Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, January 10, 1875, Page 7

THE CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE: SUNDAY. JANUARY 10, 1875.—SIXTEEN PAGES. 7 PO e = WL L P ey AMUSEMENTS. How the Approaching Star An- nounces His Advent, A Pan for the Utilization of Drop- Scenes, i Ben De Bar as Falstafi-—His Past Career. ]fis Claral Harx.'is at the Academy of Music. 2 Trish Ploy Thirty Years Ago, WORKING UP A STAR- FIS COURSE ACROSS THE CONTINENT. The happiest eritic is the recipient from day to day of nowepapers and leiters from persons he pas pever met,and probably mever will. He does not mind them. They are not sent in gaile. mflamfimnmabmhomzhflor,mdr_wg- ally have no personal malice lurking in their folds. They are therefore innocent, and though sometimes they find their way into the wasle- basket without & murmur, at others they are Jaid aside for future reference. They come frofu act- ofs or actors’ agents. Thoe newspaper pOssess- s mo especial interest for the recipient. He Iooks atitsdate, and Ands it—say Halifax, and ten dsys oid. He knows nobody at Halifax, but-on glancing over the paper, 25 ho usually does uter 5 while, his eye. falls upoa a parked article, justas he antjcipated. It ia ssualls laudatory. It describes Scroggins as the knest comedian ever permitted by & land provi- lence io exhibit his illimitable powars before aa- Ziences at Halifax, and that highly talented in- . gividual is aoxious that the grest West shonld pe introdnced to him throngh the medium of ez Tamuse, and expects that this notice will be cut out and kept: st least that it will bave su inflaenco upon the Tecipient's opinion when Scroggins arrives. Meanwhile Scroggins reaches Boston, and Bos- tonpapers are duly sent West. The notices from smaller towns como in also, and the world Tbecomes keenly conscioms that this great mwan is coming. By the time be is within arm's longth, . sy at Pistsburg, & smsil pnotograph of the gentle- man, taken in his most excruciating pext, with his ear curling with absolate humor, aod ane eye wido open, and tho other tighily closed,” comesto sustain the proper amount of interest in the coming comedian. Like a comat, the nearer he comes the bigger his following, and by the time he hze reached Cincinpati » cabinet photograph is the very least. Before one has fuily recavered from this shock, either Seroggins or his agent has arrived and calls. As a ususl thing the agentis a very agreesbls person, careful mot to intrude, but auxions, nevertheless, to secure Wwhat amount of preliminery notice he can. He makes him- self at home, *familiar bub by no moans volgar,” sod sssures the jonrnalist that + bis principal will be found not a rarely-gifted artist only, but » geatleman of 50 many personal good qualifies as to be jointly imesistible, hav- ing said which he *‘will not trespass upon tinie 80 valnable, but hope to havethe pioasure of see- ing s mere line Gf announcement, if nothing more.” Sometimes one of these notices containsa damning enticism of an actor, and then it is as- sumed that it comes %om some particular friend of tho actor named, one of thoise wise people who always come and tell you anything unpleas- wt Smith or Jomes may have £aid about you. fometimos, but not often, the marked paragraph wil coptsin s landatory nokice of some agist who |las to this city, md roceived very unfavorable notices. It 18 nat usaal that large cities tolerate what Chicago taste rejects; but St, Lows does sometimes, and then, with & St. Lounis newsp: the 1ejected becoty can face the world. It s usux!iv the country paper, however, with a limited exchange list, which stands botween the star and uiter re- Jection, and as the country critic is even mare finent in the ues of adjectives tham his city brother, and feels it bis duty to praise whatever eomes, the effect upon the recipivnt is crushing. Many of the papers are from managers whoso Resdquarters aro mads in Chicago, and who send 8 line bome in tkis way o keep their friends posted a8 to where they are und what they we doing. Such little favoss are always apprecisted, and, when practicable, are acknowl- sdged. Itisnot often that the atar, after pass- ing ehmnfh the city, feels it incumabent on him fo sand a line or 3 paper to let the world know bow he was doing.* Bat we are il human and busy cowadaya. S AN IRISH PLAY. A PICTUBE OF OTHED DAYE, Wntten for The Trivune. . Bome thirty years sgo (dear me, how time #oes fly, to be sure!) it was my good fortune to - wpend & f2w weeks with a military {riend of mine thengasrtered at the Porto Bello Barracksin Dab- lin, The most Lively recollections of my visit nre still retained, for indeed Dublin, ancient as itis (the Eblana of Ptolemy), is & beautiful city, and its swrroundings are not less worthy of ad- miration. The bay is simply magnificent, and, #ith its never-failing flcet of sailing-vezsels and deune:.u 3 23 . * Onplereure or on profit bouns, and the rieing ground of Clontarf to the north- wast for its frame, presenty a picture on which the ere may well love to lingar. i Inland excursions were frequent, and wel re- warded were they by the attractive picturesque- ness of the scenery. Tho lakes, the Elarney- - stone, and thosn incomprehensible round-tow- s, whose history and purpoee are slike & mys- lary, citimed and. freely received all due consid- srationand regard, while the Meeting of the Wa- l!g in the Vale of Avoca fairly stirred up the :‘Alnu afiatus, and made unwonted poete of us In tho piping imes of peace, garrison duties s seldom severe, and amusements with- oot end 2re permitted. and even pre- Scibed, both for the oficers and the pri- Wates. Libraries, tennis-courts, cricket-grounds, ‘#ad what not, are provided for the men, while: the officers may extend their recreations es far beyond these as their private incomes may jus- £ty them in doing, aiways provided the rules of Abe pervice aro properly kept in view. Thus, ding o hoands, steaple and hurdle races, sod Sther cognate excitements, are far from infre- During the term of my visit, however, the cul- ivhtion'of the histrionic art led the van. < =5 “Tbe pliy—the play's the thing.” a Tery commodions littls theatre was impro- Yised, 2 corps dramatique soon enlisted, and the %280 was opeped under the most favorahle spices. The orchestrs was supplied by some 9ue or other of the regimentsl bands, and, con- Bquently, it was always excellent. The scenery %28 admirably deliveated, and very masterly lfluu".’ero ready at any time to be prodoced; artiats being in all cases amsateurs, since no Prefessional aid of any sort was ever called in. nflufiut performance heppened to be the play ::‘z 'Jchn Boil,” in which, or rather after which, .incident occarred which was. sudliciently n‘h&tnusw Justify its being noticed en passant. Py P&t,of LDennis Bulgru€dery was assigued to m]& O'UOnnar, of the —ih Light Infantry. %, O'Connor had =l the qualifications for ly cxecpt the trifling ones of a verbal mem- hlnd some sort of discreidon in stage situa- e What sbsurd mterpolations he made, and ¥ entirely hs wonld sumetimes confound the Fomgter, 28 well 28 his fellow-players, to ay of i of his apparent tota! unconsciousness oty eir whereabouts on the wtage, 1t boots 18 - BOw to tall. The roars of ianghter which *ned his blunders of text, or ready, though Teollwars appropriste, sulstitutos therefor, accopted by bim 25 50 muwsh applanse, hon~ “,.Ffll'ned. and he never fallad to acknowledge #houts of m::nm_ ent ':&m;i by the tnné:t can imagived. He was, besi b mfld‘y‘y :;a speaking that : he had b:zfl Selecta, stage-manager o announco the Baxt pisco and the evening of 148 perfcrmance. Accordingly, baving blunderr:d most satisfactori- 1y througn bis part, he got, by some uotoward accident, rather too ner the front of the stage when the curtain was falling at the close of tho play, and never thought abou:t retiring until he was entirely shut out. Uncontrolled laughter {from the audienca inform +d 1im of his sitastion. 1015 costume was thorougl ly ea regle. Hg, had 21 old caunbeen, with a well-coloma elay pipo sticking through the rim, on his head, a gray frieze coat {astened round. tho waist by a wisp of straw, corduroy breechee, and 3 shillelah ‘in his land. His face was sdorned with 2s good a black eye 88 ever found favor in Donnybrook Fair. At first he looked dazed aud bowildered. He walked in a dreamy way ? aud dowa behind the footlights, then looked daggrers qf -despair at the cartain winch had so sucidenly excluded him. At last he removed his caubeen, scratched s hiead as if for an idea, started into conscions- ness, and, bowiog to the audiemce, said: *La- dies and Gentlemen : This isa bit of & bull, but if yov'e all well plaized wid dhim thst plays * John Zull,' why thin may the Devll floy away wid that curtain.” Some misutes elapsed. before the laughter sbated and the annouucement could be mada. There were not wanting those who at- tribated the blunder to premeditation for the nake of effect; buz, a3 tho jolly, easy-going Cap- tain was never known to moditaie at all, the theory was not long-lived. ; ‘And now to the play which it 18 my purpose moro particulariy to describe. I may premise that the proceeds of these garrison perform- ances wero invariabiy givea to such charitablo institntions or objects as seemed at the time to hiave the pest clam to nssistance. It occuired 10 tho mansgement that, if an original play or two could be had on pyrchase, the firesido of some poor anthor might bs made by o much the happier. Public notice was duly given and an original play asked for. Ia about a weeka manuscript was received, accompanied by a let- ter which ran, as nearly =8 I cau remember, thus: GENTLEAMEN OF THE ArMY STAGE: You adyertised fora play. _As thery's nothing like the Classics and he ancient Romans, Isend you & play 1 composed my- self, and the davil 3 better one can anyoue clae_com- pose. And f it composes the audience, and composes Jou, wiio composeth zctors, why then I shall feel very well composed myself when 1 receive the bouaty of your premiun or reward (either. will do). Protty well on 1ite eompose anyhofy, Your obedicnt servant to cam- mand. I comefrom Berrs, butI am stopping with Iy wife's sister’s husband in the skittle-ground over Turnenst the Barracks, _Sure you krow Jem Forun, Yours obodiently, TIMOINY O'CALLAGHA, - Philomath, THere, there, was av original play written by a bedge sckoolmaster in the ancient Kingdom of Kerry. 14he rapidity with which this literazy effort was produced was doubtleas’its chief merit; bat courtesy to the anthor demanded a {air zeading, which was therefore appointed for after dinner at the regimental mess of the Torty-third the noxt cvening after its roceipt, where and when the Comnmittes would be present to decide1ts fate, As my friend was of this regiment, 1was presont at thoreadipg. The play_was_entitled The Roman Maidens or The Lacedmonian Lion.” The scone was faid in * Mileainm.” Act I. Enter Centurion of the Guard, who orders 10,000 (invisible) Roman warriors to enter-and stand at ease on the stago, while Caius Martius 18 _to.deliver an oration. But this order was immediately counter- mapded in most . magniloquent terms, for the reason timt there wasnotroom forthem. The soldiers are then tald from the wing by Caius Martius that he has no connexion with any other of the same name, but stands on his own responsibility entirely. That be has fallen in love with n Boman maiden of rare besuty, whom he hac just come from Lacedzmon to w700 and carry away. That some petty jealousy opposes his wishes, -and that ihe army are to procesd with him to Bome to overcome all oppo- ition. ‘The army apswer with one voico. and throo cheers that they are ready to obey hiscoma mands, and after a sharp volley of musketry they retiro, the music playing Garry Owen. Caius Mcrtius then soliloquizes for twenty min~ utes. and winds op with a forcible expression of his determination to ¢ get the coileen in apoite of tne divil.” To this part of the text was sp- pended an_cxplanatory note, the purport of which was that though we don’t hear much of the devil in those imes yet he was thero all the while. In the second sct the scene changes to Romo. A pathetic interview takes place between the TLacedemoman Lion and Formosa, the Roman maiden in the centre of tho Coliseum. Vows of interminable love are exchanged, and tho place and hour of flight fixed npon. Immediately after which s heavy firiog of ordnance isfo be heard, showing that the Bomans have begun to dispute the liberty which Afr. Martius is taking with their mizhts a3 Roman citizens. Martius feels it to bo his duty to' join his troops, but first takes leave of Formosain s style which the Philomath was sure would take the folds out of every pocket-handerchief in tho theatre. After much outside firing Caius AMartius rushes across the stage crying, **Ail is loat; but, by japers, I'll have Formosa for my wife anyway.” The third (and fortunately the last) act opens with s conrt-martial, before which Martius ‘stands condemned, but with great magnanimity announces his undying love for ' Formosa, and ihat sho sball yet be hus *‘ as sure a8 death and taxes.” Formosa is then led in by her father, Appius Andoninus, and the dread discovery is made that she is half sister to the Lacedmmo- pisn Lion, and that msrriage with him would therefore ba utterly impossible . according to the laws of the Charch! Formosais tolerably dig- nified at this startling .znnouncement, but her ‘honrt breaks before the Court bas yet dispersed, and she falls dead, to slow mausic, in her father's arms. The death of Formosa, for the sake of a foreigner, pgeravates the members of the Court, which sita again and condemns Aarlius to die, this time, outright. He is taken 1nto custody, but 8o greas is his prowess that he escapes from his guards aod flies . to tho Tar- peiso Hill, where, in & Bolilo%ny of soms ten minutes’ length, he deprecates the folly of tho daughter of Spurius, who, for the glitter of ithe Sabine biacelets, was ready to betray her country fo the enemy, and got ““what she desarved for if, I'm thinking.” The ds recruit apd redouble their numbers. He first makes an eloguent &p- perl to Cescr, and then, in the ngonies of de- spair. lesps from tho Tarpeian Rock. But he bas only just made the efiort to jump, when re- flection suddenly seizes his mind, and, in mid- air, he is to exciaim (a8 1n the veritable text of the pll.y). + T'under an' turf, where am I going to?” I fear T have done the worthy: Philomath's play much injastice for weat of a better mem- ory. I .can only say that nothinz conld bave produced moro heasty merriment than its read- ing, which, by the way, was very well done by the ofiicer to whom that duty had been intrusted. The anachronisms wers absurd enough of them- selves; but tho smezing obliquity of expraasion which characterized the language of the whole piece was completely irresistible. “A very polite’ nots was written to the autbor, in which he was thanked for lus manuscript (herewith returned) but fears were enteitained of their ebility, being only amateurs, to do justice to the piece. A subscription was, bowever, made on the spor, befors the laughter had vet ceascd, and I am jnclined to think the Philomath-came off much better in pocket than if the production bad bsen less Irish and more in keeping with the unities. SOMETHING NOVEL IN ART. THE USES OF THE DROP-CURTAIN. The subject of drop-curtsins, which the elab- ‘orateand amhitions work of art at the Adelphi has called up, is ona uper whichi much has been said, and which offers an opportunity for some inventive genius to show himself. As an ‘in- centive to the devalopment of some new idea in the way of drop-dhrtains, we shquld recommend an inventive render to make the tour of the gix theatres, and gazing earnesfly at the eternal man disembarking from an impossible canos upon an ultre-marine lake with a Grecian 3| tomple, Swisa cottage, cows, and distsnt monn- tains, determine then and there'to origioate something less hideousiy monotonous. - One genius of, alss, another age, made himself semi- historical by devising an improvement. With ona fell swoop of the paater’s bmsh, man, canoe, 1ske, Grecian temple,.cows, peasants, and Swiss cottage wera awopt from the drop-curtain. In their place—it was very volgar and utilitarian— was a row of gleaming brand-new advertise- ments. The genius had rented the curtain, and ‘let it oot by the sguare foot. By a nest distribution of color and form. anti-bilious pills snd misses’ hose ;- boots, shoes, and rub- bers, and square-brand oysters; second-hard watches, and grand pianos, were slongside ona another, in charming-variety. When the eyo wearied of reading. the preises af family mbl.%, it could rest upon offers of soft coal by way of contrast. When *‘artistic tailoring "ceased to'in- terset, the card of & lady’s saminary wounld eheer the mind of the most Llase : whep sacred music. with a catalogue of publicstions had been ex- hausted, & savings bank or praise of piciles would challenge atsention. It was a kaleidoucopic arrangement in very bad taste, but possessng 2 desl more interest than the eternal man and his everlasting cance - 2 It is not likely under the present ciroxm- stances that the art of theatrical advertising will be zevi—d. 1t is lost and may remsin lost, 80 lony ' and his .aat ageriasting, inane idiot 1 R\r:cmm' preposterons craft are got rid of, and is elear oxpansa of watar is dried up or painted over. Meanwhile a patient theatre-goer sug- gosts the substitution of something else for the present dto in. Ho thinks tho multiplica- tion table, if properly worked up into combina- tions and puzzles, would be wonderfully divert- ing; moral moums stolen from copy-books would possibly serve a purpose, or the latest tolograph mewa might. be Lurlod_ont. Tho locul play-wnght might .bo induced to give a skotch in chalk of his next piecs on tho black-board, or a-treatise on poker or seven-up with illustrations. . Auything of this kind would be better than an ivane atill-water scena withont character or purpose. Relicve the eye—bosh | The eye that can find ralief in such daubs should be parmanently closed with & brickbat. ' No wonder the men run awav from the drop in the theatre to take a drop outside, aad keep on stowing away tho latter. until the former.is concealed. also. Buch = simplo sub- stitute as that given above wouild eave the ex- pense of an orchestra, and save the pablic from much bad music. Toesch with his exceilent baod might stay ; but, ss for the others, they may be rolled up in the cortain and carried off. ——— BEN DE.BAR. * THE NEW ETAR AT M'VICKER'S, There is -probably. no actor in ‘the conntry whose name is as widely kunown as that of Ben DeBar, who in his joiut capacity of manager and actor has probably succeeded in making hisname familiar to every play-goer in the United States. Ha owns-several theatres, one in Bt. Louis, whero he ‘makes his home, and others in Mem- phis and New Orleans. He has for mnuy years held a leading. position among the solid and progressive . mansgers of the day, being to St. Louis’ what Mr. McVicker is to Chicago,—a veteran manager, and & rarely good actor. He is G0 years old, and made his first appearance on any stage in this country at the old 8t. Charles Thestre, New Orleans, in 1835. e had served some years, however, bafore that, having played utility at the Treatre Royal, Margate, Eng., for six years before. In 1832 he was manager of the Bowery, under Hamblin. He commenced starring in the North- ern and Northwestern States in 1850, and & pret- 1y Tough time he must have bad of it in those days. _His low-comedy parts were soon famous thronghout the country, and when he settled downin St. Louis, twonty yéars ago, he bad al- ready established a reputation as a comedian of no mean parts. Ho has not starred much of Iate years. His theatrical management vontares have kept him protty busy, and, as they have been successful, his timo Las beon fairly ocen- pied. Some three or four years ago ho tooka stride -upward. Thore was no - Falstaff upon the stage, and he aspired to that posi- tion, and announced lus intention of play- ing the part. His friends were hopoful, and the event was one of no small importance in that quiet old city by the river. St. Louis pro~ nonnced his Falstaff a success, and ha was ou~ couraged to star init. Ho did so, })h,ying in the South with the utmost success. It is not.our castom to reproducs notices from other news- papers, but those of Mr. DeBar's Falstaf in “Heary IV.” and * The Merry Wives of Wind- s0r” are UDaninOuS in their praise. g Sk ——— e THE DRAMA. BUSINESS AT THE THEATRES during the past week was ouly fait. As a matter of fact tho week was dull, end, but for the pres- ence in the city of the most interesting of mod- ern actresses, Miss Clara Marris, there would hsve been no excuse for its being otherwise. “There's nothing going - on st tho theatres that Icaretosee.” That was the remsrk made by everybody, and it was notunnatural. Even the selections in the repertoire of Clara Morris wers notof an interesting description. Whatever at- traction Iay in them was the fame and excellence of the Iady herself. * Alixe,” ** Csmille,” ** Lost in London,"” the comedies at McVicker's, and the roaring farce at the Muséam, wers only of very second-rate force. It is not enrprising, there- {fore, that audiences gencrally were small. THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC. The time has come for parting with Clara Morris, and all lovers of ' dramatic art will be sincerely sorry for it. Her performsnces daring the past two weeks have given more real pleas- ure to thonsands than any artist bas boon able to confer for a very loug time, Wo have scen her in a series of strongly emotional ‘characters, Cora, Camille, and Atize; a8 Julia, 20d tinally a8 Lady Macbeth. The first three are compamon pictures, tho. most startling of which 18 un- dunbte:fiy Camille, of which wo have_ siready spoken at length. Friday night a good andience braved the serrible storm to ses her play Lady Macbeth. Iv is sad to narrate that Miss Morriy waa enduring such intense flhysicfl ain during the performance that she conl not by any meaus give auy oxpresssion to her idea of the character. Her aoguish was perceptible by evervbody in the audience, and to those who sat near enough to study her faoe ite intensity wag shocking. In spite of the urgent protestations of Mr. Harriott and Dr. Ludlsm, Miss Morris ivsisied upon appeariag, 2nd, through freely inhaling_restoratives, mao- aged to get throngh. Ly aneffort of heroic deter- mination she threw hersclf into the sleep-wal ingscene with some of herusualfervor, and indi- cated what she could do under mora favorablo To attempt criticism, therefore, would bo ridiegJous. Chicago will Tiave no op- portunity of judging for itself the mow Ledy ‘Macbeth. 'This is & grievous disappointment, for ‘which our luke and clunate aro responsible. Per- Dbaps if arrangements can possibly be made with Mr. Gardiner, or some ‘other manager, later in tho season when the weathor is milder aud less trying to delicate constitutions, Miss Morris will recurn.’ She will aiways be welcome to Chicago. The history of her own life is sufli- cient to commend her to our citizens, and her brilhant acting and stalwart defiance of sickness and pain are evidences of genius, courage, and devotion. It is no secref that during her whole ongagement sho has been more or loss an invalid, though robody would have guessed as much from her acting. It is plain that Domm Piatt has by no means overstated the case when he de- clared that the fire of Ler genius is consuming ber, and that, without ‘great care and long ro- pose, the stage will bo prematurely robbed of one of the most brillisut, artists 1t ever pro- doced. - - ) . The present week Miss Charlotta Thompson, an artist of considerable reputaticn and no small degree of personal attractiveness, will play at the Academy of Mausic. in “Jane Eyre.” 1t is ‘several years since Miss Thompson was in Chi- cago, and her stay at that time was brief. Sinco then she has studied the' part of Jane Eyre, and hss made no small stir in the world with it. Her personation of the character st the Uniou- Squars Theatre wos unanimounsiy praised by the cntics; 2nd that it was popular with the public may be.inferred from the fact that it ram 200 nights. It will be played during the present week every night and at.the two matinees. e M'VICKER'S THEATRE. For the first time in many years we are to have a revival of the Shakspearean historical drama, the distinguished comedian and sagacious mana- Rer, Bon Do Bar, of 8t. Louis and New Orleans, pemng the star. It is at least seven yoars since « Henry IV.” was played in Cbicago, and nearly a score of years sinco Ben De Bar played any- thing. Howill play Falstaff both in “ Henry IV.” and ** The Merry Wives of Windsor " this “week, his stay in.Chicago being limited to that time. 'The first will be given Monday, Tuesday, Wedneadsy, end Saturday nights, and the other the remaining nights of the weck. The cast of “ Henry IV.” will bo as follows : - §'J°l‘1’>' Fl'l.lt‘lif......fl‘.l.x i ercy, surpamed Hof Bg Monmonth, Prics of Wales King Henry IV........ Prince John of Lincaster.... Thomas Percy, Ear of Worcestor, Henry Percy, £arl of Northumbe: of Westmo) d. circumstance: Ben Do Bar HOOLEY'S, THEATRE. | “Lost in London,” which was played at Hooley's Theatra last week, bas made a good ;impression, and’ drawn better then avy. piece this season, except perbaps ‘‘Led Astray,” on ita first production. It will, therefore, be kept on the present week. i8 growing in popularity, and bas done an_excel- lent bnsiness during the past week with the French three-act farce, *The Double Wedding.” Mr, Blaisdell has strengthened what was siready & very fair company by the addition to it of two favorites, Mr. Harry S. Murdoch and Mies Fanny Marsh. Neither of these two artists need any introdaction to the pablic, and play-goars will readily understand that a company contain- ing Jobn Dillon, Harry Murdoeh, Russell Soggs, Miss Marsh, Mrs. Myers, and the other mambers of tho Musoum corps, will bs beaton only by an effort. Tho present week a local sensational drama, ‘Three Yearsin a Man-Trap,” will be given with & strong cast. AMATEUR READINGS. A very pleasant entertaioment will b givén at Englewood Tuesday evening, consisting of read- ings by Miss Jessie Couthoui and musical selec- tions by Miss Hattio Starr, of this city, Mrs. Fisher, of Englewood, and Xessrs, Smith and Dodge, of Chicago. The young lady, who has scarcely entered her teens, gives promise of be- comiog an elocutionist of nomean order. The occasion promises to be one of considersble in- torest, as the young lady's many friends will be prosent in force. SPAR LECTURE COURSE. The event of the week in connection with literary &ffairs is the lecture to be given Tuesday night at McCormick Hall by Schayler Colfax. Many things conapire to mzake this o memorable event. Pirst, it is the debut of the ex-Vice- Preeident in Chicago as a lecturer, his few pre- vious engagements 1n the provinces being only & kind of rehearssl. Next, it is not every day that an ox-Vice-President of the Uxnited States can bo seen upon the lyceum platform. Yeb again is it & rare thing to have bronght mnto conjanction such a lecturer with such a snbject. For, fron the confidential relations that existed betwesn Mr. Colfax and Mr. Lincoln, as well as from the intimate personal knowledge of the lac- torer regarding all the inoer impulses and mo- tives of the Government during the most tryinz period of our country's history, thore attaches to this lecture of Mr. Colfax on *‘Lincoln and is Times " an importance that reaches beyond s mere lite entertainment, and becomes of political and historical significance. From the large salo of ticketa already, the wide-spread in- tercst manifested in the event is apparent; but, 08 the lecture will be given in McCormick Hall, most of. thosa who desire to attend will be nble to securc desirable seats. —_—— DRAMATIC MISCELLANY, DPUCICAULT AS AN ORIGINATOR. The following paragraph appeared in & late issue of the Spirit of the Times: « A Constant Reader,” who seems to hava had plenty of lelsure, sends us the following sources of some of Bouclcault’s plays. The list includes many of his latost * originals™s “Ungluu Bawn,” dramatized from “The Colle- ke ;on Crsar de Bazan,” sdapted from D'Ennery’s play of tho same name. “Willow Copse,” sdapted from “Closerie des Ge- nets (Seribe), 4 Shaughraum,” Hotch-Potch. + Eerry," plagiarizod from_“ Sunshine Through tho Clonds "und *La Jois Fait Peur.” # Belphegor,”adapted from “ L ‘Escamoteur,” “Rappores,” adpled from “La Madonne des osc. “Diddy. O'Dowd,” plaglarized from the “Porter's Enot " and * Les Croche(s du Pere Martin.” “Bello Lamar,” plaglarized from “ Edendale.” “London Assurunce,” purchased from John Brougham. T **Rip Van Winkle,” plagiarized from Charles Burke's play of thie szme nama, “Corsican Brothers,” adapted from Dumas® * Les Freres Corses.” + After Dark,”adspled from Les Oisesux. . . 4 Junet Pride,” adspted from ** Mzrie Jeanne, ouls Femmo dn Peuple.” 4 Uned Up,” adspted from * L/Homme Diase.” pocFoul Pliy? adspled from 1 Porie-Femlls uge.” + Louls XI.,” ndapted from **Louis XI” (par Dela- vigne). ¢ o Sifeets of New York,” adapted from Les Biuvres e Paris.” e “3an of Homor,” adapted from “Le Fiiy Nat- ure] 4 “Led Astray," adapted from * La Tontation.= “Pauverotte,” adapted from ' Lea Bermeres des Alps.’ ‘;{Andy Blake,” adapted from “Le Gamin de 4 [ s;!bnk Night's Work,” adapted from “ Giralds" (par “Night and 2forning,* adapted from “Ls Jole Fait Peur.” 4 Jozebel,” adapted from “ Lo Pendu.” 4 * Baa of Ice,” sdapted from “La Priere des Nau- ragea.” Aia ‘the indefatigable ¢ Constant Reader” informs ug that the subject is * To bo continded.” a UBS. ROUBBY. The sensation of the past week ouiside the city was the first appearancein this country of Mrs. Ronsby, the baautiful English sctress, ‘at the New York Lyceum. Shemade her debat in Tom Taylor’s hisorical drama, **Fwixt Ax and Crown,” which haa nevor been given in this city, and, 8o far as can bo judged from the notices, won & icnnino success. The drama is written in blaok verse, and presents Queen Elizabeth as the contral figure in a political plot of the most interesting period of her personal hfe. Alrs. T.ousby ia described as a lovely woman, both in oint of physical beauty and in character and demesnor. ~ Not a grest actress is she, in tho sense of giving great expression to graat passion, but full of westness, pathos, and dig- nity,—** as fair a type of elogance.” wo aro fold, * a8 could be fancied even in & Queen.” B8he is summed up by the most charming -critic in the country thus: ** Now and then, amidst many mechanicians, & J) ayer ariges whose quality, shining through ali the rontino method, gives it n soul of graco and sympatny. Ars. Housby is one of these ; and a8 such will win affectionate interest wherever she goes, without anywhere probably cresting the disturbance of astonish- ment. Itis not a comet that whirls in our skics, but the sweetest of evening stars.” Ars. Rousby will playin Chicago somo time in March az Mc- Vicker's Theatre. —— Music. TOE ITALIAN OPEEA. The noxt event of local interest in the musical world will be the Italian opers season, which commences at McVicker's Theatre on the 18th inst., under the auspices of the indomitable Max Strakosch. Of the composition of the troupe we need not spealt at present, having many tifhes printed tho list of artists, at the head of whom stands Mile, Albani, whose Amina in *La Son- nambula,” Jepnie June says, ‘‘is perhaps the best on the operatic stage, her exquisite voice Leing one of those rarc organs that can sing the high music of Amina without impairing its tone, and with the apparent faculity of a cage full of larks or nightingales.” She has made a reputa- tion as a prreat artist all over the operatic world, and her advent here will waited for with great interest by our opera-goers. Of the repertoire hera we cannot epeak, as it has mot been an- nounced.: The only facts that can be stated at present sare contained in the . advertise- ment printed elsewhere. . Tho fact is well known that thus far Mr. Strakoscl’s season, like every other musical ventyre in the country, possibly excepting the English opers, has been on the losing side. Ho islooking to Chicago s the trump card to redeem his fortunes. Chicagohas done much in times psst in helping the impre- sarios out of their troubles, and, as Mr. Stra- Losch has always been a favorite here, owing to his possession of tlrat [rare managerial quality, veracity, we have no doubt Chicago will encour- age him and his singing-birds with & handsome patconage. The eale of seats commences on ‘Wedneeday, the 13th, at Bauer's music-store. THE APOLLO CLUB. - The Apollo Club has at present in preparation one of tho most elegant and popalsar programmes it bas ever given, which will be produced at its next concert under the direction of the mew leader, Prof. Carl Bergstoin; . The chorus bas been largely angmented by the return of old members, which has infpired-the Clnb with new vigor; so. that the sssociate members may an- ticipate ons of the best - concerts it bas ever given. The date of the concert will be an- nounced hereafter. The Club Las taken new and elegant rooms in Btory & Camp's Building on State sireet. i TIE CITICAGO ATEICAL COLLEGE CONCERT: The grand orchestral coocert fo be given under the nnsfigs of the Chicago Musi- cal College, for which Mr. Zeig- feld has made unusual preparations, will take placo at McCormick’s Hail, Feb. 25, with & progranime in every way worthy of tha occasion. . Among the numbers will be a concerto by Norbert Burgmuiler, a concerto by Hammel, Mendelssolin's. cappriceio_brillisnte, snd Rein- ecke’s copcert-stueck, with an admirable selec- tion of vocal numbers to be given ' by ' members of the college. . Eversthing indicates that this concert, from & musical point of view, will prove one of the most uo:nbfa events of the sea- 500, As' thé price of admission has bLeen .fixed at only 560 cents “for reserved seats, and 25 cents admission, it witl come within the reach of all lovers of music, and-2s the Colleze gives a soiree every thres weeks frea to all it certainly has a strong claim upon the public, and ought to expect its patron- ege at the only concert to which admission is churzed, Wo shall give the detsils of this con- cort hereafter, and in the rmeantime commend it 1ot only to thosa who take a direct interest in the workings aud results of this excellenv insti- tution, but slso to the whole musical public. In connection with the College matters, wo may state that Mr. R. Ldoi teacher of Freoch ja. the Coliege, bas returned, and will resume his du- ties this week, The programme for the regular soires, which will be given at the Coll fo-motrow oveniog, will be aa follona = P10 1. Etudes, for two pianos...... 2iss Kate Dacis ard My 9, Ja. Thou Art thoReat,” ‘Maiden’ 7 "t 0. ¢ 's ament 198 Alice” Wilder. 3. Prelude and fu, . a. 4 Curlosity. 4. 0. “Holiday. MHria 5. Btude.. @, “ Impatience.” 6. {b,“flnrh. ‘Bark, the l.uk."} ++ses2e..Schubert & isd Lizsio Foster. a, Glguo % {°< G‘m} .Bach : fiss Loutse Stacer. " 8. “TheLyte ... i " 9. Etuds.,., a, Etudo] w. {5 Etmlu} % THE ACADEMY OF MURIC CONCERT. ‘The second coucerst at the Academy.of Mausic will be given this ovening with the follomng “choice programme : 1, Overture—* 3. Duet_uOniy Theo X,.........0 .C. A. White rs, F. Harrington and J. . 5 3. Fantaslo— Visions 108 Dream oo Orcheatra, 4. Quartetta for stringed instraments. Messrs. Locsch, Fekl, Stevens, an 5. Ballad—* Couldst Thou But Know .. . I, S. Murdoch, 6. Divertisemant {rom “ Dis Meistersinger 7. Overturo—“Lichtenstein ™......,.....Limdpainter 8, Tantum Ergo. .. . o Mra. ¥. Harrington and H. S. Murdoch "ieuxt 9. Reverio ., Orchestra, 10. Violin Solo— Scens de Ballet .. Ar, Georae Locach. 11, March from * Atbalia 7, GONSERVATORY CONCERT. Tho ninth of the series of West Side Con- servatory Concerts will be givon on the 12th fnst., at the Goaservatory, 706 West Lake atest, Witk the following programme : ramr Y, 1. Piano s0lo—* Third Meditafion ".....ess.see.dsell ifr. Slark: 8, Lansing. 2, Bass 5olo—* Who Treads the Path of Duty™ —trom *The Magic Flute”..............Mozart Mr. J, J. Schnadis. 8. Duet (dute and pisno)—L'Amitie. Megsre. G. L. Hason and 4 “Angels Ever Rright aud Fair® from the ** Oratorio of Theodora” dirs, Wi 5. Violin solo—Selected........ i Alr, Heian Aiten, O, Wert 'Thou In the evervrnraiieon... .. Mondelssohn Mru. Buste K. Etmore and s Linda Mathews. PART IL 1. ** Dird of Paredise "~four hands. . Mliss Emma Wella Aisses Emmiv and Ida Wells. 2, Vocal trio—* Ah I So Il Fratel ™. _..Donizett! 3frs, Wilke, Mr. Porter, and Mr. Schnadig. 3. Serenade—* Sing. Smile,'Slumber " {with ‘violin obligato by Mr, eman Allen) .......Gounod Hra. L. IR, B 4. Ii:l‘J’nd—“ My Sister Dear"—from * Masan- 0 . ... l; P 5. Soprano solo—% Reguava nel Silenzio™ —from “Lucla ... .oee. . ... Mias Enima iFela. TURNFR-HALL. The programme for the ‘Purner-Hall ‘concert this afterncon will be as follows : 6. Vosal duo— Cauld Blast luber PART 1. Menzel . PART 1T, 1. Overturo fo_* Midsummer Night's Dresm” 2, Tayl. 3. Momory of Tannhauser 4. Charivari, No. 10......... TaET OL 1. Ragotzky March...eeoeses 2, Waltz—* Ball-Contouren ”. 38, Les Souvouder do Pacis.. (USICAL GOBS Mr. Lerwis, the well-tmown violinist, desires us to Btats that he iy propared to take about six pu- pils in violin stndies. He can be consulted at the music-store of Root & Lewis. r. H. 8. Porkins writes us that he conddcted the second musical convention of Kosciusko County, Ind., at Pierceton, last week. This week he will be at the Prairie Centre Convention in Cedar County, fa., and next week on musical duty at Polo, Ogle Couuty, Lil. As will be seen by reference to our social col- umus, Mr. Lows Falk, the well-known organist of Union Park Congregational Church, is abont to enter tho Benedictine ranks. He will find a Liost of friends to wish him Lappiness ond con- gratulaie him upon the auspicions occasion. ‘Tha noxt Liederkranz concert will be given on thie 17th inst. atthe North Side Taurner Hall Alr. Lalatzn has an unosually fine programme uncerlined, including, smong other numbers, Weber's “ Concert-Stueck,” for piano and or- chestra, in which Mrs, Wetzler will take the piano part ; the overture to *‘Egmont;” and several male choruses from * The Magic Flute.” The choir of the Church of the Messiah has been reorganized and is now as follows: Soprano, Mrs. J. C. Jones; alto, Miss Rose Keliner ; teuor, Mr. Edward Schultzo: bass, Mr. Thomas Good- wnillie. .It will sing this morning Mercadante’s «Holy Father, we adore Thee™; Costa’s **Te Deum,” and the solo **O ye tears,” by BMiss Kellner. Tho first term of the class of History and Literature of Music at Goldbeck’s Conservatory of Music is pearly ondad, and the second term will opon on Saturday, Jan, 24 Last week the. programme consisted of C. Ph. Eneau, Bach's Sonata in F minor; a Sonata, Minuet, Tempo do Balli, and the celebratod Gigue in D flat by Sear- 1stti, Yesterday the subject of the lecture was Haydn and Mozart, with the following pro- 3 * MUSICAL® PUBLICATIONS. The February number of Seribner's Alonthly will contaiu an article on Theodore Thomas, writ- ten by Jobn R. Hassard, the New York Z7'rib- une's musical critic. . The article will be illus- trated with & portrait of Mr. Thomas, and & sketch by Mr. C. G. Bush, called ‘A Reminis- cenceof Central Park Garden.” The Voxr Humana for Januery is an unusual- ly interesting number. It contains, in addition to its musical miscellany, two valuadle technical articles, one on * Pictures of Sound” (illus- trated), and one on “‘The Tone Spectra.” The music of this nomber is an easy fantasis on themes from * Martha,” by Edonard Dorn, and afull page of simple pianc-music for yonug plavers. W e have received from the publishers, Messrs. White, Smith & Co., of Boston, a copy of the new march, *Beavenward Bound,” by C. D. Blake, with a remarkable vignette after 'Correg- gio—a good ways after—of 8t. Pefer and a doloful *companton sitting in the clonds, the former showing the way to the celestial gates of which he holds the ka{u. while sundry cherubs are turning Bomerssults in the dense clouds, rogardless of clothes or weather. The march i8 dedicated to Frank B. Myers, who has been 80 many years with the oot & Sons’ Mnsic Company. Edward Grieg has just publizhed his music to'| Bjornson’s drama. of **Sigurd Jorsalfar,” and nas been lingering in Copenhagen expecting to be roquired to set parts of that poei’s new pieco forthe Royal Theatre. However, through some mysterious misunderstandipg, not yet revesled to tho public, neither of Bjornson's comedies +will be performed this winter, and Grieg has ac- cordingly traveled to Leipzig, to bring out there his musin to *Arnijot Gelline.” OBITUARY. : The Nestor of musicians in Hamburg, Herr Fricdrick William Grund, died at the end of last month, aged 83. His name was widely soread, throngh bis compositions, some-of which—for jnstancs, the oratorio ** Anferstehung und Him- melfshrt Jesu,” two quartettes, and especally the pianoforte Etudes—kave met with great ap- preciation even beyond Germany. Richard Mulder, known in musical circles ag Prof. Mulder-Fabbri, died in 8an Francisco Dec. 21, 1874. The deceased went to that city abont two years ago. and has since been connected with the interest of the musical fraternity of San Yrancigco. The newn of his death was sadly re- ceived by a large circla of friends. The deceased +as born in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1822. He vwas married to Mme, Ineg Fabbri on the 6th of November, 1838, in Chili. From an early age up to the day of his death he was an ardeut lover of music, and in San Francisco did much toward furthoring everything which would tend to cre- ate & desire and love for his favorite study.. The day provious to bis death he made all the ar- rangements for his faneéral. The deceased was aman of unbfemished character. He will be Wall remenbered in this city amovg musicians, Imviog gven several concerts here in the cloging dsys of the Philharmonic Society in connection with Mme, Fabbri. THOMAS. Theodore Thomas and his orchestra are at preeent m New England givivg concerts. Next Hnturday night he will give his_ third symphony concert in New York, st which he will briog out Beethoven'sFifth Symphony, seiections from “Tho Ring of the Nibeluogon,” and s Glock overtaro, He1s also td give' s Waguer concert in Boaton'in the course of tho 7. BALTIMORE. How It Locks to Chicago Eyes. The Cobble-Stone Pavements -and Crooked Streets. Oyster-Peddlers, Stove-Blacks, Hnle-Driv- - ¢rs, and Houschold-Servants. Scarcity of Dogs, and Plentifalness of Fleshy People. Correspondence of The Chicago Tridune. Bautriore, Jan. 6.—To & Chicagoan there are many odd and interesting sights in Baltimore. To begin with, nothing could be in greater con- {rast with Chicago than its miles and miles of red brick residences; block after block, set squarely upon the street exactly alike, three stories high, with double doors, vestibule, and white marble steps. A fence with a bit of ground. in front is the rarest of sights. Even whers there ia a yard, with flowers and shrabs, the" house is usnally set directly on the street, and the yard is on the side. No less in contrast with Chicago's variety of ‘walks are the miles of brick walks which, with the front steps, are washed by most families ev- ery day,—including Sunday,—and the bricks brightened up by a red liguid, which gives them the lustre of new. Another feature, and a much less agreesble one, is the COBBLE-STONE PAVEMENT, ‘which covers nearly every street and alley in the city. When & new streot is laid out, 1t is at once paved with stones, and no sooner are they down than the industrious honse- servants begin to sweep them off. Armed -with etiff brooms, they pahently dig out every particle of dirt from between the stones, includ- iug even the gutter in the operation, and leaving the whole in a pile, to be removed by dirt-carta. The result is easily imagined : the stones stand up boldly, and riding over them in & ocarriage is martyrdom: worthy of the days of Michigan cordaroy. In fact, the stzeet-car, on its smooth iron track, is the most luxurious way of getting sbout. But the crowning wonder of Baitimoro streets to a long resident of right-angled Chicago is their WARVELOUS CROOKEDNESS. Ride through any ono of them, and you sea other strests branching off, at every possible angle, and you get glimpses, down waving and turning avenues, worthy of a public park. Here your street narrows to s mere thread of a way, and in a block or two widens into s sort of open square, ornamented with a highly-painted and gilded structure of iron, to fill up the middle. One moment you pass & narrow way,—scarcely broader than o lane,—thickly built up with quaint old houses,—the whols looking a8 though it might . have been taken bodily out of somo Old-World city ; snd perheps the mext street will sweep with a broad open expanse up a hill, —the middle of the avenue occupied by a mar- row strip of grass, with shrubs and flowers, and the top crowned with a monameut. A trip through tho streets is 3 CONSTANT SUCCESSION OF SURPEISES, piquing one's curioeity like the winding avenues of ‘& park, wharo you are alsays oa tho qui-vive to seo what the next turn will open to view. If it looks like a hopeless labyriutb, buy a city-map and etudy it ont. You will fina’ that sesrcely 5 etreet rums straight for its whole lenith, and some of them have n8 many as thres diferent directions. One place looks as though a large section bad been cut out, and put back *‘bias.” It will take o Chicagoan some time fo **get the hang? of the plat, if indeed there’s any bang to it. Let us hope the people are not &s croozed as their ways. The undulations, the constant ups and downs, of the streets are plessant to oyes accus- tomed to Chicago’s dead-level ; and the only ob- jections to them in & city are the increased difli- culty of walking, the nocessity of brakes on heavy wagons, and extrs car-horses at the foot of the hills. ~ ° Among the most common 'eights of the streets, and the oddest to Chicago eyes, are the OYSTER-PEDDLERS. They are slways - negroes, wearing white aprons, white oversleeves up to the elbow, and sometimes white gloves. ey twvo im- ‘mense tin pails,—or buckets they call: them, with a dipper and collection of measuros han ing to one. They walk through the streets cry- ing their wares at the top of tneir voice. The cries differ, each one having his own, andin vain will you listen and stady the sounds to try and evolve some original meaning from them. One just throws back his head and yells. ¢ Coo—dyo ! Coo—dye!” That may originally bave been ' Good oyaters”; but what can one make of ““0O-h!my chum A-p-n!” sung in the melancholy strains natoral to the race, and sounding as though the singer was bewailing the loss of his last friend. Or of this: +Oh! M-a-r-y A-n-n!" shrieked out on the rising inflection, 28 though tho damsel in ques- tion s to be called * from the vasty deep.” Nothing is droller thau to_see one of these peddlers stop in the very middle of a shriok, l_mlE Bay politely in an ordinary tone, “ Oysters, &ir ANOTHEK AMUSING STREET-CRIER' is the stove-black. He is also & negro, armed with small pail and brashes, and he talks off his harangue as he walks, in a lond voice, all in one ke{‘. Diko an suctioneer, Ths is what one said as ha [ assed a window : 4 +Oh! there's some vory good-lookicg houses in this part of the city, and I'm satisfied there's some very bad-looking stoves! Oh! I'm the very genticman o put them in order. Idon’t care if they're parlor stoves, chamber stoves, kitchen stoves, or ranges, Oh! all you'm got to do is to keep your eye out for thastove-cleaner.” . And then he was out of hesring, though taliang on as loud as ever.’ Strange enough sre the MULE CARTS,— ; sems with £wo mules, tandém, guided by a single line from the leader, ang others with six mules, driven in the same woy, and their driversusually negroes. Btrangest of all is their way of guiding the long-eared fraternity by the voice. Coming up = gentle hill, every driver of & loaded cart breaks out into song, in the peculiar wailing minor straius of the negro. The words cannot be distinguished ; it sonnds like: #Qo—ll—oo—ee.” The mule understands, however, and evidently likes it. His long ears drop placidly over each side, and he exerts ].\Im;:li! to the nbtemu;tfl rabdr:w m up. Not y in going up hill, but in i) mgo\md, or any \m\mnlgoxartlon. the driyer re- sorts to music, and the mule understands, and obeys. Itisa vast improvement on the meéans Chicago drivers uss to direct their patient four— footed servants. The custom might be_intro- duced thers with advantago. Fancy a Chicago drayman singing to bis horse | Thera are other characteristics of tha ABMY OF COLORED WORKMEX _ who crowd the streeta of Baltimore, which might ba profitably copied by the same class at the North, One is their universsl sobriety and peacofalness, »nd another is their good man- ners. Itisrare to see a drunken or quarmel- some negro: and speak to the lowkst and rag- gedest,—and the razgedness of some is past telling,—and he will answer politely, touching big miserable relic of a hat when he speaks to & Iady, in s genuine chivalric way, never seen at the North, except in gentlemen. The same remark holds good of the homse- gervants, who, of course, are mostly colored, though Irish can be obtsined. The TRIALS OF COLORED HELP? ‘hava been greatly overrated. Of course they have faults, being human; 8o have the Irish and German help. But an average Baltimore serv- ant-girl is well trained in her duties, waits on tabloina noiseless way, gnli§hun1 0 worn-ont Northers housekeepers ; is pleasant spoken 2nd obliging, never impertinent, and always anxious to relieve her employer. If she is treated as though she were & fellow-creature, with tastes, and - feelings, snd character of her own to maintsin, she will not lie or steal any oftencr than herf whito .aisters st the North, and will be much pleasanter to have around. Of course, if she is troated like a thief, she will speedily prove herselt worthy of the name. And, if zll her tastes and comfortd are ignored, she will take underhanded means to gratify them; and who can blameher 2. T'o be sure, the Northern woman will be obliged to submit to Southern wazs of doing work. For instance, ehs cannot hire one girl for general lLousework; she must ‘have two, or hire s wesherwoman. But, on the other hand, sho can got ‘the best. of girla for $10 a month, a second girl for $7 nrzgs, and 2 nurse-girl for §6; ar sha can get a washerwoman for §1 aday. Her ono girl—though not ablo ta wash and iron—will take good cars of the thoc- sand-one windows of these Southern houses, briog up all tha coal, and keep all the fires in or- der, without grumbling. as well s payiog the '| ususl Irttle attentions to the front steps, walks and cobble-stones, above-mentioned. Very- prob ably she wiil hang the dish-pan outside the bacl docr, but sbe will faithfully scrub the bric} walks in the yzrd- You can easily make yourself unhappy abouf it ; in fact, you can dn that in any situation iz life, if you rullf set about it; bat wby shounld one be miserable and {ret herzelf into a prema- tore grave because the Intchen-door does nok satiafy her artistic tastes. or. because sho cannok have ail the virtues done up in chony forthe * sum of $10 a month ? Tt is amusing, and sometimes instructive, to SEE YOURSELYES AS OTHERS 8ZE YOU. Would you see yourself through Baltimars spectacles, oh! fair City of the Lazes? Listen then, and hear the voice of wiedom respecting Chicago : - - * Qhicago id & city of wooden eshanties. The big fire consumed only structures of pme. Its people are_infidels and wife-stealers by pro- fession. Dire will be the misfortunes of aoy gentleman who takes his wife to that city. Soma ono will surely get her a divorce.and ran away m&\l;hcr." - is, of course, is the verdict of Ignorance, sod sufficienily lsughable. When Igltimuro comes3 to know Chicago beiter, she will find that even her staid wisdom, of 200 years’ accumula~ tion, can learn a few things from the wooden city of the prairies. For instance, how to pave her strests, and how to clean thom,—not to mon= tion what she might learn from wide-awake dry~ goods dealers and hotel-keepers. But Baltimore AS N0 DOGS ! . Not that the canine race is extinet, but it isnot eternally under foot by day, and making lifoa burden by bideous noises at might. Ono may be in the cisy for weeks, and not see half- a-dozen dogs, and—comfort unspeakable to tho wakeful!—may sleep with windows open, and never ba distarbed by a bark. Let Chicago take dae notice. Another pleasant thing about life in thia placid old city is, that people 2 3 TAKE THE WORLD EASY. One evidence of this ig the absence of hurry and 2uxious faces ; and another is the great number of fleshy people. Gqwhers you will, you seo dozens who wiil weigh over 200. Even the tailors advertise ready-made clothes for ‘306- pounders,” and I challenge any city to show so many large. comfortable-looking women as can be soen in Baltimore. 3 ELM.AL ALMOST A CENTENARLAN. firs. Amy Gridiey, the Oldest Woman in Chicago. . The oldest woman in Chicago is Mrs. Amy Gridley, who lives with her son-in-law, Alr. George S. Butler. at No. 539 Hurlbut strest, on the North Side. She was born mn Lyme, New London County, Conn., July 11, 1777, and is accordingly zpproaching her 9Sth birthday. Her life bas been a. simplo some, and Teer longevity is doubtless due to three things— the use of waler, ample exercise, and marrying when past 85. In her youth she was & mewing- sixl, and journesed from farm-house, to ferme, house on horseback to make ' garments for those who required her assistance, thus laying the - foundsation of a -vigorous coostitutiom.. BShe lived in Lyme nntil 40 years of ago, when. aht married Theodore Grid'ey, ci”Claton, N. J.,1 well:to-do farmer, who had served seven montiu and twelve days in the New York State milith during the Revolutionary War, he having, itit . enid, taken part in THE EATTLE OF BUSKER ILL. 1In 1825 she and her hushand rede frow Clinton to Bostou, & distance of sbout 450 milcs, in their carrage, 10 witness tho ceremoniet 2ttending tho laying of the corner-stone of the mouument which compiemorntes that notzble engazement ; £nd they heard Webater's oration, aud ato some of the food at the banqnet whick sapplementod the festivities of tho day. Mr. Gridley died'in 1826, leaving covsiderable property, asd ive months subsequently, when she was pearly 50 years old, her rirss and only child was bora. A Fear or tvo later sho moved to Albany, snd lived vgzh her relazives, tho Seidens, anyliSod, when she ; CAME TO CEICAGO, via canal and packet, ac tHs solicitation of her daughter, who had.in the mosntime, married Mr. G. S. Butler, a merchan: of this city. All she possessed was swept away in tho panic af 1857, but tho loes did not soem to affect Der ; she was as checrful and as happy afiecs wards aa when in afiluens circumstances; and, since her health remamed good, ske. made no complaint. - AT TRE TDIE OF TUE PIRE IN 1871, Mr. Batler’s house waa in danger of destruction, and it became necesssry to move suddenly to a place of safety. Tke family. succeeded in reaching the prairie mear tho -P'resbyterian Theological Semjcary, after much tribulation, and wero obliged, with maboy others. to remain in & cabbage patch antil dsylight. -Alre. Gridley, though 95, caused no trouble.. While ' much anxioty was manifested for her welfare by AMr. and Mrs. Batler, and they did all they counld to make her comfortable, she fonnd no fault, and not one complaining word escaped her lips dar- ing tho long cold night. Fortunately, Mr. Bat~ ler’s house was not burned down, and the family returned thither as soon a8 the fact became known. Previous to {het time, Mz Gridley would frequently . walk - to. tho mate daring clesr weather, and occasion- -ally visis a neighbor, bat the experiences of that dreadfal night in the fleld .impaired ber ‘health somewhat, and she has not left the house since. Until within s few years ehe could SEE AND TEAB PLAIXLY, but these sonses, especially since ths fire, hava gradually grown weaker, and when_tho reporter saw her a short time ago, she could not distin- guish objects—only the outlines being dimly vigible to her—or understand- what was s2id, unless the words were uttered slowly and with omphasis. &ho wos always indus- trions, and devoted - meacly nll bher leis ure to reading books and newspspers, &nd, in consequence, acquired a fand of information which made her conversation very entertaining and instructive. Even now ber mind is usnally clear, and she can enjoy a joko or make a wiity reply as formerly. At times, however, her Wrain sepms stagnant, and her actions indicate thet she has passed into the seventh age. Haxonly occupation for the past ycar has boea ' RUMPLING HANDRERCHIEFS, from which she seems todenve considerabls. amusement. Unlike the conventional old lady, she does ot smoke s ?ipe or_require mich ai- tention. Bhq is pesceful and contented; snd, being & sincere Christian at heart, inongh not a member of any church, calmly avaits the sum- ‘mons which will usher her into the world of per- petual youth. i —_— IN MEMORIAM, ‘The curtain hath fallen ; the scens hath closed With holy awe, in the darkened room, 1 looked on that dear dead face 50 white, ‘And feit all zione in the world that nigat, ‘With the shadows of death fitting round in the gloom. Souk-alck and weary, I turned me avay, Heedless thzt Heaven held the prize 3] Forgetful of sught,but the silent clay i That there in the cofiin before me lay, And the wild, wild grie? of 5 broken hesrt, - And never again will the Spring-tims breeze Fall on that brow as in days gous by; And never sgain, o'er the dewy leas, : "Nenth the clustering shade of the 013 oz wrwan 'We'll lingering list 0 the south wind’s sigh. Like the sad refrain of some swect, loved song, A life-long remembrance clirgs to ms . Of brief, bright moments, whose mem’ries throng ‘With that “ tender grace ” that to them belong, And all that I hold of ihe past aad thee. 3y heart cries ot with a desth-imell ring Fnr;?fld“”vflifl that 1a stilled ¥ and the *ycnished Bat, begond the glow cf the eveniog-rtar, Thy home iv fouud where the angels are, And we'll meet again in that spirit-land. Cuicaco. E ———— A Surprised Young Mam A Lansingburg (N. Y.) young lady heard her sweetheart asy ha would like a dog, and a0 she put. Damre, .one in a bag, marked his name onthe ontside, and early one evening hired a boy to putit on ihe steps of bis residenca. Then she watchod from a friend's window across tho street to witness the reception-of the gift. When the young man came home he picked vp the package, and scem-; ed surprised at the squirming inside. Ha read the inscription, and just then & low whine cama from the interior. Saddenly he grew pale, then flushed red, and then threw the bundle into tne street, The younglady, ecrprisedat his coo- duct, ran ont just in time to bear him mutter- something in whick the word ** baby ™ occurred. He scemed greatly relieved when he found what " was in the bundle: but the dog rtns on thres: logs, becanso the is broken, and the yonng Indy is unible to understund the strange do- meanor of her sweatheart. No explanation that he has mads seems wholly playsible.