January 3, 1881, he began one of the most successful engagements of his career, when he opened in his native city with Thatcher and Ryman’s Minstrels, playing the title role in a burlesque on Sarah Bernhardt, called “Sarah Heartburn;” his success was phenomenal; so much so that the great French actress expressed a desire to see the caricature of herself, and accordingly, on the afternoon of January 7, 1881, a special performance was given for her benefit; on this occasion the Philadelphia _Times_ of January 8, 1881, said: “Bernhardt looked up, blushing slightly as she perceived an enormous pair of glass bottles leveled at her in place of opera glasses by the cork female. Every eye in the house was riveted upon the woman whose characteristics were to be burlesqued, and the appearance of Rice was scarcely noticed for the second until Sarah herself showed her appreciation of the caricature by bursting into a fit of uncontrollable laughter. The agony displayed by Sarah Heartburn and her tumble on the stage only added to the merriment of Bernhardt. The fun continued and reached its climax when Rice and Ryman impersonated Camile and Armand. The imitations of Bernhardt’s stage attitudes, and gestures caused Sarah to laugh to an extent almost painful. She seemed unable to stop, although she placed her handkerchief over her mouth and leaned forward in the effort to restrain herself. She abandoned all attempts, however, when the death scene ensued and Heartburn threw herself upon the sofa, after the manner in which a diver starts for the bottom of the sea. Sarah gave vent to her sense of the ludicrous until her eyes were full of tears. There might have been danger of hysterics had not an attack of coughing interfered and had not George Thatcher made himself known as Victor, Heartburn’s son, blowing a horn and crying lustily. The concluding scene, however, again amused her, and she clapped her gloved hands right heartily, seemingly sorry when the curtain finally descended.” Mr. Rice went to London, England, with the act, where he produced it at Moore and Burgess’ Minstrels, opening June 20, 1881. Returning in August following, he joined Barlow, Wilson, Primrose and West’s Minstrels for the season. August 21, 1882, he opened with Billy Rice and R. M. Hooley’s Minstrels; and in June following he played a special engagement with Haverly’s Minstrels in Chicago, after which he organized Rice’s Pleasure Party in “Our Goblins” for the season of 1883-84, playing a part in the play in black-face. August 25, 1884, he opened with the Standard Minstrels in San Francisco for a few weeks, closing October 4. July 30, 1885, he began the season with McNish, Johnson and Slavin’s Minstrels; he was with this company part of the season of 1886-87 also. September 12, 1887, in conjunction with John Hart and Add. Ryman, he organized a company bearing their names.