In 1842 he leased Bleeker Hall in Boston and transformed it into Leavitt’s Opera House. As early as 1858 he traveled with Leavitt’s Ethiopian Troupe, and that same year he opened a small theatre at 22 Beaver Street, Albany, N. Y. March 30, 1859, he leased the Gayety Theatre on Green Street, in the same city. In the early 70’s he went to the Howard Athenaeum in Boston, where for many years he remained. He was especially clever in the acts with Harry Bloodgood; the latter doing the comedy. Andy Leavitt was an unusually intelligent performer, and was the author of several negro farces that were widely used. He was likewise responsible for the song “Ham Fat,” that achieved great vogue several years ago. In 1882 and 1889 he played white-face parts with “Joshua Whitcomb” and “Two Sisters” respectively; his stage career ended about this time. About 1891 he secured a position as stage door man at the Hollis Theatre, Boston, which he retained five years. Andy Leavitt was born in Boston, Mass., in 1822; he died there February 1, 1901. WILLIAM B. DONALDSON was the inventor of the jawbone used as a musical instrument by black-face performers several years before the first minstrel performance was given. He was associated with minstrel and circus organizations for forty years, and was the first black-face clown to appear in a ring. Like most performers of his day, he played the banjo; but Mr. Donaldson created a sensation by playing it with his left hand. His professional debut was made in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1836, as “Young Jim Crow,” after the style of “Daddy” Rice. In June, 1847, he was one of the five original members of the _first_ Campbell’s Minstrels. About three years before his death he became proprietor of the Lockwood House in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. William B. Donaldson was born October 13, 1822; he died in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., April 16, 1873. BOB EDWARDS (Dean) was one of the earliest bone players, and in his youth was known as “Master” Edwards. In 1841-42 he traveled though Pennsylvania as a jig dancer. In 1843 and 1844 he was a member of the famous Ethiopian Serenaders, a group picture of which will be found on another page. Subsequently he withdrew from that company, and joined Sanford’s Minstrels in Philadelphia, where he remained for a long time. In 1862 he had the Gayety Music Hall in Harrisburg, Pa., and a few years before his death was proprietor of his own company. Bob Edwards was born in Philadelphia in 1822; he died in Buffalo, N. Y., July 24, 1872. GEORGE GUY was the founder of the famed Guy Bros. Minstrels. Mr. Guy, who was an excellent baritone vocalist, had the unique distinction of sitting in the first part with his six sons; an occurrence that had no parallel in minstrelsy. The original Guy family of entertainers consisted of father, mother, daughter and six sons.