cted class of our
population, find the late hours of the theatre a serious obstacle to
their usefulness. It is safe to say that if the managers of the two
Bowery Theatres would close at an earlier hour, say eleven o'clock, they
would prosper as greatly as at present, and the boys who patronize their
establishments would be much better off in body and mind. An effort is
about to be made to obtain this reform from the managers
voluntarily--instead of seeking legislative aid. We are quite sure it
will be for the interest of all to close the theatres early."

The Stadt Theatre, just across the street from the Old Bowery, is
exclusively a German establishment. It is a plain old-fashioned
building, without and within, but is worth a fortune to its proprietors.
The performances are given in the German language, and the company is
usually good. The prices are high and the audiences are large.
Occasionally a season of German opera is given. I doubt that a more
appreciative audience is to be found than that which assembles within the
walls of the Stadt on opera nights. They are to a man good judges and
dear lovers of music, and their applause, when it breaks forth, is a
spontaneous outburst which shakes the house to its foundations. It is
generously given, too, and must be particularly grateful to the
performers.

It is said that the members of the dramatic profession and the various
attaches of the theatres number 5000 persons. They constitute a class,
or rather a world of their own. We shall have more to say of some
portions of them in other chapters, and can only speak of them in a
general way here. As a rule they are poor, and are compelled to work
hard. Wallack's and a few other establishments pay good salaries and
have many "off nights," but of the majority of performers constant labor
is required, at poor pay. It is said that Forrest and Booth have
received as much as $500 per night, and that Jefferson and Owens are paid
at very near the same rate. The "stars," however, can make their own
terms, but the rank and file of the profession have to take what they can
get. The pay of these ranges from $15 to $50 per week. Some of the
leading ladies and gentlemen receive from $100 to $200 per week, but
these can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Considering the work,
the pay is poor, for an actor's life requires an immense amount of study
and preparation, and is terribly trying to the nervous system. At som