During their second tour of Ohio, in 1859, the "Lucas" met and joined
the famous Hutchinson family, giving many entertainments in
conjunction with them. The Hutchinsons thus proved the entire
sincerity of their professions that they loved their brother man "for
a' that." The press of the country was much excited over this novel
union, and the expressions emanating from the former were various.
Without, however, minding the pros or cons, these two troupes
travelled more than a month together, experiencing a pleasurable and
profitable season.

I append below two advertisements of concerts given by these troupes
at the time mentioned:--

(I.)

[Illustration:

THE HUTCHINSON FAMILY,

ASA B., LIZZIE C., and LITTLE FREDDY;

with the

LUCA BROTHERS,

JOHN AND ALEXANDER, AND CLEVELAND,

THE WONDERFUL PIANIST!

_HUMOR, SENTIMENT, AND OPERA!_

From the established reputation of both these companies, a
rare treat may be expected.]

(II.)

[Illustration:

By SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS,

THE HUTCHINSONS

will be assisted at their

_CONCERT_

in this place by the

LUCA FAMILY,

with their

Wonderful Pianist!]

As a reflection of the terrible, the foul spirit of caste, then so
largely prevailing, I regret that it is my duty to append the
following elegant (?) extract from a paper published at Fremont, O.,
Feb. 25, 1859:--

"The Hutchinsons,--Asa B., Lizzie C., and little
Freddy,--accompanied by the Luca family, gave a concert at
Birchard Hall on last Wednesday evening. The house was not
more than a paying one. When we went to the concert, we
anticipated a rare treat; but, alas! how wofully were we
disappointed!... We have, perhaps, a stronger feeling of
prejudice than we should have felt under other
circumstances, had their abolition proclivities been less
startling; but to see respectable white persons (we presume
they are such) travelling hand in hand with a party of
negroes, and eating at the same table with them, is rather
too strong a pill to be gulped down by a democratic
community."

No doubt the writer of the above, if now living, would be ashamed to
utter sentiments so uncharitable and so vile.

But as an evidence of honest criticism, and in pleasing contrast with
the foregoing, I give the following.

"The Norwalk (O.) Reflector," March 1, 1859, says,--

"The concert given in this place on Saturday night last by