unfortunately, he has been dead for more than twenty centuries, and I shall have to throw myself upon your indulgence." Burton made his first appearance in New York October 31, 1837, at the old National Theatre in Leonard Street--then under the management of the elder Wallack--for the benefit of Samuel Woodworth, the poet, playing _Guy Goodluck_, in "John Jones"; and his first appearance as a star was made at the same theatre February 4, 1839, when he played _Billy Lackaday_, in "Sweethearts and Wives," and _Guy Goodluck_. A complimentary benefit was given to Mr. Wallack in the same year, when Burton played _Sir Simon Slack_, in "Spring and Autumn." The opera of "Amilie; or, The Love Test" was produced on the same occasion. If we mistake not, he was connected with the management when the theatre was destroyed by fire not long after. He also appeared at Niblo's Garden as a star in this year, opening June 25th, and was seen in a round of parts, including _Gregory Thimblewell_, _Euclid Facile_, _Ignatius Polyglott_, and _Tobias Munns_, in his own farce of "Forty Winks." He first appeared on the Park stage June 2, 1840, playing _Sir Timothy Stilton_, in "Patrician and Parvenu," the occasion being a complimentary benefit to Peter Richings; and in the same month acted at Niblo's Garden. At his benefit (July 6th) he played _Brown_, in "Kill and Cure," and _Fluid_ in "The Water Party." The participation of the Cushman sisters in this entertainment greatly enhanced its interest and attractiveness. In this year he fitted up Cooke's circus-building in Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, calling it the National Theatre. He gathered a fine company and was very prosperous. Charlotte and Susan Cushman appeared there, and the sterling comedians Henry and Thomas Placide were among the force. The fairy piece, "The Naiad Queen," was there presented for the first time in the United States, and brought wealth to the manager's coffers. A large amount of his earnings by this enterprise he invested in Nick Biddle's United States Bank, and in the downfall of that institution suffered severely. [Illustration: MR. BURTON AS DR. OLLAPOD.]