Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, December 6, 1874, Page 7

/ THE CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1874--SIXTEEN PAGES. = Y | JWUSEMERT GOSSIP, Jemand for ‘Reduction of Tha- gtrical Prices. fhe gitaation from a Managerial Standpoint, foole and the Fersomator of Tiny Tim. jmusements for the Coming Week, The Musical World. WANTED-PCPULAR PRICES, y 4 DEMAND WIICH MUST BE MET. fhere 16 DOy and was lagt sesson, a dull time s barical mastors. o matter what tho at- b ioa mizht be, thero w2 an ebsonce of pop- ¢ gy epthusicsm 23 regards the thostre. Of e the managers laid it upoa tho broad tors of tho pacic, 2ad satisfied themselves w{hevhld been victimized by circumsizuces, sl dell were theatrical matters in Chi- v ewYork, St. Louis, and Philadolpbie, 4o Cinoinnati aud goveral other cities wero Tesorless stagraut I drametic intorost. Tho Fe ened, sud tho summer interludo fol- B PISNENT DRAMATIC SEASON el suspiciously. Opere =nd drame did ex- saingly well. Jeiferson end Adews as stars gl vt Lionse coniinually ; Barrett nud oo or grootkers drew well 2t zoother; the comedy Sare bado fair o Teceive something liko the of patranaga it demandod. Tha senson gasisaspiciously. At presont it Is dall agaia. . WILLT IS TUE REASON? cod manzgers have a theory that ot popular oxcitement in the tie- bialworid 1heio comes a reachion. If ous Yirbss made & pronounced nt, it prejudices Lis cesor. Thexo zre £ome ezceplioas in this Cashman, Dooth, and Jeierson might ¢ i injury, but lis to come, dly true. When asked boek ond seek tho cause o crilness conseguent ugon a fer woeks of et bueincos, the manager replies thab i od of tho theatre.” Having es the fohes anng divinely forthree weeks, thereforo “iodon Assurancc” ot Mooler's, 2dmitably , charmiogly dreseed, supcrbly mounted, Bave no atiraction for the public. This is E‘g what tho m: rs think, apd they g mistaken. - Thoy overlook omo of mmportant causes of the pre- '"nfg,r;n atby. With tho examtls of Tapitels beforo them, sod tho general tend iolower prices, tho least e2scntinl of par- g('nb\n entities, mmusement, obstinately holds o against the timer. i 2ERATRICAL PRICES ARE T20 EIGI. 4 pooéts just s muued it grecnbecks to ree o per- ' [ormaote when golflis ac a ewmall prewium a0 15 did when gold was quoted b 20, or 500, We tie piting mogern priess for our tah, bladkets, fod furitzrs, and war prices for our msusc menis, This 8 rather o preposterous stato of affsi. it 18 trno thst o season of Jefferxz, playing to houses averaging $15.000 for thres weeks, was followed by groat depres- on in gmusement matters, one would not there- e conciade thet the edze of one's appetite for tusedt ér-melodrama had beca takten o by &9 Yan Jiinkle. It wounid rather Le inferred it sll llars which would Lave gono & “D fo catried off by Jefferson. 1t 1 eépecinlly obtervabie that a season of spers mekes tlio biggsst holo in the reccipts oitke succeedicg mcuth, This is because of Leprotottetons. iishnic prics paid for opera. lngpéritio dompsiiy takes nway raore mouey fromthe people’; popular vanity is williag to { mythst price, It stuils forepletion on Sepier. Bl bgers £ starvs during ti rost of thd wi 1. It cannot raiso cnough to help o concert 4 dug whea De Mnrskn comes because 1t has 3 pevityall to Kellopg. “Inis €1l points o one conclusion,—our prices ¢ wdmissicn azro too high. Of comme, if i ties Patti came wnd demsnded £10, #¢ would plsy to a fall houss Bo o leagt say the manugers. But whero wald tho €4 for Nalsson or Luces cowe from ? i couid coiiect enough to takea party to see iesan 2 Nomau's income is elastic’ enotgh ereich over every oxtravagance, and theatre- Ao not belong to the wealthiest classes, ag inl2, even thoueh they may be the most intei- Zal of citizene, Du: this peiut was 5o well feed by Daaiel Dougherty, in his brilliant and metive lecture on * Tha Stage,” tuat there s ting more to edd upon the subject of pablic 1 wsend foolia extravazauce. THE ZANAG! FIRE, 4 tinot without reson, that he caurot lower tho { Feof zdmission. He will say: * Look at 10y - { pefion. I havo hera the Lest comyany in this i pnof the country. Iam obliged to smit the fblie taste by lavish display. I must sat mv. ; tae mithout Tegard to cxponse, and my people | Bt drem with-eumptaons elogance. I mast bng an expensivo orchestra, and poy enor- 2 moas prices for mow plays. Ladics cannot j dress exiravagantly upon smell salaries, and wast, therefore, be well paid; tho or- dets mpst Le well paid; . upholstery exlsmmoy: the_gentlemen must have more tlelsdien. My salery list is nearly 92,000 dvek Toomuch? Of coursz itis; I kaow &8 well a3 you ; but how can I lower my Fietof admission 2nd pay this sum ? 1 ho menages a star theatre he will teli you el and enrnestly: My company is a largoe ©¢; ity ezpenses are heavy. gly star plays {24 much, which you mwust deduct im ihe receipts. Tlen you must bear b mnd taag thero aro only & fow fa0 upou whom o manager can connt with cer- 130U can namo them on one hand. £ tske tho bad with the good ; must mako Y wiile the sun shincs, and chargo all the Rilswill gtand or 1 will como out bebind at tdof the senson. Graduate my yrices to nd with the excellence of stars? Nou- 8% They would not stand it for a minute. Bsideg, et tha public once supposo that ¢ Light- b* or *Littls Nell aro confessedly in- ‘?flnsflflni aud Cusbman, and thereis an to them. Of courea they wounld not play 8 mangger who reduced Lis prices on their Yes, their prido freg uerfil¥ Lieops them they do not make a dollar.” i Question, reduced to one of money,—which t4 Shject of thestiical managers aud actors .28 with.the less romantic butcher and Weeper,—is ons of RECEIPTS AND EXPENSES. Lfl:cqtm receipts are noshere covering ex- Gaty ith any reagonable murgin of prot. S8 expenses be hhtened 20 83 1o bring b down to'tho level of jtbo people’s abilicy 4 2P; or will the reduction of theprice of ad- H mm g:nel{-m ::fs.t: an tixum:ce.-mem to ptlny-g«'}efis tate the menngement? 0 me FOposition is morc casily mu- {auiyg 40 tho first, and in {he sf- i .’W« A foll house at 50 or 75 cents tan fingpas ibs Tnasens Detiar Hinn k ndred or two at $1.50. Thero is g 0 cheatless as an empty house; noth- kel g‘m; to o guold. siucere zctor, and big e, B0 g more gloomy to an audience 1 ingignificance in peint of numbers. An of 250 people in a theatre built o hold hnl: Paintul satire upon the stage, and o an artist, There have been A_"lflh houses within tho past twelvo . and several series of them. Indeed, has, except in rarc instances, plainlyin Ji,0 Managers that prices are 100 bigh, and yate lowered ordinary people cannot pa: ¢ peop pay Present rates the theatre has been ‘tond the popular purse. Lofty prices :f i:euzmml stars, but a8 a steady drag fi"" no do. When the stay @ ceases to bo Wiy ay Tl dechino; it s declining now. 'smau,,“{ff offort can its decline be arrest- Blethyy it S nys ‘mh:klng itonce more popular; . AcEEAP I By UXURY. ! Yy guitess ofs iho Adelphi last seuson [N 28 much to its popular prices mlnythm elso. Eversbody could Bageg tmllfl ere, and the house was ;l;:-h; a‘;flmfig 1o its clflsa for the . good. By issuing what they call i tickes " Shicn roduco tho prica of Star ey ents to 50 conts, the man- By 12 £0 {2r, crowded their houses. It is oy, oy g Bdtractions have been oxtraordi- by ', &0 they aro at the theatres. Full M” Werfior:ten; would benefit managers o . 'Ifl::xi!’on °f expenses. I DUCING RXPENSES, %t80 easily doge. Managera are bound s et {1 A J%}E by contracts, and changes cannot bo made At present, actors end actresses aro paid en mous salaries. Thoir remuncration in this city lies anywhero Letween &30 and 8100 o woek. It is this'as much 28 anything which ests ito a manager's receipts, avd this must be reduced, o~ ®etber with other things. The present epathy of tho public means that they will not pay tueso prices. Managera who insist on demsading them must go to overiasting smash in tho end: and whou that time comes the sctor will find that he has killed the gooso that laid his golden ogg. The presont largo salaries paid actors. are owing to the competition amongz mauagers to obtain good poople. Thestres have multiplied nowadays without any corresponding supply of artists, and finiahed actors are not to bo bad eavily, for all roevitate toward the largest businesa centres, whero the receipts are likely to warrant thoir on- gagement ot high prices. If bad businesa woro conilucd to one city, there would be danger that good pertormers would loave it. Lut what is true of Chicago is truo of every city in the Union except San Fraucloco, where the legitimste is in the control of ons man, end whera thera is no compatition to divide up thb ‘sum nightly ex- peaced on amusements. Hero in Chicago the care is different. In a week or 50 we shall hove 8ix theatros open. but how long they wiil remain 50 depeuds upoo the willingness of their several managers to populariza them. —_—— A TALE OF TOOLE.. TINY TIM AND HER APPETITE. - Thoze who have secn Mr. Tools, the great En- glish actor, at the Academy, will rememberin his skoten of The Ariful Dodger & peir of dirty- looking corduroy psuts worn by him, which would give stowaga-room for seversl sacks of po- tatoes in addition to tho aotor’s body. Thoss trousers havo o bistory. Tiey ara mada aftor & strango pattern, and well they may be, for Mr, Tools has traced them back gixty years, and thoy woro old panta then. DBt at present they aro as hearty and wholo rs thoy wero 100 veorsezo. Thero is' nob a patch or o tearin them, aud they bazg as thoy didwhen A, Toole wes yet abeing of the Tutare, and whenkhis grand- father went to the play-houss to see tho lost new picce of the eightoenth century. It would Do interesting o Luow tie full histors of thosa 2ggy protalooug,—what thoy had Leen used fof and what vwas their origial purpose. If tha dirty oid material could tell its story, how inter- ostiisg that antobiograpby would bo—far mora amusing even than thore whicirthe distinguished arzist Dimself can tefl, aod he has msuy. Couversing with him i3 ke comng faze to faco witih thoso wko ars familizr to all tho world name, and yeb strangors tous. Dickens, L sy, Mncready. Charles Matthovs, and (he lighta ol ko literary and diamatic, 1d ou tho other sido of the Aliantic. We might il column alter column withh anectotes told by him of distin- i ople, bul will limit oursolresto CTELISTIC STORY OF DICKENH. ctingin ** The Crick playing Dob Crofehett. A little, dolicate girl, ono of the children of (hoe dress.r at ihs theatre, whose prle face and interesting mauner fitted Ler well for tho pest, played Liny Tim. ‘Tho gicaly little child wes s favorita in Lie {heatre, end especially so with Ar. Toole. Duringy tho porformaunce of tha pieco, a3 tho reader may remerber, tho artists st down reg- ulesly every uight to n oupper of roesi goose and plum-pudding, woich was, in the presout if- £zance, genuive muicrial. Tools was in tho babit of chopping the viends tp znd_giving them ta tho chitlron performing, and thoy, when they Liad eatea tho ficut holpiug, returnod like Oliver for mors. Finy ZLim, Lowever, like Beajamin, sppeared £0 cat seyen timea as much as her brethren. She was tha first to refurn lier plate for more, sud eiways made 2y with more than aa 7 could eat of gozo, supplementing this colosual repest wih ding euongh for Lalfia— gozen. Tocle z aliv ielt au sversion grow- ing 1 liim for £his child, T rets soemed to Lim sus digostion, tho firs frui gled against this fecling for e tim tered him, aod bz coald not think little one. - Oue day, ine Gk of Off a mise of meat and bones from the B vory bird, and flung it into ber platé, 2 pieeo of plum- puddicg, whieh Loft ifttie for tho cthers, koping thiat for ciieo tha ehild would be sstistied. Bat sha wesn't. With o puncluality worthy of a landlord, she returned fur oz Tools wz3 ghocked, My dear,” said he, - you will make youreelf sick If you eat somuch. Igavo you Guough for thres or foar Lig buta, You could not have eaten it in ume. Whese are_tho Dbones? he sdded, looking ot 1ha cmpty plste. ihe poor child bung her bead. 'Loois fpoke gain rathersharply. - Please, sir,” sobbed Tuny Tim, *my litelo sisters ate it.” and, following the direction of her eres towarl tho wings, there o Baw s hungry littie bordo of ragamutins itehing into tho Cur:stmnas chaer with 20 euerg ibat indicated how tuch they neaded it. A light tas let in upon him. Little Ziny had been filling tho stomachs of Ler huagry little Drotbers and sisters, aud mot her own, She never tooi another gradzed morsal from tho table. Toole told the story to Dickens, who lisiened attensively, and, at its couclusion, with a bursi of warm ¢utbusicsm cried, *‘Give Ler the whale goose 2ud Lalf the pluin-pudding nest time ;” and. if the actor d:d uot follow tbe warm- Leerted novelisi's inacructions to the leiter, ho acted up to the spirit of it, 2od Tiny's family nover lack a squaro meal during tho run of tho piece. Ho surug- but it mas- ———— THE CHICAGO THEATRES. TLE PAST AND PRESENT WEEL, Very little has been done daring the week at any of tho theatres, compared with what should have been the case. The two groat comedians have been less euccesslul io drawing sudiouces than their merits and reputation ehionld have made them, whilo the comedy of *‘ Divorce™” has run to not very largo houses. Tho outlook for the preeent week is Lright enough for anybody, and, if there i3 aay vitality remziving in amuse- ments, should stimulza:e it Lo aetivity. TOOLIY's THEATRE. After two weeks of ““ Divorce,” the menace- ment have withdrawn it to commence the season of Robertsonian comedy with tint most deli- cious of the gifled eathor's productions, “ Schook” This comedy has becomo famuliar to Chicago. It has been playad to overflowing houscs when nothing elso vwould drew, and bas alwags been looked forward to by the publio os well ag by managers. It has always been plased ‘morae or less well, but tho casi is strouger on this occasion than it cver hae been. Tho full re- sotrces of the companyare called ont, and. if the result is not a general faroro, it will nob be the t of Mr. Hooley or his company. Tho dis- tribution of characters will b as follows : Jack Poyntr. fr. Jemes O'Neil 3 M. E. J. Buckley Afr, W. H. Crane Mr. Georpe Ryar T N. ¢ School™ ran for 200 nights in London re- cently. It certainly shou!d hold the stage = titlie of that time without any indication of weariness on the pext of the public. M'VICEER'S THEATRE. John Brougham played duriag the weak iz his version of “David Copperfield™ to sndly small sudiences. No change for the better \rns;p rent a3 the week passed, but now that Sronghsm will play in one of his original picces, “Tho Lottery of Life,” wo may hope for a change. This piece was playod about ten years 2g0in Chicago, and is probably forgotten now. It contrins a concert-galoon scene, for which the management heve epecially engaged the Selsbiry Brothers and Billy Williams. Mr, Brougham plays his famouy part of Terry the Swell. The crst of charagters is as follows John Broughsm F. Bock Alr, Alleraft 8ir Wilton Downe. . Rainford Robert Mordsunt. rank Weston W. H. Beymour F. C. McVicker Dodgers. Dummy Dennis. - fiss Wyndbam Alary. Aliss Jennie Bray 3fonday nigkt Edwin Booth wili commence an engagemest of threo weeks at MoVicker's, Liks David of old, while the fate hung over Lim of losing hismost precious possession, he moped in eadness. Butnow that the loss has occurred, and is irreparable, hé has ailseh and anoiated himself, and sshed and changed his appsrel. In fact, he returns to the stage to commence anew bis life-work. He will give a round of ell his most famous representations, opt‘sning a8 Shylock in ** Tho Merchant of Venice.” ACADEXNT OF MUSIC. Frank Mayo, who Lis beén suriving for three or four years to identify himself with some oue charactar, Las succeeded in estoblishing Davy Crookett among the highest class of permanens etago institutions, Frank Murdoch's story of bnekwoods lifo has grown into popular favor through the genius and cereful study of Mr. Mayo. It bhaa always boon woll received in Chi~ cago, and the present occasion will not prove an oxcaptioh to the rule. 3 MYENS' OPERA-NOUSE. Preporetions for the opening of this theatrs under its new management bave beon going on actively during the past week, although no osten- tations displsy bas been made by the oficars. How well they have workeed, however, mt&he judged by thoe fruits of their labors, The museum has been stocked throughout, and will bo a gonuine !m’Efllu to the public whon it is thrown opeu. Of that, however, we shall speak at somo future time. Tho dramatic branch of the house, under the maocgement of Mr. Blaisdell, bas boen well looked after. The nucleus of a good company has beon formed, and if such arrangemonts as Alr. Dlalsdell fs trylog to moke can be consum- mated he will be ablo to hold his own in point of mierit with most companies in the country, The stage-manager of Myera' Opera House will be Mr. L. F. Keller, formerly of Wood's Museum, and more recently of Ford’s Theatre, Baltimore. Ho will attend exclueively to the management of the stago, and never act. The company, 80 fav as oreanized, will consiat of the following gentlomen and ladies : Jobr Dilloa, Nellie McHenry, Ruseell Soggs, Carrie Mcllenry, 3. Webater, rs, Ditlon, 3ra, Watson, Bdrs. Myers, Hies Watson, Fanny Matlits, Other Jadiesand gontlemen named by Mr. Blais- dell as posaiblo members of the company we are nol 22 liberiy to montion. The theatre will open with oup of tho old comedies & week from to- morrow evening.. . . _THE JMINSTRELS have continued during the woek to do & good business. The succees of *The Grand Dutch 8., therefore, will lonve the programme un- changed for the prescat, oxcept in tho minor eletches. The new ones will be * Tho Other Follow,” by Schooleraft and Coes, and the * First of May,” by Hart and Lester. CIARLES DRADLAUGH i$ tho next planct of the Star Lecture Course. Ho will muke his appearanco at Farwell Hall Tuesday. H6 will bs retnemberod 48 amony the most popalar and ruccessful stars of tho plet- form lsst season, and, with Danicl Douglierty, is tho ouly sneazer tho maungement re-engaged. His purposo in lecturlnz last season wus to awaken o sympathy for his causa which ehouid react upon tho English press and people, The bitternezs of his anti-monafchism, bowever, failed to erente much feeling, although the brill- inney of his oratory wae universally edmitted and admired. 10is leoture of Tuesdey night will bo upon ** Washington and CromwolL.” OBITUART. Mombers of the minsirel fraternity sud the public at largo will learn with sortow of the death of ouo of the mombers of Alr. Aims’ com- pany, Jon Lang, the slto singer in the quaret. Alr. Tuug hed for a locg timo been au invalid, sufering from that most mercileas of diseases, cousumption. Ho died of it Friday night at 9 o'elock. Arrgngements for the funeral will be aunounced hereafier. OLIVE LOGAN camo near losing Ler gorgeous dresses in Dan- ville, I)l., Friday. She rrived in she town with ber dramatic compaay, but had scarccly roached tho Lotel when an ofiicer lovied unon hei prop- crty for dsbr. It scems that hliss Logan had Droken an engzezement with 4Er. Josoph Jones to lecture in Danville last soagon, thus pusting bim to great expenve. Sl paid the debt with alseri- ty, Friday. PERSONAL. Joseplt Whaelock, formerly leading man at McVicker's, was i the city yestorday en route for Xew York. Mr. Wheelock has been pisying i Aznes (7. B.) Booth in San Franeisco, ear witlh® berat the Acadewy of ic ot the end of moxt month. He ieftlast oveung. i CRAMATIC NOTES. CLATA MORRIS IF **MACPETHL” Theatrleal bu: s iu Xew York kas rot pick- od up recefitiy, although some rather intorceting facts eromentioned in connection with the drama in that city and Brooklyn. . Among these may bo included Claia Morris’ firet appearance a8 Lady AMacbeth st Mrs. Couway's Theatre, Brooklyn. Tho general public will not learn with eurpriso that it was s failure, A laudnble desite to accomplish something original led hier to 3 now departure in tho matter of aconcepticn of the character, which was, in tho form given by Ler to it, adlocted and un- nataral. To give expression to the pre- vailing characteristic of womanly tenderness, s Sorris prescated s pivi-aud-whilo cro- a, Lot physically sud morally, and which wag, therefors, enimated insipidits. It is quite inteliigiblo ¥ she tvag forcible in pro- portion s sho hovered cear tho conventional etondard. It isnot difiienit to understend her fuilure 83 Julia i ** The Huneltha " wiiich few seireasos can play, snd hor nndtne and iuteileetnully is moro eary of briief, a groat namo s an actress of sho ‘* omotional™ order. Sie can reproduco the passion of a less- exalted ideal, but the majeslic Leights of such characters as Zady Mecbeth are yet berond her reach, In melodiama, whero eentiment snd pathos are demanded, eha can hold hor own asaiust auy living seeress, but tio powdr noedea thero 18 insaiticient for heroic roles. Thero has teon no little dsuger of spoiling 3ies Morns with nustinted prawe. The symp- oms cf the melady of inordinato self-esteem had avpeared in the lady’s ventilation of her concep- tion of the character, unless thanowapaper which published it wrongod her. GILUELT'S LiST ORIOINAL PIECE. A play with only two chaacters fn it wonld appear to bo rather & sirange sort of siTair. It is a vonturo that no modern dramatist but Mr. Gilpert would malko, but he appezis to Lave been succosslul in makiag it interesting. It 13 called + Swaethearts,” ond, though thore are actually four peraonages, two are superiluous, be- ing o gardenor and o lndy's - mad I first oct ja_prograwmted as “Spring, 194" Misa Joniy A who lises in a Jistle 2 vine- cuvereid poreh, bes Harry Spreadbrow. There is a colduees between thom, Harry hos received 2o sppointmens to Indls, oand intends to scil that dey. A word from Jeany would stop him. Dut ehe will not speak tho woril. The youth 18 ardent, the msiden i cold, ‘Together they plant a syeamoro sapling in front of ‘tho vino-covered porcl, but Jenry ro- fuses to look at this st in a pectical light. When bor lover gives her a roscoud as n keep- Bake,.she thauks him and lets it fall upou tho ground. Sho is very happz, shoe saye, to think that ho will thiuk of ler in’ Indid. Atlast tho time comes to sy good-bye, but Jerny is un- moved. A moment more and it is wull over. Jenny suddenly realizes thst ho will not ccmo back; lkor cruclty has driven him awayy and girl pieks up the neglocted rosebud, kisses it, and bursts into tears. Tho second sek is programmed ag *‘Au- tumn, 174" Tho sycamore bes grown tobea tall, 01 troo. Beneath it sits s handsoms, el- derly laay with silvery bair. Afiss Northcoll has never. forgotton hor old lover. Her maid ao- nounces a vieitor, & tall gentleman with silvor hair. She does not recognize him, but bo easily Icads ber to talk of tho past, aud durmg the con- Vorsation- it is shown that, sitbough the woman still remembers her old lovo, aud treasures a withered rosebud, tho man bas nesrly forgotten the planting of the sycemoro aud tho parting by the vine-covered porch. The play ends 28 the two enter the housa to- gether. *‘Ah, well,” saya the middle-aged lady, with » daeh of coquotry, *tho piay s over; let us think of eomething elce.” . "My dear Jane,” the middle-aged gentleman answers gallantly, +igg fer from the play being over, the acrious in- teress ias just Legau ortheott, & presty young woman, lute cottaya with IRVING'S IlA].l'L:}'. All the Lendon crflies praigse Ar. Irving's Iamlet. Amonz those present at the firat per- formance wero Col. Forney, Swalley, of the New York ZTribune, and the correspoudent of the World. 'Tho first-named gentleman mentions as present: Ina private box tomy left was John Ozonford, the critic of the London Times, 3 copy &f * Hamlet " opeu befors him—tall, white-haired, red-faced, and evidently cager for the play: . George W, Sualley, Tondon eorrespondent of ihe Now York Trfbune, end lady, at my eide ; directly in front, Mr., Grorge Augus- tus Sala, a strong head, protruding Lrow, sud eliort, turned-up nose, with Lis_beautiful wife; few seats further on, Nr, “nd Mrs, Edmund Yotes; at the end of the first row, Charles Reade, quiet and alone; closa hevalier Wikoff, with Birs, Boucicault snd her 1a and Mrs. E. A, Sothern; on my left, Mr, Charlea Dickens, with the fuce of his father; back of me, Lord and Lady Harding, well known in literury and drumalic circies; then Mrs. AL E., Braddon and husbend; and, in the same vicinity, Lord Houghton, a noted author, I noticed also Justin McCarthy, James AlcHenry, sad many other celebrities of the press, the atage, the bar, of Parliamont, and soclety. And sums up the performance as follows : Ho gives us s young mobleman who talks like-a scholar, not like o stump-speaker ; who, in his fine aoliloqy, *To be, or not to be " ‘lales the reflective mood seated, loans his face on his hand as Lo begius, snd ponders to himsef, and not as if he wero rosringat 3 mob. How novel and touching Irving's spoech o tho piayers] He comes in with the head of the strollers, his srm in hus, in casy converse, in a quick \ralk, and, as he enters, ho says, “Sreak the epesch,” &e. No wonder the houso came down st this like an avalanche. Nor, in the samc fine spirit, but full of affoction, did be fail to sway and sweep his audience in hia devotion to Horatio. Taois was almply exquisite, and yot ho heva oice fiiasd hin voles out of o versaticoal tone. All fair Hamlets make points out of the plasers’ scene beforo tio King and Queen. Tho stage wus splendidly upholtered and attended, It was thio King's roception room, robod in Danish hingings, with tho regal chairs of he perind, a reccss with scroils and books, ctowded with guzrds and pages clad ia the Court sttire, Tho act over, tho play a “hit,” tho uncle-King and Queen-mother frighteacd off, Irving flings bimself {nto the monarch's chair, and gives woy 10 Lis bysteric joy. Ifero he was maguificent, full- armed with new pointe, 8o in his after banter with tho courtiers, with Polonius, with his mother in_the finalo of tise third act. Art could really 7o no higher, T thovght, in theso fine revelations, He spoke tho ‘contrast botween the Kingw, not with the two portraits or minatures before him, but in his mind's cse, and with great ffect. Thoos successive triumphs cloaed the interest of the play, Mr. Smalley speaks in the highest praise. He 2478 : d 1 have scen Mr, Irving in “ The Dells,” and other famoua parts uf bis, aud rather disli¥ed Lis spas- modic stylo of acting. I8 nervous eystem alwuys sconied 100 strong for bis muscularfsyatsm, ond the violent contortions, both of figure and of fa o not plozsunt io abaerve, Though ke had unmi talent, he seemed to me to sct to the pit, and to be by nomeans the wan from whom a reponcration of the stage was to bo hoped for. I sbould Lzve eaid tliat he hod studied hard, but in the wrong diroction, Ho was, 50 far o3 I had scen, suited for noihing Letter than » inelodrams liko *'The Vells;” an ezpoaent of tha school which, 1 spito of the culture and reflue- ment ho brought'to it, Temained scheational, and to woma oxtent vulgar. In ehort, 1 went on Saturday to the Lyceum with % distinct 'projudice sgainst Afr, Irving. Icomeaway fecling that his Hamlet was the wost “iutellectual pioco of scting I had scen an it Luglieh stage, without any exception whatever—that 2 ray of genfiis had ab Jast penetrated tho dall gloom in which English dramatic &xt lay hid. And, strango to say, ille correspondent of she World rakes the actor thus: Te s dressed in black tights: he woara a black silkc Jacket with a doep edging of eable; around hls nec is ‘s hieavy gold chadu ; his black disordered bair is tossed catclpssly sbout Lis forchead; lia face is troubled, wearind, gwullvc. and yet wild, If he had niot to speak e would bu o very tolerable itamlet; but when Le spesks it is with that fearfully sinzing voice that bas #0 often wearied me, o cnded {lie first act tamely, und tho second was little better. T cannot go through the whole play. You ean ece that the man has feared £0 miutch thnt e will bo called *atazy ” that Lo now fears toact at all. Ho reads his par: at times; again knowing thet he muat try to mako a point, he does somo extravagant and unusual thing, To the appearance of Teatism the forlriits of his fator aud his uncle were neither on tho wall nor in minlature, tue one in ks own bresst, ad the oluer on the neck of Lis motner, but Le cnly pletarad them in words th ber. But wlteu Lie told her that iz nncly “¥rom akelf the precions diadem stole, And put it bis pocket,” e actaally elapped Loth bis linnds uven his broeches yocket, as ifany diader could in such a place be sup- poued 'to be tually deposited, At tmes be did good {hings—but ono kad scarcely praised them when bs 1 sometliing so chsurd as to chengo admiration to contempt. omo clanges in the -ordinsry bnsiness wera misdo,” He was go fearful of forgelting the ghost's Injutctions, that e leaned sgzinst a pillar and Wrote thein * on his tablea;” cad wion e detsrmined tliat # he play’s tho thinz "to_ cateh tke qpnacence of the King,"ho leaued_against another pillir and wrote doten 1ho words fur the pleyer. After he bad Lilled Palunius hie dreeged bis body zeress the stago to stow iniin away whore ihs politic worms might fcast npon pim, It might b2 confessed that Mr. Trving has mada & Han:ée! of his own—but I cannot believe it {u the iss Julie Seaan bos been playing Hamlet 2t Cooth's. essiug @ voico and features well adnpted to inasculine roles. sho is asid to hava given the chatucter puch a peculiarly shraw- 13l stamp a3 to destroy it for all but the ground- linga. fi‘vur.n Wethersby and Annie Kemp Bowler are playing in * The Llack Crook.” ———— music, TIE ATOLLO CLTB. The Apoilo Club is in the fleld agein, and opens the campaign on Thursday evening in the lurgo audiioriumof tho Methodist Church Bloelt. Asan exira attrection, tho Club hos securod tne assistanco of Aliss Julia Live, of Ciucinnati, who is acknowledged to stand at the head of Ameri- can lady piemists. Prof. Dergsicin, who bas writing to Mr. Goldbeck, ‘At last wo have been able to get a eatisfactory renearsal of your quintotte, and aro delighted with it. Is is exactly suited to tho voices, and when we shall fiavo dono it justico X think it will delight all earers.” Mr. Wolfsohn, during lsst month, played at somo conceris 1n Grand Rapids, Mich. . Miss Genovleva Reynolds, a Chicago student in Paris, 18 60id to he making great prograss. Mr. H. R. Palmer, of thia city, has beon hold- Englnummns ‘musical conveations in Iowa and 0. . 3Mr.Jomes Gill has been teaching at Joliat dur- ing the lnst fow weeks, and gave a concert there on the 18th ult. It may interest many of our old opera-goers to know that Kate Morensi is now singing in popu- lar concerts in London. Aurora is rejoicing in & new Opera-House, which was formally inaugnrated on the 19th ult. by the Adelaide Phillipps Troupe. _Canadizn prpers aunounced a concert recently F\'nu st Peterboro at which Mrs. Dr. Carpenter, formerly of this city, took tho leading part. Albert Wn‘vivner. brother of Richard Wagner, whose deatl: is recorded elsawhere, was an uncle 0_1‘ Julius Gollmann, the well-known artist of this aity. Watson's (N. Y.) 4ré Journal records _the ap- pearance of Mrs, F. G. Lunt (Fannie Goodwin) at o reception of the Palotte Club, and pays her vocal ebility 2 very bigh compliment. - The Kellogg Onera-Troupe commences g sea- &on to-morrow night at 8aville’'s National Thea- tro, Washington. ‘The week's repertoire inoldes *Trovatora,” “ 3lartha,” * Lucia,” ** Marriagoof Figaro," * Mantana,” and Faust.” OLITUARY. Vigtor Toigler, Professor of Composition at the Natioual Couservatory ot Pesth, died lately ot Grau. The decense of a Russian violoncellist, B. A. Koligriwoff, who did much to promota art in his country, has taken placo. Ho, jointly with Herr Rubinstein, was mainly the foundor of the Con- servatotros of St: Petersburg and Moscorr. The death is announced of Mainz, on Oct, 26, of Peter Cornelius, & composer of voeal music who cnjoyed o great roputation in Germanv, and who, besides being a° distinguished musi- cian, was aluo & bighly cducated man, being acquainted with no fewer than seven languages. The death, in his 75tk vear, of Herr Albert ‘Wagner, tha brothor of Herr R. Wagnor, is an- nounced. Herr Albert wag onco a_ tonor, and *stterly the stago managor of the Imperial Opera- izouso at Berlin. He was tho fathet of the cele- Drazod Johanna Waguer, the prima donna who afterwards turned tragedian. Herr Albert Wag- uent in the English Jaw z, in imitation of Madame Jenny Lind-Goldsclimidt, entered into two contracts for his dauzhter with the mpre- sarios 3lr. Lumley and Mr. Gre. The former won his cause § but wheit the -lady made her d but at Her Majesty's Theaire, ber small sicee: F;u\'cd tlat she was not worth the costly hitiga~ ioa. MUSICAL TUBLICATION: ‘The December number of the Song Messengar, iigted by tho Musers. Root & Sons, is the datest and best wumber of their paver which 2 yet been wsued, Iis editorial matter is very Juditiona, its intelligenco fresh and varied, and 1:8 communicatious excollent. In addition to tue unusually iuteresting table of reading mat- ter, 1t contains anotber motot, this time by 8poht, which will commend itself tc all lov- ers of sacred musie. This excollont geries of motets which tho AMessenger is publisking bas already created a wide-spread demand for choir jurposos. In sddition to this_tho Messra. Root & Bous nre Going 8 _great work for masic in se- lecting ench juadiciozs compositions for their lately como to Chicago. and who in a short titme bas won great reputation as a teacher of tho voice, will also make his first appearance on the concert stago in thiscity. Mrs, Stacey, thb well- known eopraro, zad Mr, Edward Schulize, tenor, will alao contributo their shars to the success of tlie coutert. As the desiroto hear the fair pisniste, who has ecreated such o stir as tho Fast, and oven in Europe, is very geueral, the Club has decided for concert to sell single admiseion-tickets at 21 each, which can be kad &f Mr. Newell, the Beeretary of the Club, at Root & Lowis' music dlore. Associete members whose ecason-tickets bave pot exmred will bo obliged to present thom at tho doon . The programme will be &8 follows s 1. The Rover.. 7 a rolsi 2, Hbapscdio fionffig; e. 3. Duet from * Willinm Tell” . Jira. Stacu rid Mr o PR o lo Clua, 6. Aria from Jacn de Laria ", Ar. C. Lergatein. 6. Piano sclo., Smart Liszt c. Abt Lodenber ..Bojeldlon Misa Juiia Rive, 1. Turkish Drinking SC1g.......s......endelssohn Aplto Clu. 8, Serenade....... .+s..Btoreh Apolio Gty (s.]o by Mr. SeNuitee). 9. Zuloika.. <ee....Schubert 10, Osslan. <. oo Beschnitt ‘Afoiio Club. 11. Springtime of Life +--..Alendelssobn Mr. C. TC. Theo foliowing is tho Luruer Hall programme for tius afternoon : 1. Marclt from “Carop in Siberia™. ... 2 Ogerture to * A Honiug sud Noon in VignL: .- > 3. Fizale from * Enryuntho” aenn s . Webe: vertur anet 7... e E. Duch 5. Parapliriso on ko popular fong “How Tair Thou Art ..., 5.0 .Neswadia 6. Solo for violoneailo. Mr. Efcheim. 7. Mlusical burlesque—t Hip, Hip, Hur- zalt +..Stubezt THE LIEDERRRANZ CONCERT. The Liederksana Jociety give the fourth of their eeries of popular concorts this_avoniug, ab tho North Sido Turner Hall, with the following programme : PATT 1. 1. Qvertara to “Mignon .. ........ .Orchestra 3. Bridal Choras from * Loliongri “Liederkranz 3. Atin from “ Troviuta "...........3iss Anns Rosetti raumerei ” (by requcst .Orchestra 5. Cinorus of Pilgrims, from Dsusor ... Liederkrana 1L o Aftor Fortune ".Orchestra Miss Anus Nosett Mr. E. Schultze Goodwillle 1. Ovorlisee to * The C a7 Prayor to the Sturz 3. Reiocnza, from * A 4 Infellos, aria from ¢ Ernani 5. 5. Sexiette, from * Lucls di Lam: . Beene from Y Czar an@ Carpenter Van'Datt (in costumc) A, F. Koch and Liederkranz. THE FOUNDLINGS' HOMB CONCERT. Tho co: for tho benefit of the Foundlings’ Home, undor the auspices of Mr. S.C. Pratt, will be given at Farwell Hall on the 23d fust. Upon this ccenaion, BIr. Pratt will repost his symphony, which was produced for the firat time paper. Thoro is nct a_muetcal pager in this country excapt Dwight's Journal which can bear A with the Decemier nuwbor of the Song Messenger, and in somo respects it iy supe- rior to Dwight. Among now works announced in tho English criodicals are, * The Trus Lifa of tie Lata Ieury Fothergill Chorley,” by his brother ; and, * {10 Romance of tho English Stage,” by Percy Fitzgarald, M, A, Wateon's (N. Y.) Art Jowrnal contains the fol- lowing jnterosting announcement : ** After tha Inmented Geath cf that great composer, William Viucent Wallage, there was found = completed siotch of an opora to bo calted ¢ Estella, tho 1ibrotio hoving been furnished 3ir. Famie. - This fact oreated 2 great amount of interest, for the high cliarscter of his loter works reuderod val- uable every note that fell from his pen. The manuseript was moatly in skeleton, lLere and there filled oud, but with indi- cations of bia orchestra] trostmens _all throngh, After his death widow received offers from many musiciang, aiorg them Bulfe and Beoedict, but _fer somo reason sho declined them all, tasokfully. A few weeks ago, Low- over, Mre. Viocent ‘Wallaco placed tho valvabla taanuzcript in the hands of Mr. William K, Bass- ford, of thie city, and intrasted him wish the duiicult tesk of fivishing tbe work which ber husband bad commenced, but was not permitted to complete." THE TATE ‘'SHEZR" CAMPBELL. The New Yorx Sun putliehes the following in- terosting pariiculurs relsting to tho late **Sher” Cawpbetl, coveritg that period of Lis life which wzg davoied to winstrelsy s In 1847, the origin] Czmpbell Minstrols, consisting of Jurry Dryaut(s brother of Dan Bryumt), Harry cstayer, W, B, Donaldson, J. P. Carter, J.W. Rayuor, and D, Haymond, gave their fitst cnferfeinment iu Now Hiaven, Youuy Campbell was then working at his trade ceacarrlage-trimmer. At the top of every bend-Lill wzs the old Scotch logend, then the watch- werd of miustreley, The Campbells Aro Coming.” The company played in tho Temple,” st {hat time tho popular bisll in Now Haven. Of ccurso Campbell =ud his frionds went to tho enterizinment, and Camp- Dell, with Lfs musical talents, becito eluge-strick, Every night for » week the fonr friends attended, and ovory nigat the passon for a Ufe behind the scenes grew ou”Canipuell, He became so cnthustustic over the nuinstrels thot he proposed to seronade thein at their hotel, sad s programme was carried ot by the * New Haven Quartelie.” Jerrs Dreant, the feader of tho roupe, xecogaized Lo young mén's it apd d i to #lag ot Lis tenedli. Campbell mzded do- 2it, and aceepted the offef oF 1o delighted man- joix the Lroupe. At that tine Camploll was & ‘e company traveled throuch the New ord Campbell was & prime clud West, Jerry Dryant Laving quit tho troupe, which wa3 flien known as Murpiy, Wast & Peel’s Campbell's Minetrels.” Tu the lutter part of 1849 the compuny openod in the Bociety Library-Rtoom3, New-York, with Mr. Campbeil as the star. The troupe ncluded 6. C. Campuell, Dulce West, Matt Pecl, J. 1T Barnett, Louls Burnet, A. Henuam, 3. I8, Crozby, Charles Abbott, and A. 'H. Dirry, Affors succeseful soason in this city, the com- pany traveicd South, Murphy and West went away. Dan Dryant, T. B, Pendorgast, and H. B. Rumsey jeiued thei in 1852 Campboll’ remained with them til 1854, then e joined the troupe of the lute E. P. Curisty and wens to_California, In 185 he joined Alaguiry's San Francisco ilinstrels, Latein the year tho Backus Minstrcls were Zormed, and he safled with them for Australia, There ha supg with ate Mayes, 1o remained in Australfa two years, 1hen he re- turned toSan Frunclsco and played for thres years. 1n 1859 he wailed with Christy for this city, and openod &t No. 444 Broadway, Owingto soma difficully with Mr. Wood, of Wood's 3linsirele, No. 444 Browdway ‘ez cioscd. ‘Then Hooley & Catipbell’s Minstcels were crzunized. They performed in Niblo's old saloon_for some tn:o, Then a trip South and West was tuken, ) sud, in 1663, Campteil joined Dan Bryant's Minstrels, THE STRAKOSCH OPEDA SEASON. The Nev York Herald furnishes tho following summary of the recent Strakosch operz eason: 1ast wintor, with an orchestra of forty-fiva pieces, and will nlgo bring out tho_overture nd several ¥ocal puwbers {rom his Ivric opera of **Antonino and Lucy” with @ select chorus and orchestra, the ehorases znd concerted numbers being under tho direction of Mr. Balatks. Tho following sivgers will take part in the solos and concerted ioces: Sopramog, Mrs. J. C. Joneg, Ars. O. . Tox, ond Mies Jessica Haskell; contralto, Miss Koellner ; tonor, Mr. Edward Schultzo; baritone, Mr. Jomes Gill; basvo, Mr. Frank Dowon. The detailed programme will be as fol- lows: PART I, 1. “Homage to New Chicsgo.” Full orchestra. 2. Symphony No. 1, op. 16. (a. Aliegro mastoso. b, Adagio. Fullorchestra. PADT IL . [Seloctions from “ Antonino and Lucy." 1, Overture... v Orchestra, 2, Serenade for male voices, Safling the Sea Double Quartette. 8. Tenor Solo, * Xow Siuks Pale Tiwilight ", ir, E Prs & Allegro vieace Schuitze. s 4. Farewell chorus and first-act firale.. Miao Haskelly Msa Koellner, Measrs. S Lotzen. 0. 5. Duet from second act. Alra. Jones u 6. Trio from second act, “ A Warning Voice . Mrs. Jones, Mesirs, Schultzs and Gill. 7, Peasant's chorus. . 3 8. Rocitative and ai Jl(:‘.’hwu Haskell. 9. Slumber song. Soosne Alias Roeliner. 10. Trio, with chorus aud orclesira.. oeene In addition to the fact that this concert will be apovelty in the production of the first Chicago opera, it presents unusual claims from the fact that it will be given for the benofit of ong of the most deserving charitiea in the city, For these w0 reasons thore witl undoubtedly be & crowd- ed honse npon this intereating occasion. USICAL GOSSIP. The English Glés Club will produce Mr. Gold- beek’s fn8 voéal quiriteste on Deo; 81, a8 the Mu- sio Hall, in Boston. The leader of the Club, | Umea. Donizetu—Lucia,” twlce; On Mondsy, Bapt. 28, Mz, Max Strakoich commenced » season of Tiallaq ofers of irty nigata wnd fon Tmatinees, at the Academy of Mucle. His company consisted ot aix prime donze, 3file. Albani, Mile, Hel- bron, Milo, Mareu, Madima Fotentini, 3lile. Danadio, 2nd Aliss Annle Loulse Cary; threa tenors, Mesrs. Carpi, Debnssini, and_Denfratelli; two Laritoues, esars, Del Paent and Taglispietra, and two bassea, fesara. Florini und Scoiara, with tlie nsual number of slagers for amall roles, s large chorus, and an orchestra under the direction of iessrs. Muzio and Dolrens, The semson wes pot s succosstal one Snaucially, owing to several reasous. The princi-. pal once which may be adduced wore the constant Tepresentations of old, warn-out operas, which at the Tresent day are only sitraciive with star casts, ihe reaction of public feellug after the exciting season of Just spring, When the grandost operatic attractions wero givon night after uight, and the undug promi- renco given to Verdl's © Hequiem Mas,” a work which suouid never have been given duriog a_regu- iar opera scason, ‘Thern were twenty-sevei subscrip- tlon per{ormances and eight matinees during the sea- son waich has just closed, and tho wors Lrought out may be distributed a follows : Verdi—* Travia- 7 Iwlos; “Trovatore,” threo times ; “Alda,” ve tivnes ; © Ernani,” three timea ; * Jugdletto,” twice ; and “'The Requiem Mass,” once. Total for Verds, six! feen porformances. Marchotti—tRuy Blas,” “four * Duughter of the Regiment,” twice. ‘homas—3ignou,” {hres times, Gounod—4 Faust,” twice. Bellinl— Sonnam- bula,” twice, Wagner— Lobengrin,” twice. Rossinl —“harber of Herllle,” unce, Fiotow—'* Marths, onee, —_—— LOVE'S AFTER-MATH. It was late summer, and the grass agaln ‘Had grown knes-deep ; we stood, my wife and1, ‘Awbile in silence where the strcam rans by ; Sdly we lietesed to a plaintive strafn Sung by » fair maid to 3 happy swain;— ‘Air, me! dead days remembered mads us sigh And Lrought the tesr.drop to my wife's bine eys, 411 spring bo past,” I ssid, “shall love remain?” She moved asido—yet soon sho snswered me ; And ber gaza turned responsive to mine WD § “Spring-dazs are gone, and yet the grase we ses TUnto s goodly crop again hatls grown Dear love, just so loves after-math msy be A ichier growtl thati o'ar sring-days BAYS Rnowa.” —~Tiénaley's Nagazine, RICHARD GRANT WHITE. What He Knows About Music. ——— ln]uslice of Certain Criticlsms upon Him, Statement of a Lady Who Has Known Him All Her Life. VEnzox, N. J., Dec. 1, 1874 o the Editor of Ths Chicago Tribune: Sim: I recently visited Richard Grant White, and bappened to bo at his house when he was cleaning out drawers of pamphlets and newapa- pers which had been gent to him, and looking through little heaps of memoranda, as most lit- orary men muet do, I suppose, once in a while,— generally a long while, I prosume, judging by his hobits in that respect. Of these ho showed me, among other things, before they went into tho kindling beap, threo articles from Western newepapers,—Tae CRIcAGo TRIDUNE Was ono,— which firss vexed mo, and then made me laugh. They were about his recens articles on Wagner aud Liszt; dnd the reason of my annoyanca and amusement was, that the writers, not satisfied with opposing his views, endeavored to injare nun by asserting that he bad not qualified him- self to cxpress an opinion upen tho subject about which bié wrots, bat was like tho shoemaker that wont boyond his lest; that he might expect peo- ple to listen to him when he spoke of Shakspeare or the Enplish langusgs, but that ho bad no clzim to consideration when he writes about musie, becatse of his ignorance of that subjsct. This, a8 one writer Las already said, amounta to a chargo of literary dishonesty, and, on that ac- count, I write this letter. I em not a mueician in the sense in which Mr. Grant White is, but I know enough to see that thosa articles themselves show A TUOROUGH ACQUAINTANGE WITI MTSIC. As to lis views of Wagner and Liszt, I do not feel competent to express an opinion ; they may be right or they may be wrong; he will probably be found able to defend them, if ho should think it worth while to do so. But tho resson given, and often ropeated, in these articles, for dony- ing bis right 1o apeak on the subject, I know to Va wllerly false ; and, aa tho assertion has been copied, and is of such an injurious nature, I wish to deny it, sud show those who make it how wrong and how ignorant they are themselves. I am able to do this because I bave known Mr. Grant White all my lifo: having lived, for much the grenter part of it and of hisown, in the same house witi him. AIr. Grant White's love of music showed itself in Lis carliest years, and hig study of it began oot only Lefore hus college years, but before he went to boarding-school. In hisboyhood he had & mezzo-soprano voice, aud aftarward a bari- tone, of tho beauty of which there are many wit- nesses. Alusic soon becamo v AN ADSORDING PASSION with him, and he gave to it almost all the time beconld take from his studics, Hosang; he becamo » member of & quartette choir, of & madrigal club, of a privato society for mass- singing ; he studied vocalization with the best masters, ‘Taking up instrumental musi¢, acd gining himself io it with the same ardor, be soon becamo & member of two instrumental clubs, with which hoe performed regularly for reare. Nct coniént with tliis, he even got op- portunities of mf!sying in orohestras. This was in his bovhood, or at least beforo ho was 21. Such was his Iove of this music that he used ic gn from DBrookivn to New York, and’ carry his violoncello 2 miles and back, to the meotngs of ono club. He heard all the music that wes to be beard —that is, all the good musle, for he would nover listen with patieuce to what was poor and frivolous; it was only in_the works of the great composers that he seemed to take real pleasure. But ho did not eeck to acquire great oxcellenco a8 & performer ; he nover became an amaceur ** virtuoso ”; and he dishked all display, and mera society mausic. What seemed to fas- clnate him was THE IDEAL OF MUEIC. Ho studiod thorough-bass and fcomposition’; and I will hers mention one evidence of his earnestuess and thoroughness as well as his en- thusiasin : At thes time it was mot Eo easy to obtain classical music here a8 it is now; and, uot being eble {o buy scores of the great instrumental composers, he made ecores for him- solf of manyof Haydn's, Mozart's, and Bee- thovon’s quartettes, by writing them out from the separato parts, that ho might study them. Indeed, thoro seemed to be no labor too great for him to undertake in his dovotion to tho art that he go passionately loved. Dut he afterwards provided bimself amply from Europo in this re- spect ; and, when hig library was sold, a few years since, thers was such a collection of the complete instrumental scores of Beethoven, Mo- gart, Haydn, Waber, otc., etc., on the catalogue, as was never sgen bofora ot 2 book-sale-in this country. Thcse be used to read and linger over as he would a good novel. Indeed, he was what the Italians eall fanatico per la musica ; it be- came ALMOST A DIESIPATION with him,—his ouly one,—50 much so that his family feared he would abandon his professional studies and become n musicien. He composed and arranged masic. Mondelssohn's ‘* Melusina ™ was first heard in this country in his _arrange- ment of it fot one of the clabs of shich he was 3 membor,—he baving imporied an early copy of the score. Ho arranged Decthoven's ** C 3linor” also. But all this work Le regarded merel{ a8 8 part of his studv, saying nothing about it, in his wilent reeorved way of working and doing every- thng. His tastoat this time may be gatbered from tho programme of a littlo concert arranged by Lim, and given in his father’s house uoder bis own direction, at which I was preseut, when Lo was only 19 or 20 years old. aud which has been prenorved in tho fomily. Horeitis: PANT I Qrerture—! Tt Nozze di Figaro Overture—* Der Fregrchutz Symphony—+ No. 5, O Minor ™. PART IL Overture— Oberon " Overlure—* Crlypeo Symphony—* No. 1,U™. licgrelto, cod preato, symp Another remark on this point : A gentieman well known 1n musical circles in New York, when thaso dowials of his knowledge of music appear- od, said, in high derision of them, * Wny, Grant ‘White TAUGHT JE TO UNDERST) when we were boys together.” These facts, which ocenrred thirty yeara ago, will showhow it was that I was both vexed and entertained by the assertion in oue of these arti- cles, that “*Mr. White knows Beothovon’s music merely from what he has heard foolish_people talk about 1t.” Whetlior his opinions of Beatho- ven ara right or wrong, is anothor question ; but, besides hearing Baethoven's music whenever it lias been publicly performed during the last twenty-five years, constantly attending the re- hearnals of the_Phillarmonic Society, and often with the score in his hsud, aud reading those works 2t homa for pleasure as other paople read books, he Lss probably playad some part of all or most of his symphonies a bundred times. In- deed, if he were a musical conductor, he could robably conduct Beethoven's symphonios, and. Kloznrt'a, without the score. He kuows them much botter than he does Shakspeare; forI have heard him ey that he could oot repeat ton consccutive lines of any oné of Shakspeare's plays ; aud I know that he can repeat & good part of the symphonies by heart. Besides all this, he was for twelve years ‘hony- THE ‘0 MINoR’ A MUSICAL CRITIC, and one the anthority of whoss opinions waa nuiversally sdmitted.” Tirst hie wrote only asan amateur, whilo he was etill a law-student; but his very earliest criticisms attracted so much at- tention, by their evidence of kuowledge, musical eensibility, and cultivated taste, that Henry J. TReymond, who was then the managing editor of the Courier and Enquirer (now extinct), and afterwards the founder of the New York Zimes, persuaded him to writo regularly for the former paper; but ho did #0 anonymously till bis in- cognito was discovered. It waa at this time that the Loydon Aienzum—doing what was very un- usual—referred £o his criticisms a3 promising, by their tone and taste, much for the future of music in America,—the special occasion being ono of Beethoven's symphooies, that one of these wise writers says he knows only by what he Lias heard- foolish peoplo talk nbout them. At this time, too (it was twenly vears ago), he published, in the American Reciew bis JUCH PRAISED ESSAY ON BEETHOVEY, which, I have heard, was the first on that sub. ject published in Americe. He was aa fond of the opera as hie was of classical music, and was constantly ut its repregentstions. He heard conatantly, snd conatantly wrots ) all the grent musicsl axtista, vocal ax well aa insbese meatal, that visited this country, and somatimes critcised them very sharply,—Thalborg, Ferz, Ms_vflr,' Hoffman, Ole Bull, Vieaxtmrs, Bettesini, Knoop, De Bignis, Frezzolini, Bosic, Salvi, Sontag, Gris, Maro (in hia prims), Jenny Lind, Alboni, and others too numerous to mention. And, besides, he know them all, or most of them, personally, and they played and gang to himin private. ~Ho first reco; tia talent of Bosio, a8 also that of Dottesind, tta Emnt contra-basso player, both of whom camo 10 without any rurntskion, 2ad to both of whom ho immediately assigned an eminence which was afterwarda confirmed by tho critical judgmsnt of Europe. He waa leo the firct to recognizo 3rs. Moulton's Shen Miss Greenough) distin- guished vocal talont. He had known her from her childhood, and long befors eho had ever thought of appearing in public she bad sung for him by the hour, day after day, listening with appreciation and proft to his criticisias. This eminence 8s o musical critic waa recog- nized 80 much as amatter of ooursa that sn Italian sculptor who camo to New York snd mada caricaturo statucttes of distinguished peogle, selected bim as the musical eritic of the city, and made s statuette of him Which you will find re- ferred to in * Jk Marvel's Lorgnotte.” It is mentioned apropos of a report that Mr. Grant White umeell was tho author of that work; but Alr. Alitchell (“Ik Marvel ) sot it aside on the ground that Mr. W. was “ too. much taken up with his fiddle and the composcrs " to bave tima for the more serious work of writing the ‘ Lor- guette.” And, in a whimsical and eatirical book, “New York in Slices,” that was publishe twanty-five years ago, which T have by msé, thers is & passage abont Lim which is AMUBISG ENOCGH TO BE GOPIED. In a description of Dalmonico’s, a group of men is gortmyed. of which he was one, although 21} of them were much older than himself,—Park Godwin, Willis, aud Charles Fenuo Hoffmen. At the next table, in xn aftituilo of listless self-com- placency, sits s fall, striking-looking man, with a ruddy beard and mustache, setting_off, o voluptuous and decidedly-handsome mouth. e “has avidently Just finishied his brekfast ; for thers stands the gigan- te choevlate cup, deep enokiyh for him, long as he is, to drown bimeelf in it, and before Lim lio the delicats remins of the @i/s en mirofr with whichs he hs beoa triling. Alhaugh still under 55, he is evidently & throughbred man of the world,—an epicuse, an ama~ teur, a diletiante, a gallant, a eritic, aimost 3 coxcomb, You'wonld think'at nrst that be Had travelad. Sohs has—but it {5 only between bookcovers, There arafew operas thut ho does mot know—{rom the score; fow picturcs, statues, or churches, that be is not familiar wilh—by description. Dut e hss in reality never been out of New York, He is prejudice, vauity, ob- stinacy, aud all—a very remarkable young man, and ‘wields £0 intellectual battlo-ax between hia thumb and fore-finger that will cleavo its way in time througlt any Frout de Dsuf castle of stupddity that he may chanco to fall in with, Tbat is Ricbard Grant White, tha ‘musical eritic of a morning paper. The predictions of this anonymous aatirist seem to have been PEETTY WELL FULFILLED ; . but there seem to bo 2lso some castles of stupid- ity vet to be beaten down. And all because. his timeand attention being ziven to more serious labors, he ceazea absolntely, aboat fifteen yoars 230, towrite musical criticisms, But the musical articies that hehad already written—not the mera natices, but the careful, thoughtful criticisms— between 1845 and 1658, would make, I should think, two or three big octavo volumes. I know this, because I myself have cut them ount and Dreserved them ; something that he was too busy, or too indiffercnt to their fato, to do. And now ho who perkaps has done more than any othe msn in the country ror the canse of the Lisher mausic, and to make such performances as thoss of Theodore Thomas acceptable and appreciated gmcn Mr. Thomas Iimself handsomely sc- owlodged at the beginnioz of his career),—he, of all men, is arraignad Uockiae, belig ** lgnniml ©f music,” he ventures to writo about it! This remiuds me of - AN ANUSIXG CIRCUMSTANCE, with a meation of which I will close this tod long lottor. Whea Mr. Graut White's Shakspesro artioles first appeared in Putuamis Magazine, twenty vears ago, affer il was discotered who urote them, thers was ao outbreak of surprise &od indignation at the writer's presumption, These wise, zood-natured peop® sald : **\What does this musical critic Iimow atout Biakspears ? Let him mind lus own businesa.” Dut * Bhak- speare’s Scholar,” the ** Essay on Heors VL. the ** Lifo and Gepius,” and, above all, the e tion of Shakspeare, soon sctiled that guestion. And, now that Lo takes up his musical pen agnin, thers is the counfer-cry: * What does this Shakspeare scholar and philologist know about music ? Let him miad his own busidess.” But James Russell Lowell was & littls wiser than theso wise poople. In hia artiole upon the Shakspeare, ho mentioned Mr. White's eminence 83 a musicel critic &8 among the qualificaticns that fitted him for the groat task that has won him 1o small part of his reputation. One word more, after the fashion—aa it 18 said—of my sex. In one of the articles that have provoked me to this communication, it is confessed that **Mr. Richard Grant Whitois & brilliant writer, whose wit and laogusge com- mand admiration,” and that ‘“he Las the ear of the publio.” At thia day, verhaps, that +- goes without eaying ; " but thore is ono othor thing about Mr. Grant White which 7 “ael sure ihathe, and I knorw his nearest friecas, value more than any reputation for brilligncy or etyle or wit; and that ie, that he is A CONSCIENTIOUS WRITER ; and that, although, Iike othérs, he may err in bis_juagment. lie nover undertakes to write critically on any subject that he has not patient- ly studied and investigated. He is never, to use a phrase ho himself is fond of, false to_his in- tellectual convictions, and cacnot be induced to support what he does not approve, or to praise a friend or censure an enemy, except ac- cording to his honeat judgment. "But of per- gonal censure, even of bis enomies, hie has always been very chary. Because hs has not the look and menners of s pedagogue, but of n man of the world and of society (which {sn't his fault,~he can’t help it). thoas who don’t know him may bo led toregard him as = suverficial trifler; but what he really s is a laborious etudent, s hard-working man of let ters, baving always some subject before him, to which bo devotes himself almost day and night, but which even his few friends hardly bhear him montion until ho begins to write aboat t,—find- ing time, besides, for the leading articlos, criti: cisms, and magazine articles which bring him &0 large o part of his income. I HAVE MERELY STATED FACTS, 28 you wall se,—facts known, most of them, to hundreds and thousands bérc, and some. of which may bo found in enclydopedias, and bio- raphical dictionaries, and * Men of the Time;" Bt thoss who know them will ey nothing, whilo the ignorant and the envious slander him undisputed. I will “only say that those who are writing those ill-hatured untruths about him would do well to remember the istue of the Shakspears discnssion, snd the fate of the unbappy ** pundit,” the malignancy and pedsntry of whose porsonal attack upon the author of ‘* Words aud Their Uses ” bronght upon him so memorable a punishmont, first from the asssuited author himsolf, and aftor- wards from two or three of the highest author- ities in Evgland,—tho Saturday Review and the Edinburg Review. What I have written may be quito superfluous ; for Mr. Orant White’s own writings sre his best vindication. But those who misrepresent him, in iguorance or other- wise, cannot expect alwaya to havo their own way undisputed ; and I thought that some au thontic partionlars might be scceptable to your resders 1n Tegard to s man whose writings il 8 seems to be the fashion to talk about. A. AT LAST. The faicest Howers fads, + Loveliest forms decay ; Thickening, rayles o Involves tho brightest day. There falletls s Geath-hush Ou awcetest tong of bird, And most melodious gush Of human voico e'er heard, And so the soul-sad sigh, Or shrill alarm of sllfl. On b’ burdened air doth'dle, ‘Though sadder ailence reign. Bleat childhood's sinless gles 0 bt prelude, brief, 0 its, on surging ses, hldst ahonl, and rock, and rest, Ehall there e'er Somts calme ulm, ‘Exultant evermore? Beyond Time's mighty span, Above Earth's circling blue, ifolds ths perfect plaz ‘That, dar] numerous citizons on Gay street to the well-defined appearanco of s Lztin Gross reaching over the face of tho full moon. Tha weether was bazy, and the sppearance of the cross wag somowhat like nebule, distinct, but nos ssbright sa the moon. The upright or por- pendicular line of the cross was apparently two blocks in length, while the horizontal was scaroe Lalf the length. The phenomena contin- ued full fifteen minntes, and inepired feelinga very akin to awe in the minds of all who behsld it. A gentleman rasldinfi 10 miles below the - ity informed us thatle hed noticed the same figafr&u on thie setting edn last evening, the cross beiug very plain, though the lower Kgmnn of the nprnhc ine was seamingly bendath the harizan g o T TR