July 8, 1845, at the Elysian Fields in Hoboken, N. J., he was advertised as “master of the tambourine.” September 6, same year, at Castle Garden, New York, he portrayed the great black-face part of “Dandy Jim, of Caroline.” Barney Williams was born in Cork, Ireland, July 20, 1824; he died in New York City, April 25, 1876. [Illustration: TOM. VAUGHN EDWIN P. CHRISTY GEO. CHRISTY THE ORIGINAL CHRISTY MINSTRELS (Organized about 1844). The company at its inception comprised Edwin P. Christy (the founder), Geo. Christy, Tom Vaughn and Lansing Durand. The other photos here represent minstrel scenes of that day.] TOM BRIGGS was one of the earliest and greatest banjo performers in minstrelsy; when he first went on the stage, in the early 40’s, he traveled under the name of Fluter. He invented the banjo thimble in 1848, and it came into general use three years later. He was the first to do the bell chimes, and gave imitations of a horse-race on the banjo. He played successful engagements in the 40’s and 50’s with Wood’s Minstrels, likewise Buckley’s Serenaders. September 20, 1854, he left New York with E. P. Christy’s Minstrels to play an engagement in San Francisco; he contracted an illness on the way, and was unable to play. Tom Briggs died in San Francisco October 23, 1854; aged 30 years. JULIA GOULD was the first woman to achieve prominence in minstrelsy; she was with the famous Buckley Serenaders, and played several engagements with them in the 50’s; she was also with Maguire’s San Francisco Minstrels in San Francisco, July 11, 1864. She essayed the principal female roles in the great operatic burlesque that made the Buckleys famous; always appearing in black-face. Miss Gould’s first husband was A. T. Gregory Hall; she subsequently married John H. Collins, a prominent minstrel singer. She was an actress and singer of rare and versatile talents. Julia Gould was born in London, England, August 28, 1824; she died in Kinamundy, Ill., January 29, 1893. HORACE WESTON, a colored man, was one of the world’s greatest banjoists; in addition he was a good general musician and dancer; a fact that is not generally known. He served in the Army, and in July, 1863, was discharged, after which he joined Buckley’s Serenaders in Boston, and later traveled with them. About 1867 he became a member of the Georgia Minstrels, a famous colored organization. In 1878 he went to Europe with an “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” Company; he played the principal Continental cities, and was a sensation. Returning to America he joined Haverly’s Georgia Minstrels. The balance of his career was spent mostly in the variety theatres. Horace Weston was born in Derby, Conn., in 1825; he died in New York, May 23, 1890. * * * * * The honor and distinction (and the pleasant sensation) of having received the highest salary ever paid to any black-face single performer belongs to Lew Dockstader. * * * * *