Amusements

Robert Downlng is a most enthualaetic Kniglit of Pythias being a nirmber of the uniformed rank hailing brom Columbia División, No. 8, Washington, D. C. There are all together nö less than Beven Knighta in .Mr. Downing's Company. In all probability Mr. Downing will be seen tere noxt' eeasQn in Banim'a grand play, "Damon and Pythias," which Mr. Downlng will make a specialty o! on hi.s next BeaaOn'e tour. He ill be s;n here on next Saturday evening in big great impersonation of "The Gladiator," supported by his mvii fine company which is headed by that beautiful woman and charming actrese Eugenie Blair. Robert Downing, America' great tragedlan will appear at the grand opera house 11 next Saturday eventng In liis great impersonation of "The Gladiator," In which he lias no peor or equal on the Btage ol the present day. 1 Lis mágniflcleni company in support is led by that beauliïul woman and charmlng actress Eugenie Blalre, who wlll appear in her favorito character ï Neodamia, daughter of "The Gladiator." Robert Downing was boni In Washington, 1). '., and coramenced liis theatrical career at the age of Bixteen wih o stock company under the management of John T. Ford, ol Baltlmore, Ma. And to-day, but a trifle over 32 yeara ol age, he ranks ámong the greatesi stars. Mf. Downing belonge to that peculiar robust, school of which tho American stage has but two prominent examples, vlz: Edwin Porrest and John McCullOugh. And nou comes a third in the person of thla handsome, talented young actor, whose magnlHcent physique, powerful, tliouR'h melOdiOUS voicc, and Yjga orous manner has earned for him i'distinction of beinjï the only purels heroic actor of whlch we i'an boast. In the history of the American Btage there cannot be found another stnnco where in actor has so sudden!y iKH'nmo pro-oniinent ;is has Robert Downing. Peraeverance In the world would have amounted to nothlng had he not the true hífltrionlc prenlua to support it. By talent and inspira tion. the smil of drnmatie art, sincere devotton and hard study, he lias reached the top, and holds a place among Amerlenn actors that the country pan ]■ jnstly proud of. Ho belntt the only man to-day eapable of fllling the place made vacant by onr late l-unntcd .Tohn McCullough.