestnut Streets, which was opened to the public o the 19th of October, 1795. The building was of circular form, and was ninety-seven feet in diamete The roof rose from the outer walls, which we eighteen feet high, in the shape of a cone fifty fe high, which was decorated at the top with a figure a flying Mercury. The centre of the dome, in th interior, was decorated with a blazing star, fro which was suspended a chandelier having a number lights. There was a handsome portico on the Ches nut Street front, which was the principal entranc and from whence a lobby ran round to what we called the music or proscenium boxes. The stag was at the south end of the building, and was larg enough for dramatic performances. The centre the building was appropriated to the ring, and ti boxes ran round this circle in the shape of a hors shoe, rising up to eight or nine rows of benche which were divided into boxes and pit. The hous had accommodations for twelve hundred or fourtee hundred persons. A coffee-room communicated wit these portions of the house. "Patent" lights we placed on the pillars, and the building, in its decor tions and fixtures, was justly considered the fine amphitheatre in America. John Bill Ricketts, h son Francis, and Sully were the principal equestrian Signor Reano, a slack-rope dancer, and soon ther after, Spinacuta, a tight-rope dancer, and his wif who rode two horses at full speed, added to the attra tions of the place. The trained horse, Cornplante could jump over another horse fourteen hands hig! Ricketts performed the dangerous feat of riding tw horses, each foot placed upon a quart-mug, set loosel upon the saddle. Francis Ricketts rode on his head balancing himself on a pint-pot, and, while blin folded, dismounted from his horse, going at fu speed, picked up a watch, and mounted agai During the seven months' season that year sever pantomimes were brought out with excellent sucees

Ricketts' Art Pantheon and Amphitheatre, as was called, enjoyed its well-deserved popularity f some years, but an accident destroyed in a few hou the work of many years. The building was burne down on the 17th of December, 1799, and Ricket was totally ruined. The fire originated in a buildin adjoining the amphitheatre, and which was used f storing scenery and other property. The roof caugh fire, and the flames spread rapidly. In the circus large audience had assembled ; the usual equestria performances were over, and the actors were dressin for their parts in the pantomime of "Don Juan, when the terrible cry of "Fire !" was heard, an tongues of flame were seen leaping out from the bas

953

AMUSEMENTS OF THE PHILADELPHIANS.

of the dome over the actors' entrance. The terrified audience evacuated the building in haste and confu- sion, but, happily, without injury. In a short time the whole dome was in a blaze, and all hopes of saving the building were given up. The adjoining building, a fine structure originally erected for the Episcopal Academy, but then occupied by James Oeller's hotel, was totally destroyed by the flames, and considerable damage was done to a row of new houses extending to Sansom Street. It was the biggest fire that had ever happened in the city. Ricketts' loss was esti- mated at twenty thousand dollars,-a large sum for the time. The unfortunate manager supposed that the building had been set on fire willfully, and he of- fered a reward of one thousand dollars for the appre- hension of the incendiary ; but, upon investigation, it was ascertained that the disaster was due to the cul- pable negligence of a drunken stage carpenter, who, having had occasion to go into the loft, left his lighted candle behind when he came down.

Before these facts were ascertained, some bigoted people saw in the destruction of the circus a judgment of Providence. The last scene of the pantomime they considered impious. It was described in the bills as follows: "The last scene presents the infernal regions, with a view of the mouth of hell ; Don Juan being reduced by his wickedness to the dreadful ne- cessity of leaping headlong into the gaping gulf, in a shower of fire, among the furies, who receive him on the points of their burning spears, and hurl him at once into the bottomless pit."

It was said that the fire arose in the attempt to de- pict the flames of hell, and those saintly people came to the logical conclusion that the destruction of the circus was a judgment. Unfortunately for the moral The burning of Ricketts' Circus, following the fall- effect of their reasoning, it was shown that the pan- ing in of the dome of Lailson's Circus, put an end to tomime had not even commenced, and the flames, lighted by a drunken man's carelessness, had come from the roof, not from the pit.

Ricketts attempted to retrieve his losses, in part at least, by giving day performances in the rival estab- lishment of Monsieur Lailson, whom he found kindly disposed to help him in his misfortune; but poor Ricketts was broken in spirit as well as in fortune, he soon gave up struggling against an adverse fate, and returned to England.

Lailson in 1797 had erected a splendid amphithe- atre at the southwest corner of Fifth and Prune Streets, which extended as far west as the jail wall. He opened his establishment on the 8th of April, in that year, with equestrian exercises and the panto- mime of "Les Quatre Fils Aymon; or, the Four Valiant Brothers," from the old French historic legend of that name. The equestrian performers were Monsieur Lailson, Langley, Sully, Herman, McDonald, C. Vandervelde, Reano, and Miss Vanice. The pantomimists were Pouble, Jaymon, Douvilliers, Poignard, Viellard, St. March, Leger, Savoil, Madame Douvilliers, Mrs. Rowson (a different lady from Mrs.

Rowson the actress and author of "Charlotte Tem- ple"), Mrs. Devan, and Mademoiselle Lailson. The company also performed French comedies and operas, in which Miss Sophie and Miss Tesseire appeared.

There were then in the city, operating at the same time, two theatres and two circuses, besides numer- ous minor exhibitions. The evidently increasing taste of the people for such amusements gave much concern to those who still clung to the simple ways and healthy pleasures of an earlier period. The Friends, particularly, were shocked at this frivolous tendency of the times, and they addressed a memo- rial to the mayor and Council protesting against the continuation of those exhibitions. Whether the moral effect of this opposition was to deter many from continuing to patronize the circus,-for the Council could take no action tending to close places of amuse- ment that were not disorderly,-or Lailson's expenses were too heavy,-his equestrian company being the largest that had ever visited the United States, and the dresses and paraphernalia were gotten up on a scale of unusual magnificence,-his enterprise had a ruinous ending. In June, 1798, a short time after commencing his second season, he became bankrupt. His company was broken up, and his horses and stage-properties were sold. The greater portion of the latter was purchased by Wignell & Reinagle for the Chestnut Street Theatre Company. A month later-the building being unoccupied-the immense dome partially forced out the walls and fell in with a fearful crash, putting an end to the history of Lail- son's Amphitheatre but not to the building, a portion of which was repaired and roofed and used for vari- ous purposes.

regular equestrian performances for some time. In 1802, Thomas Swann, riding-master and farrier, had a riding-house in Southwark, adjoining the South Street Theatre, where, besides teaching his art, he gave some public exhibitions of horsemanship. In January, 1803, he invited the public to attend a lec- ture on the horse, in the old Lailson Circus building, on which occasion he proposed to " cause to be de- stroyed and dissected" a particularly lame horse. At the same time a real skeleton of a horse would be pre- sented, and the lecturer would demonstrate the pro- gress of the disease known as " hipshot," from which the animal to be slaughtered suffered. A little later, in the same year, Swann opened an amphitheatre and circus at the corner of Thirteenth and Market Streets. A lecture by the manager, equestrian performances, vocal and instrumental music, manœuvres of "the new exercise of the broadsword for cavalry move- ments, together with readings and recitations by a young gentleman lately from Europe," were the at- tractions offered on the opening night. The per- former of broadsword exercise was a Mrs. Scott. She took her benefit at this amphitheatre on the 13th

954

HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

of October. On that occasion she returned " her sin- cere thanks to those gentlemen of the City Troop, and others, who were present at her second essay of the broadsword exercise, for their approbation of her performance, and solicits their patronage for this night of her benefit." On that occasion Mrs. Scott exemplified "the six divisions of the broadsword exercise for cavalry movements, in which is exhibited ninety-three motions."

Swann occupied this amphitheatre until 1810, when he went to the amphitheatre erected by Monsieur Victorien, in 1808, at the Centre-House Gardens, Victorien gave performances on the tight- and slack- rope and wire, with ground and lofty tumbling. He did not remain long here. In 1810, Monsieur Pont- ingam opened a riding-school at the corner of Tenth and Arch Streets. At the end of one year, his enterprise not having been successful, Poutingam gave up the establishment. It was rented by Swann, who kept it until his death, in July, 1812.

The "New Circus," at the northeast corner of Walnut and Ninth Streets, was opened in 1809, by Pepin & Breschard. Victor Pepin was a native of | the Centre House, the Aurora made the remark that Philadelphia, descended from one of the French Neutrals which had been brought to this city from Acadia before the Revolutionary war. Breschard was a Frenchman. The building was very large, and all the arrangements perfect. The dome was estimated to be eighty feet in height over the ring. The circus company, which had come from Spain upon the invitation of Don Leonis, Spanish consul for Philadelphia, was splendid. They performed to fine houses, with unabated success, during two seasons, after which they traveled on an extensive circuit, while alterations were being made to fit up the new circus for theatrical performances. Breschard was excellent in pantomime. Of Pepin, a writer quoted by Clapp in his "History of the Boston Stage," says,-

" Whether on foot or on horseback, bo showed the port of a king. No Pepin of France that ever rode into Paris with his doughty Austrasians could have claimed greater homage than our martial equestrian as he brought up the rear of his glittering troops, -he himself iu the costume of a Gallic field-marshal. Pepin differed, however, from his royal pre- cursors in one great respect,-be had rather more brains; and both in ruling his State and in staving off revolutions, he showed a firmness and a skill that grander heads might have copied."

and was eaten by the ancients. " A white negro boy, born in South Carolina," at Mrs. Beatty's, No. 127 Water Street, at the sign of the Liberty Tree. An ostrich, "eleven feet high," lately imported from Africa, shown by Secondo Bosio, at No. 144 Cedar Street, at the sign of the Two Brother Sailors.

A wax-work show of fifty figures was opened in 1801, by Moulthrop & Street, at No. 100 North Sec- ond Street. Among the effigies were those of Frank- lin, John Adams, Jefferson, and Washington,-the latter being represented on his death-bed. In August of the same year,-rather a warm month for such an exhibition,-Mr. Wooley notified the public that he would eat fire and walk on red-hot iron with his naked feet, at the sign of the Castle and Grapes, on Fifth Street. A cassowary, " the giant of the feathered tribe, five feet high," could be seen at No. 308 South Front Street, while the "Learned Pig" astonished the visitors at the Rising Sun Hotel, Market Street, by telling the time of day, distinguishing colors, counting the company present, etc. When, in 1803, one of these educated grunters was on exhibition at "within four years four learned pigs have been ex- hibited." A model of Jerusalem and the Temple of Solomon, of the dimensions of sixteen by nine feet, could be seen at Patrick Kennedy's, No. 87 South Second Street, and at No. 112 Race Street there was exhibited " curious musical machinery in the shape of a clock, which of itself performs several airs upon the flute, and presents to view an automaton young lady seated at a piano-forte, performing on that instru- ment."

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History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 25

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 992

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 992