Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, March 1, 1874, Page 6

~ 1 THE CHICAGO DAILY. TRIBUNE: SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1874. —~ ——— e e e e o SCOTT-SIDDONS. How a Talented Lady Had Her Des- tiny Revealed to Her. The Effect of a Talisman upon Her In- terpretation of Lady Macbeth. A Curious Superstition and a Re~ markable Coincidence. To the Editor of The Chicaqo Tribune : < Sra: One evening, during the winter of 1872, I was one of 2 party of four who had tho pleas- ureof dining with the woman who, just then, as tarning the heeds of balf the young men with her dazzling besuty, snd enslaving the hearts of the ather half with ber oommnrh.ng genito; whilo those of her own sex—recogniz- jng, I prosume, the fact that it would bo sheer presumption to compete with tho charms that ‘were concentrated in her faco, form, and fame— goneronsly forgave their rival, and likewiso bowed in sllegiance to ‘“‘the Queen of the tngo, "—Ars. Scott-Siddons, Although I bad eeveral times before in-a formal way met Mrs, Bcott-Siddous, the oppor- tunity for & quiet social chat up to this tima had mever been afforded me. Impresscdas Thadbeen with the gracaful dignity with which she reigned. in her moro puklic receptions, I was hardly pre- pered for THE FIRESIDE FRIENDLINESS with which we.were eo charmingly entertained. Indeed, snch 1weore the domostic graces which characterized her hespitality, that, in their homelike atmorphere, the frigid formal- ities of social etiqueite were gaickly molted, and our conversation flowed without restraint through the chianaels of personal experiences and priéate cpinions, the current being entiroly un- obstracied hose properties of speoch which & more pullic uiterauce necessitates. I doubt if Mz, Sidlons i5 often in a more charming mood, and, while it would bo an outrageons Lotrayal of the confidence implied in such a free interchango of opinion and sentiments to publicly repeat what was thers privately expressed, still there are onoe or two curious incidents of the early carcer of this remarkable child of - fortane which she told us, and which I think may, without impro- prioty, bo repested here, os another of the many striking illusirations rovealed so frequently in the Tives of distinguished persons, that genius, howeror repressed, will ultimstely nseert itself ‘with uncouquerable cnergy. : It 15 a part of our nature, I think, to desire to ¢race anything to its ource, Bo it the River Kile, tho trick of tho prestidigitateur, the per~ suasive power of the orator, or tho genius of & great arlist, the two_questions thst naturally @rise in our mind: Whenee does it como? and HOW IS IT DONE ? . are constantly pressing_ for an answer. So it was quite natural that, in our freo ond familist conversation with Mra, Siddcne, we should at- tempt £o vrest from her her secret, and discover “hew she did it"! Conversing about her inter- pretation of one of tho characters portrayed in 8 Feading given the previous evening, the question was asled Mre. Siddens if she really felt, whila enacting the *Slecp-Walking Scene,” that sho was, a3 he appeared for the time being to feol ‘herself to ba—Lady Macbeth. “Yes," replied she. I must always entor into the character I imperconate if I render it with any power. I nover performthat * Sleep- Watking Scone,” sho edded, ™ without a feeling . of dresd ; for, you know, that scene has & pecu- liar siguificance to me.” “ Your representation last night left a.deep impreesion on my mind. Yon quite surpassed yourself,” I 'ssid. “ That must have been becauso I wore AY TALISMAN,” ehe langhingly replicd. 4 And what was that? Are 3ou S0 supersti- tious as to believo in talismans acd charms?” askod one of the gentlemen, with considerable curiosity. - “Did you notice a heavy goid crown—a plain band of gold, without & jewel or_a bit of ‘chas- ing—that I wore on my head ? I always like to wesr that crown when I am toread thoe ‘‘Sleep- Walking Scese,” for it bflluniad tomy grest- -andmotber, Sarah Siddons. It was_presented Fet by tha Gracan, A shoprized i Bighly, ai- wave wearing it when she performed tho part of ZLady Macbeth, Itis s fancy, no doubt, that makes me believe I can render the character of Lady Macheth better when I wear it. But there #ro other nssociations connected with that W Sleep-Walking Sceno” that make me slways approech it with & feeling of fuscination which (8 tinged with sscotiment of awe and dread. For, you know,” she continued, with » smile, * it wuf chiat sceno which shaped my destiny and areer.” . Natarally our curiosity wes still forther aroused by this remark, and, pressing her to tell us the atory, after a rlight- hesitation, she con- ‘scnted, somawhst reluctzntly, to do80. In view of the fact of hor appearauce here this week, wlen she will prabably read tbe scene, it will be interesting to many to learn how it became the ueans of revealing to her the secrct poser sho Ensneased ; 20 I will relata it, &8 nearly a8 possi- le, in hor own Janguage : ‘. THE STORY. Having been born in Indis,” ghe seid, . ' nn- 1iko most voung people, I had no opportinity to attend tho thoatre aunn;i the early vearsof my life; 80 it wag not until I went to Germany with my mother that I ever realized the attractions of thie mimic world dispiayod on the stage. 1t was when I was botween 11 spd 12 years old that, in the school which I was attending, an entertainment wns_projocted, one of the features of which was the presentation of a littlo French comedy. I was cast for somo minor part, and entered into the plans with grest onthusi- 15m. I studied bard. the part assigned me, and shought ovar all I should "do when I appeared before the little audience. When that moment e, bowever, it seemed o mo that all my pre- tonceriad plans vanisled tike mist. I felt that I F3%for the timo the very person I was repro- jonting nn-the stage, and Tacted my part well snongh to excite the attention aad win the ap- slause of tho audience. This flattered me, I pro- jume, for at once I became carried away with the Jesire to appear in some of the greater plays of Schiller, Moliere, Riacine, uod Corneille. ~In this L wes, of conrso, encouragzed by my associstes, 1nd the thongl:tiess pooplo who were rlad to seck sntertainmest in &ny novelty, even if it was only » little girl attemnpting to interpret the most sub- lime creations of the great French and German dramatiste. My mother saw with alarm this sbnormal davelopment of my mind, and soon dis~ covering that tho ides of becoming a great ac~ tross bad becomo an sbsorbing passion that threatenad to bear away inits torrent of feeling all £hi0 practical aims and sobor ideaa of my Lifo, for- bade miy scting, and diverted in overy wiy possible my attontion from dramatic subjects, AsI was then so young this was not such a difficalt task, und the impressions mado wero soon offaced. My mother guided my sctions and directad nty tastes 8o carcfully that even after our -return to England I was never taken to s theatro, and the_ dramstic authora wero kept ont of my remch. Btrange a8 the statement may seem toyon, I, the descondant of onc of England’s greatest inter- preters of England’s grestost dramatists,—1 never saw a ploy of Shukpeare's in s thoatra bo-. foro I vwag married. After I was marriod I wont occasionally to the theatre, but, boing always ox- cited by the play, and sometimes fecling the irresistible longing to undertake the part” which particularly attrasied my attention, I was pro- vented from attending oftes, my hesith at that time being guite poor. Bat- it was not mntil rome Lime after my marriage that the event oo- cured whick:, a8 1 ‘eaid, shaped my fufure and: determined my carser, “‘One winter night,” ehe continued, *a friend of Tom's (her husbaad]—an officor in his reg- In:ent—came up to our Licuse ¢o epend tho night withug, Daring tho cvening, the conversation turned upon dramatic subjects, when Tom's {friend began to dispute with him about the _ KEADING OF SOME LINES IN “MACBETIL™ ' which hehad heard rendered afow nights be- foré, os ba claimed, without sense or meaning. To defend his interpretation of the lines, ho went to the library, and, taking down s copy of averpower me, and I_stonld burst into tears. My nervous o ity iad _undoubtedly been mede mora keen by n sevore gickness from which 1 had hardly recoverod, =nd, afraid that my agis tetion would_be not.ced, I siole to my chnmbor, wheto, etunding in the middle of the room, my brain on fire with tho long pont-up desire to ropresent to others the powor I felt stirring my soul, my mind exaltad Ly the conception I had of the woe which drosa Lady Macbeh forth from Dber bed at midnight, I began to feel I myarlf was Lady Machéh. I was seized,” almost agonized, with an inespressible dread,—a kind of nightmaro horrora—and felt that I conld only oxorciso tho terrible spirit which had seized upon me by retiring to the librars aud driving it forth in their presence. I dreaded fo stay longer alone, yet was FASCINATED BY MY IDEAL, and, with the almost insanc desire Lo sppear to my husband ns Lady Macbeth, I quickly bound - up my faco with & bandkerchief, throw about my body a white wrapper, and, taking my wax candle, started for the door. In tho mirror a8 T pessed I caught the first sight of my face,— pallid with fear and drawn into an expression of woe unuiterable. My oyes, madolarge by recont sickness, seemed fixed with & strong stare that 80 frightened mo that I dropped my candlestick from my haud, and was alone in the dark. Iran out into the hall down the stairs, and paunsed at the Yibrary door only for s moment. ** Remember,” said Mrs, Siddons, “I had never before studied ¢ Macbeth’ and knew nothing of the lines. I only felt I sras Lady Macbeth, 80 inspired was I by tho conception caught during the reading of the secne that I felt myself able to render it in pantomime. * Swinging back the door,” she continued, * I glided into tho room and stood for a moment so absorbed by my conception that I forgot to act. X must have looked like s grave-rison person with my white wrapper, my_chin tied up with o handkerchief, and my wide-open oyes staring out of my paliid faco. Tom's friend, who sat facing tho door, Eprang to_his foet in great con- sternation, and wheeled bis chair in front of him. My _husband, ocing his oxcitement, turned, abd catching & glimpse of my face, excleimed, ‘Oh! my God, eho has gone madl *This broke the charm,” gxid” Mrs. Siddons, “and the nervous strain had been Bo great that Tom had barely time o save me:from falling on the foor as I foll faiuting in a” chair. Do you wonder now that I alwsys feel a kind of dread when Iattempt to render the *Sleop-\Walking Scono 7' said Mrs. Siddons, with 2 lnugh. “*But did this incident determine you toap- pear at onco on tho stage 77 [ asked. “I began immediately aftar I rocovered my health . to study ‘Macheth,'” she auswered, “gnd soon after determined to appear on tho stage. And thiat remmds me of auother curious coiucidence between tho carcer of my great- grandmother, GARAT STDDONE, and my own—a_coiucidence which mekes me prize more highly the ialisman I tave alresdy spoken of. ‘* And what was that coincidence ?" acked my fricud. I began, as I have said,” continned Mr. Bid- doos, “ to stady Lady Hacbetir. After I hed de- termined to goon tho erage I could not brook the delsy roquired to completc {ho preliminary studies which elmost all actors must submit {o in order tuet they may become familiar with what is known as "¢ the stage business,’ but I went at once down to Londoa and applied to tho managers of the differcnt theatres. They did 0ot relish the ides of taking the 1isk of & lady's walking out of hor parlor upon the stago, and without any previons instruction attempting to erform Lady Macbeth, They wanted mo £o uc- Fitibeha lighter oliaracter. But 1 was doter- mined to make my debut as Lady Aacbeth, ant 50 I went to Manchester end Edinburgh. There tho mansgers repeated tho story, end finally, with almoet no study for the part, I consented to ap] in Edinburgh as Portiain *The Merchent of Venice.” About two yenrs ago, While rummag-~ ing through some old family papers, I came up~ on some letters of my great-grandmother, and in them I found my experience related 80 exuct- Iyas to almost siartlome. She too had doter- mined to make her debut as Zady Macbeth, had stndied the character, hiad been Tefused every- where by the mansgere, and finally on afow days': notice had made her debut as the stataly and elegaut Porlia. If was evident from this, na well as other ‘remsrks dropped during the conversation, that Afra. Siddous feels a revercnco, smounting el- most to a superstition, for her great ancestor. Thera are many things which might be told l- lustrating what, in tho light of afier events, secms almost & Providoatial protection over aud guidance of the carcer of this remarkable wom- &n, but to relate theso incidents might seem like encroaching upon tho secred privacy of a life which, slthongh having been dedicated tothe drama, and 50 belonging, in-ono scnse, to the public, is yet veiled by a modeatyso retiring and & manner ‘80 charming as to protect her from }ihe Prying eyes or staring curiosity of tho pub- c. One word only regarding her ALTHOD OF BTUDY, which is bus snother reveiation of her gonius, TUnlike mosb other great artists, she dces not “prepare herself before the mirror,” doss not coldly and calmly calculate tho effect of this ges- ture or that accent upon tho sudience. Her act- ing is born of tho Loart rather than the hend. Unlike Misg Cushman, who studies her charac- tor in the dissocting-room and anatomizes tho lines, 80 to sponk, alrs. ‘Siddons’ concoption is born of the inspiration of the moment, and ‘comes throbbing with life from her warm and iyn;}mfihnt.w heatt. Sho does not set abous coldly and calmly to study a part intellectnally, but attempts to realizo the poet's or drama- tist’s creation in her own person, thus giving it life snd action. Sherexdss plsy or & poem +until her mind becomes deeply imbued with the eentiments of the suthor, sud thon, trusting to that inspiration which is alivays born of o lofty idea), interprets the play or tho poem according to the revelatior: of the moment when sho stands faceto fato With her amdience. Undoubtedly this mothod has its disadvanteges, for the rev- clation may bo refused entirely, or hor mood sy at times be not an exalted one, and thon the interprotation will lack fire, vigor, and freab- ness; but more often out “of the heat of her excitemont sho will forgo a thunderbolt of ‘sloquence that will awo thospoctators likesomo of tho outbursts of the old prophets. Her method is the rich, varicd, end florid #ong of the Tronba- dour as contrasted with the polished perfection of & cold and brilliant vocalist. G. B, PROF. SWING AND BRO. PATTON, Some of the Views of the Interior on the Swing Heresya ‘We copy the following from an article of thres and a half columns of the last numbor of the In- terior, on the subject of tho beretical doctrines advenced by Prot. Swing: ‘Woare unchle to see that the publication of our “*doubts,” to which reference is made in a communi- . cation in another coluimn, is a violation of the courto- sics of journalism. Prof. Swing can communicate with our readers whenever he degires, snd in ton linos can tell them plainty whether he holds the theology of the Presbyterian Church, Wotakeit for granted that he i not fndisferent to the good opinion of his brethren, and we ghonld suppose that ho would not allow them to stand in doubt of his orthodoxy 'when it would be ecary tossy that Lis:uiterances have boen misappre- kended, "Wo should bo rejofced oursclves to kuow that we had put-upon the Professar’s words a meaning which thoy were £a: designed to have, y Tho doubts we Lavo cxpressed aro basod, for the ‘most part, upon’ sirtements contained in his published eermons,’ Wa Baves fair Tight to form our impres— sions respecting tho opinions of an suthor, and to give tlem to the public, -To deny this right weuld bo to put o veto on litersry criticlsm, - Wers wo ex- pressing our opiniozs s & theological critic of Prof. Bwing's publisbed sermions, wa should B3y that we could not gather from them that the writer belioves In the deity of Jesus Christ. Itis truothat the bumanitarian view of ‘Christ is eloguent~ Iy ropudiated ; and it is trao that the ¢ divinsness " of Jesus is spoken of, and that the epithet * divine” {s constantly applied to Him. But these epithets abound likewiso in Unitarian ltcrature. Wo do not find any~ thing in Prof. Swing’s printed sermons to shoswr that ‘his Chrietology is a whit sbove thst’of Chsuning or James Freeman Clarke. We are yrepared tosay, Kow~ ever, that his views on #in and ealvation, 5o far 8a stated, are for the most part down to the level of Unitarianism, zod in° no {ostance, that we can remember, do they rise above the level of. Dr. Bush. nell. The Professor’s trumpet gives a very uncertain gound ; and if we have our doubts, wo can only say that wo camo honestly by then., And we will be plain cnongh to sy that our doubts were not lessened when we resd, not long sgo, that Frof. Swing was to lecturo1n behalf of » Unifarian Chapel. ~Wa conld not see how Prof. Swing, as a Presbyterian minister, could consistently give ins moral snd material port to Robert ZIaird Collicr’s infidelity. . of our readers may remember an At in the Lckeside Jonthly, in which Drof, Bxing £aid . #All the way, from Bobert Collyer to Tobert Patterson, the presching is practical, fres from sectarianism, full of persussion through lova, . . Ebakspeare, began to resd tho play. He was a fine naiurel reader, and, iu his earnestness to .convince Tom, read with' considerable dramatio effect. T gkiall never forget that scene,” said Mrs, Biddons, with great animation. *'I was sitting at the table sowing. Tom was in a chair before ke grate, his back to me, and his friend sat fzo-, jng us. Heread the play from the beginning, conpecting the parta omitted with some remarka tending to show the muv.x{ul hisinterpretation of the character of Zady Macdeth. When he ap- oached tho climax of the ‘Sleep-Walking ma' ho-rose and with great animation de- ‘claimed tbo lines. ' The effect upon me was like & nervous shock, A cold tremor scized upon me. Although I had-never-before felt 8o strong, my ly trombled: with agitation. I feared, if I re- sanincd Ingér, that the feeling of ecstacy wonld Tho city being o haiting-place of a great army of brsi- Tons i, and Rot of pigrims rosking 3 bliaking A donna, the local Gospel was com to bosomo s ‘mode 4f virtae rather thau & jamLio of doctrines.” + Tn n published sermon Prof. Swing eay : 2 * Cliristisnity 15 not forced apon us. OUX OWD me- turo hae forced 4t p out of the spirit’s rich depths ; & divino flower urged up by the warm eofl of the immor- tal heart.” E Another fact, Wa understsnd that Prof. Swing took ‘occaslon, on tho death of John Stuart AL a notorjous. athaist, 0 preach o sermon in his praise. - We did not Tead the printed report f that sermon, buta member of tho Presbytery of Chicago informod us of i, and spode indignantly respecting it. We lesve it to onr readers whether wo are Kot justi- od in saing that we doubt whetlier Prof, Swing be- Ueves in the Deity of Christ, We do not charge him with disbelieving ft3 1€ he doos belicye it, ho certainly tils sy to apprechate sts value and its significanco, © Wosaid thatwe doubted whether Prof, Awins ba Uoves inthe charch doctrine of tho Trinity. This doubt weald very paturally sugge:t ftself ufter reading {ko Professor’s slighting rcferances to the doctriac, Thz valuo of a dectrine, wo aro told, depends on our ability o Verify it iz erperlence. *'Tio Trinity, ar formally slated, cannot Lo experienced, Bfan bas uct 1ho power o {asta the threcness of one, nor tho one- nest of thresand seo that it is good.” The obly posi~ tive statement which we bave Lnown Prof. Siing to hava. respecting the- Trinity, fully justifies the doubt we lisve exnressed ; for i(it has any mean- ing, it teaches the Sabeliian doctrine of & modal Trin- its. ¢ Ohristinnity bears readily the idea of three ofices, ad pernits the one God 1o appear in Father, Bon, and in Holy Spirit.” Our position in respect to the Professior’s siow of inspizatior s sufliciently known 10 our yeaders, We have 8¢en no Teason to chunge it His statements are on record, and have nover boen re- considerad, .Even his Jatest oxposition of - his views shows that o accents the Scriviures in 8o, fur as ke sunnosea they icould stand approved by Christ. “This is different thing from regsrding tho Biblo as infalli- DBle, If the Frofessor would remove our doubts per- haps b will expladn the folloxiag met only a few days ngo in one of his nermons : “Thero is no confiiet, perhaps, between Paul and tho ‘Bavior. Iuse the'word ‘perhaps’ only us o fur- fher confession of the impossibility of_dezermining, with sclentific ozactucss, fho wholé of Paul's thought on the onoband and of 'the Ssvior's thought on the othor, Assuming iuspiration, thero of courss ia no confiict, But not thus begging the question and s pealing only to rationallsm, thero seems no discord the stralna of music.” > ‘But why Dot nazume inspiration, and why appeal to rationalism We sre confident that o candid seviewer of Prof. Swing’s sormons would never infor that he believes in tho expiatory character of tho death of Christ. REVIEW OF AMUSEMENTS. THE DRAMA. ATl the theatres havo been mors satisfactorily filled in front of tho stage during tho pest week than before, and tho managers are correspond- 1mgly encouraged to try again. It has been ob- served bofora that an unusual attraction at ouno theatre, instesd of drawing from others, has the effoct of stirrng up business. for alt of tbem. Manngers find thoir intercéts more nearly identi- cal than the public would be inclined to suppose possiblo. ‘Tiros thie unusually brilliant week at AlcVicker's Theatre Lias boon profitablo to otier theatres in = grester or less degree. Thus tho interest of tho weolk centres in & double seuse in A'VICEER'S THEATRE. 2fr. Booth cannot complsin of want of warmth on tho part.of Chicago play-goers. Nothing moro genial and hearty than his reception on Monday evening coald bs dosired, and the size of audicnco on each succossive ovening tosti- fied to the genuineness of the public detire to onjoy high art. ' Tho great actor héd ' chosen to appear in several ‘of his most popular rolés, and a frequent chenge of bill was announced: Monday, Tho Merchant of Venica;” Tuesday, “Othello ;" Weduesdsy, “3Much Ado About Nothing ;" Thursday, “The Apostate;” Fri- the kind ever exhibitel in this country, and has drawn crowded honsis whereve: oxhibited. It remains for another weck at tho Adelphi, and thoeo who have not 3een it should not loss tha opportunity of doing so. Mr. Pago has finished Lis engagement, and wa are S0y to eay leaves Clicago. Asa perfoumer on the cornet Lo hug only one equal,—3{r Levy. His appearance on tho stago has been hailed with applanso, and, being a true musiciar, he has given bis audiences classical music to their evident delight. It is by such judicious aclion tha* the musses are led to'appreciate music above the ordinary clap-trap. The heartiness of the encores with which he has been received express the admura- tion folt for Lim. ‘Ihe _novelties of this * weok are Misa BMand - Grav, in a romantic illusion, *The Statuo of tho Pertod ; " Musical Mike, the performer on tea instruments ; ond & variety of farces. Miss Boghell, the intrepid wire-walker, Misses Morgan and Frankie, the favorito and graceful voealists, the four,comedians, Billy Rico, Obarley Howard, ard the Revnolds Brothers, in their varioas acts, The O’Donohus, the Leon Brothers, Miss Del- may, and Mesers. Davenport and Woodbull, and the Adelphi company nreall there this weelk with an excellont variety bill. THE GLOTE THEATRE, Mr.J. K. Emmet has been playing to good business through tho week, in - his specialty, “Fritz.” A chango is sononnced for the present weok. Mr. H. J. Byron's pieco, “ Max, tha Merry Swies Boy,” written for Mr. Emmet, be given, with no songs and dances, and char- scter acts. Mr. Emmet's admirers will tind in his new piece all the amusing features which mede his first 8o succosslul. AYERS' OPLRA-HOUSE. Those who missed the abeurd sketch of Our Great City” ot tho minstrels last week lost & st deal of amusemont, for it has been with- rann to make room for 3 barlosque version of *Hamlet.” There is to be a travesty of the celebrated * Box Mystery,” which will mako the whole puzzlo as clear as o Senatorial speoch on tho currency question, and two farces, * Twen- ty-ono To-Day,” and ** Barnum's Elephant.” In addition to theso i8 tho first appearance of a “erpsichorean Artist” (probably a dancer), in the person, of Mr. John Gilbert. . - _THE §COTT-SIDDONS ART-ENTERTATNMENT. Ono of the chief attractions of the coming weok will bo the Readings that Mra. Scolt-Sid- dona i announced to givo under the auspiced of tho popular Ster Course Managoment. Mrs, Biddons hes so long been the pet, not only of society, but of the whole amusement public, that it would scem almost a work of supereroga- tion to 0dd anything to tho more aunonocement of Lier appeatance, for it is an_understood thing that whenover sho appears her admirers turn out en masse, and greet her with applauso which g always demonstratlve, if not discriminaling. ‘While thero can be no doubt that Mru. Siddons’ remarkable popularity is largely dus to Ler brilliant beauty, it is certaiuly as_troo 'that her abilities a8 a histrionic artist are frequently I siglit of in the admiration excited by Lier phynical charms, The samo enthusiasm which was mani- dsy, “Drotus, and Saturday o repetition | festod whon sho wos hero before will un- of 'the pieces of Wednesday and Thursdsy | doubtedly - be sroused - again, ucd the nighis. Uhis varety afforded the lover of art | managers inform wus that they sro already &n .opportunity of seeing Alr. Booth in roles | in roceipt of several letlors from ler hich are antipodal-in their meanisg and dis- tinct in their outhines. We have noted carcefally cach representation, and, while we cennot give unqualified asseni: to everything Afr. Booth docs, wo must yield him that acknowlcdgment of perfect finish which bi3 careful personutioue domaud. “2{r. Booth's ecting does not fail to im- progs oven o ensusl observer with its minntencas of detail, which in its tom sppears like con straint. "It ig not marked by tho bold, defisnt retion which has bean recently shown us in such perfection, but rather tho severo adheronco to the traditions of the stago of which Mr. Booth is unexceptionally tho best exponent. Thare are many artista on the American stage ‘who belong to the samo echool as Alr. Booth, and who, having no license to go beyond tho Hmits provided for thew by the former players of note, and no such profundity of study and consequent accurncy to acquiro an admirsble finish, aro mero iwmitators of Mr. Booth, and but fecble copyists at that. While thoy actually endeavor {0 play Mr. Booth in his best parts, and aucceed gomotimes in caricatuiing him, they serve the purpose of pointing out h{.comnflb tha perfect symmetry of their original, Poesossed of nono of his natural gifts of grace and faciul beauty, they cannot expect to succeed in following “where heleads. Miss Paternan hog rendered him- ample support during the week, aud proven hersclf equsl to the roles in which sho has played. * Othello” is to Lo repeated on Friday night, with Mr. Booth as fago, which will give the tragady tho interest of a new piece. To- morrow night * Richelion™” witl be played, with tho following cast : 3 Richelien.... ... Julio de Mortime Eing Louis XI11I.. Gaston, Drotuer of .Edwin Booth 3Miss Pateman VoW, 3. Huriey +..JL N, Wilscn Eredetic Bock Third Secretary. Governor of Bastile, Gaol Marion DaLorme, Tuesday night sud tho Saturday matinge, #The Lady of Lyons,” Wednesday and Saturday nights, *‘The L'col's Revenge” will Le pi formed. The prospectfor this weok is there- fore ploasing. FOOLEY'S THEATEE. “Divorced,” s vorsion of Mr. Daly’a play of moaorly the eame title, has been played with fair succees st Hooley's Theatre during the wee:. It 18 sufticiently unlike tho drama with which it i8 nsgociated to bo interesting to those who aro familiar with the incidents of the latter. Its dinlogue posscsses merits and defects not to be’ found in the otber, and among the former may be counted the reduction of the piece to four acts. To-morrow ome of tho most deserving comodians ever engagedin Chicago will have o benefit. st Hooloy's. AIr. George Giddens brought with him':to Chicago an excel- Ignt reputation a8 o conscientious, versatile, an talented actor, snd Lis stay here has contributed vastly to the amusement of patrons of the Par- lor Home of Comedy. Ho hes appeared under unfayorable circumstrtces sometimes, when harriedly called upon 4o fill a gap, and has never feiled to play well the part assigned to him.' It has somotimes secmed as thougk he were thrust into obscuro roics for the purpose of thowing the public what he could do, aod that he hag invariably created from oo insignificant part & marked foature of the drama. is greatly to big credit. In fact, Alr. Giddens - is an oxcellont comedian, with a good prospect of achieving a far wider recognition than hehasat present. Thero isno actorin the city who dosorves o reward from the pub- lic more than he, aud we take eapecinl pleasuro in aononncing his benefit. _The drams will ba Mr. Morton’s _domestic play entitled “Tho Wnting on the Wall,” with tho popular favorites, 2Mr. John Dillon, Mr. Giddens, Mr. Sullivan, Alr. Saulsbury, Mr. Soggs, and Miss Sydnav Cowell in the cast. A weok from to-morrow Jarrett & Palmer's celebrated **Black Crook" company,. with =il its. fine appointments, will. open &b Hooloy's-with “ Undine." % : TIIE ACADEMY OF 3rUSio, . Mr. Oliver Doud Byron's gecond week at the Academy of Musicwas far more successfal than his first. . The novelty which he offered was a sensational drama of rather a gory description, but possessing s merit of dramatic constraction quite unusual in this class of play, It was well acted by the company generzily, 2nd & atill greater improvement mpon Mr. Byron's other ‘picces, in that it gave lum an opportunity to do some ncting. The opportunity was not sllowed to paes unhoceded, end Mr. Byron. lus dans more in the past’ week to ostablish a rpu- tation for histrionic talent than over bo- fore in Chicago. ‘This week . the Fifth Avenue company, with Mr. Daly's special- tiea of tho society drama, open for one week at the Academy. It looks a little like satira that everybody should be playing * Divorce” in Chis cago, especially in the light of recent court dis-~ closares. But, as there1s nodoubtof theed- mirable manner ‘in which the piece will .be dressed, mounted, .and played, those who have cn “Divorce” only half-scted will find the Ac.demy version & most ugrecable change. The cast is o very largo one, acnd, we are assured, o strong ono also. - Thero aro some familiar names in it- which guarantec unususl excellence, and others which are not aa widely known. This is another of those graceful changes which Mr. Gardiner so thoroughly understands of- fering to tho many patrens of his thoatre. Thin, o s AP, ; £ 4 o “Indisn Box” mystery 2t the Adelphi has beeu nightly exsmined byriunmdg Sf poos ple. There is ono featuro of this trick—for trick it necessarily is—which is interesting. Evarsbody who has heard of it bas gone to the Adelphi with a theory which would expose the trick at once. Thus fortified against imposition, tho anditor has examined box and basket for the secret spring which was to let thoe side out, and of course failed to find it. Ho has seen the box handed over to carpenters and other experts; has witnessed its investment in some gixty feet of rope which left no mesh_wide enough to admit acat; has becn assured by seals and private pencil and L paper marks that. the rope has not beon pushed aside or cut; and has eventually dons whst everyother man kas done—~given it up, $01s withont doubt tha vars best Sllaston of admirers asking her to repeat somo of the solec- tions sho _rendered with smch power whern last read here. One of the features of tke brief ‘season she will givo this year will ba the reading of Shakspeare’s ** Midsummer Night’s Drezm,” accompanied by Mondelssobn’s descriptivo T~ sic performed b{ tho young pianist prodigy, Master Honry Walker, who, although only 11 Sears old, has taken rank smong tho distin- guiched cotemporary pianists. His talent was considered so exceptional that four years nw\‘c{ be was admitted as & student to the Royi Academy of Masic in London, . privilego thot had ot beforo been accorded, a3 the rulesof the inshitution require that the person appiying for rdmission should be 12 years'old. Tuat he profited by tho privilege i3 evident irom the fact that at every competitive examina- tion ho won Eome ouo of tho malsls aarded, apd last jear, in a public competition, securcd the silver modal— thoZthighest hLonor awnrded by tho Academy. Ie was bronght to America Ly Miss Siddons es- pacially with o view to accompany Ler in her intarprotation of tho * Midsunmer Night's Dream,” aod his appearance in tho East with Tier hag won for him_tho most exalted praise from the Boston and Now York eritice. Ho will join. Mrs, Siddons bere, arriving early in the week; and an effort will be mads to have him give & private_rocital” before the readings, of which thero will be three,~one on ‘Chursiay night and two on Saturday,~a matineo sud evers ing performance. It is rrobablo that thoe * Mid- summer Night's Drezm " will Lo given at tho last perforuance. Tho sale of tickets is mu- nouiced for Tucsdey morning. TROF. PROCTOR. The announcement in 'f'ug TRIBUNE a day or twosincg that Drof. Proctor, Secrotary of the Royal Astroncmical Soeiety of Englund, will lec- ture in Chicago, was oro of the most agrecable that could have been mede, The coureo of lee- turces which he bhas delivered in 8t. Louis and other large citios of tho Contincat has becn tho event of tho sezson, and bas produced a scicu- tific senzation. The lecturer took thehighest hon- oms thatthe University of Cabridzo (Eng.) conld bestow, and has proven himeolf popular as a writer by the papers he has contribited to sci- entific and popular magaziues. A a lecturer bo is os brillisnt and fascinating ss Lis wiitings promise. He will speak &t Kingsbury Halla week from to-morrow. : DRAIIATIC NOTES. “ Leathorstocking” continues to draw st Niblo's Theatra. * A-new historieal play, by Tom Taylor, is abont 1o be brought out in Loudon. Mr. W. 8. Gilbert's play of “ Cbarity™ still holds tho stago of the London Haymarket. New York is dissatisfied with *Lovo’s Labor Lost™ us given at Daly's. Too much French drams has ruined tho company for Shakspearo. Miss Neilson has returned to New York from Flonda, much improved in health. She will Blertly proceed to California. “Romeo and Juliet” at Booth's Theatrs was feebly pisyed, Mrs. J. B. Booth alone recaiving commendation from the critics. The Now York T'ribunc says that Apollo work- ing in a cabbage garden would not_be nearly us %_st]r&ssuiug 23 Madame Janauschek fn * Cacsney old.” Mrs. Gunthor-Dachmann, the leading actress of Loipsic, died in thaf city on the 17th of Jonuary. Bho had been attached to ono thentro during a period of forty years. Tt was & Bharpe's revolvor, not the traditionsl Smith & Wesson, which aided the exit of Alr. Hamilton 8mith alias Vance, the actor, He was foppish in his dress, and Lad shot a man. Edwin Forrest always had a hankering for the circus. Ho was onco engaged for & year with a traveling show of this description, sud subse- quently played sevoral times in & circus for s wager. On the 2d of March, in cetebration of the ar- al in England of the Duake and Dachess of nburgh, a play called *Elizabeth” will bo given st Drury Lane, illustrative of Russian manners and cnstoms. - At Caen, anactor who fook the partof tho Vicaroy in *‘ LaPericholo"” made Limsolf up a3 a caticaturs of Napoleon IIL aod Introduced slighting and_offensive remarks about tho dezd Emperor. Tho piece was iuterdicted by the Prolect. On puncturing the legnl lon's hide which threatened prasocution of translators of Qctave Fenillet’s * La Toutation,” Boucicault was found beneath it. Ho was recognized by the inter- rapted intonation of his melodious voice. Das- pite.his Shakepenrean front, Mr. Boucicsuit has proven himself tho Goorga Fraucis Train of the stago. . French immorzlity having taken hold of the American stage, L intoleranco of satire haa myaded the Brooklyn judiciary. A clover bur- lesque, writtonas & prologuc to *Tho Whito Fawa " by a Drooklyn journalist, well known in Chiczgo, “was advertised at the Parl Theatre. Thodisphanons-hided Judgo McOno fonnd it 5 tritle salty for bis tender tissus, and closed tho theatra. Ths burlesguo contained some talling oints on the Brooilyn Ring, and hence tho Tadge's suscoptiLilty. Dan Rica is just now undor an o7il slar. “Ho. has been sold out,” mays Wilkes' Spiri, *‘at SheriiP's salo, horse, foot, sod drsgoons.” His farm, and even lus newspaper, the Cosmonolitan, edited by Charles Stow, did not escapo his cred- itors. Col . Rice had a beautifal homo in tho centre.of Girard, in front of which is a public Bquers contsining o handsome monument to tho soldiera of the township who fell in the Rebeli- jon. Itisof whitomarble, and thacost, $15,000, was’ wholly borne by Col. Rice. The grounds about his place wero extensive, with raro plants and shrubs, whil» the house contained msny in- teresting and valuable works of ars, His fallura ’rfll be & great misfortune to the viliage. The strong point of Lucy Adams, the variety star, is her song of “Apples for s Penny.” Thilo singing it 1n Asker's Theatre, Troy, she threw several apples with great force and pre- cision at somebody iu the sudience, One kmock- ed the front teeth out of an oxcitable man, and he threw it back with equal ability. It struck the star under the eyo, and she ran behind the scenes screaming. Then Guy Linton, another variety star,and Lucy's husband, pooped out and offored to fight the man who had hart her, but o bad gone away to Lave his teeth fixcd. It ia noedless to state that Joaquin Miller did this: * I have bean calculating how much money the peoplo of the United States pay England an- nually for the privilege of looking at the tomb of Shakepeare. The sum is something enor- mous—almost incredible. We sow and Bcatter money cnough ovory yesr around the sbrines of Avon and on the way thither to sustain the inost magnificent achool of art in the world. It has oceurred to me to suggest {o my conntry, usn ‘matter of businces, to spead a fow thousand doljers 1 the aticmpt to grow a William Shak- 8peare on her own ground. I would recommend that wo give bim encugh countensnce and sup- port o ocp Lita st bomo, lot him o thers, be uried there, aad thon have the people on this gido cross over and visit his omb. I think it would pay. 0, my country, do you heaz? It érj.g_xld pay.” This is mora thau Joaquin always z MuUsIC. The musical interest of the season is well kept up, as will be observed by reference to the pro- grammes printed balow of entortainments to be given during the present week. They covera variety of objocts, charitable and othermse, and, a8 the prograrimes aro very varied, all tastes will bo suited. Prominent among these for ex- ceffenco 18 the programme for TIE SCIUMANN CLUB CONCERT, which will be given on Wadneadsy evening, the 4t inet., at Kimball's pisno rooms, coroer of State and Adsms streots. The programme will be as foliows 1. “Bpring Night,” for femals chorus......,.Barglel, Tae Jisaes Darss, Furnham, Monigemerg) S, Gnd 2. Quintertoin B fiab.......... umian Hessrs. Goldbeck, Loieis, Freiberg, Alten, and Buck < Goldbsck Hof, mann, “Dreams of Heaven ”. Seves Aliss Eva Davis and 3r. Bisc ‘Sinfouis in E minor, : Sinfonis fn 3 6. “Evening Bells,” soprano, tenor, and THE DIEM CONCERT. Joseph Diem, the 'cellist, gives s concort on Monday eveuing, the 2d inst., at Kingsbury Hall, upon which occasion ho will be assisted by Miss Haskell, Miss Van Wordragen, Messra. Wolfsohn, Lewis, Huessen, Ziehn, Eichhoim, Hand, Boeckmaan, and tho double quartstte of tho Gormania Macunerchor, The instrumontal numbers are the Bargicl Trio for piano, violin, aua "collo which was piayed at the Beethven concert Inst weck ; a fantasie for ‘cello, prosum- ably by Mr. Diem, although tho programme docs not aunounce it ; Raf’s setting of tho finale to “Tho African,” and Wolfuohn's Consolation,” for the piano; * Souvenir do Baden-Buden,” by Diem, a guartelte for 'cellos; a Mendolsgohn andaate, for violin; Popper's * Harlequin,” for iano and 'cello ; nud Romberg'a * Adagio,” for wo ‘cellos. The vacal eelections are an aris from tho *Postillion of Lonjumeaw,” by Mr. Huessen; two Meudelssohn and two Schubert songs, by Miss Laskell; Tachirch's * Walde- sluft,” for double quartotte; and s song by Proch, for Mizs Von Wordragen. ORGAN CONCERT. Anorgan concort will be given at the First Congregutional Church, comer of West Wash- ington and Anp strects, on Tuesdsy evening, tho Sdinst., under the dircction of Mr. Willing, of w York, upon which oczazion the following will be the programme : ranTL {’,; ceata in A flai... Two Communions,” Op. 3. 1, D, Wile 2. Aria from * S, Paul ™, r., P A Toten, 3, Belactions from Italian symphony. Mr. Lowa Falk, 2. Tomance from “ Tonphauser 7., b Aria from * L'Africaino " Mr. H. D, fitlla 5. Soens and prayer from “ Der Freischutz 7. . Weber 3fre. 0. L. Poz. T 6. “ God Bave the King " e Mo 7. * Del Profundo, tel Oblio ™, AMrs. J. Balfour, 1. 4 8. Overtare.. 9. Quertett Mrs. Fox, 10, * Grand Oxertuire,” 0p. 9. Xr, 1L D. Wi DENCFIT CONCERT. Avocal and instrumensal entortainment will bo gven ot tho Westminster Presbyterian Church, corner of Juckson and Peoria_ streets, on Thureday evening, the 5th iust., for tho hene- fitof this society, at which time tno. following homo talent’ will take part: AMesers. Louis Talk, W.OC. Coflin, A. E, Clark, D. A. Kim- buck, C.C. Leller, birs. O. D. Carrington, Miss Emma Felton, Miss Eauma Parker, Mir, W. H. H. Thomus. Tho prograrame will be s follows : TanT L 1. Fantasis for four haus, .. JPiano duet Miss Emma Feltox and Prof, Louis Falk. 2, “The Wooda ", .. .Quartette Aliea Cojfin, Clark, Kimbark, and Lefler. 8. 4 Fameralda *. Soprano eclo Afins C. D, Carrd n. 4, “ The Old Map’a Song to His Wifo ”..Barltone solo Ar. D. 4. Kunbark, 5. Blano slo.... isy Imma Feilon. 6, * Thero ia One that T Love Dearly 7. ....Quartetto Hra. Carringtan, s Feltor, Hessrs. Cojin and Lefler. rinT 7. Piano solo.. Chopin 8, * The Gallnat §) Hessrs. Cogin, 9, * 0id Simon ™ 3r. CIC Lefier. 10, * What Monntaina .Duck afrs. C. D. Carrinilon and M. W. . Cofin. 11, “1f With all Your flearis . Tenor solo 3r. /. C. Cofin, 12, 4 Roll on, Silvar Mooi ... ... . .Quinteits Mr. W 2b I, Thouas and quartetle, obiigato. CONCERT AT OAKLAND, Tho Plymouth Church choir, essisted by other prominent singers, are preparing to give an or- gan concert gt tho Oakland Congregational Chareh on the 10th inst. BYMIIIONIO. Thera isa nlovement on foot, in which many of #he musiciane of this city havo joined, to bring out the symphony written by Mr. S. G. Proté while lie was parsuing his studies in Berlin. It is probable, if the composer receives_ sufliciont enconrazement, that the work may be done some time in April with a full orchestra. FIANO RECITAL 5 Miss Mary A. Todd, whose first piano recital was given aboat four woeks 850, gave 5 second last ovening at 324 Warren avenue, with tho fol- lowing admirabla classical programme : 1, Overture—* Nachklaergo von 1. “Faschingeschwank aua Wien ” Allegro, II Romsnza, ongs Without Worda™..... Sarabande and Allemands . . v. Yocturno. 5. Symphony i C major, No. R THE CONCORDIA C ‘Tho programme for the concert at Concordia Hall, on Twonty-socond stroot, this afternoon is as follows : 1. Cofonation March 2. Overture to *2am &, Potpourri—* Sicilian V 4. Trelude to “Il Giuramento ”. . Duo for flutea.. P A'ae Mecasrs. Drach, 6, Overture to *“Egmont . 7. Waltz—4 Now Clilczgo ™. 8. Potpourri—* Tho 2luslcal Hypoerito ™. 9. Oserturs to “ Tho Czown Dicmonds ”, 10; Quadrille, # Chansone!tes” . NEW MUSIC.. ‘Theodore Falk & Co., of this city, have just published the following.new music:® “ Parlor Quadrille " and “The Newport,” a new. dance, by C. A. Carr. In addition to the music, which is very pleasing, tha figuros are also given. ‘Cho same bouse has also issued **The Losemary Waltz,” by L. E. Lovassor. OPEBATIO GOSSIT. Tho Now York Tribune of the 23d says: “* The opera season " (Btrakosch) ** will open this even- ing, with ¢Aida,’ which 18 t0 be repcated on Wednesday, sud slso ut the_ Satardsy matines. ‘Lucia’ is aunouncad for Friday. Wa aro in- formed that *Lobengrin' will probably be brought ant about the middlo of the season, and that Mr. A. Neuendord, who did himsalf 8o much credit by producing it uoder dificalt cirenm- stacces at the Stadt Theatre some ago, will direct the performance.” Aime. Lucea will commenca an engagement in German opera at the Stadt Taeatre, very short- 1y, under the mansgemens of Mr. Fred Rullman, giving tho following operas: * Don Giovanny,” “ Marriage of Figaro,” *‘ Fra Diavolo,” '“Les Huguencts,” * Merry Wives of Windsor,” and 10 Trovatore.” 5 "Tho artists engaged for the forthcoming Lo don opera ; season aro Nilsson, Titicns, Trobelli Battini. Lodi, Sinixflne, prime donne ; Paladivi tonor), Behrens (beeso), Campanini, Fancelli, £, Al % and_Rizarelli. The only novelty sn- nounced by Gye ia Mlle. Marimon. THE_CENTENNIAL MUSIC, Prof. Albert G. Emerick bas been consulted with roference to the music for the Philadelphis ‘show in 1876, and suggests the performence of a number of American works, among them Fry's opera of * Notre Dame of Paris,” Bristow's ** Ri ‘an Winkle,” Paine’s oratorio of “‘8t.Peter,” Dud- ley Buck's * Forty-Sixth Pulna" Fry's ' Biabat 2Mater,” and some of the sacred compositions of 7. R. Faislamb, F. T, 8. Dachy, O. Jeromo Hop- “Schumann TIL Schies=ino, “Bendeissolin Schi king, snd Philip Trujetta. Prof. Emerick reaches the height of absurdity in the following proposition : Tho musical works o be selectod for performance, without reference to the fllastration of the art progress of the conatry s shown in composition, should bave 3 bearing upon the political sifuation ' which caused theso % Colonies™ to reyoit and form a new and inde- pondent natin. This is beliovod to be found in the following operss, which should be performed in & st¥lo of maguificence’ and ‘complatencéa to prove our ro- sources in musical t-leut to the greatest advantage ‘and to give evidence of our sympathy with all of- preseed 2nd down-trodden peaples when they attempt 1o throw off the shackles of depotism and tyramny. Wa suggeat Rossini’s * Wiliiam 7Tell,” Bollin{s “ Pit- rilans,” _ Auber’s 2aniollo,” * snd Rossini's 4 osea 1 Egypt,” ail of which should Lo sung in {ho English Ianguage, 50 s to be understood by every one. + - TQOSTER MITIC. Warssw, Ind., is to have a grand musical fes- wival to which all the world is vited. Tho first foature is & convention, which will commenco March 16, aud continuo five days, under tho di- raction of H. S. Porking, of Chicago, who has beaa holding conventions of this~ kind all over tho Weat. His sssistantsin the festival will be J. F. Beam, the Director of tte Warsaw Philliar- monio_Socioty; Mrs. James H. Williams, and Prof, Wollenstein, 6f Fort Wayne, pienists, and Max Mosler, tonor. On the 8d and 4th of April, the Warsaw Philharmonic Sociaty also gives two concerts, for which they have summoned the best availablo talent in the Biate of Indiana. As will be seen from &l this, music in Warsaw is looking up. MUSICAY, NOTES, The’ gucecesor to ““Faust™ st the French opora in Pasis is Rossini's ** Lo Comte Ory.” AL Wieniawski has gone to Havaus, and from thonce will saif for Earope. Gluck's ‘“‘Alceste™ is to ba revived at Berlin this month, sfter a lapse of more than twenty yoars, A Russian Iady pisniste, by name Annette Essipof, has created a fcorore in Vienns, by her playing of Chopin’s music. Ronconi, the baritone, will remain for the present in Havana, where ho has formed classes for musical instruction. Miss Adelaide Phillips has organized a parlor opera tronpe of _six members, to appoar befors lyceums, eto. Signor Ferranti is a member. ‘The music of the new opera, * La Cappriciosa,” which was prqduced doring the Carnival at the Teatro dalle Logge, Florence, is by Signor Giorgio Valensin, a banker! Ferdinand Loyaine, s pisniste and composer of talent, has just died at Lille, where he was Professor at the Consorvatoiro. He was 63 yeara of age, Miss Antoinetto Sterling, well known in this country, recently sung at Exeter Hall, London, in “Elijab,” under tho auspices of tho Sacred Harmonio Society. Mile. Di Muarsks, the distingnished Hungarisn prima donns, will fultill s short engagement in tho West, provious to her firat appearance at the New York Academy of Ausic ia Italian opera at Easter. Mr. Btrakosch has been tolerably successful with 1is Italian Opera Company in th Proviaces. He has made some money, but s still unfor- tanately behindhand. Tis loases So far are not over §30,000 sinco he bogan last fall. Fame is to be deserved. Listen to the She~ borgan (Wis.) Herald : RMany of our citizens attended tho Italian Opera in Milwaukeo on Monday eveniag. A lady nataed Nilsson seng o that occasjon, and is aid to bave done preity we After a long delsy the doors of tha Apollo Theatre, at Rome,werelately opened with Verdi's Forzs del Destino, which was pronounced to bo onoof the weakest productions of the great Italian composer. The Milan papers annonnce that Miss Darand baa been chosen by tho two maestri of the sea- son, Ponchiolli and Brags, to creato the light soprano roles in thair respective operas I Lituani” and “ Caligola,” shortly to bo produced ‘st the Scals. Tho Khedive of Egypt, who was so successfal in persusding Signor Verdi to composs * Aida " for the Cairo Italian Opera-House, hes made Herr Wagnor a most liberal offer for a work on some Egyptian subject, tho music of which, it is to be hoped, will not be in hisroglyphics. The tenor Campanini denies, through the New York Sun, the story that he had harshly ecriti- cised his follow-ariiats in tho Strakosch tronpe, o cherishes no unkind feclings, ho sazs, toward any pergon cxcopt those * who hato Ifaly and tha 1talian school of music.” The Neue Freie Presseof Vienna containg a long account of the opening of the new Comic Opera-House on the 17th of January. The icco was & German vereion of Rossini's “ Ii rbicre,” and tho Kosina was Aiss Minnio Haack. ** She achioved,” says the writer, * an extraordipary triumph.” Thero is & pew song just ont, entitled My Mother Among the Angels:” Let ua suggest that he composer and librottist should not stop at {his point. Let them next favor us with * My Aunt Among the Cherubs,” ** My Unclein the Clouds,” 3y Planetary Grandmother,” “Coustn Popkins in Paradise,” and * Up Among the Peris.”"—Punch. + Lo Traviata ” has been prodaced at Caracas, Yenexuels, South Americs, by a troupe of wiich HMadame Majos is tho prims donna, Lamblase the tenor, and Strozzi the baricone. ' All tho ar- tists have boen received with favor by the public of Caracas. Luzzoloni, tho tonor 80 vell-known hero & fow yeans ago, bolongs to this troupe. The Lower Rhine Whitsuntide Musical Festi- val will be held this year at Cologne. Herr Hill- er will bo the conductor, end his contata, ¢ The Dostruction of Jerusalem,” will be produced. Tha_programme will include Handel's * Sam- gon,” Herr Brahms' ‘ Triumphlied,” Deetho- yen's pastoral symphony, a violin concerto, to be played by Herr Jomchim, Schamano’s over- tore, * Genoveva,” ete. Tha contralto part in % gameon ™ will bo sung by Madame Joachim. rodigious oxcitement has been produced in Vicona by tho recppearance of Dr. Liszt as a pianist at & concert given for the benefit of tho * Kaizer-Franz-Stiftong.” He played ono of his Hungarian * Rhapsodies,” and a fantasis by Schubert. Herr Herbock condacted the or- chestra. He was_reccived by a deputation of tho Conservatoire Professors, end by all tho pa- pils, and was presentea with & golden crowm. A St. Potersburg tolegram, dated Feb. 4, saye : Gounod's charming Provencal work, “ Mizeillo,” wsa produced list night at the Grand Opess, and achieved an extraordinary—indecd, an unprecedunted—auccoss. Tbo music, though ' uifamiliar to msuy in the densely-crowded theatre, -made a very favorable im- pression on tho cogmoscenti of St. Petersburg, and Mine. Patti, who sang ss though the parthad been wrilten for'ber, was called beforo tho curtain no less than thirts-sevén times £o receivo the vociforous can~ gratulations of enthuaiastio Muscovita amateurs, Late advices from England say. tnat Mr. Carl Rosa, after the death of his wifo, concluded fo abandon all bis plans for tho carrying on of En- glish opera in London and tha British Prov- nces. . The company was to be disbanded in & fow daya; but, according to & Liverpaol papor, 5 now impresario will, it is believed, bo - foun in Mr. William Castle, who hopes to re-engage the entire corps in abouta fortnight, and carry on, no doubt with tho success such enterprise merits, the schemes Carl Rosa elaborated fox the restoration of tho Eaglish opera.” ‘The following letter was written by Madame Parepa-Rosa to Prof. Ella, who endeavored to dissuade her from producing Wagner's * Lohen- grin,” which, a4 our readers remember, slia was £0 bavo hzd the honorof bringing out at Drary Lane this !‘xrin . ‘The work has never been sung in England, though it hag often beou prom- iged. Andamo Rosa intonded afterward to give it in the United Btates: - No. 10 WARwWIOR CrescexT, Muma HILL, W., Nov. 26, 1873, Dran MMn. Etna: Many thanks for your kind Dote; but we cannot aiter our piana now, and every- thing is working well for o creditabla production of “Iohengrin. Our pride snd amour propre ave in it, 20d my husband fs such a good hard-worker that I am sure i will aucceed ia_this, 3s ho hss done ia other very dificult taaks. - You must remember we were tho Grat to produce in America,on 8 traveiing tour, 3ever being moro than . two. wecks in ous Plece, and hoving the distances to travel which American towna are from oncto the other, and, as I el you, we produced “ Marriage of Figaro,” * Ober- on, Deux Journees," 30d played “ Don Glovanai ” and * Der Freischutz ” for the firat time in Engish, These xre not light works to produce, 24 you know, 50 1 really am not suzios. Wa will do our bast—wo can- mot domore; zud all the profession wili respond, I am surs, in belng infercated in our efforts ; and we will: give other “operaa which will appesl to tie British pullic. ~Wa have risked alons our own hard-eammed money to catsblish English operain a proer way in England, 80 if we lika to isk our reputation in bringing out Lohengrin,” we must have soms good basis to stand on or wonld not do it. 1 will incloso your friendly letter to Carl, but he telng & Prussfzn, I o nct think he will have less pluck than I, who, bog o true Briton, would never give inf With very best compliments, and hoping you will rezd 1o 8 programme of when and where you give the “Loheogrin ¥ recital, I remsin, fout o vaizs. 'EUTHROSTNE PAREPA-ROSA —_— Tichborne’s Ga No man's gait_waa ever more miacellaneously described than that of Roger Tichborne. Twe ty-three witnesses spoke of it as *‘awkward eight as “ peculinr ;" three a8 “fanny;" fivo as “carious and strange ;" ive as “‘elovenly;” five 23 “glouchy and clumsy;” four as ‘“‘shuffling and stilty;" five as *like Sir Henry's,” and threa 28 “like Sir James';” while one witness gaid it ‘waa like the walk of **Bichard the Third." EX-MAYOR MEDILL. Extracts from a Private Leiter in Ane swer to the Charge thet Ife Was Cognizant of the Gage Defaleation, . Inaprivate lettor recéived from ex-Mayor Medill by a gentleman of this ci reference is made to the absurd allegations of the Staats-Zeitung, that Ir. Medill was cogni- zant of tho condition of Treasarer Gage's aflairs 8t an early day, and went to Europe to escape ‘moral Fesponsibility and’ public consare. This publication 18 not decmed neccssary for the vin- dication of 1r. Medill, for thatis already com- pleto in the mind of every intelligent citizen of Chicago. In fuct, tho Staals-Zeilung bas alvcady made the amende by confessicg that Mr. Mo- dill's letter on Afayor Colvin's messige proved " that ho knew nothing of the defaleation : P Boss, Feb. 7, 1874 I note what you s:y in regard fo the defalestion of tholata City Tressurer, D. A. Gage, and the charitsbls opinion expressed by the liquor-verders’ organ, ihat X 4 s7as fully sware of the unsoundness of Gage's fioan- cial doing3; and that, n going abroad, 00e of my mo- tives was to escapo from my respopsilility in the pramises, even if it bo only & woral, ot a legal, one You must bear in mind, my friend, that {roedom of ech and of opinfor: ia &2 insliensblo right of every American citizen, and woe unto him who would ab- - breviste it. Thoso who were never permitted o enjoy Iberty of expression in the ountry thoy come from 820 a3t to abuso th privilege futhe country of thelr sdoption, mistsking Heenso for Klezty. . But, if the sagacity of the saloon-organ had equsled its venom, it would have perceived that no “moral naibflity " could possibly bo escsped by going abroad; on {10 contrary, it would be eaormotaly in creased. Any one with s particle of discernment must s00 that, if the faintest susplcion of tho * unsound- ness” of Gage's accounts had crossed my mind, policy, interest, and duty required me to act prompuy and decisively in having the money Teplaced and tho “ir- regularity * corrected. It would have been weli for Mr, Guge if T had been endowod with tho talent of peep— 3ng into oceuls matters,” and hsd obtained an inkiing of the actual state of his accounts, becausc, up to the timoI came nway, snd for a month afterwards, the money-markes was very casy, ral estato sold readily at high prices, the benks disconated fresiy on. zcasone ablo security, and commercial and Ba: affaira were as prosperous ag tho futuro was hright and hopo- ful. It would have given Mr. Gigo comparatirely little troublo, last suurmer, atduy time before the ‘panle, to have Bold froperty and borrowed money enough to bave roplaced the amount he had perverted to hls own uss, And to suppose that I Would niof have urged and forced him quiekly to re- placa the money in the Troasury, at s time when ke Could easily bave dono it, is menifeatly sbaurd on_its face., Indeed, he would not havo required much urging on my part, after he had nown that I was fn ession of his dresdful secret; but would lave Bistencd to produce i monay ‘o ths uttermost farthing. His greatestapprebension would not have been inshility to raiso tin moncy on short noties, dresd of _ exposum with ~_ all s damaging _comsequiences. It 18 also very certain that, if Gago hsd, even for 3 mo= ‘ment,doubted his ability to restors themoney at the end of his term, or when it might bo mecrlod Ly tho cits, ho would not have touched a dollar of it. _Tho disaraca and roin thet must inevitably follow exposure would ave deterred him from taking tho first fatal step. I ‘was Julled into absolate confidence in him, based on a peraomal scquaintance of twenty yexrs, and by reazon G his high standing, pride of character, sapposcd larga wealth, and thestrongth and responsibility of his bond £0 the city ; and also the stringency of t:o law against a misuse of the money, and by Lis monthly ststamenta ‘made to the Comprroller nnder cath, T do not boliev thers was 3 human being in Chics g0, unti] after {ho panic, who ever Fuspected or dreame £'that the ciry money was in tho elightest danger, I is copy tobowias and Inowing aflix the fict, audio say, “1 told you s0and go,” when, in truth, thoy never told_snything of the kind, mor imaginéd it, much lesa ko . ‘God alone loketh on tho Neast’; man can only judgo by acta and_appearances, and bF thess oot e el At GamE KBl 0. Lis oint trusts, Hns it really come to that pass in America that 0 civil officer can b Intrusted with tho safe-koeping of public money ; that all must bo surpected of belog rascals and thisves? Must we hereafter reposo fal innobody? Iathereno soundness loft*in the body politio? Is everybody and everything rotten? If 50, fien Hesven help the Repubile, for It is beyond ‘mortal redemption, and jts dasn srean Tt a3 to thoss mean asperaions t6 w: The purzloto me is, how &0 astute & Heslng conld be =0 atupid aa to give thom nowniaper. ‘publicity, as their sheurdity {3 porfoctly iransparent. Surely, his fealty to the publicsns did not require such “dirty work ® at his handa; and pothing that over oo curred between him snd ms would, on tho score of re- Venge, justify bim in making himself o ridicalous to gratify persontl resentment, ‘When I commenced this letter, it was without the Intantion of referring to the Gaga a{fair,~ot becints of indifference thereto, for tho defslcation_sstounded, shocked, and mortified me bosond cxpression ; but tha §das that T came abroad to escape tho moral resronsi bility " of the vxposura of poor Gage's weakness struck mo s 0 supremely Frotesqno from 1ts abeurdity that T have been betrayed into the foregomng remarks con- corning tho matter. However, I have not boen abused moro then might be expécted, The man who ventures to acceph an ofics Of great Te sponsibility, for tho of | serve ing the publis esrmeetly sud faithfally, ‘sssumes it witk the certainty of being repaid in slan. dersnd detraction. Tho bitter must go with the You msy remember tho words of the poet. is To be suspected, thwarted, and withsteod, Even whon be 1abors for the publio good ; To win no praieo when well-wronght plans provatl, And'to be rudely censured if they fail. Yours truly, J. MepmLn. —_—————— A CHAMPICN BIRTH-ROOM. o ths Editor of The Chicago Tribuna : Sm: Thoro is & room in tho bouse nosw ocea- pied by Francis Gibson, in Spring Township, Perry County, Pa., in which occurred the births of John B. Gibson, Chiaf-Justice of tho Sapreme Court of Pennsylvania; George Gibson, Commis- sary of the United States; Dr. Jobn Bernheisel, the Mormon who first represented the Mormons in Congroes ; the Hon. John Bigler, Governo of California from 1353 to L and tho Hon., William Bigler, Gosernor of Pennsslvania from 1852 to 1855, who is now living in Chosterfisld, Pa. Is there auy other room in the- United Btates that cau mako a claim to furnishing tho birth-place of so many prominent pe:sons ? CLARENCE Dav. Crxaaco, Feb, 27, 1874, AFTER TEN YEARS. Thighy il aad a0 you'vs ouad that locket which has Forgotten, all theso years of lapping joy and pain! You think tho faco tender,~tho dark eyes brave and Well, {Hand, *wea lou ago, bt onco T thought 59 o, Ten yoars! they vanteh liko 2 dream at sish of this; 1 sce 2gain the red mouth quiv'ring 'nea’h my kiss,— The brown, looso-flooting halr, tho scarlettintal And eyes that spoko thelr love 25 oaly 308 cen spesk. Poor, foolish, faithfal heart! whoso god wae common Which 3334 Farowell,” with smilea; and broke that eelf-same day | 3 Ita passion and ita psin sro part of thints gone by} Wa coax tho bud o blow, cen though the How'r must Awomsn besr wy nams, whote emoolbly-banded e : Ripples sbove s brow coldly and proudly fair. Her eyes aro blus and hanghtily screns; but yot Bat yet—what do thay lack 7 what is 1t I regrat ? Pstisw ] am I going mad to fecl romorsa so AT Who famy placo would not have dous the same, and amiled, . As T, romembering tha folly which conld desm Man's Iove s thing Immortal? Broken, giciish dzeam! “The King s desd. Lomg lizs tho King!” such ls our Sweet, 1 shall lovo s0u fosaver | but—weil—oolbyel . L Brurcs Kiarualo. A SOUTHERN SPRING SE]NG. a7 11 coming, falls 2us, £ their loze-words 0cs on ths bresze. And tie mnust Pass like Youny; flowors with dew are laden,— Teli“tale relics of tho sizha Of pore Little fairy-mald. Wao was courted ‘When mortal folks were slaepin, And, shrough leafy bower cud dal Bly, merry SLArs were peciing— Wateliers who will nuver teil. Skles of Snmmer may be brighter, Fairer flowers beneath them 770w, And its breezs touch ba lighter Thsn the Spring-wind’s vigorous blow} But Buring-time kiils the cold days, Dacks the meadows and tn» bowers, Aund, when dying, In its oid days, ves us Summer and 48 owers. Jaaes LavALLIE. ST e There are 100 hundred Protestant cburches Flmtad in Italy, and all are enjoyingmmore ot 088 prosperity. In Rome 10,000 children ace it the mnmcignl schools, formerly uoder psi tion; bub mow no priest is admitied 868 Cmcigo. [ tescnos,