Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, October 29, 1876, Page 12

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1876—SIXTEEN PAGES. marks, in which she eulogizedDion Boncicatt sy 12 AMUSEMENTS. The Theatrical Season Inter- rupted by the Opera. An Extraordinary Actress in ‘Waurster’s German Com- pany. Notes from the Green-Rooms of Europe and America. The Musical Season in Chicago=- English and Italian Opera. Floral Benefit Concert---The Concert Season---Local Miscellany. Operatic and Musical Notes in This Ceuntry and Abroad. THE DRAMA. CHICAGO. THE WORST EXD OF THE SEASON. Instead of the blacksmith drama which has been running for two weeks at’ McVicker's Theatre, we areto have now no drama at all. The change is for the better. 8o far as the en- tertainment of intelligent people is concerned, every theatre in town might better beclosed than 0 have one open with “The Kerry Gow.” The ‘poverty of our theatrical resources during the ‘Present season is beyond all recent precedent. Since the middle of August there has not been 1n this city a theatrical representationin English which an intelligent man could witness with any sense of self-justification. ¢ Col. Seiers” might do for once, but it was here for the third time in September; and, at the best, it is worthless as a play, except for the single typical character it contains. The productions of McVicker’s Theatre have been: ¢ The Three Gaardsmen,” * The Spy,” Col. Sellers,” * The Courier of the Alps,” “The Sea of Ice,” * Brass,” and “ The Kerry Gow.” The Hist is almost sppalling. It contains four ‘bad new plays and three old melodramas which ‘were out of date when Chicazo was a village. We take some pleasure in reflecting that the ‘worstis over. With the close of the political campalign there will be a brightening of theat- xical prospects. Already there is a stir in an- mnouncements, as will be secn further on; and, ‘with the departure of the two opers troupes, the dramatic season proper will begin. After this year still better thinge may be loaked for. It is as well as settled that 8 new stock-company will play during the season of 187773, either at Haverlv's Theatre or at the New Chicago Theatre, With the adventof that organization—which, it fs fair to presume, will ‘be a pood one—the period of our humiliation will come to an end. * McVicker’s Theatre will hold its way asa ‘““star "’ theatre, while there will be another place at which a higher order of representations can be given. A GERMAN ACTRESS. Fraulein Elizabeth von Stammwitz, the lead- ing-actress of Mr. Wurster’s German company, is 2 young woman of great promise. - She has been here but a few weels, and already she has established herself in the favor of the frequent- ers of thdGerman theatre. Last Sunday night she played the part of Frau Caroline von der Strass in Dr. Heiurich Laube’s comedy-drama entitled * Scandalous Tongues,” snd her impersonation throughout was of the most admirable description. Tall, lithe, and willowy in figure, with a Grecian cost of countenance, and a heavy cofl of grayish hair over her fore- head, she presented, on her first entrance,a per- fect picture. Her movement was quiet and graceful,—so well adapted to the thonght of the part that one conld scarcely speak of her as ges- turing in the common and misapplicd meaning of the word. Her enundiationwas clear and dis- tinct, with variety and flexibility of expression. Though her voice is naturally harsh and untune- it hes been well trained, and an- swurs with tolersble accuracy to the de- mands she makes upon it. In her o L ot B ok Ta) cation, dc%mZe, mnge:_y. and 'lndlgnart.?\;n. p&t:a face Wwas again and dgain travsformed. She wept, sbe ctormed, she becanie coldly impassive. “Tears were succeeded by smiles, when her children claimed her attention, and when her enemies were tovBemon;:e she Efuhf;& Sinefh the appearance of Rose in 20 there has not been seen ).lerey:xnuyges\lch sm'%E a5 t;ni of Miss Von Stammwitz. She has the truc divine spark, which at once illuminates and fllustrates her art. She has, moreover, that perfect self-possession which is one of the high- est attributes of true actors. The illusion of the sceme is bers; it does mot overcome her. The other ‘members of the com- pany, it should be moticed in this connection, are competent and well-drilled actors, though we think there is a disposition rather to overrate the merits of the organization as a whole. Herr Donald has some of the quali- tics of the Frenchschool of acting. He reminds one, in his general style, of Mr. John Parselle, that excellent actor of the Union Square com- mu{, who is recognized as almost the backbone of the organization. Whatever a_German may think of “belonging to a French school in other things, he should not object to being classed ‘with the FrencB school in "acting, for the Amer- fcan and Enelish stace alike acknowledge that Paris is yet the fountain-head of Imowledge in this department of art. There is this French mflh about Herr Donald, aud also much of the nch mastery of the mimetic faculty. He has other qualitics” no less admirable which are as distinctively German. As an actor he would, rom the performance of last Sunday, be classed rather as one who had been well-taught than as poe who had a high degrec of original power. The same may be said of the cther members of Mr. Wurster’s company, excepting Miss Von Miss glan'e Wolfl, the second leading lady, has an agrecable presence and a melodious voice, but her method is artificial and her style uneven. She talks too often without feeling. The company gives performances cvery Sunday night, which are attended by the best of our German citizens and by many Americans. The New Chicago Theatre is conveniently small for the ‘proper frepresentation of comedy, but we suspect flr. ‘Wurster often wishes it were larger, so that he Inight have room for all who wish'to see Miss Von Stammwitz and thegood actors who appear with her. « HOTES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. Minnfe Doyle, formerly of Hooley’s Theatre in this city, has become 2 member of the Chan- Irau combination. The minstrel company at the New Chicago ‘Theatre this week will be reinforced by 2 panto- . mime company, which is said to possess consid- erable ability. Mr. Dominiclk Marray will appear'in his play, “Escaped from Sing-Sing,” at the Adelphi Theatre this week, There will also be the nusual allowauce of variety acting and singing. Mr. A. D. Bradley and Mr. M. V. Lingham passed through this city last week on their way to San Francisco, where they are to play in the stock company of the Grand Opera-House, late- Iy Wade's. J. B. Waldron_sppeared as Pierrs Afichel in ronuection with Rose Evtinge as Rose Michel, at Detroit last week. Mr. Waldron was formerly amemberof the company at McVicker’s Thes- tre in this city. A pentleman of Bloomington, IIl., hss written & play on the subject of ‘‘Napoleon and Jose- phine,” which {s now in press, and which has been offered to Mr. Booth with a view to its production on the stage. Miss Mary Anderson, the Louisville actress whose performances have beeu reccived with unusual demonstrations of delight throughout the South, is to play an engagement of one week at McVicker's Theatre, beginning Novy. 13. Her deb&:‘fim ?!e an im; a1t utp:;eflzg of the ear fo Chicago, if the pul ions con~ !mung her are mump *“The Two Orphans™ is to be revived at Wood’s Museum. Miss Peak does something with the character of Henriette in this play, though shie does not equal others who have at- tempted it in Chicazo, The Picard is also no- ticeable a8 a man who understands his business. If he conld be fitted with a backbone and other stiffening spparatus he would be very agreeably funny. The rest of the cast s filled with * the foll strength of the company,”’—which, to be sare, is 2 sufficiently-gnarded syutemcnt. “Ten Nights in a Bar-Room*' will entertain the chil- dren and women at the matinees of Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, aud Friday. It is & pleasure to notice_that Byron’s ** Mar- ried in Bpnsw,” an eable production of last year at McVicker’s Theatre, 6 _sagain in rehear- £al; also “The Grc.lbt Dlvo‘mECnie," :‘l!lllg hfi appeared in sporadic form in Eastern is probable m‘:’z one of these plays will be given on the off-nights in the two weeks of English opers, begioning Nov. 20. . Fmerson has been engaged by Maguire & Haverly for the next two years, and will remain ‘with the minstrel troupe in this city for some .months to come. The rumor to the effect that he has lessed Hooley’s Opera-House in Brook- Iyn for a term of years is denied. He will give 1is * Old Clothes Dealer * imitation this weck, —the most amusing thing he does. THE OUTER WORLD. THE MEININGEN COMPANY. A letter from Dresden, dated Oct. 10, to the London Zimes contains an interesting account of the company of Meiningen actors who have lately been giviog 2 number of plays in that cityand in Berlin. The Meiningen stage, it chould be understood, is under the protection of the Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, who has, with infinite poins, trained a company of actors to represent the classical drama with intelli%ence and fidelity, from the highest part to the lowest. This com- ‘pany has of Iate adopted the practice of making an annual tour of the large cities of Germany. Its suceess this year at Dresden and Berlin was overwhelming. The best results were ob- tained in the reézresentafian of Shakspeare’s plays. ““Julius Csar” and *Twelfth Night were especially well-rendered. All the m-oa:er. ties in the former play were accurate reproduc- tions of ancient models. The correspondent writes? ‘The scenes were beautifully painted, and the few things that reminded the’ scholar that he was,| mot actually at Rome were really Shakepeare’s own whims, such as the striking of the clock. Even the last scenes, the camp, the fizhting and killing, which are extremely trying on the staze, passed off ‘without exciting any ridicnle, and one wondered what Shakspeare would have eaid if he conld have seen his play acted as it was by this provincial com- pany. Itis strange that, though, no doubt, sbme of "the actors and actresses arc really first-rate in the parts which they act, one bardly thinks of them individually. Thesame actress who plays Portia_will appear as Tolnetle the next night; while Fraulein Pauli, who acts Kazchen znd Viola, is not too proud to appear ag one of the crowd in ‘‘Willizm Tell.” Actors and actresses alike seemed to be proud to be Meiningers and nothing else, and one would not feel surprised 1o sec them adopt the old plan of advertising a play 28 ‘‘acted by the Doke's servants.” . . . There was but one voice sbont **Twelfth Night™ a8 acted at Dresden. The theatre was full ofEn- lish and Americane, but the Germans, were evi- ently quite a8 mach at home in what they call their Shakspeare; and well they may call him their Shakspeare, for there is no theatre in England where his plays are acted with so moch care, with 20 much understanding, with 8o much real sym- pathy and love as by this brave little company of einingers. NEW YORK NOTES. Jane Coombs has joined the Fifth Avenue Company in New Yorl. . The “Shaughraun " is to be revived at Wal- i 1ack’s Theatre on the 8th of November. * Adam and Eve” will be acted to-morrow in the Park Theatre instead of “Sweethearts.” Therun of ** Sardanapalus™at Booth’s Theatre will close Dec. 2, and * Lear” will be produced with Barret in the titular role 3onday, Dec. 5. Mr. Staniey Dust, manager of Mr. Robert Heller's new Theatre of Mystery, soon to be opened in New York, arrived by the Adriatic on esday. Matilda Heron has recavered $1,500 damages for injuries sustained by falling into & cosl-hole left open through the negligence of a property- owner in East ‘[wenty-third street. _ Miss Clara Morris is resting at her residence in West Fourteenthstreet, in preparation forthe roduction on Nov. 9 of *Miss Afulton” at the nion Square Theatre. Her health is yet far from being restored. Miss Fanny Davenport will appear as Rosa- Tind in * As You Like 16, Tor on oeeasion only, at the Fifth Avenue Theatre on the 11th of No- vember, Mr. Charles Coghlan will be Orlando. A revival of “ The School Tor Scandal” will en- sue, and Miss vaenflnn will act Lady Teale while Mr. Coghlan will play Charles Surface. GENEBAL AMERICAN NOTES. Mr. John E. McDonoungh, the well known actor, will assume the management of Wood’s Museam, Philadelphis, this winter, and may ap- pear 28 Falstaff, o character which he recently Played with brilliant success in California. George Gaines Spear, it is aid, will be the first inmate of the Edwin Forrest Home. which ‘was opened at Springbrook, Pa., on Oct. 2. He was born in Boston, Mass., Dec. 19, 1809, and made his debut in 1529 at the old Tremont Thestre, Boston. This week Adelaide Neilson will play at the Walnut in Philadelphia; Mme. Janauschek at the Boston Theatre; the Florences at Cincin- nati; Genevieve Rogers at Washington; Nat Goodwin and_Lizzic Webster at the Howard Athenzum in Boston. It 13 reported that Mr. Barrett has prononnced Gen. Lew Wallace's play, “ Commodus,” the best thing since * Richelicu »; but the value of this critical judgment is diminished in view of the fact that Mr. Burrett was equally enthusi- astic in his opinion of Bret °s play. Ben De Bar's first appearance as Falstaff In the vicinity of New York took place at the Brooklyn re last Monday night. The event was marred by the sudden iliness of Mr, H. 8. Murdoch, which required the substitution of another actor in his part, and the reading of the lines. The new piece which Mr. ,Cow:fiu“r, of Boston, has obtained from the London dramatist, John Oxenford, is entitled “While There's Life There’s Hope.” The plot turns upon the ad- ventures of a banker’s son, Who, through bad associates and a passion for gamive, commits a. forgery. He is sent~ to the gmlleys for five years, when. he escapes, but so changed that even his old companions do not recognize him, Fannic Davenport was at St. Louis last week; the Salsbury Troubadours at Cincinnati; G. novelty. It will be like meeting an old friend to “assist ™ at a performance of Norma” and t0 hear the “Casta Diva” once more in its proper setting, and although weshall miss some of the old Normas aud Adalgisas of days gone by, still the work will be none the less welcome, notwithstanding it is in unew hands. The troupe which MMr. Strakosch brings is strong’ so far 23 numbers go. ‘Whether it is strong mausically remains to be seen. There are five prime donne,—Mme. Palmicri, who heads the list, an Italian singer from Milan, credited in_her Eastern perform- ances and bringing from Europe an excellent reputation as an artist; Mlles, Persiani and Martinez (the latter better known as Miss Ben- ziger, who sang here last winter with the Apollo Club); Miss McCulloch, who will be favorably remembered by her singing in the ante-fire times, and Frida de Gabele, the alto, who has becn here betore,, There are also three tenors,— Signor Palmieri, Who has vet to be introduced toa Chicago audience; Tom Karl, whois a general favorite, and has achicved an enviable reputa- tion {n the concert-room and. in Evglish opera; and the veteran Brignoli, who, it is said, has preserved his voice notwithstanding the lapse of time, andisas determined as everin thé style of his sforzandos and us dramatic s ever in his actjon! Whatever may be the con- dition of the' old artist, the = work that he has done during the past quarter of & century will commend him once more to Chicago, even if he should prove to be, & moss-grown ruin or a competitor of Anne Bkha% Among the bassos and baritones are G. F. Hall, who vibrates with refreshing regu- “larity between opera bouffe, overa comique, English and Italian opera, and the concert staze, and is always liable to appear where least expected ; Laurence, who will be well re- membered as a_prominent member of the Parepa troupe; Barili, another veteran; and Gottschalk, who concertized Jast year with Camilla Urso. Of the chorus and orchestra we know nothing except that the latter will be under the baton of Signor De Novellis, who is o new comer. As we have already intimated, the ‘ Druidess will Lave the privilege of insugurating the season, and the cast will be as follows: -Mme. Palmieri Mlle Persiani Sig. Palmieri Mr. Hall ig. Barberis Mme. Romanos On Tuesday evening, “T1 Trovatore " will be performed, in which Brignoli will make his opening bow in his old character of Manrico, the other parts being cast as follows: ZLeonora, Mme. Palmieri; dzucena, Miss McCulloch; Count Di Luna, Mr. Hall; Ferrando, Barili. For Wednesday evening “Faust” is underlined with Miss McCulloch as Grelchen, and Tom Karl as Faust; for Thursday evening, “Lucia;” and for Friday evening, ‘“Martha.”" The opera for the matince on Satarday has not yet been an- nounced, and there will be no performance on Saturday evening. The repertoire, so far as given, it will be observed, is made up of stand- ard works that are peculiarly popular, not eculiarly new, and may, therefore, e relied upon to draw of their own merits, without much reference to the nature of the performance. The whole season will last two weeks. There will then be a respite of o week, during which time the house will be occupied with dramatic business, and then on Nov. 20 the EELLOGG ENGLISH-OPERA troupe will commence a short season. The troupe, which has been reorsanized, now in- cludes the following artists: Miss Kelloge, Miss Seguin, Miss Lancaster, Mrs. Howarth, Mr. Maas, Mr. C; H. Tarner, Mr. W.-Carleton, Mr. H."Peakes, Mr. George Conly,and Mr. E. Seguin. It will be observed that there are many new names in the list, and that some of the singers of last season have gonme, among them Mrs. Van Zandt; Miss® Montsgue, who is mow on the dramatic stage; Mr. Castle, who for the first time in several years will not sing in any troupe this season; and Mr. Hamil- ton, the baritone, who has accepted a five years’ engagement with the San Francisco Minstrels, at a large salary—and only two songs to sing each evening. The repertoire of this season is not yet announced, except that the ‘‘Flying Dutchman,” “ Aida,” and the *North Star,” are underlined as the novelties. If we get any one of the three we shall be thankful. faking the ordinary discount for the lively imagination of imoresavios, we shall probably have one out of the three. THE CONCERT SEASON does not open up as yet very lively, and prob- ably will not until the opera sessons are over. On Friday evening of this week the Beethoven Society will give its first rennion at the Metho- dist Church Block, upon which occasion Miss Bertha Burge, a pianisterecently returned from her European studies, will make her first ap- pearance in this city. Her programme will be as follows: 1. Sonata D major, ..Rubinstein Heszrs. ) Eichheim. 2. Aria, **Addio™ from ‘*L’Africaine . Myerbeer s. William A. Bond. Alr Concerto in.C mior........... 3. _ .Beethoven Miss Bertha Burge. 4. Song, **Adelaide e -Beethoven r.\E. Qgxter. 5. Romanza in F major. «. Beethoven A, William Lewis. 6. Ballad, *‘Hostess' Daughter seea: . Balfe r. Carl Bergstein, % Trio in D WA, NO. £eve wrvvrrnsernnns Aleasrs. Wolfsohn, Lewis, and Fichheim. FLORAL BENEFIT CONCERT. Mr. Louis Falk, who for nearly two years has not played in a regular organ concert in this city, will direct 2 floral benefit concert, to be gived at the Unfon Park Congregational Church on Saturday evening, Nov. 4, for which he has arranged an admirsble programme. Mr. Falk himself will play Liszt's transcription of 2 Bach prelude and fugue, Reubke's soratn, “Psalm 94, and the overture to “Egmont;” and also, with Mr. Lewis, Vieuxtemps’ *Duo Concer- tante.” Mr. Lewis will play Paganini’s “Theme and Variations.” Mlle. Melvino Marcy, a pupil of Mme, Rudersdorff, who comes here with an exccllent reputation, will make her debut in Comers “Sky-Lark Song,” Masnadieri’s duo, ““What Mountains,” with Mr. J. H. Donaidson, and Gugliehni’s arla, “ Gratiss Agimus.” Mrs. Faik will sing Matter's ¢ Giocoso Waltz,” and Mr. Schultze, Weidt's “How Fair Thou Art,” Raff Rowe and ‘Anna Dickinson a2t Louisville; Au%usm Dargon at Cleveland; Daly’s company ith Jeffreys Lewis at Buffalo; Rose Eytinge at Detroit; Anderson at Toronto; Fechter and the Florencesat Pittsburg; Maggie Mitchell and Lester Wallack at Baltimore; Ben De Bar at Brooklyn; Lotta andSothern at Philadelphia; J. T. Raymond at Albany; Boucicauit at Bos- ton; the Julius Cesar combination with Barrett, Davenport, and Warde st Detroit, Toledo, Day~ ton, and Columbus. FOREIGN NOTES. *‘L’Avant Scene,” by Ernest Blum, suthor of ‘“Rose Michel,” has failed at the Palais Rogyal. and the *Celeste” arfa from ** Aida.” LOCAL MISCELLANY. Local talent is engaged upon rehearsals of “Il Trovatore,” with the view of a perform- ance. . Emil Liebling intends giving a series of his- torical pianorecitals at Reed’s piano rooms next, month. ‘Wilkie, our home tenor, is going to sing El- vino n ‘Sonnambula” at Grand Rapids, Mich., in the course of a few weeks. ‘There is a praise service at Christ Church to- night, with a chorus of seventy voices, under Mrs. H. J. Byron, the wife of the well-known dramatic writer, diedat Brightor, England, on Sept. 25, in her 45th year. The, Christmas pantomimes are already in preparation in London. At the Drury Lane the smf;:?;x ** Forty Thieves ** will be used, while “ Robinson Crusoe » will serve at Covent Gar- .. There {s 3 squabble over Alexandre Dumas’ new play, written for the Paris Gymnase. He refuses to have the principal part played by the leading actress of the theatre, AMme. Fromentin, and she threatens to proclaim war if 1t is acted by anybody else. Sept. 20 was the 100th anniversary of the first performance of *‘Hamlet* in German, on the smfie of a German theatre. It was then played 8t Hamburg for the first time. To celebrate the event, the play was given at Hambure on the 20th of last month. o HMUSIC. AT HOME. THE MUSICAL SEASON of 187677 will have fairly opened to-morrow evening with the initial performance of Italian opera by the Strakosch troupe. The opening is In marked contrast with that of last season, which was inangurated by the Thomas Orches- tra. There was no legitimate opera untfl Janu- ary, when Kellogg came, and that was all the opera we had, for the musical variety perform- ances by the Osates, Aimee, and Mathews troupes of that season can hardly be called opera from the legitimate standpoint. This year, however, we are likely to hear operatic works that will be warmly welcomea after their long absence, and to greet singers who have not. been heard here for many s year, as well as some who have never sung here at all. Mr. Strakosch has made a sharp move for success by taking time by. the forelock and getting into this El Dorado of "im- presarios before any of his competitors, and has also shown genuine strategy in opening with a favorite old vpers that has not been heard here since Chicago wes Iaid in dust and ashes, and will therefore have the charm of comparative the direction of Mr. Tomlins. A complimentary concert is being arranged by the frlends of Miss Lizzie Foresman, the | contralto of the Plymouth Church choir, for her benefit. . Although ne. dam bas yet been fized for it, the indications already show that it will be a very suceessful affalr, . The free reading-class in music at the Chi 0 Musical College, under the charge of Sig. C:\mg , Is proving to be 2 great success. Forty members were in attendance at the first meet- ing last week. Weare requested to state that 20y others who may wish to join must send in their names before next Thursday. Mr. Wolrsohn is preparing a pamphlet to be used in connection with his Plano recitals which promises to be very valuable. It will contain the complete gmgmmmEs of his recitals, eighteen in number, besides sketches of all the Pplano composers and fillsnreru and their composi- tions included in the historical list which he in- tends to represent. ‘The Root & Sons’ Music Company have just imgomfl what is probably the 'mre.sty lot of juld violins ever brought to this city. The collec- tion embraces genuine instruments of the fol. lowing very celebrated makers: RIS s, o Goruts, o SgnEonzl I y J. Cerut oannes B: Zanoli, and others. i A Mr. C. E. R. Muller, the orgunist, wh cently returned from Euxnpc,g‘:?fl b ve :nh::z;e; recital on the 6th of November, at the Methodist Church Block, upon which oceasion he will pla; selections from Bach, Schum: Merkel, nni some of his own compositions. The vocal Aumm. me will be sung by Miss Ders of the proj ie Hoyne an Mary Muller. 1t will bevery gratifving to the friends of Miss Kate Douglas to fearn that she is mn.kiné Tapid progress ‘in. her musical studies in New York under the direction of Sig. Albites, and that she is also studying for the stage with Mme. Gazzanign. Her teacher is so delighted with her abilities that he is contemplating com- ing to Chicago with her some time this season and giving a concert. Theodore Thomas gave & Wagner night on the 25th inst., in New :Yorlk, at waich Jl%. Bischoff sang igmund’l “Love Sorg” and Sicgsried’s Sword Song. Of the former the New York Tribunesays: It was capitally given, and wag 80 warmlyreceived that Mr. Bischoff was obliged torepeatit, in spite of the grest demands ‘whicl Fannie Menotti, Mme. Julie Rosewald, Mrs. " ‘were to be made on his voice later in the even- ing.” Of the latter; “Mr. Bischoff, whose voice had already been severely tasked in Sieg- mund’s ** Love Song,” was not eaunl to it last night. He sang with spirit and encrgy, and very conscientiously, but ‘at times he was quite inaudible.” The programme of the Turner-Hall concert this afterncon, under the direction of Mr. g!snuder,hmlll be. R follows: Sd.\t]elgnnh"i harpshooters’ ,"" overture to Suppe ‘‘Light-Cavalry,” finale to *The Merry Wives of Windsor,"” Komssk’s ** Album-Leaf Potpour- ri,” Lanner's waltz *My First Iden,” solo for bassoon by E. Bach, overture to “‘Marthas” Kou!sk;’s ““Fantasie Caprice Heroique,” and ZLatana’s *“ Humoresque Galop.” We make the following extract from a letter received on Friday last Jrom a member of the Carl - Rosa_troupe in. England: *‘Joconde, translated from the French® by Mr. Santley, will shortly be given, Santley and Miss Gaylor sluging the two leading parts. Mr. Cowen has so far completed the new opera ‘Pauline ’ as to have given out several of the leading parts for study. Mr. Herscy is writing the libretto, Mr. Santley has the part of Claude, and Miss Gaylord that of Pauline.” The new opera is based upon-Bulwer’s Lady of Lyons.” Mr. Emil Liebling, the_pianist, is engaged for two recitals—at Prof. Weston’s Young Ladies’ College, Highland Park, Oct. 30, and at Lake Forest Academy, Nov. 4, assisted by Mr. Lewis. At the first-named recital he wil E]uyn]}nch prelude, gipue, and gavotte; Handel’s “ Air and Variations’’; a sonata by Searlatti; the first and sixth of Mendelssohn’s *¢ Songs without Words ”*; Seiss’ _“ Intermezzo ; Henselt's “Iimpromptu * SKullak’s Scherzo and & Oc- tave Etude »; Chopin’s Preludes in D flat and A, Etudes op., 10, 3, 4, 5, and Scherzo in C sharp minor; and Liszt's *" Soiree de Vienne ” and Polonaise. At the Lake Forest concert the pro- irnmme will include Mendelssohn’s Sonata fn for piano and_violin; Huendel’s * Air and Variations 5 a BachGavotte; Paganini’s Nel corPiu ”'; two of Mendelssohn’s “ Songs with- out Words”; Kullak’s *Octave Ltude”; Vieuxtemps' fantasie on * Don Juan * forpiano and violin; a Chopin’s Prelude; and Liszts “La Lerenata ” and * Fourth Rhapsodie Hon- groise.” 2 ABROAD. FOREIGN NOTES. Strakosch has received a telegram calling Mlle. Belocea’s return to St. Petersburg. There 1s 2 rumor of the return of Wieniawski this season. But it seems too good to be true. The third volume of Herr Ludwig Nohl's Biography of Beethoven has been published at Leipzig. ‘The marriage of Mile. Albani to Mr. Ernest Gye, eldest son of Mr. Gye, Wil take place towards the end of October. Signor Luigini Riccl, whose father and unde together composed “ Crispino,” has written an opera upon the subject of Rienzi. Mme. Lucea makes her first farewell tour this Year under Director Merelli, in company with Dr, Neitzl, pianist; Meyer, violinist; Cassmann, violancellist. Miss Clara E. Stutsman is engaged to Emf in Theodore Thomas’ concerts this winter, It is Al said that Miss Stutsman hes an alto voice of much power. ‘We understand that the Messrs. Steinway & Sons have commenced a syit against, Chickering & Sons for infringement of patents, claiming damages at $100,000. Signor Mazzoleni will sing in opera this sea- son with Mile, La Blanche (Bianche Davenport) and other artists, at the New York Academy of Mausic, under the direction of Signor Albites. Miss Marie Antolnette Maretzek, a daughter / of Max Maretzek, was married on Sept. 27, at the residence of the bride’s parents, on Staten Island, to Henry A. Lindsay, of Elizabeth, N. J. The dim‘fles of Wagner in Earope have adopteda * Wagmer Cravat "’ asa sort of party badge. Itis made of black silk, with a flat knot which opens with o spring disclosing & me- dallfon portrait of the Bayreuth master. Italians are said to be very much ashamed of Verdi because he took no part whatever in the recent enthusiastic ceremonials attending Bel- lini’s reinterment in Catania. Wagner, on the contrary, said that it would please him to be present, and they are proportionately pleased with him. Two unique teatures of the Adantic Monthly next year are to be contributions to eacn num- Der of oririnal music by such composers. as Jobhn K. Paine, George L. Osgood, Julius Eich- berg, Dudley fluc's, and Francis Boott, with words by some of the most distinguished Ai- lantic pocts. JMme. Nilsson has returned to Parls from her successful tour in Sweden, ete., and will next visit Holland, under the direction of Herr Ull- mann. Her operatic performances in Vienna willbe in January next, and she will sing in German at the Imperial Opcra-House in the * Huguenots,” * Lohengrin,” * Faust,” “ Mig- non,”and “Hamlet.” The London Athen@um says: “We under- stand that Mr. Rosa, encouraged by the success of the ‘Flying Dutchman,’ has serious thoughts of bringing forward next season Wagner's ‘Meistersinger von Nurnberg,’ a work which Das never yet been heard in this country, and Which, unless it be under Mr. Rosa, we should imagine there is but small probability of our -hearing.” The statement that Mme. Adelina Patti had accepted an engagement to create the principal part in 3. Gounod’s new opera *‘Polyeucte,” to be produced during the Exhibition year at the Grand Opera in Paris (1678), has no foundation. The lady will, after all, fulfil her engagement at Moscow and St. Petersburg; but her stay in Russia will be limited to cleven weeks. She lcavgs Paris during the second week in No- vember. Louisa l?ne has again come before the pub- lic, as the following paragraph from the London Atheneum will testify: +Mme. Louisa Pyne Bodda has met with a very cordial reception at the Covent Garden promenade concerts, es- pecially when she sings ballads, in which the excellence of her cxpression and the distinct- ness of her enunciation show that the artist is in full possession of those powers which ‘made her so popular during her operatic career.” The proauction of Wagner’s “Flying Dutch- man " at the Lyceum Theatre, London, by the Carl Rosa company, has been the most notable event of the musial season thus far. The play is mounted with great care, and mechanical effects are unusually godl. The part of the Dutchman _was sung by Mr. Santley, that of Senta by Mllc. Torriani, and, for a wonder, the chorus was admirable. Mr. John P. Jackson is tillx)e writer of this excellent translation of the libretto. The New York Zimes of the 24th says: “The Aimee Opera-Bouffe troupe zave its final per- formance, previous to departing for Havana, at the Academy of Music last evening. “LaFille de Mme. Angot ” was sung. The representa- tion was one of much greater interest and merit than its predecessors, for M. Raoult, who is sel- dom heard to advantage, proved to be an ex- ceeding good Ange Pitou, and four clever per- sonations, ausggicq’by M. Duplan, M. Reme, M. Branciart, and Mlle. ‘Gueymard, were enjoyed in addition to Mlle. Aimee's Claireite. e company sail for Cuba to-day; on their return to New York, three_months hence, they will make known ‘La Petite Marice,” ‘La Bou- langere a des Ecus,’ ‘La Reine imilgo,' and several other novelties.” i 1, KNOW WHEN THY SPIRIT IS NEAR. [To the Birdies that came every morning and evening to gambol above my study-door.] - Tknow when thy spirit is near me, For the birdies have taught me before; The linnet and lark, come to cheer me, Are s};lrmng over my door, And billing and cooing, and kissing and woolng, As Jovers well versed in the Jore. AMay the innocent birds, in their cooing, Whether coming at morning or eve, Be a type of the young lover's wooing, With his heart never born to deceive. Thus happily mated, will life puss away, And each i3 the most o make. brightess the day. 3 : \ May this spring-time of life, with its gladness, Aye stand for 8 type of the rest; Each day, frec from sorrow and sadness, With its own cheerfal duty be blest: So the dark days of Winter, enshrouded in deatn, May merge into glorions life with the Blest. Catcaco. STELLA S. COATSWORTH.’ ——— A Bird-Charming Lady. Jacksonzille (#1a.) Union. A few months since a handsome mocking-bird flew into the residence of a lady in this city and alighted at her feet, exhibiting little or no fear ar suspicion of her, and permitting her to catch it in her hand. She placed it in 8 cage, and it secmed happy and contented, and proved to be one of the finest singers of its species, filling the house with its varied and melodious strains, until after some four months of captivity it was taken sick and died, much to the sorrow and re- gret of its mistress. A short time after its do. cease the same lady was sitting in her room, when another beautiful bird of the same {amily came in and took its position beside ner, appar- ently inviting her to capture it, which she gid without difticulty. She placed it in the same cage, and it scemed as contented as the other had done, as if it knew and coveted a life with 80 gentle a mistress. NEW YORK GOSSIP. Young Bennett and the Three Cent Herald. A Pretty Child-Subject for the Photographers. An Abominable Traffic in De= formed Beggars. How a \’fllag'e Was Depopulatcd of Young Men. Why Critics Are Criticised---Banquet by an Actress. T A Veritable Female Gambling-House in New York. Special Correspondence of The Tribune. New Yorg, Oct. 27.—* Got the Heraldf” “No, sir.” These are the remarks heard in street-cars and at the corner news-stands every morning, all over the ¢ity. You have doubtless read about the war between the newsmen and the Herald office about the wholesale price of the paper, but there is a little story of the in- side history of the reduced price which is not so familiar to the public.. The story runs that the young Naspoleon proprictor of the Herald sud- denly and uncxpectedly made his appearance one evening in-the oflice, and from his nc- tions and articulation soon gave evidence that something unusual was on his mind. There was fear and trembling in the breasts of the Trinity College graduates who attend to the editorial col- umus; and as young Bennett stalked from room to room, first sulkily, then angrily, and, by fits end starte, hilarious 'and taciturn, the anxiety for the finale increased.\} At length it came; he gave an order that the price of the paper shouid be reduced from 4 to 3 cents per copy, and out any further ado he de- parted as speedily as he came. His orders were obeyed,/ and the next morning the [ferald startled the newsmen with the announcement of the re- duced price. About 11 o'clock the sole ** editor and proprietor " eppeared again, —this time in o reflective mood. ¢ entered the eanctam and summoned thg chief of staff. With bowed head that oflicer came, and then with an angry scowl the young proprietor rebuked him for jowering the price of the paper. In vain the chief pleaded the orders of the boss; their fidelity to his wishes was so great that his slightest wish was a law unto all themembers, The rebuke was meekly accented, and the soung proprieto: is now lamenting his own misfortunes, but is still hunting for a scapegoat. To make the evil as slight a8 possible, the newsmen arc charged the sume as before, and that's where the trouble comes in. HE CARPET-BAG BRIGADE. Tke influx of strangers continues unabated. They appear on Broadway in the inevitable duster dnd carpet-bag in hand by the thonsand, and it s not surprising that the police flod it difffcult to prevent them from falling into the hands of the shirpers. All sorts of stories are told of their verdancy, and the way that the aver- age greenhorn s tiken in by **bunko™ games and similar devices of swinaling is simple enough. It 18 the opinion of close observers that, of the tens of thonsands who have visited the city in the last ten weeks, ut least one-balf have never been here be- fore. ‘The most commonplace objects of interest are overflowing with visitors, and, in the more conspicaous and interesting, the rush is equal _to some _of . the Centennial cenes in Philadelphis. Several very amusing incidents are mven of the freshness of city residents in showing the sights to their country cousins. It may seem a rare thing, but it is doubt- less truc, that there are thousands who have lived here for many years who have thus far never been inside of Central Park, consoling themselvee, per- haps, like one delinguent who excused himself with the plea that, though he had never been in- side, he was very familiar with gronnds around the Park! Another” yarn is told of a countryman who entered o Fourth avenue car, on which ihe fare is six cents. He had only five cents in his pocket, and as it was refused e left the car and entered one on another street, where he learned the fare- was five cents. A3 he handed up his last nickel the conductor raised his_silver-plited bell-punch, whercupon the stranger exclaimed.. **Don't shoot, Alister, and X'l give you & postal-card for the other cent.™ . THE STORY OF ** ANITA.Y In some recently-prifited statements concern- ing the sale of photographs of artistes and au- thors, one of the most remarkable facts about tho salable photos is omitted. Perhaps your Chicago readers have noted in the collection of plctures on eale in your stores one of n little girl, marked *‘Anits.” Her plcture is for sale in various attitades, and is one of the best-selling in thelisf. The subject of this photogreph is now a young girl 12 years old. ~She is remarkable fort he peculiar beanty of her features, and the history of the popularity of her photograph is singnlar. One day when she was taking an airing in Union Square incompany with a nurse, her striking_beauty at- tracted the notice of Sarony, theartist. She was then a chubby little creature, not more than 5 years old. He asked the nurse to obtain permission of the child’s mother to have her picture taken. It was obiained, and the next day she sat for her hotograph. ' From _this time forward the pictures ve been in demand. _Sarony took a dozen differ- ent kinds, and then Mora captured the child for photographic purposes, and has produced not less than twenty different styles of ‘*Anita.” Her true name is Anita Manson. Her futher is one of the distingne men of the city. and it is related that be was gelected by Col. James Fisk, Jr.; asa mem- ber of his Ninth Regiment staff because of his com- manding features. "** Anita’ is as'popular in pri- vate theatricals and other entertainments as she is in the photographic art. A LOOK IN TIFFANY'Y CELLAR. Of the thousands of visitors to Tiffany’s im- mense establishment who see the olaze of dia- monds and brilhance and beauty of the hun- dreds of articles of jewelry, plate, and ornament which abound in the establishment, & few are ‘ed to inquire the value of the rich stock thus dis- played to the wondering eyes. This stock is val- ued by the firm at $3,000,000, and of all those who feast their vicion upon its varied forms of beauty, not one in a thousand has any iden that in the base- ment underneath the main store there s stored & value even greater than that above. Recently I was permitted to visit these basement treasures, They consist of valuables beld on storage in a fire- proof apartment in size about forty by seventy- iive. There are boxespiled unon each other contain- hx% eolid silver-ware, éafes containing dismonds, and tranks filled with jewels, rich camel-hair shawls, and bijouterie of various kinds from abroad—all the property of our wenlthiest citizens. Among the names_which appear on the books are some of the old Knickerbocker aristocracy, the E;D\mm:nt millionaires, and many not so widely own. These valuables are in possession of the Tiffanys for safe keeping, and are insured for $4,000,000 agninst loss by fire or burglary. The annual’ charge is 1 per cent upon the estimated value. The tirm, of course, makes a it money by this branch of their business; *‘but, bless me, ™ as our party left the place one of them truly aid, °*what asore temptation to the man in chnr?t. and bow ensily he might make way with a milllion dollars’ worth of diamonds withoat fear :‘1" llzt;mg discovered in six months after the eft 1 SPECULATION IN SUFFERING. For a long tfme there has been nodoubt in the. minds of a majority of our most benevolent cit- izens that a large proportion of the street-beg- gars in this city are either unworthy objects of charity or else are the victims of cruel oppress- ors, who derive a direct profit from their gains. This view of the matter has been confirmed by the discoveries touchinga deformed boy who has excited the pity and sympathy of thousands by crawling upon his hands and thighs along our most: crowded thoroughfares. He scemed to have hla lower limbs crooked together b; Daralysis or natn-. ral deformity, and was compelled to move along Dy using his hands and resting his body npon his thighs in the most painfal manner imaginable. It was impossible to witness hus toiling efforts with- out feeling charitable toward him. Recently, however, ~ a benevolent old lady who observed him in . the - aftermcon mear Grace Church noticed that every second or third moment he turned around and with a piteous look, seemed to appeal to 8 dark-vissged man iwho walked some distance behind him, and who, in tarn, made 8 threatening gesture as if ordering the boy to move on. She managed to get _between the two, and in conversation soon_learnzd that the boy waa the victim of cruelty, and that in fact he ‘was not deformed, but has been forced to assume the gnlnfnl distorted position in which he was found to obtain money from the charitable for the benefit of the man who had him in charge. She took the boy home, and threatened the other fel- low with the police, and fonnd that this case was one of many in which the wretch had employed boys who were E:\ninlly disabled to bog fora le ing, and that he made sufficlent money in this contemptible business to own & handsome sum on depouit in 2 savings bank. BOMANCE OF A TWELVE O’CLOCE MAX. Residents of Brooklyn in the vidnity of the city have been much interested for several years in the regular appearance a few minutes before 12 o'clock every day of a man who waits for the City Hall clock to strike 12, snd then disappears until the next duy. This practice he has steadily continued, rain or shine, for seven years, until he is' known by the sobriquet of the “12 o'dock mun” Hig name is Thomas Conuer, and yarlous attempts have been made to ceanect him with romantic love stories, blighted affections, dlsnpgainted in marriage, lost property, etc., but they are simply bosh. The man is & monomaniac upon the subject of a city job, and What brings him daily to the City-Hall was a promise made to hfin scyen years ago by 8 Democratic puhtlcxug that if he would meet him by the City-Hall at 12 o'clock he would procure him & ]Db; Since then e has put in an appearauce regularly at the ap- pointed hour, Eml?)ia mania seems to exhanst it~ self as soon as 12 o'clock is_past. After that he is sane enongh, and seeks odd jobs shoveling coaly carrying out rublish, sweeplds strects, etc He rejects charity with scorn. A Catholic priést. nl!e;q togive himsome money if he would call a¢ his home. He answered sharply, * Yes, and uf'lnnr aor congregutlon to pay it mext Sanday." He fivea in ashanty with s only sister, and though g in luxury, they enjoy a TG cite amotmtof Sonort. Mo mey come dnd ‘women may g0, but the 12 o'clock man at the City- Hall ig an established fact. BLECTRICITY APPLIED TO CASH GIRLS. Very few of the peculiarities of this city are so amusing to strangers as the system of emplov- ing cash boys and girls in the larger stores. Go into Macy's, or Kinzey's, or Altman’s, or Ebricl’s, any day, and the air is filled with sharp cries in various keys of * Cash,” * Cash here,” **Cash seventeen,” and so on. Some of these calls are very amusing indeed: ** Kn-yaash," or **Kay-hash,"” or ** Kaesh," either in a drawl or o quick, nervous tone, prononnced almost sim- ultancously from a dozen directions, may well be- ilder and cntertain a_customer from the rural :lvia!rlris. To the city shopper the cash call is a nuisauce, and ft !l! not dfltz;nngemgl;ls fl:: shonkeepers are ng to devise 2 alll)gfish p". The“yn!e of bells has been d, but failed,—the din of the bells is onlya :‘ggice GL} E\zltlls,—\!ml an_establishment on Eighth avenue has devised a system for the use of elec- tricty on the prnciple of a hotel-annunciator. Esch counter has an electric_signal which com- ‘municates with the central desk, and when a cash- gir] is required the signal is made without noise, and the girl or :O.T isr!bwlhlh ED;:S to lll:ensfilel};r:fld 1ves the order and performs - ;)?.OQTIE::&:& ngon he !flgnco of the stoze Is magical, and on the Whole pleasant. + HOW BEN DEBAR WAS TREATED. The well-known St.Lonis actor, Mr. Ben DeBar, appeared in Brooklyn on Monday night in his famous part 0f. Falstaf in “Henry IV.” Hefs 2 comparative stranger in the East, and on this his first appearance was entitled to some con- sideration, but behold the result. At the eleventh hour {t was anwounced that the actor who was to take the part of the Prince was too ill to appear, and it was decided that Mr. Seymour, who was to represent Poins, should read (ook {n hand) the part of the Prince, while another actor should in the same way read the part of Poins. With these drawbacks there were others, and it turned out that Mr. DeBar had to act as sta mapager, prompter andall, beside trying to do himself jnstice as the Fat Knight. He failed only because of these drunkards, and if he goes t.hrnn%h his engngement with less success than he antici- pated, he may attribute it more to his managers than his andience. A SPASM ADOUT THE HACK-SYSTEM. This city is undergoing another of its period- ical spasms about reform in the public hack-sys- tem. A new company has been formed (the twenticth in 85 many years) to introduce cheap carriages and cabs, and the public are fnvited as before to makeé liberal subscriptions in order to secure the beugflts of cheap transportation. Let us hope the effort will be successfal. The trouble is that the hackmen are all Democratic voters, and they are cheek-by-jowl with thegovern- ingclasses, and, in spite of all apparentattempts to the contrary, theyareabove control. If a fellowis complained of and bis license revoked, he obtainsa mew license the next day in the name of a brother or cousin dnd resumes his extortions immediately. The policemen, who are generally ‘intelligent upon other subjects, con never tell yon the distance or the legal fare from one place o another, and ninety-nine times in a hundred the extortion isasuccese. We have the advantage of many cities in the one-horse conpes, which can pe used for carrying o passenger {rom Wall street to Madison_Squate for §1, or two for S1.50. These are ourcheapest conveyhnces, and are estensively used. The fares, however, al- lowed by law ace too high, and what New York needs {8 a system such as {s in vogue in Toronto and Montreal, by which the limits are defined, and 2 low rate made " from one place to another in the described limits, _You can ride longer and farther in Montreat for 25 cents than In this city for four times that sum. There {3 where the reform shonld commence. A VILLAGE SENSATION. There is a very nice story carrent about the experience of a Hudson River villaze not far from the city, which is too good to be lost. About one year ago there disappeared trom the yillage of N—— a pretty factory girl, the pride El)f.hc familyand the favorite of a host of young ui¥n. In the sequel it appeared that she had been betrayed andretired from view to escape pubd- ic shame. It was unknown by whom she was be- trayed, and speculation was rife, as it {s apt to be in a country village, as to the circumstances. About four weeks ago the girl returned and was noticed in frequent consnltation with a prommert lawyer. One day they made o trip together to the Court-House. ~Out of this fact grewn rumor, at fist o mere idle gossip, but subsequently & full rounded statement, that the girl was about to institute legal proceedings against her betrayer. The rumor was communicated to the Iawyer. but he declined to afirm or deny it, and thus the mystery grew larger by degrees. About this time & very extraordinary event took place, which drew attention to the frst story, and created the wildest excitement in several families. This was the disappearance of eeven young fellows (wild fellows they ail were) who had formerlyassociated with the girl. Various reasons for their sudden dleappearance were given, but none of them were believed, and credulons people instantly connected the story of the girl's intended lawsuit with the departure of the young bloods, In the midstof the excitement the girl disappeared n?fin. and the mys- tery s thereby increased. The lawyer, in the in- terim, is enjoying the situstion immensely. HOW THEY PATRONIZE AIMER. The naugbty Aimee has revived opera-bouffe in this city, and thistime at the grand Academy the greatest author since Shakspeare, Heren a3 the coming actress, Jous e, oo Cherie profited by this banquet (which cosp her nearly £500), it s difficult to discover, but j¢ iy ex. ceedingly gratifying to know that she has consent. ed to.uccept 8 minor part in one of the city thew, tres,"and endeavor by gradusl success to Win hey way to fame and fortune. She is intensely iy earnest, and when she ccases to be the pet of 4 g Tect circle of friends, and becomes the paing actress, she may hope to win renown 2s well, A PEMALE GAMBLING-DEN. Luckily, the old saying that half the worig does mot know how the other half lives s trge, Here we are in the moral reform City of New York, which is ruled if not ruined by the disch. ples of Tammany Hall, and now, added 1o all other infamies, we are “informed by eye-wis. nesses that there isin fall blast in one of the up-town cross-streets & gambling-den Operated, owned, and patronized exclusively by women, iy s located near the Brevoort House on Fifth ays., nue, and outwardly is 2 modest mansion; in itls infamons. The nominal proprietress was for. merly thewife of a fashionable gambler, and learneg of him all the tricks of the profession. ' Being e a widow, she hit upon the expedient ‘of ‘providing apartments where women may indulge In faro, rouge et nolr, ecarte, and games of aklll to thefs hearts’ content. At first the chief patrons of the lace were members of the demi-monge, 'he place was represented as a Ladies’ Clob House, and after swhile another class of soclety, mistresses of hotel habitaes, entered the circle. and from thence to a higher grade of frequenters, until at the presenttimeit g sald this gambling-den is patronized by women whe bold up their heads associety leaders. When one f5 able to fee young ladies of our first families betting champagne suppers, kid gloves, and other valusbles upon horse races at Jerome Park (an ordinary oc. carrence), the belief that women who are called respectable will engage in gambling is not severely staggered. This eatablishment Ia- exclusively for women, and no one of the masculine gender {aad. mitted under any circumstances, save a huoen porter employed as a. . _Its locality and his. tory were discovered through the confession of one of the victims of the passion, made to her hospand in extenuation of a fanlt. What next? Bravrr, —————— HUMOR. ** Banging” the hair has been fashionable, Banging the door to keep ont the "air is the styls NOW. Stoves are shipped from this conntry to Nor- way, and ships are often stove on the coast of of Music. The first opera was the “ Jolly Per- fumer,” and in spite of its wicked plot and ‘wicked language (and none can be worse and escape the police) there was a large audience, includingabout one-halfladies. It was noticeable that with two exceptions the prosceninm boxes, owned by the ‘*bloated bondholders,” were empty, though in some cades the owners were m the froni seats of the orchestra enjoying the; share of the wickedness and fun, 1}}33 g‘r!n!cg poslllnflon of New Yorkare very fond of Aimee, an they .turn .out nobly~ whenever she appears. They appland vociferoasly all the double entendrés of the piece, and laugh immoder- ately if an; lhin:s:rdflllall)‘ wicked isspoken; and Aimee understands 50 well the art of t) rowing a wicked leer into a wicked spcech that she keeps her French friends on the qui vize constantly. But, in epite of this popularity, it is beginning 1o be felt among the better class of plav-goers here that this opera-boufle business had betier be surrendered entirely into the hands of its native supporters. It is deemed by some of onr most liberal-minded citi- zens an insult for one of their family to be invited to the French opern, and when this'idea is firmly imbedded into our upper-crust gociety Aimee and her winks, gestures, kicks, and capers will soon losc their power. The soomer the better. STIRRING UP THE CRITICS. One good effect has resulted from the foolish- ness of Stuart Robson’s attack upon the crities of the New York press, and thatis the atten- tion drawn to the critics themselves. Itis be- ginning to be understood that critics, like act- or3, must have clean hands now m order to make themsclves heard and estimated upon their actnal merits. Consequently the connection be- tween Fred Schwab, the critic of the Times, with Max Strakosch in the business ventnre of Adelaide Neilson makes it dombtfal if his notices of her acting are trustworthy. This is the reverse of blackmail, but it is prejudice in favor instead of prejudice against which forms the basis of the Writing. Then, sgain, Mr. William Winter, of the Iriburie, who In fomé respects in the leadar among the New York dramatl iccritics, the rest blindly follow, ot Whom a neither bongh bat there are certain actors, notably 3&525:::}:’ to wnom he is indebted for personal attentions, (Jefferson named his son Willle \Winter Jeffes: son.)- \ This belng the case, the impartiality of his criticiem 1s called in question. Mr. Wh the.orld, is called crabbed and §usinc:flfr'b§5 cause, having his own preconceived motions of What a play ougit to be, and what acting ought to De, he nolds every. ‘plav and actor up to theo- retical standard. " His own play beinz a failure, De is more crabbed andinsincere than ever. Thers #re other dramatic writers who are more or less influenced in their opinions by their prejudices, and it fs about true after a1l that, while the critjes m{ damn a poor play in a few nights, a good play will survive unfriendly notices a long while, WHAT AN ACTRESS THOUGHT OF JT. The unfortunate Adelaide Cherie, like many other debutantes, thought the favor of the. mem- bers of the press essential to her success, aud, like many others, also thought this favor de- pended upon a full stomach. Acting apon the advice of that good-natured old soul, Matilda Heron-Stoepel-Byrne, she ordered s banguet at the Maison Ricnelicu last week, and invited the <dra- matic writers for the press and several actors to assist.” There was nothing wanting to make the _hnnqnet a grand success save the guests, The critics emelt a mice, and did not respond, except- Ing the Herald representative and some of the :u;kly )x;upem. Matilda herself wonld not come at rst, but .at length condescended to cineer the " small "party” with - her roseste ree gnce. She caime, und saw. and was conquered, 24l evident from the fact that she’wade & few re- orway. 3 Inquisitive Scotch School-Board officer to Hibernian parent—* Was yourboy born in Glas- cae?” “ No, sor, an’ I hope he never will be!* The tramp who strayed into a farmer’s prem- ises and tried to make off with a cheese came out with a black eve, acknowledging that he had .ld)een rather dairylicked in the pursuit of his Inties. A negro witness in a trial the other day was asked what he was doing in a certain saloon at a certain time. He exfi:dnafl that be had gona there to ‘‘change his brefl.” The explanation ‘was accepted. The longest sentence on record was con~ structed by a Western Judge. He sentenceda murderer for life, and afterward slapped two more years to the sentence because the prisoner called’him *no gentleman.” s Talking about the wonders of sgricultare, an up-town saloonist raised three beets in fifteen minutes, the three weig! in the aggregate figl'gounds. They were dead-beats, and he s ed”” them with his boot. Absolutely the .most startling double-bar- reled shot We ever read was the New York Graphic’s comment upon the case of the woman who was poisoned by weurinF a green véil: “Why should tissue taint you '’ 7 Irate subscriber (excited and pointing to an objectionable article)}—‘ What does that mean? Every statement is false.”” Editor (gazing re- flectively at the article in question)—“1 shouldn’t wonder if the whole article wasa typographical error.” A student in Paris, after nassinithree years in the Latin Quarter, wrote to his father as fol- lows: “I have made up my mind to setto work, dear father; therefore, I should like tq know whether it was Jaw or medicins that) came to Paris to study?” Though millions of fractional currency are daily handled in the Treasury Department, not a cent of it is ever lost on thefloor. That is the reason the janitor i3 often seen sitting in the door with & dejected eounm:nm.\e, coml] his broom with a mustache-comb. A mlsher Wwho always gives a chromo lately urchased al:rge numberof pictures of Niagara ‘alls.” After advertising thewn for a time with very poor results in the way of subscriptions, he turned them upside down, and snnounced a brand new chromo of * A le on Fire.” A beggur, accompanied by his dog, stands at a Paris street-corner. He displavs 8 placard: -*“Have pity on the blind.” He is canght atten- tively regarding a coin dropped into his TE? “Ah! you can gee, then.” *Yes.” “Why then this placard” ¥ *It is not for myself I beg. Itismy dog who is blind.” A banker has some doubts as to the genulne- ness of the signature of a promissory note that bas come into his‘passesaicn, and sends his clerk to the maker. ‘We have s note for 10,000 francs on which Is what purports to be your si%- nature. Isit zom-s?" ‘*Is the note protested " “No, sir.” ®Then it is not mine.”— Paris pa- per. In a village nof a hundred miles from Cork 3 medical gentleman was disturbed by repeated tappings at his door, and, on_getting up, found a aboring man soliciting his immediate attend- ance for his wife. “ Have you been long here?” asked the doctor, ‘ TndadeT have,” answered Pat. “But why didn’t you ring the night bell ¥ %0&;1:, P’emmelwu afraid of distorbin’ yer onor. The wretched manner in which some of the houses are built in New York has long been the subject of grave apprebension. These fears have been recently realized by“the fate of an unfortunate burglar who, leaving a house by & front window, stepped upon the portico, when the capstone gave way, fell with and upon him, and became Exvastona. The builder of the ouse has thu: evaded arrest.—Boston Com- mercial Bulletin. How often in the bright days of our prosper- ity, when the hours fly past on zden wings, and the world seems made solely 5:- our happi- . ness, are we stunned by the shock of unforeseen disappointment and reverse, like a boilwhn. with his guileless countenance wreathed in the smiles that are the reflex of happiness st his heart, slides down the front-stair bannisters to find, alas! that some one has left the hall-lamp sitting on the lower post.—Burlington Hawkeye. When Mr. Thomas Fitch had got through 8D at Truckee a few nights ago, he was approached by an individnal who was somewhat under the weather, who shook his hand and thusfaddressed him: “A’skuse me, Mr. Fitch; T've bin listnin’ to you talk and I may say that Iadmired yer ‘sssech- Your'n orator an’ 'm & bler. 1 could be n'orator ef I wanted ter, ut, shaw, I won't bave it. Idrink an’ gumble; but there's one temptation I'm goin to resist, ‘n‘r'z:; that’s bein’ an’orator.”— Eureka (Nev.) Sea~ An agent for the salc of some household arti- cle attempted to mount the steps of a house re- cently, but a dog came around -the corner and took half a yard” of cloth from the back of his coat. The man was sli out when the owner of the house came and asked: “Did d(’"m bide you?” "“He didn’t bite me, but he rul my coat,” was the reply. My goot friend, ex- cuse doze dog if he didn’t bide you. Hefshs young dog now, but by and by he shail take holt Of some agents and eat der bones ride ond of thz{n‘ ,,11€ bides coat now, but he shall soon do petter!’ . HER LETTER, Go, leave me here! God knows I love thee still, But cannot, dare not link my fate with thine; ‘The past forget; the vows and pledges made Give back to me, if not the peace once mine. Inconstant? No! Oh! hold me faithfal till, Nor think my heart less fondly for thee yearns; And decm not on Love’s holy aitar-place e soul's sweet incense now lezs brightly burns. "Tis not my hand, O darling! no, that builds ‘This bitter wall between thy life snd ming: For true as truth my poor heart answering throbs To all the vain, sweet tendernesa of thine. Forget me? No! All else forget, but keep. One thought: **Sheloves me, " sacred to the lasts For, as I hope for some sweet peace to come, Tlove thee now as in lh:)(h 8101 it Wi 3. Witsos, 5 Russian Sympathy for Servia. Volunteering to the aid of the Servians bzt become & mania in Russia, and it is dangerous to openly disapprove of it. * As a_rallway-train of volunteers arrived lately at Moscow, on its way, two gentlemen proceeded to enter it 4“What a mass of men!” said one. ‘A mass of fools!” said the other. The Jatter was at oocs attacked by the crowd around, and before the police could extricate him be was dead. Boys are as enthusiastic as their elders. They hawe sham battles between Russians and Turls, andy as none are willing to be of the latter, it bes comes necessary tu draw lots. It is asserted that many volunteers provide themselves with poi- 50, in case of falling fnto Turkish hands. Mr. Romanowsky, lately” business m: er of the Opera-House al Odeséa, is thouzht to have done - so. He was made prisoner, bus myscasioualy died oa his way to camp,