P. T. BARNUM RICHARD GOLDEN HARRY KERNELL DAN. RICE J. W. KELLY NEIL. BURGESS J. K. EMMETT FAMOUS ARTISTS OF THE PAST--THEY ALL BLACKED UP.] Mr. Collins later withdrew from this company, and with “Tony” Nish organized another “Christy” company, opening in London, England, at Her Majesty’s Concert Hall Monday, March 18, 1861; subsequently he sold his interest in this company, returned to London, and organized another troupe; they played at Polygraphic Hall as early as April 14, 1862. In September, 1863, he sailed for India, playing the principal cities. In July, 1866, he returned to America, later going to England, where he married; subsequently he returned to Pittsburgh, where he remained until his death. He had not appeared professionally for several years prior to that. Mr. Collins did an “end”, a stump speech and a female impersonation equally artistic. W. P. Collins died at Pittsburgh, Pa., November 1, 1881; age about 55 years. L. V. H. CROSBY has been credited as being the first interlocutor, then called “middle man” of minstrelsy; this was about 1845, when he organized the Boston Harmoneons. This company gave a special performance at the White House in Washington, D. C., June 18, 1846, for President Polk. Mr. Crosby was composer of several songs, and a basso of unusual ability. His late years were devoted almost exclusively to concert work. L. V. H. Crosby died at Reynolds, Ga., March 26, 1884; age about 60 years. * * * * * JAMES UNSWORTH and NELSE SEYMOUR were born and died within thirty days of each other. * * * * * E. J. MELVILLE (Edward John Robbins), a well-known singer of the early days of minstrelsy, came to the United States in 1849; shortly afterwards he sang in the choir of a church in Cleveland, O., where he was known as the best tenor in that city. His principal engagements were with Hooley’s Minstrels, Hooley and Campbell’s Minstrels (being with them at their inception, May 6, 1860), Lloyd’s Minstrels, Carncross and Dixey, and Duprez and Benedict. He also played an engagement at the Canterbury Music Hall, New York City, in October, 1861. Mr. Melville was married to Miss Amelia Nash, October 1, 1848, by whom he had three daughters, one of whom became the wife of Edwin French, the banjoist. Mr. Melville’s private life was a most happy one; he was generous, cheerful and a true friend. E. J. Melville was born in London, England, February 4, 1825; he died in Buffalo, N. Y., January 18, 1903. “JIM” JOHNSON (Gallagher), an old-time banjoist, well known in his day and popular on the steamer “Banjo”, was born in New York about 1825; he died in New Orleans, La., November 22, 1875. DICK SLITER was one of the world’s greatest jig dancers. His professional career commenced in the late 30’s, and he had been with many of the early famous organizations, notably Sanford’s Minstrels in 1859.