We are all familiar with the excellent surprises in quick dressing shown
by Woodin, Love, and the latest _polyphonist_, Mr. Maccabe. An American
entertainer has carried this address in dress to its climax. He comes
upon the stage attired in a black dress coat, black trousers, having in
his hand a high opera crush hat, and sings a collection of songs, at the
end of each one of which he, without leaving the stage, and while
standing in full view of the audience, makes several changes in his
costume, as follows:—Upon the coat, which is closely buttoned, in place
of the black buttons there suddenly appear and disappear double rows of
gilt buttons. Closing his crush hat and affixing it to a rear button on
his coat, he produces from a pocket a small cap, with wig attached,
which he places upon his head; quickly turning his trousers up above the
knee, to give them the appearance of knee breeches, we find his lower
limbs encased in neatly fitting white gaiters, and, producing a
telescopic cane, we are presented with an excellent portraiture of an
old man in the full costume of years gone by. By a sudden movement from
the neck the entire costume is changed to full female attire. He then
sings “Tassels on her Boots,” and at the conclusion of the first verse,
as he slightly raises the skirt of his dress in front, we see that the
gaiters have disappeared, and that his feet are encased in neatly
fitting ladies’ boots with tassels thereon. Succeeding this he makes
several entire changes of costume, all being, however, of female attire,
differing materially in style and colour. He wears a jaunty little hat
upon his head, which is changed in colour and style to suit the various
costumes, without removing it: also, different wigs are seen upon his
head after the latest fashion of ladies’ hair dressing.