The earliest authentic record obtainable by the author is at the American Hall, Hartford, Conn., June 25, 1851, as a member of Ordway’s Aeolians, a famous Boston organization; it is highly probable that Mr. Bryant was with this company prior to the above date in the Massachusetts metropolis. He continued with Bryant’s Minstrels in New York until the death of his brother Dan, April 10, 1875; subsequently he organized Bryant’s Minstrels, and gave intermittent performances on the road for a period of about seven years. In 1851, the programme gave Neil Bryant as giving an accordeon solo; in later years he was almost exclusively identified with his performance on the flutina. About 1882 he secured a government position in Washington, D. C., which he retained until two years prior to his death. July 11, 1859, Mr. Bryant married Miss Gertrude E. Ransom. Neil Bryant was born in Keesville, N. Y., 1835; he died in Brooklyn, N. Y., March 6, 1902. JOE. MURPHY (Wm. L. Murphy). It is pretty well known to theatre goers in general, that Mr. Murphy’s early career was spent as a minstrel in California, where he drifted in the 50’s. As late as 1858 he was with the California Minstrels, with whom he was associated many months in San Francisco. In 1860 with Billy Birch, a company bearing the name of Birch and Murphy’s Minstrels toured. In 1864 Murphy and (Walter) Bray’s Minstrels were in existence. Mr. Murphy then came East, and with Ben Cotton formed Cotton and Murphy’s Minstrels, opening at Fall River, Mass., about March 1, 1865. In 1867 he again went West, and late that year was with Dan and Neil Bryant’s Minstrels, in San Francisco. A few months later he joined Morris Brothers’ Company, in Boston, and on April 20, 1868, made his appearance in New York with Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels. Once more did Mr. Murphy take Horace Greeley’s advice, and went West, where in August, 1869, at Salt Lake City, Utah, with Johnny Mack, organized Murphy and Mack’s Minstrels. His first appearance as a legitimate performer was made in San Francisco, September 16, 1867, as Pat Murphy in “The Happy Man.” It was in New York City, May 8, 1871, that Mr. Murphy first produced his play of “Help,” in which he impersonated a negro and other characters. Subsequently “Shaun Rhue” and “Kerry Gow” brought him name and fame, as well as wealth. Mr. Murphy married Miss Martha Shattuck in the early 60’s. At San Antonio, Texas, November 11, 1909, he wedded Miss May Firmier, an actress. Joe Murphy was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., May 16, about 1835. J. W. HILTON was one of the favorite bass singers in minstrelsy. He was with Bryant’s Minstrels in New York, in 1860, and continued with them intermittently for several seasons. In the Summer of 1869 he went to Liverpool, England, with Smith and Taylor’s Minstrels, opening there June 21. J. W. Hilton was born in the United States; he died in Liverpool, England, January 2, 1871; age 36 years.