And I furthermore conscientiously state that _my_ glass of brandy (one
of a couple we ordered soon afterwards), and which, according to my
invariable custom, should have been "_straight_," was also
surreptitiously diluted with the same detestable fluid by the malicious
bar-keeper, for I remember experiencing a slight confusion on going out,
and mistaking a topsail schooner for the Broadway theatre.
We immediately entered another saloon to procure the wherewith to
steady our nerves, when we partook of two gin cocktails and a brandy
smash individually, and I state, according to the best of my knowledge
and belief, that our principal ingredient in each and every one of these
compounds was water--Croton water--culpably introduced therein by some
evil-disposed persons without my knowledge or consent.
On leaving this saloon, I noticed that my friend, although a single man,
had by some mysterious process of multiplication become two. I kept fast
hold of both, and, after doubling, with a great deal of difficulty, a
great number and variety of corners, we reached Burton's. Tickets being
mysteriously procured, we entered, and eventually obtained seats.
Finding, after prolonged trial, that it was impracticable to put my hat
in my vest pocket, I placed it on the floor, and put both feet in it.
The theatre generally seemed to be somewhat mixed up. The parquette,
gallery, and dress circle were all one; and the stage was whirling round
at a rate which must have been extremely inconvenient to the revolving
actors.
At length, after a liberal allowance of overture, the curtain went up,
and I was enabled, by the most unremitting attention, to concentrate the
actors sufficiently to understand the performance. And many things which
I hitherto deemed dramatically incorrect were presented to my wondering
vision then and there.
"Hippolyta" was dressed in knee-breeches and brogans, and "Titania" did
not, to me, present a very fairy-like appearance in a fireman's red
shirt and a three-cocked hat. "Oberon" was not so objectionable (being a
gentleman,) in a talma and plaid pantaloons, though even he might have
blacked his boots and omitted the spurs. I fear I did not properly
appreciate the rest of the fairies, who had their heads decorated with
sunflowers and their hands full of onions.
At last the entertainment was concluded, and I remember consulting with
my duplicated friend as to the feasibility of a return to Brooklyn, to
our boarding-house. On our journey thither we witnessed many strange
things about which I desire information.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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