Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, December 8, 1872, Page 7

. back to the fields wii " THE CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1872. 7 PARIS. Roscini---The Inscription on the New ity Hall--<Animaicula in Wheat. WUarriage and Divorce-—Berryer and Bugeand—--Mlle, Bern- hardt's Charm, From Our Oun Correapondent. ‘Panss, Nov. 20, 1672 5 BOSSINT, like Bellint, sleeps in & Paris. burying-ground. The Italians made noisy demonstrations after his death of their resolution to bary him in Bants Croce (the Westminster Abbey of Italy), bat they all ended, as they began, in noise,—a common weakness of those who speek the *soft ‘bastard Latin.” Rossini's widow, they say, was the obstacle to the gratification of the Italizns’ wishes. She mnde absurd conditions precedent %o his removal, znd, when these were accopted, ehe insisted on still absarder conditions. Being & woman, & French woman, & widow, and an ex- opera songstress, she was inpenetrable to rea- son. Time flew away, bluniing memory and bringing new cares; 60 Rossini was left in Pere la Chaice. There heis likely to remain. His widow has builta tinsel and gingerbread chapel witl: his vault beneath, and thither his old friends went the other day, With crowns of vellow flowers, to commemorate the fourth anniversary of his death. I think it is to bo regretted that he is not buried in hiz native Jand. During the long, mournful half- century of itsthraldom, Italy's only glory was its martyTs, its composers, and its eingers. They revealed to the world the ancient genius, which lingered under all the feiters and chains of Aus- tria, and kept slive faith in Itsly's future in many = breast. Rossini himself had no love for his native land. He loved best the place where compeny was gayest, giddiest; most carelees. He cared for nobody, for nothing; ail ho asked of earth was good victuals, and plenty of them, end to be amnsed. And yet, as I write, I fearT wrong Rossini, for he left munificent and judi- ciouslegacies to hisnative town, and to places en- deared to him by recollection of youthful hours, when hope made all life, even ifs clonds, wear rosy hues. It was 8 wealmess of Roseini to con-~ cealhis thonghts under the_ giggler's mask. Laughter was the armor by which he_protected himself from those fools who arc continually an- noying eminent men with their impertinenco or their §o!ly. TO DE REBUILT. Parisians have heard with gratification that the Tuileries F-lace is to be rebuilt, and on the sume design 25 the burnt edifice. The City Hall is likewiss to bo_“ebuilt; but there is_angry wr:m%liug over the inscription which is’ to be placed on the new building. The Radicals, who are Communards at heart, wish an inscription ‘which shall only mention the City Hall's de- struction by fire, without hint of tha hands which. fiplfied the torch. All the other members of the unicipal Council wish to put the scoundrels in perpetual pillory for felons guilty of arson. ANTALCULA IN WHEAT. The French farmers in Lower Normandy have complained 2 good denl of emut in wheat this ear, and which is nottobe confounded with rust (carie), or with the other sort of smut call- ed here bon, which, as well as rust (carie), is produced by parasitical mushrooms. The for- mer smut (niclle) is caused by very singular ani- ‘malcals, which have great analogy to the little animalcnls frequently seen in vinegar. These animslcols are found in two different states in wheat,—as larve, or grubs, and as adalt worms; but the grain which contains them is always completely modified in sppesrance snd consists of & small, round, bard, thick husk, of & black- ish color, filled with a white substance formed of microscopic threads, which are nothing but dried, stiff animalculs, If they be placed in water, they £oon become snimated and_vwriggle with great vigor. If the wheat be old, 6omo time (mours or days) elapses before they become snimated. How were these animalcule introduced into the grain of wheat ? 1t has long been demonstrated that the trans- ‘mission takes place in the ground, where smut- ted gr:\'ms infect sound grains. While the sound grains are germinating, the smutted grains soften and rot, and the grubsof animalcula in them are rezrimated in time by the humid soil. They then pierce the envelope which imprisons them, and go to the sound %?-ins, guided by that fnstinct implanted for eelf-preservation in them. They effect a lodging in the straw, and near the point of the growing stem, where they remain until the ear be formed. The ear, during its early formation, is soft and %nlpy, 'and the animalculs essily enters it. It has been de- monstrated that smut cannot be produced in whest when thelesves which form the wheat- flower have been well formed, and the bifid istil has made its appearance. The usk has by this time become too thick for the animalcula fo pierce. As soon 83 the grubs have penctrated the soft, pulpy flower, they grow rapidly. The husk P el tnto g1, excresconoe, which does not equal the size of tho ordinery grain, The grubs promptly attain the adult growth; the sexes be- come distinct; the females lay & great many eggs, which soon put forth grabs. About the epoch of the maturity of the wheat, the parent animalcula, die, 2ad their offspring dry up in the cavity (inside the grain of wheat) where they were born. Smutted wheat is not a normal grain which has nndergone change; it is really & gall. The grain does not exist even in a rudi- mentary etate when the animslculs enter the embryo husk. The animslcula produce in all its parts an action which changes their development and structure. The female animaleula lay be- tween 1,200 and 1,500 eggs, and each smutted ' grain _contsine, on an average, ‘between 8,000 and_10,000 grubs. The plants in- vaded by these animalcnla betray from the firet an sbnormal condition. The first bledes lose color, turn yellow, often wither or become shrivelled; the stems, too, become weak, thin, and sometimes &raducs their ear before healthy stems. When the wheat is ripe, the eara dis- eased by smut are easily detected, for their form is completely changed; the spikelets aro open, separated, siroggling, and tho beard strangely twisted. ‘The grains contained in the spikelets are black and light; they float_on water when dried. Smutted grains are worthless, but they do not seem to be injurions to health, like spur- red rye and spurred Indian corn. These animal- culs are endowed in the highest degres with the faculty of dying to all nppearances, and of Te- viving when they are alternately dried and per- meated with water. They do not retain this faculty for along time, but it may be exerted a great many times. All substances which act Chemically on_snimal tissues (for instance, the acids, the alkalis, the dentochlorine of mer- cury, the sulphate of copper, etc. infflfi:{{wiu kil these animalculs. ‘Cho acids especially act with great energy. Sulphuric acid, diluted with ‘water 200 times 1is volume, kills the animalcula in & few hours. Among the alkslis, ammonia is the most energotic; diluted with water 100 times its volume, it Kills the snimaculs instantly. It isclear, from the foregoing remarks, that these spimalenla cannot be tranemitied from plants without the assistance of humidity. They lose all motion, and are no longer able to invade the forming wheat-car, wherever drynesa rei 1t is, therefore, \‘fn:ing rainy years and in humid _ground, thaf theso animalenla ive. Drainage will either prevent or sensibly diminish their dprapy.gflhnn. Aoreover, it is by grain i allowing soun 1o be in the neighborhood of diseased grain that the former is injured. This juxtaposition takes placo by the mixture of s;md and bad grain; by leaving smutted ears on e ground after harvest; by throwing smutted ears on the manure J,’“"' when they are carricd the manure. ~Rotation of crops averts the danger of smut from the two last-mentioned causes, for the animalcula reviv- ified do_not breed in ' the ground, and do nob remain living in it more then five or six months. The smutted grains should be burned, or, if it be desired to give them to poultry, they should be exposed to heatno less than 70 degrees centigrade. Evidently the most common cause of smut in wheatia the mixture of dis- eased and sound grains in seed-wheat. There gre two ways to avert this cause: cither select sound grain for seed-whesat, or kill the animnal- culs in the unsound wheat. To attain tho first method, import seed-wheat from places where smut is nnknown. To kill the animalcula in the unsound _grain, steep zll your seed-wheat in acidulated water ; one part of sulphuric acid and 150 parts of water, say one quart of sulphuric #cid aud 150 quarts' of water, The secd-wheat should steep in this solution for 2¢ hours. This immersion does not affect the germinating facul- ties of the grain, 2nd it does kil all the animal- MARRIAGE AND DIVOBCE. Mops. Emile de Girerdin, Jr., son of the founder of La Presse, has merried Alle, Vimer- et ‘One had thoneht his father's exverience would have kept all tho children out of mar- riage. Mons. Emile de_Girardin was divorced Tecently from his wife. She gave birth to o son in Tondon, while absont moro then ten months from her husband. Confound the German war! How many divorces it has produced in France! The Duchess do Persigny was married a wealthy gentleman, Mors. Olsudo Lemoine. Her ma- ternal dfather was Jacques Laffitte; her paternal grandfathor wes Marshal Ney. read this intoresting reminisoenco have just ret 8 interesting e ofILhe grest_French orator, Berryer. I must reface it with & brief explanation. General Bugeand WAS & Warm snp%u!tur of Louis Phil- ippe’s Government from the outset, and, had he been allowed to have his way on the morning of tho 2ith of February, 1848, the Orleans family wonld at this hour be on the French throne. It was natural that, whon the Government had ar- rested the Duchess do Berry, it should wish to confide command of her prison to an officer in whom implicit confidence was placed. The Le- gitimist party, therefore, hated him intensely, find never spoke of him except as ¢ the Duchess de Berry's jailor. The epithet galled General Bugeaud; 5o, when a Deputy named Dulong, ono day shouted to gum a8 _he spoke: “Silence! you are but the Duchess de Berry's jailor!” the General called hin out.” Bugeaud was, however, extremely concili- atory, and a duel might have been avoided had not political considerations been mixed up with the matter and allowed to sway individual opin- ions. You remember how theso causesled to the duel between Gravesand Cilley. As soon asthe signalto fire was given, Bugesud dis- charged his pistol. Dulong fell & corpse; the ball had struck him _in the centre of the fore- hend, and had buried itself in the back of his skull, after traversing the brain. Public excite- ‘ment ran high. Bugeaud became the most un- I3 ular man in France; he was called_by every- ody “Dulong's sssassin.” Genoral Bugesud hated Berryer. While the Government was hunting tho Duchess de Berry, he (Berryer) was s telin Brittany for one of her sccomplices in the insurrection which she bad insanely at- tempted_to raise. Tho truth is, Berryer had gone to Brittany to dissnade the Duchess from embarking in s0 wild a venture, and to beseech her to leave France. Honor forbade him from confessing the truth st that time. One day, while Berryer was attacting Louis Philippe's Government with characteristic vehemence, Bugeund stood in front of his seat snd bawled out'to Berryer: “This is no place for you!” Berrser paused & moment, drew himsel up to his full height, and said in_s tone of thunder: “The quesfion is not who is in place, or who is out of place here ; or (Berryer pointed to Du- long's vacant seat) how men should be put out of here!” The flashing eyes, the lips curled in scorn, the majestic gesture, the thundering voice, sent & thrill of horror and indignation throngh the Chamber of Deputics. Bugeaud slunk si- lently into his seat, and one of Berryer's most violent Enlificnl opEnuou(s said tohim: “ You are lugubriously sublime !" AN AcTRESS' “‘ cHARNL" Mlle. Sarah Bornhardt, after a brilliant career at the Odeon, hss been engaged at the French Comedy. Her first appearance attracted “ every- body " (you know there are in all large cities some 1,500 people who are “ everybody'—in their opiniong,m&uuy because she is a famous what-yon-may~call-'em, partly because she is pretty (though fearfully lean), partly becsuse &he hes been successful at the Odeor, partly be- cause it was her first appearance in the ¥rench Comeds (people like to be “in =gt the death,” — which first appearances often are), and partly because eople wished to see how she played Mile. de Belle Isle, —n part in which Mile. Mars, Mlle. Plessy, and Mle. Madeleine Brohan had shone with such brilliant beams that contemporaries’ eyes are still dazzled by them. Mlle. Sarah Bernhardt did not command the triumph she expected, Like most actresses, she is superstitious, and the “charm”in which she has confidence as assuring her good, and averting bad luck from her, is the skull of a famous girl of the Latin _Quarter, who was swept from life, in foll youth and { ‘beauty, by galloping consumption. ~ The poor ‘waif's deathbed was the hospital’s common cot ; her gravo was the dissecting-toble, where Limb ‘was hacked from limb, amid the jibes_of coarse medical students, most of whom “had boen inti- mate with her; and her bones were parted smong them, &3 sourenirs of the besutiful efal, me: iddy girl who had_throws e e Fort oS Mo Bbsh Borme Thardt got possession of the poor child’s skull, I don't know ; but she has it, and she prizes it. It is always on her dressing-room table, where itis turned to bose uses ; tho mouth is used as & card-basket. The skull is cribbled over with maxims and other sententious sentences, for the most part valuable as being in the sutograph of eminent play-writers. AN INGENIOUS THIEF. A few daya gince the general gervant of 2 gen- tleman here entered, **like Niobe, all tears,” his wife's chamber, sobbing, ©* Oh, Madam ! oh, Madam I” ¢ What is_the matter, Francoise 7" “adam, I have stuck & fork into my finger.” < Oh that's nothing, Francoise; you will not feelit to-morrow.” I should not be sfraid, if I was sure the fork was silver.” *You may, then, bo perfectly casy ; the fork is ; all our forks are silver.” **Oh! then I don'tfeel slarmed ; but I was dreadfully frightoned, for I thought the fork was plated.” The next da: Francoise disappeared, taking all the forks mtg her. Foscoro. JUDGE NOT. When the fary-fires were raging, Tp.and dovs, &l through the West, And baptized that mighty city, Wicked city at the best, Till strong men grew weak and trembled, And stern faces pallid grer, A5 along the burdened wires, ‘The appalling knowledge Sew. Then the people sat in judgment, Tp and down, ll through the Esst, And they passed the solemn verdict, Both the people and the priest. This they said, in measured eentence, ‘With clean Hands and eyes upturned : “ Yon were wicked, O Chicago, Very wicked ; hefico you burned.” Like the worthies in the furnacc, They were God’s especial care ; They had passed the fiery tempest, And no smell of fire was there, Hark! what news is that so startling, Which is flashed along the wire, Thet it makes the stern face pallid? “ Mighty Boston is on fire I” That old, Puritanic clty, ‘Home of wealth, and ease, and pride, ‘Home of science, arts, and letters, And a thousand things besida; City that wo all take pride {n ; But it still must be confessed, ‘That this proud old Eastern city's Bomewkat wicked at the best. Then the peoplesit in judgment Up and down, all mmg’f;mmel!_mt, And they pass this gracious verdict, Both the people and the priest. This they say in cheerful cadence, And with eycs that look above 3 “Tf1s thus that God doth chasten ‘Every sabject of His love.” Szl we never learn the lesson, Up and down through East and West, That wo all, alus! are sinners, Wretched ainners at tho best? That we all are aliens, rebels ; That our righteonsness is dross That the only way to Heaven Ts.by clinging to the Cross? ‘That the great and holy Giver Lets His plenteous mercies f2l1, ‘Fall alike on saint and sinner, Fall alike on one and all? Shall we never throw love's mantls O'er our fellows’ sine, and thus Pass such judgments 8 we'll wish for When they’re meted out to us? God is love and God is mercy, But He sometimes lifis His rod ; And the Jesson that it teaches Is, Bo still; know I am God, Dz, L. H. TeoMAS, ReApING, Mich,, Nov, 27, 1872, —Tt is said of General —, that in battle, ho always followed his noee; but then he was liable to colds, and his mose Wwas frequently apt to Tun. —The Northern Presbyterian Church is known s the «Presbyterian Church in the United States of Americs,” and the Southern Presbyter- ian Church is the * Presbyterian Church in the TUnited States,” with America left out. What was the Reform Dutch Church now calls itself the ‘ Reform Church in America,” and what was the Germen Reform Church, isthe Reformed Church in the United States.” —aAt length it is proved that & man has more vanity than a women. This is the way thatit came to pass: A curious investigator watched whileathousand menpasseda looking-glass used 88 a sign on the sidewalk in Broadway. The re- sult of his observation showed that nine hun- dred and ninety-nine men glanced complacently at their image as they passed. The other man wes blind. %’nm‘ hundred and fifty-two women passed during the same lour and a half, and none of them looked in the mirror,—all of thom being engaged intently cxamining each other’s aDDearsura and drasg. P ' REVIEW OF AMUSEMENTS. Music. THE RUBINSTEIN CONCERTS ARE FINISHED. They have given musical people something for which to be grateful, and long to be remembered. Thoso who have heard Rubinstein may well re- joice at the fact, for it is now his avowed deter- mination, after his American contract is finigh- ed, to give up piano-playing, and devote himself to composition. In this direction, he has sn ambition to produce some great worlk, which will give him lasting fame, based upon Scriptural events. Those, therefore, who have heard Rubinstein have good cause for congratulation. Evenif he should not retire, his visit to this country has not been an entirely satisfactory ono to him, and there isno hope that he will evor come here again. IHis season in this city has betn marked by many mortifying incidents in the conduct of Some portions of the audience which were anything but respectful to the ar- tists. Inthis connection, we give place to the following communication : T To the Editor of The Chicago Tribune : Sz I must confess toa very considerable apprecia~ tion of what Meesrs. Aiken & Lawlor have been doing {for us in tho way of good music and good dramatic performances since the inauguration of the new Aiken Theatre, and I am sorry to ses that al the good effects f their liberaland judicious catering are likely to be Tost in a very unworthy way, and one which tho lcast care might have prevented. ' Thero was scatcely one of tho audience cssembled on’ Mondsy evening last, and certainly none who were drawn thither by n love of ‘music, who was not interrupted in its enjoyment by noise; and in one instance, Rubinstein was obliged to suspend his performance until a party of unruly hack- men paraded with their heavy boots the unclad floor of theo_gallery stairs, Nor is thia all, windows were opencd ond closed without care, and attend- ants in the employ of tho management, shuilled about with perfect sang froid or gossiped and giggled with tho most pecfect indiffercaco to the enjoyment of others, Suchastate of affairs precludes the possi- Dility of an intelligent hearing of the music, and en- tirely prevents those in the gallery from enjoying it. Now 1 attended the concert on Monday evening for tho purpose of hearing tho music, and I supposed that a proper provision would bo made that T might do 8o unmolested. Iwenttothe gallery because I could not afford the price asked for_other tickets, and olso because I prefer that part of the house as being tho acoustic focus of the room. I saw thero a great many musicians whono doubt came for similar reasons, and I feel that the cloims of g0 respectable an audienco deserve some recognition. FALCONEL. The point which our correspondent makes is well taken. It was o gross breach of the simple respect which such artists ns Rubinstein end ‘Wieniawski merited at the hands of an audi- dienco whom they served o faithfally. These two artists were not only giving their hearers the best music we have ever had ; but in point of quantity Rubinstein’s numbers in each programme would have fitted out other pisnists for three or four con- certs. It is only fair to say, however, that these_boorish demonstrations were invariably hissed down by the major part of the andience. Tt is an inscrutable mystery to us why such peo- Ple, who care nothing for music, tako the trouble to go to concerts. HIS COMPOSITIONS. ; Much has been said and written of Rubin- stein’s playing ; little or nothing of his compo- sitions, and we, thereforo, prescnt a_few facts tonching them, which will be of special iterest to musicians. ~Hf8 works, although numerous and important, are not likely to be found upon the counters of ourdealers in sheet music, and a short resume of his compositions for the benefit of those who may be desirous to mske them- selves acquainted with them, will therefore be acceptable. The first of his more important writings is an octet, op. 9, for piano, string and wind instraments, then four trios for piano, vio- lin and 'cello, several string quartets, of which op. 17 and op. 90 are particnlarly fine, and a quintet for piano and wind instruments. Among his duets for piano and violin, theSonata op. 19 and a duo which he composed with Vieuxtempa nre the best, and among his violin Concertos op. 46 and op. 86, His compositions for piano and "cello are quite numerous, 8 Bubinstein, like Mendelsshon and Gluck, is & mdbterly per- former on that instrument. Among the easier picces for this combination are op. 11, the ‘Allegretto of op. 18, and the Andanteand Allegro of op. 39. His Concerto for ’cello, op. 65, taxes the resources of the instrument to the utmost, and is only to be attacked by players of the first rank. In'this class of chamber music belongs also a Sonata for viols and piano op. 49, dedi- cated to Vieuxtemps. His compositions for the piauo alone comprise 190 dif- ferent ' picces, published in_ 48 books. The firet important one is his op. 14, *‘Le Bal,” o collection of ten cheracteristic ?iccea, end the next, op. 82, # Album de Danse,” mainly trans- criptions of national druces, of which No. 1, “Russkaja i Trepak,” No. 2, ‘ Caucase,” and No. 6, “ Valse,” are the best. His Etudes, Pre- Iudes and Fuguos ought to be in the hands of every pianist who intends to make a thorough study of hisinstrament. Of his four Sonatas, the last, op. 89, for four hands, and op. 20, for two hands, with variations, are the most impor- tant, His Barcaroles, which have been repub- Tished in this country aro very popular. _ Of his four piano forte Concertos, the Third and Fourth. and o Fantasie, op. 84, are tho most effective, and 6carcely less S0 his Fautasio for two pianos dedieasted to his brother Nicolaus. Rubinstein’s songs, mostly for soprano or tenor, number over one hundred. For one voice, we mention only ops. 33, 78, and 33 for £wo voices, op. 48 ; for male chorus, ops. 31, 61, and 74. “The Morning " is & larger work, with orchestral accompaniment. For chorus of male voices, hio wrote ' Die Nixe.”” Of his Ope~ 28 and Oratorios, the best known are “ Fera- mors,” “Die Kinder der Haide,” ‘‘Paradise Lost" (after Milton), and “The Building of the Tower of Babel.” His most important works for orchestra are *‘ Faust,” overture o *“ Dimitri Douskoi,” overture to “IvanI,” “Don Quix- ote,” and three Symphonies, the most popular of which is the Ocean Symphony, the Andante of which was played during the recent Thomas seagon, while their movement and finale were performed at the Humboldt Festival, two years. ago, under the direction of Dr. Julius Fuchs. A NOTABLE PIANO. i Now that the Rubinstein concerts have closed, and have furnished such a remarkable musical entertainment, it is but simple justice to award & portion of the credit of their success to the saperb piano upon which Rubinstein has plngefl the admirable construction of which has enabled him to produce effects which might otherwise have been utterly lost. We do not remember an instance where & piano hasbeen put to n severer test and come out more triumphantly. It was o« Steinway concert grand of extra size, furnished with the duplex attachment, which greatly in-. creases the yolume andintensity of tone. If ever piano needs such an aid, it 18 when Rubin~ stein plays it, and in this ‘instance it not only" answered all his demands, but evidentl hzd & 7reserve force of tone still in waiting. It mustbe remembered that Rubin~ stein’s power of wrist is simply smazing. Ast compared with other players, it isthat of agiant,. and yet in his most impetuous and fortissimo passsges, the quality of tone was clear, full, and. rich, and never exhausted. Another remarkable fentire of the piano is, that so powerfulan in-. strument, in the hands of so powerful & player, in 8 house so smell, should have preserved its richness, purity, and brillisncy of tone. The instrument certainly deserves this much of credit for the share it had in the concerts. An; piano_which can fulfil Rubinstein’s demands . upon it is certainly a notable one. THE ODTLOOK. With the closing of the Rubinstein season, ‘we are obliged to fall back upon home music un~ til February, when Theodore Thomas gives his second season under the aus%ices of the Star Lecture management. The home talent now has a clear ficld for two months, and should has- _ten to improve it. One of the leading musical events will be the first public rebearsal of the Apollo Club of this city, which will be be given a fow weeks henco exclusively by invitations, The Club is now in a very flonrish- ing condition under Mr. Dohn's leadership, and. its first rehearsal will prove a genuine musical, surprise. BESEFIT CONCERT. On Friday evening next, a concert will be iven under the anspices of the Chicago Musical ollege for the benefit of St. Luke's Hoapital, to which e shall allude more fully hereafter. The excellence of the charity to be benefited, and the excellence of tho prug:mme to be per- formed, will undoubtedly draw sn immense sudience. The programme is as follows : 1. Wedding Merch for 16 hands, four pianos.... +e.z. .. Mendelssohn isscs Largo, Keith, Philtips, Tield, McCormick, Qalley, Burtis, La Fayeite, 2. Trust Her Not, vocal duet. ...Balfo ...Schumann Miss A. S. Lewis and Mr: 3, Variations, two pianos.... Bisses Jessie Eastnian and Carrie Pratt, 4, Who's at My Window, 8oprano 60l0.. Biss F, Hall. Verdl . .Thalberg JMisses Anna Swain and Minnis Ward. & La Fiorza, soprano solo, +vs..Bevignani Mre, C. D. Carringlon. 9. Symphony, Hayden's, Hayden Misaes Dora Monrog and Lizzie Hallowell, 10, Bridal Chorus, Lohengrin. ... THE MUSICAL COLLEGE. A varv noat cataloona of tha Chicago Musioal College has just been issued for 1872-78, setting forth the names of the faculty and the dflailng plens of instruction. Tho list of }\:upi!a in- structed during the year embraces the handsome number of 531, exclusive of the e attendance at the National Normal Musical Institute last summer, held under theauspices of this College. The officers of the College are George F. Root, President; F. Ziegfeld, Director ; and Charles T. Root, Secretary and Treasurer. They ma: well be proud of the handsome exhibit whic} their catalogue makes, and of the great work which the College is doing for music. WAGNEB. The_invitation to Wagner to visit Chicago is now officially confirmed. Dr. Franz Huffer has sent the following note to the London Athe- na@um respecting Herr Wagner: ‘“May I be allowed to quote the following facts in answer to the common prejudice that the circle of Rich- ard Wagner's de;nixets is strictly confined to the limits of his own country. The master has | Iately received an invitmun from Chicago to conduct a performance of his works in a theatre to be built for the purpose, and with artists of his own choice, in order to commemorate the reconstruction of that city. For various reasons, amongst which the preparation of the ¢ Nibel: ungen’ performance st Bayreuth may be ?jt;oh- ed 28 the most important, Wagner has declined this honor.” Several other facts are adduced, but this one above mentioned is alone of local interest and will occasion very general regret. TUBNER HALL. The programme for the Turner Hall concert this afternoon is as follows: 1, Turner March. ... 2. Overture to * The Fairies' Lake", 3, Fantasie from “ Lurlin 4. Quadrille—* Minuett Pasec” 5. Potpourri— A Wreath of Immoriclles 6. Cornet solo—* Whirlwind Polks”. 7, Waltz— The Sioge of the Hear! 8. Potpourri—From “Faust”. 9. Overture to “ Oberon’ 10. Gallop— Postillion D THE GERMANTA CONCERT. The regular concert by the Germania Band will be given this sfternoon at Orpheus Hall, with the following programme : 1. March, “ Trust to Luck,”, ... 2. Overture— William Tell," 3. Waltz, “Tdyllen,”.... 4. Grand Potpourri, # A Tour 5. Obae solo, from 6. Horse Railroad Gallop. 7. Overturo— La Muette 8, La Bello Amazone, . 9, Amusement Quadrille... MUSICAL, LITERATURE. Mesgsrs. G. D. Russell & Co. have recently is- suen a song by Alfred H. Pease, ‘I Love My Love,” towords by Char'as Mackay, and dedi- cated to Mrs, Charles Moulton; also, a Te Deum, No. 4, in C major, by Dudley Buck, which is a notable addition to church music. All the parts have solos assigned to them, but the larg- est and best is that for soprang, to_the words, “Youchsafe, O TLord.” ne of Mr. Buck's strong points is the production of brilliant effects for chorus, and this skill displays itsclf in soy- eral parts of the Te Deum just published. The sale of the setting of Loré Byron’s song, #The Maid of Athens,” by M. Gounod, has not been 80 great as the composer expected, and Mrs. Weldon publishes the following explana- tion of the failure: I am much disappointed, on consulting with the purchaser, M. Goddard, to find there is only £1719s.:0 send to Mra. Black from thoe sale ns'M Gounod gets no other Erofit) of the “Maid of - Athens.” We ave pushed it more than cther songs of M. Gounod's, according to his wish. He sang it at his own concert, in the hope of getting u sale for it (the only time Le ever sang in public) ; T sang it at Benedict’s concert, fnd at Brussels and Spa for the samo purpose, but scarcely an English_newspaper has menticned it, or, if at 211, has disparaged s song, one of tho most beau- tifulas it 18 ouo of the easiest of Gounod’s songs; and as not a single English profesaional singer has sung it, or ever does sing a Eong on which M. Gounod gots royalty, the vesult 18 meagro, M. Gounodis sorry t have to send Mrs. Black 80 peltry a sum, which should have been eeveral hundred pounds under fair circum- stances.” ‘We are indebted to D. P. Faulds, Louisville, for the Mignon Petite Fantasio, for pianoforte, Dy Ernest Zoeller, and dedicated to Miss Belle Sheridan Badger, of Chicago. 1tis both simple &nd pleasing. USICAL NOTES. b}g[ra. Charles Moulton is singing in Philadel- phia. Leonard Grover's German Opera Troupe has disbaaded, a8 usual. Grau pays Rubinstein $10,000 and Wieniawaki 95,000 per month. Eberbard Friedrich Walcker, the great Bavar- ian organ-builder, died recently. Miss Kelloi? sang and Miss Mehlig played at the last Brooklyn Philharmonic Concert. Tho s0n of tho famed Paganini, who is resid- ing at Parms, proposes to sell somo MSS. sud posthumous works composed by the violinist. Aliterary and musical entertainment was given ot Raine’s Hall, in Baltimore, on the 15th ult.,for the benefit of Miss Rosalie M. Poe, sister to Poe, the poet. Signor de Michelis, of Civita Vecchia, bas composed an opera, called “I'Uomo,” all the characters in which, Loever, sro written for la- e8. M. Theophile Gautier has left the MS. libretto of a grand cpers, called Le Vampire,” and M. Tafitte, the accompanist of the Congervatoire Concerts, has set the music. Miss Rose Hersee is no Jonger connected with the comg]:ny of Daly's Grand Opera House, New York. e talks of raising an Englieh opera company for travelling. Mrs. Carl Formes, wife of the singer, will lec- ture. This lady, we read, was Lsura Rauscl, daughter of a notary at Cologne, and was the st {emalo graduato of the Medical College at ionna. At the conclusion of the regular season of TItalion opera in New York, Madame Lucea will give & few representations in German opera, Gommencing with Frau Fluth, in “Die Lustige Frauen von Windsor.” Madsme Pesoclike-Leutner sang_ for the first time at Goths, at & concert_given by the mem- bers of the Liedertafel. The compositions se- Tected were the air from ** Eurysnthe,” Proch's “ Variations,” and songs by Schumann and Marschner. Madame Adelina Patti was to remain a-month at Moscow, and then go to Bt. Petersburg for three months. She was to sing twice a week. Her reportory consists of Lucinl" ““ Rigoletto,” “La Sonnambuls,” “ Linda,” ‘11 Barbiere,” and “ Romeo e Giulietta.” . M. Gounod has given his total profit from the snlo of the song “ Maid of Athens”to Mrs. Black, now aged and poverty stricken, to cele- Drate whose beauty Byron wrote the verses. At Venice a flute player, M. Aloysio, exhibits a new model for a violin, The strings are made of metal, and paes entirely around the drum. _The sound ia said to have four times the sonority of en ordinary violin. There will be some curiosity to see the bust Story, the sculptor, 18 making of Beethoven, of whom there have been numberless pictures and Dbusts, all differing from each other. It is said “ Story i8 not making an ideal, handsome por- trait of Beethoven. Ho is copying the mask, which was taken from Beethoven's face, exactly in all_its homely fidelity, giving it vitality through expression. It is a grim, uzfly!sca, with a_ decided mulatto type, especially in the noso. Thayer, {he biographer of Besthoven, saya Beethoven looked like a little ugly mulatto} he was very short, had & yellow skin, broad, sprend-out mose, and projecting teeth, over ‘which his heavy lips shut. ‘The mask gives this faithfully, with a slight Indian look about the cheek-bone. Beéthoven had also that concen- trated expression in the eye, brow, and mouth of morbid discontent, which a face of mixed blood js apt to_wesr When part of the blood is ignoble, and the brains akin to Divinity.” A New York paper gets ot the following very good one: **Club-man’ comglm'nn that his Triends who sit in the boxes ab the Academy of Music won’t recognize him when he rits down stairs in the orchestra—that the other day he bowed to Mr. —, who pretended not to see him. The next day he met his friend and ssid, “Why, John —, why dido't you recognize mé at the opera last night?’ ‘Because,’ says his friend, *confoundit, yau kneuw, ma dare fellow ; Ikant go and pay S10fora box, yeuw kneuw, and then bow to every $2 fellow I see in the or- cliestra, ma dare boy, yeuw kneuw! Now ken Only a few days since the head of a prominent lecture bureau in Gotham received a letter from & emall Western village, inquiring for how much the lecture committeo of tho place could engaga “{hat Germsn singer, Lucky, with a good sup- port, fora couple of concerts?” To this the gentleman addressed replied: My DEAR SiR: To engoge that Gorman singer Lucky, with a good support, for a_couple of concerts, I fear you would be compelled to mortgage your entir ‘town, to say nothing of the outlying farms, If you decide to conclude the arrangement £ shall by pleated toserve you. Very truly, The lecturs agent has not yet been heard from. A letter writer in Germany saysy I have ‘boen gort of music-tipsy for the last week, in. which Thave heard twica Waonar's ¢ Mastaraings ers of Nuremb: It is splendid, glorious, be~ witchin% 1 rank it much higher than * Lohen- grin, which I heard a few weeks ago. 1t is yot more novel and original than the latter. ¥or some five years pest I have entertained elight doubts as to Wagner's extraordinary doings, and in spite of a full recognition of his marvelous faculty, Icame to think that he was walking in 8 wronf,ildjrecfinn, and his best days were past. The ¢DMastersingers’ have surprised me, Wagner calls the opersa. ¢ Grosse Oper,’ not ‘Komische Oper,” as has ‘been given out in the papers frequently, Thers i8 a_comical element in the opers, very good, too, but the essence is s _charming Btory of tho poetical shoemaker of Nuremberg. The opers, on the whole, is less grand than charming. “The second act in it impressed me in a similar way 88 the third act of Gounod’s ‘Faust.” The par- ticularity of the music is that the orchestra is the exponent of his ideas to a greater extent than is given to the singers. The singer is the dramatic ropresentative. The orchestral parts are more melodious frequently, not always, than those of the singers. There are most charming scenes in which you are entranced by the music, and yet the singers’ part is of litdle account.” 4 The London Athengum of the 15th ult. says: It was anticipated in the Atheneum that the antagonism of the Italian and Swedish prime donne wonld cause much excitement among the Russian amateurs in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The war of partisanship has commenced. Mad- ame Nilsscn opened fire herself in & telegram to Paris from 8t. Petersburg, addressed to her teacher, M. Wartel, informing him that she had achieved, &8 Ophelia, a grand trinmph, and ex- ressing her gratitude for his singing lessons. er agent, or her husband, supplemented this news by telegraphing tliat tho fair Swedo hed been recalled thirty times. These despatches roused the Parisian agents of Madame Adelina Patti, and they at once published counter-telegrams, stating” that Medame La Marquise de Caux had been recalled thirty-six times in Verdi's and Dumas’ naughty “Traviata;’ but the eix recalls in excess of those voucheafed to Madame Nilsson did not suffice, and therefore, to_overwhelm the Scandinavian songstress, a further telogram came, to tho ef- fect that the Princess Dolgorouki threw a bou- quet on the stage of rare flowers, value £100, which it required two men to carry across the stage. How muscular the Princess must be who could convey this bonquet intd her box, and then fling it at the feet of Madame Patti, and what o dispensation of Providence it was it did not fall on the prima donna’s head! We could afford to smile at_these accounts of rabid rap- ture, if the Iyric drama were not injured by such ¢illy exhubitions.” DRAMATIC. M'VICKER'S THEATRE. The past week at McVicker's Theatre has been characterized by a series of performances of remarkable excellence, and by audiences in size and quality most flattering to Miss Jane Coombs, a8 well as peculiarly satisfactory to Mr. McVicker, whose enterprise and liberal outlay in prepara- tion bave bsen handsomely rewarded. The vroduction of *School for Scandel,” with its strong cast, rich and appropriate costumes, and superb stago accessories, will long be remem- ‘bered as a gala week in Chicago theatrical mat- ters, and it may be hoped that other managers will discover in this eminent success a hint that the theatre-goers appreciate exira efforts in their benalf, and stand ready to furnish support and patronage commensurate with the quality of entertainment offered. We aro rapidly passing ont of the era of patched and dirty scenery, shabby farnishings, and worn- out stage clothes, and have entered upon a reign of neatness and elegance such as will, ere long, render Chicago one of the notable cities of the world in the beauty and attractiveness of its places of amusement. To-morrow night, and during the remainder of the week, Boucicault’s fine comedy, *London Assurance,” will be produced, Misa Goombs ap- pearing in one of her graatost’ and most popular impersonations, her Lady Gay Spanker being by many rogarded a8 & more artistic rendition than her Zady Teazle. Certainly, both are char- acters in which she haswon golden opinions, The piece is to be mounted with new scenery and appointments. Following is the cast : Sir Harcourt Court} 2 Mark Meddl Dolly Spanker.. Cool... Lady Gay Spanke Grace Harhaws; ig8 round of heavier characters. &v8 under- lined are Bulwer's * Lady of Lyons,” * Knowles’ “ Love Chase,” and Kotzebue's * Stranger.” ATEEN'S THEATRE. ‘The regular dramaticseason at Aiken's Theatre was inang:mted last evening by Lawrence Bar- rett in Richard IIL.,” su(];ported by the excel- lent dramatic company. Occurring at the very close of & week which had been taken up by the Rubinstein concerts, the attendance was not 8o large as the character of the performance de- served, but it is to be presumed—certainly to be hoped—that this week will see s succession of good houses. Mr. Barrett needs no introduction To Chicago as a_talented, scholarly sctor, whose rogress toward the top of the ladder of fame P e semarkubly rapid, einoobis last appear- ance in this city. He was always & great favorite bere, and, now that ho comes with stronger claims than ever before, his engagement can scarcely fail of being successful. To-morrow night Mr. Barrett appears as Hamlel, for the handling of which difficult role he has received most finttering commendations from the Fastern critica. The play will be strongly cast, as will be seen: H. T, J. B, Howland Mrs, Anna Lanagan % Jean Stevens Mr. Barrett will ap- eare’s tragedy of During his engagement, pear_ss Cassius, in_Sh * Juliug Cmsar,” for which elaborato prepara- tions are making. ACADEMY OF MUSIC. Lydia Thompson snd her new burlesque or- anization, pronounced to bo grestly superior to Fer formor ‘company, are to Gold the boards at the Acsdemy of Music this week, giving ** Bluo Beard” to-morrow evening and until farther notice. Besides Lydia horself, the combination includes Misses Eliza Weathersby, Carlotta Zer- Dini, Camille Dubois, Tilly Eal, Alico Atherton, TFannie Leslie, Jennio Wheatleigh, and G. H. Wilson, snd Messrs. Harry Beckett, Willio Edouin, and H.W. Peck,with Mr.Wm. J. Withers 85 musicaldirector, Incidental totheperformanco of * Blue Beard " is the great New York success, # His Heart Was True to Poll,” and the euchre scene from Bret Harte's “ Heathen Chince,” in which Edouin hss made a tremendous hit. It would be folly fo predict that the Lydia Thompson troupe will not draw crowded houses, even though the prices have been increased to $1.50 for reserved Beats and $1 for admission. Burlesque, a8 rep- resonted by Lydis’s blondes and Harry Beckett, has u!waysiean extremely popular, and the pres- ent engagement will doubtless prove to bemno exception to the rule. BCOTT-SIDDONS READINGS. Second only to the Rubinstein concerts, the sensation of the past week was the debut of Scott-Siddons as a reader in Chicago. Her re- ception was the most flattering given to any art~ iat this season, & hearty greeting being extended to her by the largest audience of the year. At her second reading not only was every seat in the Union Park Congregational Church filled, but chairs crowded the sisles uncomfortably to accommodate the throng attracted by her beauty and the reputation she has achieved in her brief career of six years’ inbhc life, Undoubtedly, many were drawn thither by an idle cariosity to gee gthe most beautifal woman in the world,” little expecting the rare literary treat which they were to enjoy. While lacking that masculine strength which enables Charlotte Cushman to command an audience_and compel rather than win iheir admiration, Mrs. Scott-Siddons pos- sesges s power egually effective, though so blonded with the feminine delicacy and grace Which characterizes her every gesture s well a8 vocal ntterance, that its masterfal influence is not appreciated by those even who are subject o it until they awake from the spell in which ihis enchaniress binds their souls. Itisnot alons in the first and flexible voice, nor in the energy of the dramatic power with which her lines are declsimed, that her ability to charm is to be found, but as well in the wonderful play of the features, and 1most, perhaps, in the ‘panto- mimio power and exorassiva significance of her estures,—one instance particularly suggesting itself, when she represents Constance de Beverly 28 unlooging her hair and letting it fall about her person. This gesture Was poetry itself, and redeemed the reading which was 80 rapid as to mar the lines thus illustrated. In the arch, in- nocent coguetry of Shakspeare’s maidens, and in the tenderness and pathos of Tennyson's po- etry, Mrs. Scott-Siddons finds her truest sphere as_a reader, althongh her rendition of the ¢ Sleep-walking sceng” in Macbeth, was a revela- tion of her powers in the direction of tragedy which seems " inconsistent with her every other effort. The smelling of the blood-stained hands, the shudder of an agonized despair, and the pa- thetic moan which follows, gave a fresh insight to many into the gnilty soul, as it wa@ }:\te 8 new rendering of the lines of Zady JAacbeth. But, notwithstanding this exception, Mrs. Scott-Siddons nndoubtedly interprets bes! peseages in which are blended the exuberant oy and the tender pathos of youth—poems like ennyson’s ‘“May Queen;” her reading of which made tears g0 fashionable that handker- chiefs were used without any of the usual at- tempts of secresy. Altogether her readings here can be pronounced an unqualified success, and not only those who did not, but also few of those who did hear her, will fail to be present when sho appears again this week, 8 6ho is an- nounced to do, having been caught by the tempting offers of the mansgers of the Star Course, who have discovered that her readings are such a success that they can afford to offer .her sufiicient indueements to lare her back from ‘her Western engagements to read here again next Friday and Saturday nights. On Frday night she reads on the West Side at the Union Park Congregational Church, and in the Michi- gan Avenue Baptist Church on_Saturdsy night, for both of which readings tickets will be for sale to-morrow morning. These being the only readings she will be able to give here, as her whole time is engaged for the rest of the season, the opportunity to hear her will not be loat by her admirers. HOOLEY'S OPERA HOUSE. The reopening of this elegant place of amuse- ment, and the inauguration of the new company, occurs to-morrow night, when Mr, Hooley, and Messrs. Blaiadell and Padget will fairly launch their enterprise, trustingto an appreciative pub- Iic to see that they shall receive their deserts. They have engaged, without reference to ex- pense, a fine comedy company, and will under- tako to make Hooley’s Opera House'the comedy theatre of the city, the Fifth Avenue of Chicago —a place which shall become famous for the richness, taste, and elegance of its dramatic pro- ductions. If they fulfll their promises, 2s_they will undoubtedly do, they cannot fail of suc- cess; at least, for the credit of our ecity, they’ should 'not foil. Tor the opening Fiece they have chosen one of Henry J. Byron's atest and best society comedies, entitled ‘* Part- ners for Life,” which will be given with new scenery and appointments, rich and sppropriate costumes, and original music. The czat of characters includes the very best elements of the company, Messrs. Padget and Blaisdell as- suming the principal roles, while Jobn Dillon is assigned to & parb for which he is admirably fitted. The assignments are as follows : Mr, Horace Mervin—A Country Gen- _Mr, Jas, Padget Ar. J. W. Blaisdell AMr, John Dillon Barney Major Billet Goppinger—From the Colonies.. Fanny Smith—With o Temper. Emily Spencer—A young Cousin of, Mr, Mervyn. .. --..Miss Marie Louise Miss Priscilla Horvyud loving The performance will conclude with & comic operetta called *Jenny Lind at Last,” intro- ducing Miss Emma Cline as Jenny Lind, with songs in English, French, German, and Italian; John Dillon as Afr, Granby Gag, “s London ‘manager in search of a star,” and other charac- ters by tho compeny. Matinee performances will begiven on Wednesdays and Baturdays. A new comedy, ““Fun,” by Lafitte Johngon, is in course of preparation, and will shortly be produced. MYERS' OPERA HOUSE. By the engagement of Billy Rice, always a favorite comedian in Chicego, and Clarence Burton, a boy performer .of great talent, Mr. Myers has completed his orgamzation of the Arlington, Cotton, and Kemble trels, and can now claim to give the finest ‘minstrel performance ever offered to the Chi- cago public. A glance at this week's programme ubtifos this” conclusion. Tho first. part cons tains new ballads by Tyrrell, Surridge, snd Keyne, and comic eongs and sayings by Arling- ton and Cotton. ending with the * Medloy Chorus,” & capital finale ; while the Becond part includes Milburn ™ in his protean character sketches ; Clarence Burton in his specialties ; a sketch entitled * The New Policeran,” by Billy Rice, Arlington, Surridge, Kayne, snd Martin ; the great song and dance artists, Meckin and Wilson, who are byfar the best in their line that have ever appeared in Chicago}; “ The Animat- ed Portrait,” by Cotton, Surridge, Komble, and Fostelle; for the concluding piece ¢ The Wsich Dog,” by Kemble, Arlington, Cotton, Surridge, TFostelle, and the company in general. THE 6T. JAMES' ENTERTAINMENT. The ladies and gentlemen interested in re- building St. James’ Episcopal Church have, dur- ing the week, contributed largely to the list of amusements, & succession of “entertainments having been organized for the benefit of the re- building fund. The first of these was givon ot Standard Hall, on Thureday evening, tho house being_completely packed with wealth, ‘beauty, and fashion. Amateur theatricals wera tho attractions, and very attractive were they rendered by tho ladies and gentlemen who as- sisted in the representations. The pioces pro- iinced and their casts of characters are as fol- ova: “THE LITTLE TREASURE." Lord Sparkle. Frank Howard. Pat Malone On Friday evening another large and brilliant sudience was present at Central Hall, where an excollent concert was given by the leating ama- teur artists of the city. A fair and festival was in progress on Fridsy afternoon and Saturday 8t x(’}en':nl, 2nd altogether the cause of the new St. James' edifice has prospered finely. NIXON'S AMPHITHEATRE. For the first time in more than six years, Miss Leo Hudson i8 to appenrin Chicago 88 Mazeppa, in what is billed as “Lord Byron's Romantic, Spectacular, Melodrama ¢ Mazeppa.'” It will interest many people to know that Byron wrote the play in question. * Black Bess” is the name of the fiery untamed, for whose wild flight across the steppes of Tartary pine boards and trestles haye been in active preparation for the past week st Nixon's. A complete dramatic company has been engaged, Miss Fannio Denham’s name appearing promi- nently in the list as * The Chicxg) 'avorite.” M:(\ifinees will be given on Wednesdsy and Sat- urday. This evening the Praeger Family give s mu- sical entertainment at Nixon’s. GLOBE THEATRE. The programme at the Globe Theatre for this week includes the * Belles of the Kitchen,” by the Ellis Family and the _child artist Ssppho Bobby Newcomb in his songs and dances; Charley Howard’s aged Ethiopien specialties ; voeal selections by Miss Lula Delmay ; Miss Mary Blake and the Remmelsberg Sisters in their terpaichorean acts ; to conclude with the fairy extravaganza, “ Prince Amabel ; or, The Fairy Roses,” the cast of which embraces Sappho, the Ellises, Frank Neleon, and other members of the corpany. __GENERAL GOSSIP. fistdn‘nlay’a Livingatone hunt is being dramae- Ze Lester Wellack is playing an engagement i ‘Washington. R B = Charlotte Cushman plays Zady Macbeth this ‘week in St. Lonis. Tho theatrical season atCaleutta bagan on the 18t of Octobor. _It is said that the Parisian stage has become :u;:f_ly an illustrated edition of the journals of ‘ashion. Miss Lucille Western is ill, and gives notice that the doctor enjoins her to desist for s while {rom professional labor. “The Baroness,” & new Parisian dramsa adopt- ed by Mr. T. B.De Walden, ia to be produced this Weck at the Fifth Avenuo Theatre, New ork. Migs Adelaido_Neilson's greatest_success has been 88 Rosalind in *As You Like It,” &t Booth’s Theatre, where also Mr. Joseph Whee~ lock’s Orlando was highly commended. Mr. Byron's new burlesque at_the Btrand, “The Tady of the I.ma,"’l is enid to be the brightest whimsicality that has for many years been produced on English boards. A drama by Count Sant’ Arpino, in which the 1ife of Savanarols is the foundetion of the plot, has had great success in Italy, and at Rome was received with enthusissm. A Chinese star actress is experioncing the vicissitudes of an American lawsuit, because she broke her engagement with one manager on account of botter promises from another. Ar. Joignersy, an athlete of prodigions strength, has made his appearance in FParis. Among other exercises, hei:g suspended by his feet, from a trapeze, he lifted from the ground a real horse by the mere force of his wrists. In the Court of Queen's Bench, on & recent oc- casion, Sir James Haonnan, in a speech to the jury, made incidental reference to the perform- ances of Mr. John 8. Clarke, the American come- dian, and expressed admiration of them. Lina Edwin’s Theatre, in New York, originall & church, was destroyed by fire last weok. It was first_occupied a3 u.glncs of amusement by “The Only Leon,” in the fall of 1866, and, cu- riously enough, Kelly & Leon were playing an engagoment there when it burned. Afr. John Brougham’s new version of ‘ Joan of Arc” will take the stage at Booth’s after the expiration of Miss Neilson’s engagement. Miss Helen Temple takes thoe title part; but, apart from the acting, the playis expected fo e o success, the drama in a measura taking the place of the © star.” The case of Joseph Jeiferson is seid not to ba encouraging. He is still at his home in Bergen Connty, New Jersey, and bis eyes are no better. The ofther rumor, that his brain is affected in such s way as to prevent his ever returning to the stage, is too painfal for belief. “The School for Scandal,” ‘Speed the Plough,” and some other sterling_ old pieces, are to be brought forward, by and by, at the Union Square Theatre, New York, when the pub- lic will once again have an opportunity of seeing how fine an artist, in the person Mr. Mark Smith, has been wasted, of late, on burlesque and other trash. A Boston paper says: ‘“J. 8. Clarke, come~ dian, better known es Major Wellington De Boots, was married two or three years ago_to one of the prettiest actresses on the London stage.” This will very much astonish Mr. Clarke’s present wife and family. He has been for 5 long time married to Asia Booth, sister of Edwin Booth. Of course the Boston paragraph is a blunder. Angustin Daly, tho playwright, not very many years ago, was earning 310 per week a8 dramatic critic of & weekly newspaper. He now resides in his_own house in New York, which is luxuri- ously but tastefally furnished; he is the pro- prietor of two successful theatres, and, if we may credit newspaper report, is worth $275,000. Tt is said that Mr. Tom Taylor, the celebrated English playwright and art writer, has left the Government service, the office he held having ‘been superseded by the new Local Goyernment Board. He entered the public service in 1850 ag Asgistant Secretary to the then Public Health ‘Act Board, at £750 per annum, and in 1858 was appointed Secretary under the Local Govern- ment act, at a salary of £1,000 & year. He now retires at the age of 55, with a pcnsion of £650 year, A wondrous play, called “The Wild Cat, or Marrisge by Moonlight,” has been acted at the New Orleans Academy of Music. We read that, toward the close of oneactof this pleasing horror, “the luckless hero is placed, with mur- derous intent, in position to be instantly anni- hilated by the descending hammer of a pile- driver, from _which & predicament he is dragged by Wild Cat, a second before the pon- derous weight comea down.” It was Mr. Cherles Foster who *‘ had’em,” in this case, and he must bave “had ’em” bad. i In the Paris Journal a French correspondent, dsting from London on the 7th of this month, offers the resders of that jowrnal the following flattering criticism of an English theatrical audi- ance: “Anything will do for the English public. is like a famished man, who devours indis- tely everything thatis set before him. Stupid scenery, anachronisms in the decorations and costumes, bungling machinery, false notes of ningars—nothin%agaes sgainst the grain with him, nothing offends him. ~ There must be no intervals, and plenty of gymnastics, and the honest London playgoer is well satisfied.” The Elmira (Gazeite discusses a performance n that city, by Mr. Daly’s Fifth Avenue Theatre Travelling Company, under the general title of “The Divorce %nrty," and fornishes the sub- joined gems of critical comment: ‘* Our_old friend, Mr. George W. Farren, appeared as Alfred Adrianse. ~We didn’t see but George plays leading business just as good and eatis- fw{:ry 28 comedy roles. ' Handsome Ben Porter is still of the troupe. They could not get along without him, neither could the people. Miss Henrietta Irving done admirably and was called before the curtain. Harry Hawk, as Polain with hopeless passion and subsequent dyspepsis, was irresiatible.” The following is a statement of the average numbers, nightly, of the audience and employes of the 13 theatres, lying within & quarter of @ mile radius of the Strand, in London : Drury Lme—-A\‘emg?nnudianca, 4,000; employes (be- fore and behind the cartain), 1,100. Covent Garden—Audienco, 4,000; employes, 600. Queen’s—Audience, 2,500 ; employes, 154 Ly~ ceum—Audience, 2,500 ; employes, 130. Vaude- ville—Audience, 1,800 ; employes, 120, Adelphi —Audience, 1,800; employes, 136. Charing Cross—Audienco, 800 ; employes, 55, Opera Comique—Audience, 1,080 ; employes, 60. Globa —Anudience, 1,000 ; employes, 60. Strand—Aun- dience, 1,200 ; employes, 100. Olympic—Andi- ence, 900; employes, 60. Gaiety—Audience,. 1,500 ; employes, 150. Totel—Audiences, 22,6803. employes, 3,725, The critic of the Boston Advertiser having gaid of Mrs. Boucicault, s Arrah, that ‘“the delicious humor of the race speaks from her elborws and ankles as well as her lips and eyes,” a contemporary gets_after him in this fashion : “There! Elbows and ankles, eloguent with the delicions humor of & race, is_good. This inno- vation opens mp & new .field in dramatic criti- cism. We shall now probably hear of AMr. Ed- win Booth's shinbones and kmuckles speaking of the glowing &eusiveness of the Scandinavian race, or Mr. Sothern's back teoth and the nape of his neck speaking of the fatuity of the English nobility. ‘The phlegmatic nature of the Datch may now be discovered in Mr. Jefferson’s heels and vrists, and the restleseness of the volatila Yankee mey speak from the finger nails and hip joints of Mr. Warren. Delicious humor speak- ing from elbows and ankles! Goodness gra- cions.” The Western programme of Edwin Booth and his dramatic compeny i8 annonnced as follows : On the 6th of January, 1873, Mr. Boothwill start ona Western trip, beginning at Poughkeepsia and thence proceeding to Albany sud along the line of the Central Railroad to Detroit, Chicago, and other Western cities. Mr. Booth travels with a dramatic company, inclading Miss Char- lotte Crampton, Miss Bella Pateman, Mrs. 8. E. McDovall, Miss Mary Young, and Messrs. F. C. Bangs, B. D. Ogden, J. Rooney, James Tfiilor, J. HgsAndflr!Dn, Edwin Parry, James_Stark, J. P. Duel, Robert Pateman, H. Flohr, J. W. Guest, R. Keith, T. Naylor, and J. L. McDowall. The istier represents Mr. J. H. Magonigle, Mr. Booth’s business manager, and conducts the bus- iness of the company.- Mr. J. W. Guest travels ss the advance agent, The characters in which Mr. Booth has thus far “starred” in New Eng- 1and are Hamlet, Richelieu, Shylock, Sir Edward Mortimer, and Don Cesar de Bazan. e i THE FOLLOW-ME-LAD. A sho hurried along, from square to square, The curb smiled bright, and the bricks grow glady For her step was soft, and her face was fair, “And behind her floated a Follow-me-1ad. T know not how sho was dressed, nor care; I only know, had » fairy bade e name one wish, why, then and there, - T'd have wished fo be changed to her Follaw-me-Isdl Only s ribbon around s neck . Only a ribbon, plain or p! 3 Only 3 1ook, saying + & Gorno at my beck;” Only, only o Follow-me-Iad ! Only s life hanging 'round that neck, Ouly a life to mako happy or 5ad; Only a fate to prosper or wreck; Oaly, only a Follow-me-1ad! —Bome of the * Progressiva Brahmos” have taken to adapting the best English hymns, old and new, to the “Theistic theology.” The ‘besutiful hymn “ Abide With Mo,” was sung st Babu Keshub Chunder Sen’s last festival with the line #Hold Thou Thy Cross before my closing eyes” altered to *\When earth racedes bofore my closing eyes,” and the Evening Hymn hes all the Christianity taken out of it; the line “Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son,” is eltered to “ Forgive me, Lord, for Thou alone.” These alterations are, in part, referred for their origine ation to the Unitarians of England. —The A. B. C. F. M. announca in their Her- ald, the amount of appropriations for the ensu~ ingyear, for the old work, 15 $440,000; for the new work in nominally tian lands, from $22,000 to $30,000. This is an advance in ap- propriations over last year, but the advance is justified by the enhfifd work of the Board i[nking & reasonable allowance for receipts from legacies and miscellaneous sources, theare re- 1mains to be raised from the churches, $343,000 Last year the churches gave £295,207.72; there is, therefore, reguirsflm adyance of af least 15 per cent in the