Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, December 23, 1877, Page 9

- THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: SUNDAY. DECEMBER 23, 1877—SIXTEEN PAGES. 9. = : < AMUSEMENTS. Richard Is Not Himself Again .in the Role of Dan Harkins. Mr. McVicker Inaugu- rales the Low-Price System. Miss Rose Eytinge as “ Cleo- patra” at the Adelphi Theatry Close of the Opera Season: Pupils’ Reception at Hershey Hall. Mausical College and Beethoven So- ciety Rennions—Rive-King Recitals, " The “Polyeucte™ Scandal--=The Extraordinary Story of Gounod's Opera, Madame Weldon, Gounod, Barbier, Helanzier, and the Publisher Lemoinne, Entangled in Lawsnits. A Visit to Mme. Georgina Weldon.=- Her Version of the Affiire-- Music, Madness, and Spiritualism. THE DRAMA. MR. D. H. HARKINS, PLATING RICHARD TO OBLIGE. 1t will be quite the appropriate thing for Mr. D. H. Barkios to do, on departing from Chi- wazo,to hold up beseeching hands to *just Heaven,” and say, “O save me from my admir- ing friends.”” Mr. Harkins came here to plays brief engagement at the Adelphi, and he began well, winning ceneral approbatiqn for his intel- ligent aud svirited rendering of Jack Cade. He _migat have plased it all the week to the satis- * fuction of the public, and of the manager of the Adelphi, but in an evil hour a select throug of the admirers clustered around the tragedian. They *gattered him like 3 dog; t0ld him there were white bairs in his beard before the black ones came there.” They vprepared a petition in which occurred the phrases, “schol- arly rendering,” “masterly conception,” and a deal of skimble-skamble stuff of the like na- ture; had it signed by the customary signers for benefits—all the familiar names appearing on the list, all butthat of Dan O'Hara, who ‘was unfortunateiy gone from the sphere. They informed Mr. Harkins—these people of im- portance—that they could not be at peace in their graves until they had seen and heard him in some of the masterpieces of the immortal bard who swaunned on Avon (a river in Warwick- stire, England), aud they concluded to invite ‘bim to play ** Richard 111" It was Mr. Harkins’ misfortune to give attent- ‘ve heed to these siren voices. Perhaps he had some ambition in that direction himself, or perbaps it was mercly his good-na- ture that induced kim to comply. .At suy rate, he did comply, and succeeded in reaching a bad eminence. Of all the perform- ances of * King Richard,” that acheived by the entire company o Friday evening seemed to be the worst ever witnessed in a Chicago theatre. It was hardly possible to expect anything clse under the circumstances, and it is perhaps un- fair to impute to Mr. Harkins the blame which isdue to bis injudicious friends. A play writ- ten by Shakspeare requires some preparation on the part of the actors. fn this case the lines were evidently studied between acts, and an enormous respousibility was thrown upon the prompter. Mr. Harkins himself was very im- perfect. He exhibted anything but scholarship. He iuvented phrases that are not to be found either in Skakspeare or Colley Cibber; Lle roared ihen there wus oceasion for cooing, and, as it seémed, deliber- ately placed the wrongemphasis whenever there Was an opportuni It is impossible to- s what Mr. Harkins might do with fiichard after careful rehearsal and diligent study, but his ex- Libition of Friday evening inclined the audience of admirers to think that they bad wmade a mis- take in their calculations.” It did not seem likely that Mr. Harkinscould, withever so much preparation, present an intellizible Richard. His Teading was incorrect. his make-up was a singu- lur admixture of foppery and clumsicess, and Lis cait was an awkward imtation of Mr. Bootl's limp. As for the company, their performance was lamientable, and gave the entertainment the ap- Pearance of a burlesque. Their pronunciation in gencral and i particular, detestable. uy called “strike” storike, and *‘music” me-you-sick, and, in short, **guved” the play throughout ju a remarkably unconscious but most unmistakable manner. We reuret to bave to record such a failure on the part of so goud an actor as AMr. Harki who 'in the fore part of the week made a ve fuvorable impression upou the public. He will take this s a useiul lesson for the future, and will probably never azain be caught in the act of vielding to **the Circean draurht, the poison “breath of” popular applause,” with a hastily gatliered company of incompetent actors to as- E£ist hin, M’VICKER’S PRICES. MR, M'VICKER HAS THROWN A BOMESHELL at the leading managers of the country, who will doubtless hope forit to rebound and kill the veteran. The subject of prices to our leading theatres has beea underzoing discussion in the Eastern cities for some time. The prices in New York and other Eastern cities have always been much greater than those of our Western, end at the same time they have had a larcer number of patrons. It caunot be denied that McVicker's Theatre is worthy to rank with the best. The location, capital in- vested, manner of vproduction,~all go to make its expenses as hizh in proportion to its patronage as any of them. McVicker is compelled to produce and mount at Jeast twenty picces to take lum through a scason, while a New York thieatre can get along with three or four, and in productions comes a large portion of expense. If $1,000is expend- ed to producs a play, and it runs ten weeks in York and ouly two here, it is easy to see where the weight of expense comes. Jf Me- Vicker cau stand a reduction in prices his Eastern brothers can, and the following, which will appear in his house-bill on Mondar, gives bhis views om thbe subject, , and, béing worthy of perusal by all interested 1n the matter,we give it room in sur columns, as it is concise and 1o the point. ln our advertising columus the scale of prices will be found, and when read we have no doubt all will conclude Mack has done the richt thing, but to prove their sincerity they must vatronize him or be wil! follow our savings banks—excent inthis, that before he shuts up he will pay up: From this date the scale of es bas been fo srranzed as to meet the views, we trast, of sil, and with the belief and bope tbat an incressed Fatrenage will compensate for the decrease in prices. Notheatre in this conntry, or in Europe, where the game accommodation i en the pubiic acd the game decree of ariistic_escellence 13 ob- eerved in al} Gepartments pectainiig 10 the sttrac- tiaps offered. have pnices within 30 per cent of these now anpouncad for MeVick ‘beatre, and thie tep Liss been taken by the mazager when bis expenscs are higher than ever before. McVicker has ope of the Cyst orgunized dramatic companies 1n the country, which will be kept up to its present #lancard, snd no piece will be produced wkich bas D0t compctent arists ip the cast. The orcheslra will remam at its present standing, - which is ackpowledzed 1o be ome of the best for gramatic = purposes in coentry. the The scenle, mechanical, property, and costume departments will continue the sume, and every effort will be mude on the partof the man- ager'to test the question which is pow agitating the amusement world—-* Can a_thoroughly orzani Iheutre be supported with low prices of admission Toe manaze creating an increased patronage. uccomplished our best theatres must cease o be o, and either follow in the wake of the **wavim buks " of the country—and close—or lower the #tandard of excellence and come down to the level of those rh\l:cn of amusement whose chiel expense i= the bills they print, With no iutention to fulsli the pramiees of the Lill. Noone can anawer the question ziven aboves it can only be solved with a trial. McVicker's Theatre tiakes this trial and hoves for euccess—but will ackuowiedse failure Shen it fn pronotnced and certain, feeliu thot 0o sbame will attacii 1o the effort. COMING EVENTS. THE TOEATRES. AMr. D. I Markins will apoear to-night-in the Adelphi as Metamora. E “True Woman® is the title of a new emo- tionaldrama soou to be brought out at Me- Vicker's, Leonard Grover is coming tothe Adelphi with *Our Boarding House ™ after the engagement of Rose Eytinge. 8 The Callender Georria Minstrels open to- morrow evening at the New Chicago Theatre. There are a pumber of popular tavorites in the troupe. - Mr. Ifarry Webber, who has been playing in Nip and Tuck,” = Lemons.” ete., throngh the West 2ud Southwith the Wallack Combination, 5 Lo Ch 0 by telesram to Cedar Rapids, bis wife beine very ill here. At the New Chicazo Theatre Mr. Wurster's German dramatic cowpany will appear this cvcning in a vew play, cutitled * The New Mag- dalen,” from the English of Wilkic Collins. A good performance is expected, as the priucipal roles are i wood hands. At Hooley™s Theatre Mr. Joseph Murphy and Miss Annie Ward Tiffany will appear Lo-imorrow night, supported by a comprny of his owu sel tion, in the popular Irish dramn, “ Kerry Gow Among the members of the troupe are An- nic Martimer, Miss Carrie Bray, Miss Magsic Lawrence, Messgs. W. M. Ward, 'W. H. Wallis, . M. Murray,“Harry 8. Dutlicld, A. G. Enos, Charles B. Hawkins, Luke Martin; Johin S. Mur- phr, and Joln Mailov. Mr. Murphy bimself Das alwaye been a favorite in Chicazo, Mr. Charles Vivian, wit, comedian, vocalist, mimic,—a tellow of wfinite jest, of most excel- was called from his professional duti e Jent fanev.—left Chicago vesterday to tullill an cuzagement at Yitssbure., During his visit here - he made many triends. and those who r former trinmphs w be pleased to learn of his advancement 1 chosen line of theatric art. Mr. Virian has been for several years past a areat. favorite in Cali- {fornia, and e is undoultedly destined to reap still larger novors throughout the East. He opens in New York early in Jauuary. The production of “ Antony and_Cleopatra ™ at the Adelpii on Monday cvening, with the superh sceme adornments of the Broadway Theatre, and _with Rose Eytinge, Louif: L, und the complete New York com- will be tnemost conspicuous feature of the iys. DPeople who view the extraordinary pictorial effects on the dead walls are curious to know whether Miss Evtinge is to come out in that primitive costume and sit on Wark’s knee. We cannot tell in advance. Elaborate prepara tions are going on at the Adelphi, and the house is being cleaned, redecorated. and perfumed for the reception of “the musky daugbter of the Nile.” Miss Emilie A. Gavig, an elocutionist and reader of great ability, has Dbeen tendered a complimentary benefit by many or our best, citi- zens, including_such ,gevtlemen as Mayor Heath, Duane Doty, many prominent Judies and members of the Bar, and others, She will ivean entertaivment at_Hersney Hail Phursday evening. Dec. 27, Mrs. Magaire, the well-known vocalist, Messrs. H. Clarence Ediy and W. F. Kuneip, and Miss Nellie Green have all voluuteered their services. Miss Gavip will give berchvicest selections, including scenes from **Richard IfL,” the ¢ Dukite Suake,” ete. The programme i$ an excellent one, und the performance promises to be an ngrecabit one. McVieker will ingugarate the holiday week at his theatre with the fairy extravasanza of ¢ Beauty und the Beast,” and the comedy of *¢ Simpson & Co.” In the latter MeVieker takes the part of Simpson. one of best roles, and Miss Aunic Graham that of rs. Simpson. The cast of the extravagavza is as follows: 01d Pump Harzy Penr: Jobo Quill Beauty—Pump's tines The Licast.... .. _linrry Lee fiss Cora Tinner AMies Emmin Marble raldine Maye 5 Lafayette Congress of By Little lunocents ‘The misunderstanding between Mr. Joseph aud Mr. J. H. McVicker has not beeu amicably settled, as might have been hoved, and Mr. Wheelock is theretore withdrawn from the admiration of the public for the balance of the scazon. Of course the business relations be- tween a manazer aud an actor should be of no more concern 10 the public thun thuse existing between Field, Leiter & Co. and auy of their cleris. But it is the fate of people who place thewselves on exhibition, as aciors znd man- agers do, to excite public curiosity even about their daily walk and couversation.” Andthis has happened in rezard to Mr. Wheelock’s retires ment from the leading position he has occupied inMeVicker’s Theatre. There seemsto be a wen- crafregret taat Mr. Wheelock should not stay and entertain us, and quite naturally the ques- tion arises, What was the reason? The reason ‘was one of thuse dilliculties that are liable to ovcur in the best reguiated theatres, where hot and cold heads collid The hot-neaded mzo and the cold-headed man et mad, aud both blaze up. ‘The man with the cold bead has the best of it, and the hot-headed man is obliged to swallow-his wrongs and depart. To be sure, Mr. McVicker can appropriutely quote the adage about fishes in the sea, yet there is a distinction in fishes, and the patrons of McVicker's Theatre will feel sorry that so good an actor as Mr. Wheelock should uo longer be an ornament to the Chicago stage. " GOSSIP. THE MONGOLIAN DRAMA. % The San Francisco Chronicle notices the open- fnz of the new Chinese theatre, named the Look Sun Foong (lmperial Show-House), and after describivg the process by which the evil spirits, which are snpposed to haunt China show-houses, are exorciyed, proceeds to. criticise the perform- ance thus: d * The sorits having received the **grand bounce,™ the house was onened at night for the ¢ ment of the historicul tragedy of **Si 12 Fun Scu: ‘The house was crowded with the elite of Chinatown. Occasionally some zal oung highbinuer woald draw forth from under b touse s hatchet and fan imeelf with it Tue play is fonnded upon an interesting littie epizode ihat vceurred in the medieval of Chineee and as closely as can bu ascertained by chronologists in the year 78,634 There are six (kings in_it. . Six too muny for.the peace in any play. the pluy of cory druw-poker the contemporancous discovery of six kings tends toward unpleasantness uand unharmony. Cul Uck, the ** hundsome, and 2ood, and gallant, snd gay " young man who packs he tivo aforesatd feet around with lum, appears, ' caretul watch of toe piece, 1o be na8 so fur, by actuul count, kilied fortysthree kinus, dragons, monopohists, traitors, and Lobgobling. The is diversified by vocal and instrygnental music that would charm ibe very Bivdo off Ine bush. It is not known how maiy mounths it will take for the complete rendition of the play, but itis hoped that the stage-mapager will eut it as much as possible, £0 that the tnal tableau, withCul Uck as a kind of Chnuese Virqu- us, may be seen before the united and organized white workingmen of the conntry have bee) uted their demund for the tinal removal of the Chinamen frum these shores. THE UNCRUSHED TRAGEDIAN AGAIN, ‘The Count Joannes indites the following char- acteristic epistle to the watdager of the Bowery Dressalinéa | e ab Marrvwongs {Deanty's mnm{ Queen of Itoses..... Couductor. A aftera five o the nero. Theatre: DranStr: T bave receiv yonr courleous lettar of the Lith inst.. invitinz me to act Rickard /i1, on the g of Monday, Dec. 24, iust.. and my dramatic pupi] (autborexs and artist), Miss Avoma Fairbunks, who made a successful bebut in Sooth's Theatce, 10 act Lady Anne. * You courtcously write: ** Thousands of peréon are anxious to wit- ness the * Uncrushed Sragedian”® in the characters he has succesefully versonated—Ricuard //1. being oue, as well as tiamlet. Uacbeth, etc.” The firian- cialelement must not inierfere with my mental du- ties; for they are paramount with me at zlf times; whellier a5 counseior at law, tragedian, oc public writer for the press, cic. 1 accept your invitation for Monday evening. Dec. 24,inst. (the only even- ing available at present), 10 act Kickard /. my dramatic pupil, Miss' Avonis Fairbank Lady Anne, Princess of Wales. You cax, therc- fore, make the above public anOLnCEment in ac- cordance witn our izterview, and this letter, which 1e at your eervice. 1 now answer tbat portion of cur letter which gave me greater pidasure than a 500 fee for acting Rtchard 111. or Hamiet, viz.: that portion where. in you siinde to my havizg made my dramatic de- butin this city in the: Bowery Treatre, then, as now. well conducted: and that ‘‘ibe auciedces applavded my scting and regarded me with per- sonul respect.” 1 beseech you and the pablic to belicve that I have always cherished with 'feelings of gratitude the people’s recepticn of me azd their geneous appisuce in wy former dramatic csm- paigns in tke Bowery Theatre. No dramstic_invitation in this city (and I have eeven) con!d be more agreeable to’ me than to resppear uvon the field where my first mental laurels were won in this metropolis. The celt aware Liat it can only be done by | 1f this canot be | brated authors, J. Fenimore Cooper and John i Howard Payne, there witnessed and applauded my personation’ of Zom filler and Carwin, in tlieir respective productions. ‘*Water Witch," and ““Therese, Orphan of Geneva." And my - sincere friend, dramatic admirer, and critic was Muj. Mordecai M. Noah. _Those names were alone sutlicient to secure an artiat's lasting reputation. | And when I' returned from my higher studies is i England—where 1 triumphed as Kickard 111. Jlacoetl, and_Hamlet, Don Feliz, at the Theatr: Royal, Drury Lanc, and pronounced the **Ora- tion upou the Genius of Shakspeare ¥~ my fervent reception **home ** was hailed with renewed up- Dinuse by the same generous audiences; and. more recentiy, by 4,000” persons, on oue evenivg. in Nivlo's Theutre, to isitness my Kickard 117, Most aratefully do 1 recall the dmmatic honors in my eventful Tife, and shull proudly acknowledgo them D V.) upon the evening of the 24th inat., after Wy persouation of the **Last of the Plantagen- UERY s faithful rerviteur, 'he Unerushed,* Geonce, T CoUsT Jo. Formerly **GEorer JONE NOW EVANGELINE GREW. Mr. J. Cheever Goodwin, iu the coitrse of a chat with the New York Herald, makes the fol- lowing candid acknowledement as to the suc- cess of his now popular burlesque: 1t is now five years since ** Evangeline” was brought out. It wasn comparative success at the Globe, but only comparative, for the piece was net then what it is now. I am not in the slightest degree able to explain the reas ¢ long-con- tinued popularity of **Evanzelne” here, but I have come to the conclusion that it is pleasing to Bostonians in the same way that baked beans and codfinh are. It is s babit, 8o to speak, to o and taolt, fust an it Is 3 custom Lo et beans on” Sun. day. " Iuis certainly not on account of the merit of the picce. 1 honestly think it is° because they lave seen it 50 often that they feel a sort of pro- prietary right_in it, and they ro in order to see ‘wbether anybody has been tampering with their property 1 auy way, 1lhave seen and lieard so many changes in_the test that Tcan hardly recog- nize the pieco us the one T wrote. Biliy Crane tolid me last shmer that he found himself” constautly quoting what he said at Niblo's, and only the look of surprise of the person he was addressing would recall the fact that_the, part had heen Changed. ** Evangeline” has been’s source of eratification to us more because of private associations than on ac- count of its public snccess. When we were all playing In it, we werea remular happy family. One reason why it hus run so Joug withont jcalou jeson tue part of the leading peopte ix, undoubled- Iy, because the promiueni parts are 5o nicely bai- suced. For mistance, Le Bluncand the Lone Fish- erman offsct each other; und zo with Lrangeline aud Gabriel, ana othiers.’ This was nol premedi- tated onour part, howevers it all happened Mast o the characters have been elaborated by the people who have taken th 1 was surpriced, the Jast time I saw the policeman. the character was 50 totally Bifferent irom the one I wrote up. NEW YORK NOTES. The title of the extravagauza for which Mr. John Brousham is writing the libretto and Mr. Edward F. Rice is composing the music is [he Lotos.™ At the Union Square Theatre * The Mother’s Secret™ is to be replaced on Monday by an adaptation cf Feuillett’s “ Montjoge.” bearing the title, * The Man of S " John Brougham’s health continues slowly to improve. Ilis iron constitution has withstood a most severe and_perilons attack, He remains in a feeble condition, but is out of danger. Mr. Couldock, Miss Annic Edmondson, and Mr. Witliam Burroughs—brother of the lute Claude Burroughs, the unfortunate young man who perished mmong the victims of “the Brook- J¥n Theawre fire~liave been added to the stock company of the Fifth Avenue Theatre. A lineal descendant of Thomas Jeflerson, a Jady whose talent is said to be above the ordinary, will appear very shortly at one of the Brooklyn_theatres in u tentative role, that of Adrienie Lecoerer. By a_siugrular coincidence this is the choice of Ieten Modjeska in her debut in New York. The dramatic company that act with venport _at Booth's Theatre com| George Vandenbofl, Mr. Churles Fisner, Mr. Davidge, Mr. Hardenbers, Mr. Herbert Barry Imore, Mr. Owen Faweett, Mr. Jobn Drew, ) George Parkes, Mr. Frank Bennett, Mrs. Gil- bert, and Miss Drew. “As You Like It” and wyelith Night” are announced. Steele MacaKye's new drama “Won at Last has been assauited by the Sun on the ground of immorality, wiicrcupon the author rushes into print in scli-Gefense. He says: % As marriage makes or unmakes both the wdividual and uni- rsal man, it scems quite time that art should join hauds with science, and, treating this sub- Jject with the earnestness ‘it deserves, scek 1brough the medium of entertainment to instill into thie youth of to-day a finer sense of marital love. This I have earnestly endeavored to do, aud it seems strange now ihay this ery of im- morality should be raised against a play written and performed in this spirit.” MISCELLANEOUS. Mr. Barton Hill has been acting Macbeth at the California Theatre, Sun Franeisco. A monument, commemorative of Edwin Ad- ams, will be erected at bis grave by his widow. Rignold fs alleged to have thrown n supe across tue stage the other might. He will be quarreling with bis bread and butter next. Harry R. Williams Ias written 2 Chinese song for Charles Parsloe, which the latter has intro- duced in ¢ Danites.” 1tis ridiculously funny. Miss Clara Morris raised §1,79S for the Custer Monument Fund, by her (inatinee) performance of *“Jane Eyre,” at Wallack's Theatre, last month. More than 100 readers, lecturers, and_small- shiaw proprietors arc cavorting around Boston, but they give this city the yro-by. The police ar. rangeents were never better.—New York Mer- cury. The enzagement of Charles R. Thorne, Miss Fauny Morant, [da Vernon, and Maude Harri- son at Baldwin's Theatre, San Fraucisco, has been renewed for an additional four weeks in consequence of their success. ¥ Boston paper anuounces that Mr. Jacob N, Thowhw, for many years a favoritc at the Boston Muscum, is now an inmate of the For- rest Hontedu Philadelpiia. £ -such announ ce- wmenis are to go the rounds, it will have the good eflect of preserying actors from decay, and keeping the Forrest Home empty. AIr. Florence thinks that he sces the dawn of a better day for the stuze in the decay of the ephemeral that has set in. **We shall return by and by,” he says *'to some of the best tra- ditivns of the past, from which we have broken away too thoughtlessly. It will not be long be- fore the pubiic will demand more in a *leading juvenile man ' than the capacity to dress in the cight of fashion, and to lean gracefuliy upon the back of a sofa.” Enzlish papers complain that a first nieht au- dience does not fairly represent public opinfon, bui is mainly composed of fault-finders or fricnds of the mana vho o to applaud o and everybody without diserimina- ‘Ihe erticism is to a certain extent cor- rect. The initial performance is usually little more than a full-dress rehearsal, in which car- penters, sceue-shifters, and performers we ex- pected to overcome their nervousuess. Good backbune, however, will generally werit success on even the first night.—~New York Uerald. Sardou’s dratna, * The Exiles,” has been a great success ut Boston. The lierald sa; “Messrs. “Tompkins & Hill are to be con- gratulated ou the success of their first experi- mens in the Droprictorship of a_ereat play. They risked between $10,000 und $50.000 in the venture, but they oroceeded judiviousty and carefuliy; and the immeuse audiences which bave crowded the Boston Theatre at every per- formance during the past week have proved that their judzment was sound, and that they by no mcans misinterpreted the dritt of popular tasge.” Lydia Thompson despairs of the drama in America,—or at least in New York. In conver- sation with a reporter she said she did ot know that she was feaving Ameriea forever, but at preseut she as no intention of returning at any time. *“You see said she, “1 think the drama is dead in New York. People appear to have lost all interest in it, which isn’t the case oo the otber side. We have two theatres in Lohdon, you know,—the Folir and the Criteri- on,—and Mr. Henderson writes me that they are both doing well. I don't say there are no places in America where there is no lack of interest ic the play, as Baltimore, Washington, and Phila- delphia, for example, and 1 have bhad » good many offers to go West and South, but I don't like traveling. 1 only agreed to_go to four places,—Baltimore, Washinaton, Philadelphia, and New Yori,—and now I want togo home and take a rest.” FOREIGN NOTES. When Salvini appearcd at the theatre in An- vers recently lie was called before the curtain fourteen times. A play on the London boards introduces a farmer upon the stage, seated on a load of wood in bis wagon. Quite naturally he i3 on cord every night. The scenery of ** Ruy Blas,” the new opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre, is made entirely of vaper. It is possible that thie cheap substitute for canvas will, effect a revolution in stage- painting. Some of the variety people in England adver- tlse themselves under curious names, as for instance: * The Court lilusionist,” * The Lion Comigue,” *“Black Blossoms.” “The Solid Man.”” “Tke Original Star of Erfn,” * Arctic Skaters,* * Lady Ceiling Walker,” *Monarch 1 remain the publ of the Tank,” “Two Wooden-Headed Found- lings,”” ““The Mulatto Lady,” “The Female Barman,” ¢The Elastle Kickapoos,” ¢ The Lady Fly,” '“The Man Fly,” “The Boncless Wonder and Mau-Snake,” The Musculur Ath- Iete,” “The Peculiar Black Cloud,” and lastly, **’fhe Man of Mystery.” - & Mile. Leroux, who hasJied at the ace of 82, was the nrlFinal representative of the part of Jommy fn_1 William Tell,” produced fn Paris in 1820. She sang the “Te Neum™ in Notre Dume at the _baptism of the Comte de Chum- vord (Llenry V.. 7 . The London Athenceum says that the King of Portuzal's translation of “Hamlet,” while not [ Titernf, coutains many brilliant passages, not- withstanding the fack that the Portugucse language is not altogether ‘suited for the coun- ciation of tragedy. It is whispered that Victor Ifuzo has some thoughts of permittiug his os yet unknown plays, the *“Tuins” and “Torquemady,” to be brought out at the Comedic Francaise. The “Tuips,” it is said, bas for a hero the Man with the Iron Mask. Mr. J. Clieever Goodwin has written for Mr. John Howson a two-act comedy, based on “La Pouare aux Yeux,” which will probably be brought out in ashort time atthe Loundou Folly, where the well known comedian is play- ing.”' The Preuch original bas by no means been closely followed by Mr. Goodwin, who has located the action in’ New York, introduced much new business, writteu new dialogue, sud, in fact, made a uew play of it, . MUSIC. TTOME MATTERS. TUE UNPRETENTIOUS BUT REALLY VERY SUC- CESSFUL SEASON OF OPERA by the Hess Troupe has - ¢losed, and the singers are now on their way to Milwaukee. Of the performauces we need bardly speaks, as we have already poticed them in detail day by day. Looking at them as n whole, however, the troupe deserves credit, Miss Melville especially, as she has labored under severe physical fudis- position auring the eutire two weeks. While the very organization of the troupe must bar it from performing avything heavier than *Kra Diavolo” or ** The Bohemian Girl,” it is adapted admirably to its repertoire, which is comprised waiuly of three operas adapted from the French, —Planquet’s “ Chiwes of Normandy," Maillart’s “Villars' Dragoons,” and Ambroise Thomas “Summer Night's Dream.” . While the most positive suce was won inthe first named, which could hardly have been done betterif it had been writlen for the troupe, the other two were also cxcellently given, and with only these three works, whicli represent a school almost unkuown in this country, Mr. Hess ought to have n thorougkly successful season. Miss Melville, as o light comedy actress and singer, hus made herself a gencral favorite, and Mile.Isidora Martivez, thouga nog astranger Lere, has made a more intimate. ac- quaintunee with our musical public and m- proved uvon the acquaintance. The other art.uts of the troupe, well known here, have acquitied themselves with great credit, and the season which has now closed will ieave behiud it usuy pleasaut memories. TIE HERSHEY SCHOOL RECEPTION. The ¢ Pupils' Keception * at the Hershey School of Musical Art on Friday evening was one of the most clegant and artistic affairs of the season, and was listened to by a splendid audience. Mr. A. F. McCarrell opened the con- cert with a Bach prelude, which he plaved with remarkable clearness and artistic phrasing, showiug not only careful study, but talent of no ordinary quality. Master Leon Vel Mott played the first two movements of Mendelssohn’s G minor concerto, with orzan accompauiment by Mr. Eddy. It Wwas quite a remarkable pertortri- ance, considering the extreme youth of the player (only 11 years). The dificulties of the work were overcome i a manner that would do_ credit to many an oider per- former. He bas great talent, aud with patient study may accomolish great things in lus art. . He'is by no means to be clussed smong those infaut prodigies which appear and disap- pear like meteors, for there is nothing abnormal about his growth. It is simply a case of unusuel musical tajent carefully cultivated. He is a pa- tient, hard worker. Miss Mary P. Hendrick samer Deh, per questo ‘{ostatte ™ from Mo zart’s “Titus " ina carefur and appreciative maunner, evincing marked improvement since her last appearance. Mrs. Lizzle D. L. Hen- drickson in thy “Staceato Folka,” by Mulder, displayed a voice of wondertul 'compass, inas- much as she sang F in alt with _apparest case. On the whole, however, her effort was not a marked success. It gave proof of careful training aud much study, but the introduction was very defective, which is u sudiciently grievous fauit. Mr. L. J. Henderson’s rendering of the Beetho- veu Sonata iu E flat, op. 27, was an eshibition of fine musical perceotions. The Aundants w: played with {eeling and artistic repose, and al forded a fine contrast to the brilliancy and spirit of the linale. ~Miss Mira Rommeiss sang Mer- kel's splendid hymn, - Show Thy Merey, Lord," in a manner fully worthy of the composition. Her tonces were rich and full, and especially in the lower register, of thrilling pathos. The vocal trio, *Speed Thee, Little Boat, by Miss Hiltz and the Misses Rommeiss, was sung with great precision and good taste, the voices blead- ing beautifully. Miss Eva Mayers played the “Capriccio Brillate” in B “minor very ®effectively. She has & clear, crisp touch and fine techmique. Her performance was remarkable for its appro- priate shading s well as for its brilliant execu- tion. These qualities in connection with her excellent memory give much promise for her future. Miss Grace A. Hiltz sang the scena and aria from “Der Freischuetz” without notes. The recitatives were given with great dratmatic power und refinement. Every word was spoken so as to be easily understood, and the tones of her voice in the lovely Prayer were sweet and liquid. The aria was delivered with firc and passion and made o fine impression. Of Miss Hiltz and Miss Rommeiss it may be remarked that they are pupils of unusual promise, aud cach has the power to attain o high position if the power to Dersevere in paticnt study be not luckivg. Miss Carrie J. Kingman, the lady orguuist, of whom the school is justly vroud, plaved the immensely ditlicult theme ‘and variations in A flat by Thiele, in a masterly manuer. No lady in America has, we beliew, one so far in or- gan-plaving, and Miss Kingman deserves the warmest congratulations for her successful per- tormance. In conquering these variations she has reached 2 position where difficulties lie be- hind_ her, and has given those musical manifes- tations which entitled her to be ranked, not terely 8s an orgau-player, -bUt s an artist—a lenax as rarely deserved as it is frequently mis- used. THE MUSICAL COLLEGE REUNION. The reunion given by the Chicago Musical College, 493 Wabash avenue, Jast Monday even- ing, again proved a great success. The College was crowded with an elezaut and musical audi- ence. Most of the pupils performing made their debut, and accomplished the task admira- bly. The first piece, “Amitic pour amitic,” by Carrie Wright and@ Belle Corvwith, was played with good cxpression and in excellent time. AMiss Millie Waterman, although manifesting a Mttle nervousness, sang Sullivan's * My Dearest Heart ™ in a very acceptable manner. The thira uwmer was “Oberon,” by Favarger, and was played by Juha Doane, whose execution showed carcful study and good talent. Miss Nora McMalon sanz * Ripetiche Aami, by Giorza. The lady has the voicd to make an excellent singer. Miss Ada Leckley deserves consideradle credit for the style in whnich she perforined the ** Songs with- out Words,” Ly Heller. * When ’us moon- light,” a song by Wuite, was sung in o pleas- ing manper by Miss Geni¢ Matteson. The seventh number, Sonate op. 24, for plano and violin (Beethoven), was played finely, Miss _Mil- Ier showing great lirmness of touch. Miss May Lestersang * Angels ever bright sod fair.”” She was nervous at first, but completed the lat- ter portion of the piece nicely and with good expression. The Polonaise 0p. 22, by Chopin, was beautifully played by Miss Zula_Goodman. Jdir. Frank Smith sang” ¢ So Shall My Darling B6,” by Abt. Mr. Smith has u light Voice, but ot pleasing quality. Miss Agues Knott plaved Schumann’s * Novellette,” op. 93 (No. 9). The zem of the evening was jthe ** Romance,” for violin, op. 42 (Bruch), piayed by Mr. Kosenbec! er. Ziegfeld playing the piano accompan; ment. The College may congratulate itsclf upon having such an artist.” Prof. Rosenbecker was scven years connected with the Thomas Crehestraas_ first violinist; and s now one of 1Le College Faculty. 3 The grand anoual coneert by the College, as- sisted by a full orchestra, will take place Mon- day eveaing, Jan. 21, 1375, at McCormick Hail. Tlie public will then have the opportunity of hearine Prof. Roscnbecker vlay Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. The College has been incor- porated. and the following officers elected: afeld, President; Adolph Rosenbecker, D rector; J. J. Hattstaedt, Treasurer; K. M. Cos- tle, Secretary. Es ., THE RIVE-KING CONCERTS. The forthcoming Rive-King concerts at Her- shey Hall, five Ja number, to which we shall al- lude more in detail bereafter, will be given in the interests of that most deserving charity, the Foundlings’ Home. In addition to Mrs. KEing’s numbers, which, of course, will be the prominent features of the concerts, the pro- «rammes wilt be made still further attractive with vocal selections to be given by Mrs. Clara D. Stucy of this city, Miss Abbie Whinnery of Boston, and Mr. Tyrrell, basso, of Cincinnati. It fs as yet too cariy to outline the programmes, but tiicv Wil presentarare treat to lovers of Zood mu: Meamwhile the commendable na- ture of Lthe charity to be Lenefited should be kept in mnind, and should induce u larwe and generous patronage. . 1t should be remembered .:’m.z vf:u: reserved seats will uot be on sale after an. L. THE BEETHOVEN SOCIETY HEUYNION. ‘The Becthoven Society will give 1ts third re- union on Saturday eventug next at Hersbey Hall, with a very interesting programme. Messrs. Loeseh, Lewis, Fehl, aud Eichheim will vlay the Becthoven string quartette in G major, and, with Mr. Wolfsoln, the Shotto quintette for piauo and strings, and Messrs, Wolfsolin and Xichheim will p] Rafls duo, “Begeg- nung,” for piano and *cello. The vocal num- bers will also be of unusual intercst, s two new ers will appear,—Mrs, Charles G. Hurd. of sburg, aud Miss Mary M. Sugeett, of Cleveland, The former will sing Verdi's “Suuset” and “The Gipsy,” and the latter, Luzzr's “Ave Marfa " and”Mozart’s “ Voi che supele.” Mr. Schnodig will sing Weidt's “lhuemweciiter Lied.” PIANO HECITAL IN BOSTON. Spectat Correspondence of The Tribune, Bostox, Dee. 20.—Mme. Schillér’s last pianc- forte recital was given here yesterday afternoon, and called forth a select und appreciative audi- ence. Itisseldum that a great artist has left us with snch sincere regrets. Her first apoear- 4nce JIong uswas in the winter of 1877.. While on a visitto Cambridge, Mass., she played with ThevdoraThomas® orchestra, and her genius has given her a place fn the front rank among pianists in this country. Born in. Englaud, of English parentage, she evinced at an early awe great talent for music, but was educated with 1o thought of u public carcer. At the Leipsic Couservatoire she became the favorite pupil of Mocheles, who acknowledged her genius and wonderful interpretation of Chopin. At the close of her studies in Leipsic sbe played at one of the Gewandhaus concerts, taking the place of “a celebrated pianist who bad been cn- wvaged to plav, but whose interpret: tioh at the rehiearsal failed to satisiy the crities. Miss Schiller’s performance was a marked success, and not only was she several tinfes reealled, but aiso presented with a case of quisite jewels. In 1872 she was married in gland to Mr. Marcus Bennett, of Boston, who died in 1876. Mrs. Bennett’s wonderiul fucility at interpreting at sight the most difli- cult woriks of the great masters was exemplitied in Mendelssobn’s G minor concerto, which she played iu public successfully after a day’s stud: and many of RafPs comcertos have lieen pri pared for public performauce in eiwht hours She is greatly esteemed by her friends and pu- pils bere for her personul worth, added to her many uccmnp"shmcms. We understand she is. to make a Western tour before suiling .for the 0ld World. A BosToN Lavy. LOCAL MISCELLANY. Dudley Buck bas written s flymn to Music for the St. Cecilia Vocal Society of Brooklyn, which is very much admired. The next rehearsal of the Beethoven Society will take place Friday evening, Dec. 28, iustead of Tuesday (Christmas) evening. Rossini's posthumous “ Messe Solenclle ” will be given on Christmas morning at St. Mary’s Church, with tull orchestra and choras. ‘The Hess concert troupe has closed its season, ana Mr. S. G. Pratt, who has been connected with it as solo vianist, will shortly, return to Chiicago to resutne his protessional dities. The specinl feature of the musical service at St. Patrick’s Church on Christmas morning will be a solo a¢ the Offertory by Mrs. MeGuire, who will sing Verdi’s O Salutaris Hostiw."" ‘We are requested to announce that the re- hearsals of the Apotlo Club will be postponed to Wednesday during the holidays, and that the Robertshaw class witl be held Fridays, in- stead of Tuesdays, for the next two week: “The Coicazo Concert Party, Mrs. Falk, Mrs. Watrous, Messrs. Schultze, Bowen, Williaw Lewis, and Louis Falk, will give theic frst con- cert in this city next Thursday evening, Dec. 27, at the Union Park Congregational Church. Mr. Florénce Ziegfeld, President of the Chica- o Musical Collegé, was presented, a few cven- ings og0, with a mazmiticent case of silverware by the members of the Accordia Lodge; over which b has presided duting the last two years. Mrs. Louis Falk sang . with great success at a coucert given by the Philharmonic Society of South Bend, Ind., ou the 19th, and Mr. Louis Fulk played at the opeuing of the new Hook orghn, recenily placed in the First Baptist Church. Eigin, on the 20th. With reference to a recent_statement in TuE TRIBUNE to the effect that Albani's father says sheis not warried, the Montreal Herald say ¢Jean Baptiste La Jeunesse died in this city fourteen years ago, and left Louisu (Atba with her brother in charge of 2 maiden aunt, the latter of whom resides 1 St. Louis street.” Evidently, then, the father said nothing of the sort. ‘The Bliss Memorial Choir held a sociable on Thureday evemng in lower Farwell Hall, upon which oceasion, in behalf of the members, S. P. Russell presented to Mr. Frank L. Will- fame, the leacer, a_gold-mounted batou, 1s.a recognition of his efforts in the development of the choir. We understand the choir propose holding a memorial service on the anuiversary of Mr. Bliss’ death. The Freja Seandinavian Singing Soclety has clected_the following officers for the ensmng r: President, Henry L. Hertz; Vice-Presic dent, Gustaf Nyguist; Treasurcr, Lawrence Hesselrotli; Recording Secretary, August Grimse; Corresponding Secretary, Vi sou: Financial Secretary, P. W Drarian, J. F. Johneon; Musical Director, Johu L. Swenson; Trustees, Lawrence Hesselroth, H. Auderson, and Henry L. Hertz. On_Thursday evening, Dec. 27, a concert will be given at Armory Hall, on Indiana avenue, near Thirticth street, for the benefit of the Church of the Holy Communion. The first part. of the programnme, which is miscellancous in character, will be given by Mrs. E. A. Jewett, Mrs. C. E. Danicis, and Messrs. Coflin, Walker, Powers, and Frank Root. The sccond part will cousist of an operctta, *Penclope, or the Milk- man’s Bride,”” written and arranged by Mr. Frank C. Walker, the characters in which wili be taken by Mre, Jewett, Mrs. Danicls, and Messrs. Coffin, F. K. Root, and Walker. The Cleveland Plabvidealer says: W are sorry to anuounce that Miss Lou Breaciman, one of Clevelana’s most plisticd artists, is about to leave us for Chicawo, which place she proposes to malkie her home in the future und devote ber time to giving musical instruction. Miss Bregelman has long been connected with the choir of St. John's CHthedral, and has fre- quently taken part in various operas and con- Certs given by home talent. Miss Bregelnan's voice is a rich contralto, and her departure, while 8 gain to Chicago, is a great Joss to do musical circles. We wish Miss Bregelmau all manner of success iu ber new home and her profession.” The programme for the Turner Hall concert, this afternoon, is one of the best ever offered at this placé. It includes Bartholomaus’ “ Fest Polonaise™; the overture to Lentuer's ¢ £l- vira”; the Owl Club waltz. by Locsch; overture to Gluck’s ‘‘Iphigenia in Aulis 5 Gounod’s * Funeral March of a Marjonedte 5 Liszt’s ** Second Rhapsudic ™'; Socdermann’s « \Wedding March ’; selections from Lecoeq's #3\me. Angot”; and Bach's ** Approach of Sprme.” Four of these numvers have figured familiarly ou the Thomas prozrammes, and their appearance on_the Turner Hall pro- grammes shows that the director is determived to give the patrons of the ball good music. A very interesting musical entertainment was ven in Mr. Weston’s Semiary, at¢ Highland ark, last Thursday night. The prozrmamme included Wagner's “Ritt der Walkueren,™” Tor two pianos (Misses Case and Farr): Mendelssohns _“Forest Song.” \for fe- male chorus; DBecthoven’s ¢ Sonatn Pathet- fquen (Miss' Fischer); Franzs “\Slumber Sovg ™ (Miss Jones); Sullivau’s “ Lol Back 7 Miss Amanda Casc); Cohnin's Rondo for two_pianos (Misses Hall and Niles): Waa- ner's **Spinning Chorus ” (select choir of eizht Voices): the first movement of Becthoven's third concerto with Reinecke’s cadenza (Miss Edua Sweet—the sceond pianoby Mr. .\l:m'xeu's?: aud Tausig's concert paraphrase of Weber's “ [nyitation to the Dance.” The very exacting programme was well given, the instrumental members especially showing very rare aoilit; ¥ in the plavers. This was perbaps morc Temarka- ple in ) Sweet's performance, owing to h:.-r apparent youth. The vocal numbers were also riven with refinement and spirit. aad the whole affair reflected credit upon ihe parties cou- cerned. sin MUSICAL NOTES. Mme. Patti sings in Venice during the second week in December. Mume. Essipoff is expected to make Vienna her permanent home. The production of * Ruy Blas” at her Maj- esty’s Theatre, in London, Was 2 failure. Carl Rosa is busy preparing for ifs usual vrinter season in London, and means i bring out an Enelish version of Mozart’s “ Cosi Fan Tutti,” an opera very little known in England. Alfred Jacll, the pianist, It is said, will come to the United 'States next year. He will be accompanicd by bis wife, Mme. Trautman-Jaell. The Nashville University Colored Jubilee Singers have given several concerts in Berli ;‘;fl;}fi;—mc patronuge of the Emperor and Royal Herr Wagner’s Dramatic School at Bayreuth, wherein students are to e truined especially for the representation of his operas, opens on | Jan. 1. Herr Rubinstein conducted his * Ocean sympliony at the Pasdeloup concert, iu_Paris, three weeks ago. ~ Alter the symphuny, be was recalled six times. Mr. Theodore Thomas has been consulted by Shook & Palner relative to his accepi- more’s Garden and giving summer con- certs there uext sesson. Wamner's success in Germany has been proved by statistics. In the year from August, 1876, to August, 1577, there were 139 operatic uerfarmances i Munich, and of these Wagner's works had the pre-cminence, twenty-four nights —double that of the coinposer next in number to bim; in Berlin and other German towns the same thing occurred. Tne Lower-Rhenish Musical Festival, which takes place gext year at Dusseldort, is to be conducted by Rubinstein. The programme, so far us it is at present lixed, fs as foilows: First day—Psalms by Handel, Schubert’s symphony I C, and Schumann’s music to * Faust.” Second duy—Rubinstein’s ** Ocean symphony and Gluck's **Orpheus.” Third day—DBee- thoven’s concerto in K flat, played by Rahin- stein; achoral work by Tausch, a conductor iding at Dusseldor!; aud other pieces not yet decided upon, In Bologna recently they gave * The Flyin Datcbman ™ with'poor suc’rcss. The final s?vnnz was turned into an _frresistibly comic tableau. Where the souls of the lovers are supposed to be wafted heavenwards, the souls were repre- sented by two lay figures tied to a board, which was heavily dragwed to the top of the drop- curtain, exciting much mirth among the audi- cuce. The phantom-ship was a dead faflure, and ran foul of a rock, cuming to an untimely cud, with its phantom crew; who fell funomini- ously over the rocks on to the stae. The hisscs and Taughter knew 1o bounds at that cataclysm. PARIS. THE “POLYEUGTE” SCANDAL® From Our Oum Corresponrent. Paus, Dee. 5.—It fs now, as nearly as possi- Die, two years since ail Paris was set in commo- tion by one of the strangest stories imaginable. The hero and berviue (for there was a heroine) were Charles Gouuwd and 1 mysterious English Iady of the name of Weldon. Such accounts of the allair as we grot were necessarily confused, contradictory, and diflicult to unravel. The personal aninsis shown by all concerned made us doubt even the little we could understand; but that little was sufliciently curious. Accord- ing to the popular version, Charles Gounod, who during the Prussian war had emigrated to England, had made the acquaintance in London ofa MR. AND MRS. WELDON, living at Tavistock House, the former abode of Dickens. Who or what Mr. Weldon was, we knew not, but it scemed his wife was a singer, possessed of an cxtraordinary voice, and mar- velously beautiful and fascinating. Gounod had fallen into the power of this modern en- chantress, and, careless of all duties be might owe to his wife and children (who were in Paris) and to his native fand, had given himself up so utterly to the subtle spells woven about him, that not only was he living ou termsof the closest and most scandalous intimacy with this Mrs. Weldon, but he was on the very point of renouncing his own nationality and becomiug a naturalized Englishman. 5 Vague rumors of all this, set affoat in Paris, reachey the ears of the public. The indignation of everybody knew no bounds. Gounod was renegade, Mrs. Weldon A BRAZEN ADVENTURESS, and, as for her husband, polite languege had no word for him. Suddenly,after the reputed ligison had lasted three long years, Gounod bad broken with the siren, and was in Paris. A little while after, wé heard tuat he was vainly cudeavoring, through his fricnds, to get possession of a quantity of musical MSS. which he had left behind him, and which Mrs. Weldon was understoed to claim as her own, in virtue of a gift made her by the composer. Amongst these MSS. were the score of anew opera comique, “ Georzes Dundin,” several relizious compositions, and fially tl scoreof ** Polyeucte,” which M. Halanzier was anxious to mount atthe Paris Opera-House. Then it was given out that Gounod, sick of vain efforts, wis doinz his best to remedy the loss by resriting the work from memory. The- labor aud difliculty of such an undertaking are. of course, prodigiois, People grew kinder to the man. and eraduaily came to look upon him 3 B AS A MARTYR hardly lesa worthy of admiration than his own Folyeucte, or_than Wagner's ill-fated hicro, Zann- hauser. In proportion, as the commiscration for Gounod grew stronger, the condemnation passed on the chunfeuse dngliise, as she was called, be- come more and morc pitiless. Not only had sho harmed her victim morally, bat she had cheated and noused hiwm shamefully in money maticrs. Sicamwhife the second MS. of * Polyeicte " was being painfully composed. It was near comple- tion. when one day we learnt with increasing be- wilderment that Mme. Weldon had returned the origmal, together with the manusctipts of **Georues Dandin, " etc. more was said about the affair tor some time,—two years. . Halanzier way sup- posed to b bunly rehearsing the work, which. as have informed you in_former letters, ‘was prowm- ised us for mest epring. But the fuarrel was **acotched, ™ mot kilied. ~ Tt has just becn revived hers with complications’ tenfold greater than ever. In point of fact, Gounod’s mezotiatios with M. Hulenzier had,’ so far as the acceptance of “‘Polseacie™ e concerned, been petfectly suc- cessfil. Tho director underfook to bear the beavy cxpense of mounting the opera next vear, and the composer was to_receive 63 per cent onail the gross receipts. On coming to the business part of the arrangement, however, to M. Halaozier's suc- Drice, he was REFERRED TO M. LEMOINNE. Who is this M. Lemoinne? Gounod had not men- tioned his name in a1l the negotiations. Well, M. Lemoinneisa publisher here. to whom Gounod - bad, asit trned out. sola_*‘Polyeucte ™ for the trifling sum of £100,000. This gentleman clafms £5000 of M. Halawper for the privilege of pra dncing hts work, # sum which, though not relat; ly important, the latter not uunatirally declined to pay. il says bie only kuows Gounod in the busi- nesy, and will treat with nobody else. o much for one chapter of the story. 4 At this juncture who' should arrive In Paris but 3rs. Georgina Weldon, accompunied by her HUSBAND AND FOURTEEN CHILDREN Delonging to a private Orphanage 1o which she de- votea most of_her time und onergy, and which she supports, 1 belicve, entirely out of her own pock- «t. Hearing of the aporoaching production of the opera, she rensserts her right 1o be_considerea its Izwful owner, and threatens to substantiate her claim by mviny; selections of tho unpublished work at concerts here, Upon this, uv starts M. Jales Barbier, the ** Polseucte™ librettiss (who thinks the opera is his as well 28 Gounod's, as he wrole the poem), in a fino frenzy. Spiuing defiance and menuce ut the audscious foreizner, he sternly for- bids her to give selactions 'at any con- cert ‘without his ‘permission. This closes the second chapter. ‘The third and fst will probabiy be written oo papier timbre, and read in the law courts. -Up to the present Gonuod has avoided mixing himself up moro di- rectly than he can belp in the quarrel. He is just now. Lupily, nway in Lyons directing the produc- tion of bis **Cing Mars.® 4 VISIT TO MRS. WELDON. As tho heroine of this romance appeared to me to have been somewhat scurvily treated, 1 called upon her yesterday to bear her version of the case. To understand what follows it must be borne 1n mind that Charles Gounod, Tike many another genine, i a little mad. Thisis nota mere fture of peech, a¥ every one in Paris knows, though- for evident reasoms we don't often spesi of it. On the other hand, the long conversation_ I was favored with during wy visit to Mra. Weldon hav suficiently cou- Vinced mo that she fs what is called exultee, —fan- tnstic, mystical, and odd to 3 degree almost pass- 1pz belief. Her reputation for beauty is uot un- merited. While slie was telling me berstory I had time to take a good look at hier. Aithough she con- fesses, without a trace of melancholy, (o 20, you woula not think er more thau it Her face i3 most attractive. 1be features regular, the com- ploxion deticate and pure. the eyes glorious. {¥'Bat struck me most. Lowever. was that, with & form and face so beautiful, she seemed to bo abso- lntely indifferent to_ber wppearance. When | en- tered her rooms in the Rue Laflitte she was stand- ing. fike avothes Marius at Carthage, surrounded Dy the ruins of bozes, tranks, and hiterof all gorts, wholly absorbed in that_occupation dear to the female beart—packing. Without u shadow of embarrassment_#lie came forward to meel me, dizplaying to view s well-shaped but very grimy hand. Mer dress was of the simplest. A brown stuff gown such a3 servants wear. with a coarse, blue apron tied carelessly in front. Tho misses of brown hair that crowned her head iereall tangled and gathered up Jookely anybow nndera tiny torban of black velvel. Notwithstanding ihis slatterniy attire, the instant you approached you were conscious that vou wero 1o the presence of a lady—of 8 gentlewoman., 10 use tie expresa- jve old word. 'r'his i her story. | GEOKRGINA AND GOUNOD. Mre, Georzina Weldon js the daughter of a swealthy Englishman. At the time of ber marriage sbre und her husoand were possessed of a respecta. ble fortupe. betwesn 2000 and £4,000 8 year, almost all of which has since been spent in mecting the heavy expense of the Orphanage already al- luded to, and iu outlay_of all sorts resulting from their connection with Gounod. - This Orphanage is Mrs. Weldon's hobby—and a verr good Lobby too, s most will admit; thouch, as Tam told thatall the fourteen chitdren supported are lodged nnder the roof of Tavistock House, perhaps” Mr. W. ht be of different Opimien! Ilaving no chil- dren of her own, she devoted herself al- tozether to these ., litle waifs and strags, who = are tluihed, bouscd. fed, and taught movic by o pacticalac wethod of her devising. At the age of 3, the idea vcenrred to her that she mivht turn her masmificent Voice to account with advantage to her orphan chiarzes, and #ne began fo sing in pubtic. Gounod, Who was then in England with his wife aud family, heard her one day in a rehearsal. HE WAS TRANSPORTED, as much, Perhaps, by the personal charms of tho singer as by her voice. Anintimacy spraog up be- tween the two families, which appears o sve been, ut the outset condial on both vides. If Gounod was enthusiustic about the taleut of 1a helle Agzlai siie was no less 3 worshiper of the con senins, Mme. Gounod zrew jealous and returned to France. iler hushand, who represented him- eeif ay without resources, went 1o live with Mr. and Mrs. Weldon. 1le was extremely ill at the tume. Till Lie was perfectly cured his hosts nursed him and gave bim hospitality. The fair Anglaise brought hiw his food with ber own hand, and in fact Jooked alter him—sccording to_her account, which I readily believe—like u sister or a mother. When he zot well amain, the composer and his hostess came to Lhe conclusion that they ouzht, wiih mutual proft, enter inso A SOLT OF ARTISTIC PARTNERSHIF. « Gounod hid alwsys beea shamefully treated by Iis French publish *Faust.” 08 we know, . only Hfetched 12,000 francs. Noiw. a trasiy. work like >*Cing Mare" brings him in 100,000 francs. Madame Weldonassures me this strange alteration iu altozether ty be useribed to herself, and 1o the care with which she mnnuzed all Gounod's busi- neas for him whenn Enziand. Whie he was mn Enzland be wrote 3 number of smallvorks, coiely thoee sweet, langourous songs thut have churm us 30 often,—*Le Vallow,” *-Le Printcmpy and - the rest. This was lus share in the wstrange collaboration. She, fur her part, effected all arrangeuments for the sale of tnese compositions with the pubhshers, and sang them herself ot a serivs of coucerty which she gve at Tavistock Honse in nid of her Orphanise. Gounod was all this time receiving upbraubng letters from France, in which his friends did theie best to persuade it to leave Enland aod return 10 hiswite. The composer replicd (I hnve scen his lettere) thal a man was not told to **leave ull and cleave to his wife," but thata woman stouid leave all o cleave 1o hiér husbaud—and contented himself by sending money to Mme. Gounod. Jre. Weldon declares that, Gounod wrote the role of Pauline i ** Polyencte™ especially for her, and by word of month wade heru present of the opers. The first part of the stateaient is evidently trae, ns it i3 contirmed by the corresondeucs which pagsed between them, and, morzover, Mme. Weldon hay in her pussession a piano-forte reduce tion of the Puuline music, written in the com- poscr's own hand (which, by the by, has a sinzn- Jr resemblauce to hers). it was drranzed that she shomid play the part on the production of the work m Paris, and Gowsd told 3l Halupzier several times that he had discovered ‘a_sublime Lawlue.” Suddenly, without tne slizhiest warning of any change 1 the sentiments which bound him to s host, Gounod left Lon- don. and declined to have anything more to do “'uh! them. Ilis MSS. remmmed with Mes, don. Tasked my fair :nformant how it happened that, if_she felt confident of her cause, she had re- turned the music. Her reply gave me more in- sight 1nto her character than’ anything [ had yes observed. *'Oh," said she, 1 the most matter of fact tonc in the world, ‘1 WAS DIKECTED TO IN A VISION.” “*Gounod,” snc_continucd presently, *'is a musicai medium. They say he sees me still in visious, aud has never been able to_compose well since he lost the wspiration he got from me, ™ (Tisis certmnly borne out by **Cing Mars, "y 1 tad hardly any necd after this of the miormation that the lady is’ o Spiritualist. She fs wo clearly, and of the most mystic sort. This. couplea with & nervous, hystezical constitution. and her artistic turn of ming, are more than suflicient to make her relations witi vounod anuther mystic, gaits in ble without recourse to the shame explipations which have boen publishe: here by the fFwgaro and other notori- ously venal prints, and to account for uny farther stepy, however extravagant, she may tako in defense of her real or imaginary rights. L bave Bpoken of THE CORRESPONDENCE which passed between the two singular partners. 1t hus been collected and printed. and certainly forms tae most curious book I ever read in my life. Gounod alwzys addresses his hostess in the second person vlural. Notwithstanding this, the tone of Lis letters 15 of a nature to leptimately excite any amount of jeaiousy in the bosom of his wife. ife calls rs. Weldon by wuch playful pames as “Mon cher petit Laton® (**My dest litle mousey ™), **Mon chere petit, anil other fanciful terms, while he signs still more absurdly. *-Volre vieuz papa el robusis snalude,” or, * Volre treux gros “chut (1) chere," and_generafly winds up by suyine that he **em- braces you and Harry (Mr. W.) bien Jort! Mme. Weldon did not seewn very hopeful of winning her cause in the courts. 1 pointed out to her that the fact of her having returned the MSS. was likely to be accounted equivalent to_the abandonment of her claim. _** Ob,* said she, with a fioc indiTerent air. **1don‘t mind much, if I canonly get Gouno¢ 1210 the witness- vox [ **Ay, there's the rub, " Hanny St. MicaEL. e —————— PHYSICIANS' CERTIFICATES. To the Editor of The Tribune. Cn1cA60, Dee. 22.—By the authority of Dr. Rauch, President of the State Board of Health, 1 understand there appeared in some of the daily pupers a 1ew days ago-a notice that the foo chariged physicians by tbe County Clerk for filing the certificates issued to them by the Board was illegat, and would be. discontinued. 1t 15 evident. that. some one i3 in the wrong.as the fee isstill charged aud collected. Please in- - form us where the wrony is. I the fee is just I to ofler no objection. If it i3 un- just it is & wwnall swindic that should be loudly condewmed. The lalv does nos apply to alar graduates who have practiced medicine in this State for ten or mare years, but, learning they were generally observ- ing it, I apolied for a certiticate prepared to pav the aavertised fee of 31. Although my diploma showed that I graduated in_February, 1563, I was charged an additional 25 cents for goine tarougl the form of swearing to the fact.” [u- asmuch as every onie was uot charged this extra fee, it Lus theappearance in my case of being dllezral. Thew, as required by taw, T went to the County Clerk’s office to file_the certificate, where 1 had to pay another 95 cents. 1s not somebody charging aud packeting fees which he 15 not entitled to! . E. A. Barcarp, 67 Washington street. a———— TO MY BABIES, Come, little anes, gather aronad mé, For the sunlight has faded away, And the veil of the twiieht bae failen O'er the face of the beautiful day, And the shadows creep closer and closer, Till they peer through the bright window-pane; But the fire-light, ls0zhing and ruddy, Drives them off in confusion agai. Then zather around me, my darlings, For tha is the honr 1 love— My two precious boys close beside me, In my srms ** Little Daizy, " my dove; And I'll tell you a wondertui story Of a Liabe that was born years azo, When the winds of December were wailing And the Earth was enshrouded in anow, In the far-away Bethlehem City This wonaerful Baby was born: The Lord of the Earth and bigh Heaven, e was treated with coldness and scorn. In 3l the wide city no shelte Could be found for the Master of All, Till a stable jts poor portals opened, ‘And the Savior was born in the s 1In the manger Iiis poor mother laid Him~— His mother so meek and so mild: How her beart must nave quivered with snguish At the woes of ber anzelic Chuldt But the beasts in the stall knew thelr Makar, And bended them down at the sight, And the vreath of those bumblest of creatuces Warzed the God of Crextion that night. 50 1n the years that have vanisbed A e eantiral tale ias been (old, And €0 ia the years of the future The story shall never grow vld. ©Of how from the East camne the Sagi, By a star guided right oo the way, To where in the Bethleheu stable The dear Infant Jesus still lay. And they benced them low and they worsbiped; “Thcir offerings they laid at ilis fcet; Theu they rose. and they told the zlad tidicgs To all whom they met on the atreer. ‘And that was the Grst Christmas, daziiogs— "Tywas azes and ages 3207 And now in the hearts of all nattons Tt canses a raptarons glow. “Tis the season of joy and rejoicing— “Tis the season of peace und good-will, When the beart of the saddest maust gladge And the beurt of the Lardest mast thnill; For the love it the dear Savior bore as “To-day is a3 strong and as use As it was when He came down from Heaven, A Baby so lowly and poor. AuxBs AREaX McGoIne. Caicaso, Decomber, 18 ———— SONNET. The heart which eorrqus may be better blest Than one where mirth is ever bolding sway; For minds corrapt too frequently are gay, Ang upright oft with aching cares distressed. But. were the hidden mystery all zaessed, We'd haply £na who waik the shadowed way Discern, 85 Sun when dimmed vn clondy day, The curtained sheen of an immortal rest. There is, methings, a bleasedness in Like ran refreshing hearts with anzuish riven, ‘And oft bekind the weeoinz something cheers The soul to which the lot of wo is givens Yes, frequent, throngh the veil of doubtsand feats, Coies a low voice, nd sweatly speaks of Heaven, BxxiauN B. BULXLEX.