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DRAMATIC CtUINQ^UENNIUM
— by closing its doors on Saturday nights,
an eloquent appeal to the patronage of so-
ber persons, affected with scruples against
the godless theatre. The appeal was as
successful as it was shrewd. To this day,
I doubt not, there are citizens of Boston
who patronize no other place of theatrical
amusement than its Museum, though the
stuffed beasts and the observance of the eve
of the Lord's Day are things of the past.
But, howsoever disguised or preferred
by the children of the Puritans, the Museum
was a theatre, if ever there was one.
Those who can recall its earliest days will
find clinging to their memories swarms of
names, generally well mixed up as to dates
and sequences : Mr. Tom Comer, leader of
the orchestra, accomplished musician and
genial gentleman ; W. H. Smith, an old-
time actor and manager of stately st^'le ;
Mrs. Thoman, a charming performer of
light comedy ; Mr. Finn, droll son of a
much droller father ; the graceful and
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