Free Coffee And Cakes

"By thev;;y, " said a gentlaman who arrived here trom Eiigland a few days ago, "have y era heard of the London theatrical managers' latesfc scheme to attract a crowd on first 7iights? Well, it's rather odd, and I wonldn't be snrprised if the New Yorkers copied it before long, although the circumstances are somewhat clifierent here. "You know, the little tea and coffee rooüia in London that correspond to the New York coffee and cake saloon are nnich more uunierous thau here, and there is eure to be one near every theater. ' 'It is tho custom there for great orowfls to coitie to the pit and gallery entrances of the theaters long before the time of opening the doors. The pit is oue of the best parts of the theater for seeing and hearing, and it costs only CO cents, but thsre are no reserved seats, so those who come eurly get the good places. "It is connnon, in the case of important first uights, for a long line of people to form at the pit doors before it is opened, and when the play is vory snecessful and popular this may continue for au indefinita nurnbér of nights. "It has now become the custom to adüiit those who caro to pay sixpence extra for the privilege at 5:30. Then they get good soats, but tiiey have to wait a prodigionsly lohg time in their places before the play begius. "This state of things reeen tly inspired some ingeuious manager with another happy thought. He hit on the plan of providing free coffee and cakes, from the nearest tea and coffee rooms, to the crowd waitiug in the pit on the first night of his new play. It proved such a good arrangement that the otbers