Excerpt from The New York Mirror Annual and Directory of the Theatrical Profession for 1888

Tm: stage needs a reliable and compendious yearly chronicne. Hitherto no such chronicle has existed. These, in brief, are the reasons why the new york aon begins, with the present volume, the publication of an Annual. It is believed that a compact, complete, and convenient history of each succeed ing dramatic year will prove a valuable supplement to the heretofore meagre and scattered annals of the contemporary theatre. Encouraging assurance has been received that this book and its successors will be heartily welcomed by the critic, the playwright, the actor, the manager, and the collector of works re lating to the drama. I have personally had frequent occasion to deplore the lack of a handy and reliable dramatic record, and I know that many other writers for the press have felt the same want. How many precious hours have been consumed in hunting through cumbrous and confusing newspaper files for elusive dates and data! One of the objects of this Annual is to obviate perplexing research and economize the valuable time of busy men. It was at first intended that the Chronological Record should cover only the American stage, but its plan was ultimately extended to embrace all noteworthy dramatic events in England, France, and Germany. In recording new productions the original casts are given, and where the plays are sufficiently important synopses of plots are appended. Critical comments have been entirely omitted, as foreign to the scope and purpose of the Record, which deals simply with facts. The endeavor throughout has been to secure accuracy; but in the collection and condensation of a vast quantity of material some trifling errors and omissions may have been inadvertently overlooked. Mr. Albert Ellery Berg, the com piler of this department, has bestowed upon it the most patient thought and arduous labor. He has brought to hear every available source of information, months of diligent and persevering effort having been devoted to the task. I cheerfully and gratefully acknowledge the excellent manner of its fulfilment. The Necrology - which is supplemented by portraits of the more celebrated persons in the professional death-roll of the year - and the Bibliography have been made as complete as possible. A unique feature of this book is the first authentic Directory of the American Theatrical Profession ever published. It has often been reproachfully said that professionals of the present day are nomads. That the exigencies of the ao-called combination system compel almost constant travel during the greater portion of the year is true, but the current supposition that the large army of migratory players are waifs and strays is fallacious, and no stronger proof of the fact than this Directory has ever been put in evidence. Ilere will be found the permanent abiding-places or permanent addresses of thousands. Its correctness is attested by the state ment that the information, in nearly all cases, has come direct from the people themselves. Where they were unable or unwilling to furnish a home address.

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