Artemus Ward's panorama :: :: University of Virginia Library

ARTEMUS WARD'S first lecture in London was delivered
at the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, on Tuesday,
November 13, 1866. The room used was that which had
been recently occupied by Mr. Arthur Sketchley. It is
the lesser of the two rooms at the top of the staircase.
Not the one in which Mr. Albert Smith formerly made his
appearances. The attendance was very large, but the
audience for the most part consisted of invited friends and
the members of the press. The paying public having to
wait for another opportunity, though they struggled in
large numbers to obtain admission.

Copies of Artemus Ward's very original programmes are
given in the Appendix, together with the notice of the
lecture which appeared in the Times two days after its
delivery. The notice was written by Mr. John Oxenford.

[ILLUSTRATION]

THE PROSCENIUM
With The Curtain Down

As at Artemus Ward's First Lecture in the Egyptian Hall, London,
On Tuesday, November 13, 1866.

This was the appearance of the stage during the prologue of the
lecture, before any portion of the panorama was exhibited. The lights
in the room being then turned up, the wondrous gravity of the lecturer's
face was fully visible at the time that he was uttering his best jokes.
The picture was surrounded by a large gilt frame.

[Description: 485EAF. Page 058. Image of the Proscenium, with the curtain down, where Artemus Ward gave his first lecture. The stage is surrounded by a gilt frame, with a series of lights in front.]

University of Virginia Library

THE PROSCENIUM With The Curtain Down

THE PROSCENIUM
With The Curtain Down